Robin Williams, a man of many characters, one of the keys to laughter in our lives, has left this world. Not to mask the deaths of other celebrities that we have lost throughout the years, but this one hits hard for many reasons. In the life cycle, people will eventually pass away, Lauren Bacall died the day after Robin Williams, at the age of 89. But Williams' suicide has us all shell-shocked.
Williams' characters span many generations, but for my generation, this is the first celebrity death that has a real impact. We were too young to understand Kurt Cobain's death, weren't even alive when John Belushi overdosed on cocaine and heroin, and while there have been other deaths that we can connect with, Williams' stands alone. We grew up with Mork & Mindy reruns, wished Mrs. Doubtfire was our nanny, listened to Dr. Sean Maguire, laughed with Genie, and hoping Pan would fly into our windows and take us to Neverland. Even with some of his best work predating our time (Good Morning Vietnam, Dead Poets Society) we watch those movies in awe.
In the social media world that we live in today, news erupted almost immediately. In time, everyone knew, not only that he'd passed, but he had committed suicide. Publicly and privately, Williams suffered with drugs, alcohol and depression for many years. Despite the laughter he brought to the world, his pain was too strong, and he felt he had no other way to stop it. Now, I can't relate with how he left, I've never been depressed, but I do know people in my life who have battled depression. I hope that anyone who suffers with depression can find peace some way without having to take their lives.
Robin, I hope you've found peace and you're laughing with Christopher Reeves once again. We will miss you're characters on screen and your gentle soul. Genie, you're free. RIP.
