I think I speak for everyone else when I say that the news of Robin Williams untimely passing via suicide has broken my heart this evening. The beloved comedian stared in some of the most iconic roles of my childhood: Mrs. Doubtfire, Hook, Good Morning Vietnam, Patch Adams, Jumanji, the voice of the Genie in Aladdin. Personally, Dead Poets Society was one of the deeply influential movies of my teenage years, with Williams’ masterfully romanticizing free thinking as the eccentric English teacher John Keeting. Uplifting and inspiring, it’s one of the few movies that stills gives me chills every time I watch it. If there’s one movie that makes me want to suck all the marrow out of life, it’s this one.
Thinking back on Williams many roles, it’s almost like his entire body of work exists as a reminder that there’s magic in life everywhere, as long as you’re looking for it.
I think we’re all filled with a heavy heart right now from such a sudden passing from comedian who brought joy and happiness to so many, yet lost a battle against himself. Remember: Depression is a very real disease. Please, talk to someone. Get help. Never forget that as bad as it seems, someone out there cares about you.
No matter what anyone tells you, words and ideas can change the world.