Good Bye Mr. Williams

[kybearfuzz]

I was a bit surprised to read online that Robin Williams had died at the age of 63. Despite being so incredibly funny and energetic, he's had many personal problems, including depression and substance abuse. His death is suspected to be a suicide.

I basically grew up watching Robin Williams on TV. "Happy Days" was a staple in my house growing up where he first appeared as "Mork from Ork," which was quickly followed by "Mork and Mindy." As a kid, it wasn't unusual to try sitting on your head or spew out a "Shazbot" or two. In those formative years when my eye was being drawn to the hairy chest of Tom Selleck, the fur of Robin Williams did not go unnoticed.

While I always enjoyed seeing him shirtless (and occasionally naked) on film, it really was his talent that I loved. I have always been a big fan. When he did stand-up, he was phenomenal; when he was acting, he was amazing. Whenever "The Birdcage" is on, I invariably stop to watch it.

I think the greatest appeal of Robin Williams was his ability to make you connect with him. When he was happy, you were happy. When he was sad, you just wanted to hug him. To this day, when I watch "The Fisher King," I just want to take Parry (his character) home and make everything okay for him. That Oscar win for "Good Will Hunting" was well-deserved.

One of my favorite stand-up performances was at an anniversary for "The Comedy Store" that I had taped on TV over 20 years ago. He was all over the place, seemingly totally unscripted, playing off the audience is wild ways. One of my favorite lines was when he was dealing with a heckler of sorts. The guy said he was incognito.

"You're not incognito anymore," Williams replied, "You're not even in Kansas anymore, Dorothy! No, you're not, you're on Hollywood Boulevard. Hookers, transvestites, and pimps! Oh my!!"

The latter part of that was done with him skipping across the stage. aceofspace and I still quote that last line to each other on occasion.

I'm sad that he's gone. It just felt like his talent was endless and to think that there will be no more is disappointing.

Comments

[maxauburn.livejournal.com]

I first saw Robin as a guest star on Happy Days. He got his own show in fall 1978, MORK & MINDY. He became my favorite comedian right away!

I was shocked a few hours ago to read that he's gone.

I hope he's found some peace now.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I do too. He always appeared to be such a sweet guy in every interview.

[mort-83.livejournal.com]

I was shocked to hear this tonight. So sad. I too, noticed his furriness. I loved him in The Birdcage and Mrs Doubtfire. I also though the looked very furry and hot in Good Will Hunting.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Oh, he could grow the most magnificent beards and they just added to his attractiveness to me. "Good Will Hunting" was him at his hottest I think.

[ricksf.livejournal.com]

Sad, so very sad. We've lost a legend.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

We have really. It's very sad when your favorite actors start passing away.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

He certainly was a comedic genius. I've not seen this level of personal writing over a celebrity's death in many years. I'm stopping and reading each post or article I come across. I feel immeasurable loss, though I had no personal connection other than his splendid body of work.

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

The out pour of emotions has been atypical, hasn't it? With decades of work under his belt, he was well known to generations of folks for different reasons. And unlike most stars, he had a reputation for being a genuinely nice guy.

I've seen only one negative comment on FB, basically calling him a coward and how he didn't feel sorry for him because he should have just "gotten over it." My first "unfriend" episode in a LONG, LONG time. That kind of insensitivity is not someone I want to fool with, even the cyberverse.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

People get crazy about suicide, especially if it's affected them directly. I can't say I understand suicide, though I have imagined how it would be a relief to be free from the hell that's been my life at times.

[dendren.livejournal.com]

I remember that thick chest of fur too, though I think I remember the furry arms even more. I remember being totally shocked when it was all gone in Hook. I guess Peter Pan couldn't be hairy :P

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Thankfully there is a lot of great fun and furriness from him captured on film in other places.