topic Re: Robin Williams dead at 63 in Community Spirit

Robin Williams dead at 63

grandmoon — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 23:32:50 GMT

ROBIN Williams is dead. The 63-year-old actor’s body has been found in a possible suicide, Variety reports. RIP Robin

Re: Robin Williams dead at 63

crosbystills — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 23:37:44 GMT

Tragic news. He was one of a kind. A comedic dynamo, an ad-libbing genius and such a nice guy. R.I.P. Robin.

Re: Robin Williams dead at 63

donnashuggy — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 00:06:37 GMT

@crosbystills wrote:
Tragic news. He was one of a kind. A comedic dynamo, an ad-libbing genius and such a nice guy. R.I.P. Robin.

Too true

Re: Robin Williams dead at 63

tasfleur — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 00:10:23 GMT

Re: Robin Williams dead at 63

bright.ton42 — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 01:33:32 GMT

R.I.P. Robin Williams, you gave everyone so much joy

Re: Robin Williams dead at 63

jenni200011 — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 03:36:32 GMT

A true comedy Genius & a kind & gentle talented man ..Thank you for the laugher you gave to us all..R.I.P Robin

Re: Robin Williams dead at 63

julie-in-oz2 — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 23:30:38 GMT

Terribly sad ending for a man who gave us so much to laugh about.

I was upset to hear this. May he rest in peace while we all remember him with a smile on our face.

Re: Robin Williams dead at 63

icyfroth — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 03:41:12 GMT

63 is very young.

Poor man looked terribly old and gray, very thin in his last pic.

Re: Robin Williams dead at 63

polksaladallie — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 04:33:25 GMT

This was an interesting segment this morning.

Depression is an illness that has affected many prominent comedians, including Stephen Fry, Spike Milligan, John Cleese, and Tony Hancock, just to name a few.

Professor Gordon Claridge is doing research into the potential link between comics and depression

http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/robin-williams-commits-suicide-after-long-battle-with-depression/5666996.

Re: Robin Williams dead at 63

crosbystills — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 04:44:15 GMT

@polksaladallie wrote:
This was an interesting segment this morning.

The link isn't working but I believe there's a strong connection between manic depression and comedy. It's a condition (a.k.a. bipolar disorder) suffered by all those mentioned.

I remember Stephen Fry saying on tv recently that, if there was a pill that could cure bipolar disorder, he wouldn't take it.

Re: Robin Williams dead at 63

polksaladallie — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 04:56:26 GMT

http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/2014/08/bst_20140813_0615.mp3

If this doesn't work, google radio national breakfast for today and the segment will be there.

This link works.

Re: Robin Williams dead at 63

crosbystills — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 04:58:10 GMT

Thanks Allie.

Re: Robin Williams dead at 63

polksaladallie — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 05:13:13 GMT

Why would Fry say that? It can't be too debilitating for him then.

Re: Robin Williams dead at 63

crosbystills — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 05:35:27 GMT

I think it does have quite an effect on him - he's tried to kill himself more than once.

I believe it's a case of the highs outweighing the lows, in his mind. The onset of mania fires up his imaginaton, gives him seemingly boundless energy etc, which is all quite seductive. I remember him saying he won't even take lithium, which won't cure the condition but does reduce the severity of the mood swings.

After a bit of googling I see that he might be now taking medication: http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2013/jun/05/stephen-fry-attempted-suicide-bipolar

It's interesting that he says "I have a condition which requires me to take medication" without confirming that he actually takes it.

Re: Robin Williams dead at 63

shepherdsrule — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 08:38:27 GMT

crosby is right, the cure can sometimes be worse and more confronting than the disease...at least it feels that way to the afflicted.

It may make them more centred and calmer, but the feeling of relaxation and the removal from the norm can also trigger a feeling of 'no control' and that is often more overwhelming and scary that the actual effects of the affliction.

It is a kind of catch 22, take the mediaction and feel nothing, don't take it and feel too much.

He died young, but I think he experienced and gave more than many who will live to twice his age.

RIP Robin.

Re: Robin Williams dead at 63

**tay** — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 08:59:16 GMT

As stupid as this sounds, I was absolutely devastated when I heard this, I just loved this guy. Growing up watching his movies and his interviews, he was just such an amazing person, it's going to take me ages to get used to him being gone. 💔