Robin Williams: Lost In Hollywood

July 21, 1951- August 11, 2014

"...another awakening took place; that the human spirit is more powerful than any drug - and THAT is what needs to be nourished: with work, play, friendship, family. THESE are the things that matter. This is what we'd forgotten - the simplest things."

-Robin Williams as Dr. Sayer in Awakenings

 As a child, I remember seeing the birth of his career; a guest appearance as an strange and physically in-your-face alien visiting the Cunninghams on Happy Days. It was exhilarating, it was bold and unlike anything anyone had ever seen from a comedian before.  He stole the show.  And inevitably became the star of his own.  His career moved from television to film and there he was able to branch out, still giving us the comedy he infected us with but also a tenderness that no one expected.  It amazes me still that someone so full of laughter and comic physicality could also touch us simply and deeply into our hearts and our souls.

 This was Robin Williams.  A comic, but not only a comic.  A thespian, but not only a thespian.  A poet, but not only a poet.  He was more than one single part.  He was all of the whole;  a gentle and loving spirit who brought joy and laughter to literally millions.  I for one am thankful for the joy and laughter and tears he gave.  This is how I will remember him.  I am deeply saddened to see him go far before his time.

 I don't understand the depth of pain he was feeling and the cause of his depression.  The truth is, we never will.  The struggle he faced was deep, painful, dark and personal.  My hope is that he is now fully understanding, fully healed and fully transformed into the same joy he gave the rest of us.

Rest now, Robin.  You burned so brightly for so long.  We thank you.  Rest.

Brice

p.s. here are my top five (there are far more but five will do) roles that he inspired and connected with me:

Dead Poets Society

Awakenings

The Survivors

The Fisher King

Death to Smoochy