Robin Williams: Laughter, Cycling, Depression
I’ll never forget the first time I saw him, February 28, 1978…it was a Tuesday evening, and even for an imaginative ten year-old boy he was bazaar and seemed radically out of place, yet I was mesmerized. When Robin Williams showed up as Mork from Ork on “Happy Days”, I couldn’t get enough. I was ecstatic when “Mork and Mindy” debuted on September 14th that same year. I remember wanting the SHAZBOT! T-shirt, and my mom didn’t like that word so I proudly rocked the Nanu-Nanu T as a regular part of my 5th – grade school attire.
Calling him an actor seems too limiting, for he was truly an artist and I enjoy each piece of his work. Some of my personal favorites include “Survivor”, “The World According to Garp”, “Jumanji”, with my absolute favorite being ‘The Big White”, with Giovanni Ribisi, Holly Hunter and Woody Harrelson, I highly recommend giving this one a look. Looking back, maybe it was a move by ABC to capitalize on the space craze created by the original “Star Wars, Episode IV A New Hope”, released that prior summer, or maybe it was a network executive that said, “This man needs to be on TV”…whatever it was, introducing Robin William’s zany, improvised, brilliant comedy and complex, deep emotional dramatic side led to a star that shaped a generation of entertainment. A star that tragically has gone supernova. Right now Robin Williams star is shining brighter than any other in the universe of entertainment, brought on by the catastrophic explosion of a death by suicide.
I identified with Robin Williams, being unpredictable, inviting laughter, creatively wild and now, I learn, depressed. I loved his work because it was a way for me to escape, experience laughter and be happy for a couple hours. When I learned his death was a suicide and he had been struggling with depression my heart broke. As I grew older and became more familiar with Robin Williams and his work, I suspected he was battling some demons, but depression was not among them. I do know it was difficult for me to talk to anyone about being depressed, let alone seeking help. In dealing with my depression it has been a blessing to work with compassionate, caring and dedicated professionals that make my dignity a priority. It was only effective because of the coaching I received around letting myself be vulnerable and authentically share my feelings. Ultimately it was the bicycle that provided the incentive for me to let down my guard and be honest. As I look for a positive in every situation, I pray that the catastrophic death of Robin Williams will bring about more awareness and break down barriers for those who need help and those willing to help with depression.
How about you, do you need help? Maybe you know someone who might need help, if so I encourage you to say something. Whether you are someone looking for help or wondering what to say to someone who might need help, I suggest checking out this link: Man Therapy. My personal friend, who happens to be the Founder and CEO of the Carson J Spencer Foundation, Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas was instrumental in the formation of Man Therapy and I promised her I would be a voice for suicide prevention.
I have one favor to ask, if stress, anger, anxiety or sadness ever become overwhelming, call time out and ride a bicycle for a while before you take any other action. I promise you, choosing life is always the best option.
With love, happy riding…
– Joel
Excellent post Joel. Robin Williams cut across so many boundaries and was one on the most unconditionally loved and appreciated “celebrities”, I think possibly of all time.
He was truly incredible and it is such a sad time for so many. It is incredible to see the social media outpouring and just how many people have been touched by this. I think it is possible that the reason it has effected so many people in the way it has, is because of how it relates to our own fears and insecurities and in some cases depression. The idea that someone who was so visible, so successful, so well loved, would seemingly have so many people looking out for him could do what he did,,,,, what about little old us, the us that so few people know, the us that would hardly cause a ripple if we disappeared,,,, I think to some it is that feeling of looking over the edge of a tall building,,,,
But I do not feel sadness for Robin as much as I do for those closest to him that are now going through the agony of “if only I had…..
Thank you for sharing Eric, you’re always so thoughtful and insightful.
I view suicide as the fatal form of the disease know as depression. Just like cancer, it attacks a healthy body, but rather than damaging internal organs to the point of failure, it attacks the mind and causes damage to the soul. Eroding away at happiness, joy and vitality to the point death occurs as the better option. You’re right on the money when you talk about how many resources he had available to him yet still do what he did…it makes no sense, especially with the current view and negative stigma associated with suicide. Consider Robin Williams didn’t want to die by suicide any more than Patrick Swayze wanted to die from pancreatic cancer. Sure, it’s easy to say Robin had a choice and Patrick didn’t…I am saying did Robin really have a choice? Or had the depression become so advanced that it completely consumed his will to live? I know that was the case for me. I also view suicide as the most preventable form of death and it’s going to take talking about it openly before any change can occur. This dialogue is a great start Eric and I hope we can really generate some momentum and make a difference.
Peace be with you!
It seems like those that come across as always being “up”, also have very low, “lows”. I connect with this on various levels. I’ve always been a fan of Robin Williams…even back in the Mork and Mindy days. Being that he was a cyclist, made him just that much cooler. I honestly never knew he suffered from depression until his death, and that connects me with him in just one more way.
Thanks for the great tribute, and the call to action on depression. It’s a terrible disease….good words, my friend.
Darryl
Darryl – thank you for the friendship that continues to grow, it is a true blessing.
Joel