Why do we feel that a Robin Williams is not supposed to be human?
Asked by
flo (
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August 12th, 2014
Every year, there is an untimely death of an entertainer it seems.
They say something like Celebrities have all the money and fame love of their fans, so what do they have to be depressed about? Robin Williams was 63,( not that that is old) kind of known for his addiction. We’ve known so many others who died untimely death because of addiction. I don’t see how it is so shocking. I mean esp. after John Ritter (who was so much younger, no history of addiction etc.)?
And is the gory detail necessary?
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9 Answers
You know he didn’t die from addition, right? He hung himself, and was known to have suffered from severe depression. His addiction issues had to do with him trying to deal with (or self medicate) his depression, according to at least one of his interviews.
No one thinks him immune from death, but he is a well known and largely beloved figure that died suddenly, apparently in (hidden) pain. Death from a chronic or wasting illness is a terrible loss, but mental illness is often a hidden illness, making a death shocking and that much more difficult to deal with.
Nothing. Many famous people suffer from the pressure. Depression in artists/comedians is common.
For me, it’s hard to believe that someone could live inside themselves for 63 years, and never reconcile; never find some ground for peace.
NO ONE is immune to death, but it’s hard for many people to understand someone who gave them so much joy tormenting themselves to death. It’s the epitome of the actor’s comic/tragic trademark masks.
It’s widely held by the people that do not have money, that knowing what they know they could buy happiness. That’s probably largely true, unless the money unleashes Demons mental illness that was held in check before.
Friends, family, humor, wealth, fame…Robin Williams had it all. How could we not be shocked that he killed himself?
Man goes to doctor. Says he’s depressed. Says life seems harsh and cruel. Says he feels all alone in a threatening world where what lies ahead is vague and uncertain. Doctor says, “Treatment is simple. Great clown, Pagliacci, is in town tonight. Go and see him. That should pick you up.” Man bursts into tears. Says, “But doctor, I am Pagliacci.”
It’s because he was a famous comedian who made everyone laugh, but he commits suicide because of depression. Avoidable, and hard to come to grips with. Bacall had a good run, and her death is sad, but it doesn’t become tragedy.
Everyone, Just for the record, I forgot to note that I edited the OP. the word “immune” is
removed, ( added) and added to the detail.
I think he has brought people so much pleasure that we hate to think he suffered so. Selfishly, we want him to continue to entertain us. Selfishly, we don’t want to know that at any moment someone we care about might leave us. I don’t mean we loved him like we would our own child or parents, what I mean is we don’t want to imagine that our own child, parent, friend, might be suffering so much that they would take their life and leave us. Take their life shortening their own possibilties for more experiences and possible happiness. His death is a reminder of how confusing and painful can be and that it can change in a moment.
He was not a teenager, I am sure he must have understood how devastating this would be for his family. I can only imagine he must have been in incredible pain to do such a thing.
@syz you’re right. He didn’t die from addition. He died from subtraction. :D
I think his addiction was part of it. I have a feeling the tox reports will show drugs and / or alcohol in his blood.
What’s getting me is that it’s like parts of my own life are getting ripped away. MJ (had such a crush on him when we were 13 and he was normal,) Farrah Fawcett (was told constantly in my teens, 20’s and 30’s that I was a dead ringer for her) and now Mork. It’s a reminder of my own mortality and it makes me want to cry.
“Parkinson’s patients often have trouble walking and talking. Symptoms include slowness of movement, a loss of balance and slurred speech. With Parkinson’s disease, “you may have a decreased ability to perform unconscious movements, including blinking, smiling or swinging your arms when you walk,” the Mayo Clinic says. The symptoms are often worse on one side of the body.”
I can see how someone as manic as Robin Williams could see that as the ultimate curse. I can’t imagine having all that energy and thought trapped inside without expression. A Parkinson’s diagnosis on top of a lifetime of mental illness certainly puts a new light on his suicide.
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