Robin Williams found dead.

[TechMan]

I remember watching Mork & Mindy, that was too funny.

May he rest in peace.

[fifth_column]

Sad and shocking news.  He was an extremely talented man, with a huge heart.  It seems such a waste for him to die so young.  May he rest in peace.

[MechAg94]

As a comedian, I thought he was a genious who pretty much created a new routine wherever he went.  He was always too liberal for me outside of comedy.  I am not big on movie dramas anyway. 

Sounds like he was a bit self destructive.  Whether than went hand in hand with his personality and comedy, I don't know.

[Ben]

Holy crap. They just released the corner's report.  I can think of at least 50 less painful ways to end myself. My condolences to his family, and RIP to Robin.

http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2014/08/12/robin-williams-hanged-himself-with-belt-wrist-cut/

[MillCreek]

^^^ Wow.  If I ever go that route, I will be using the large plastic bag, some tubing and a tank of helium or nitrogen.  Much less disturbing to find and clean up after.

[Sindawe]

Too bad - apparently he was looking at the problem instead of looking past the problem to a solution.

I've been reading reports today the he was facing some serious financial issues due to two divorces costing him > $20 million.     Too bad he could not take some inspiration from William Shatner's money woes that had him living in a truck down by the ocean in the early 1970s.

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

It's the patriarchy that killed him

[Tallpine]

I've been reading reports today the he was facing some serious financial issues due to two divorces costing him > $20 million.     Too bad he could not take some inspiration from William Shatner's money woes that had him living in a truck down by the ocean in the early 1970s.

I was referring to something from "Patch Adams" 

Too bad - apparently he was looking at the problem instead of looking past the problem to a solution.

[birdman]

Stupid.  Suicide is stupid, selfish, and weak.  And by extension, so are those who do it.

Or, to quote ROBIN WILLIAMS' character in world's greatest dad:
"Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem"

Sympathy for his loved ones, who have to deal with the emotional aftermath of his stupidity.

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

Not so sure. His depression has gone on for decades. Toss in a relapse or 2 . Worst thing about relapse after long term sobriety is it's often much harder to get it right after the relapse. The feeling of desperation and hopelessness is right intense. He made some mention of it recently one line was going down faster than you can lower your standards.   It's intense and indeed saddest for his family. I no longer am harsh in trying to decide for someone else how much pain is too much. And sometimes suicide is selfish and sometimes it can be a kindness to your survivors both financially and otherwise. Never woulda thought it once but life has thought me otherwise, albeit sadly. Western society does impose special societal pressures

[Triphammer]

For those who don't know, Williams learned a lot from Jonathan Winters. Williams delivery and improvisational style often mimicked Winters. Both were alcoholics, and both had issues with depression. Winters was also bipolar, and heard voices in his head, which he sometimes incorporated into his routines.

Winters was lucky enough to live to 87, though.

Funniest thing I've ever seen, Winters (before he started his decline) & Williams together on some variety show in the eighties, feeding of each other.

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/robin-williams-dead-63-depression-factor-article-1.1900234

[MechAg94]

http://youtu.be/_NqEKvk9F4I
Watching a Who's on First video and this link was on the right with Williams and Winters.

[roo_ster]

To echo monkeyleg, I saw a video of Winters here:
http://www.unz.com/isteve/robin-williams-rip/

Robin Williams was the greatest guest in the history of late night talk shows. In the central arena of American celebrity, he was supreme for many years. This isn’t just my ill-informed judgment, but also Johnny Carson’s, who chose Williams and singer Bette Midler to be his final guests after 30 years hosting the Tonight Show.

Williams had predecessors, such as his idol, Jonathan Winters, another WASP from an upscale background. Here’s Winters with Jack Paar in 1964 playing with a stick:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwWDa1xPTPA

I just about bust a gut watching that.  And saw lots of Robin Williams in it.

Winters & Williams together:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDJjq0Pd0RM

[230RN]

When I was driving a cab in Boulder CO, every cab driver knew the address of the Mork and Mindy house, 1619 Pine St.  Almost every casual visitor to Boulder asked to drive by the house.  Some to take pictures.  Sometimes the driver was asked to take a picture of the party in front of the house.  

It was rare for me because I was the overnight driver, but the dispatcher told me that he would often get a call from one of the daytime drivers to advise of a diversion to "1619."

That was all the information that was needed.  1619.

Great talent loss.  Sympathy to the family and sorrow for the Assistant who made the discovery. :(

Terry, 230RN

[Mannlicher]

I am convinced that you don't have to have a filthy mouth to be funny.  I suppose Mr. Williams has found out by now, if God thought all his filth and anti religion jokes were funny.
Suicide is such a great way to tell the family how much you love them.

[Ron]

I am convinced that you don't have to have a filthy mouth to be funny.  I suppose Mr. Williams has found out by now, if God thought all his filth and anti religion jokes were funny.
Suicide is such a great way to tell the family how much you love them.

Over the years I've also soured on him as a performer for the same reasons. I also believe suicide is ultimately a selfish decision.

There is a flip side to that reality.

Depression can turn into a runaway train. Oftentimes a person becomes overwhelmed with emotional psychological distress. This is not your garden variety "losing it" but something deeper and more fundamental in the psych that switches on/off; it seems to mock free will. Having experienced a couple of episodes of depression brought on by traumatic events I have empathy for anyone that has to endure the experience. I feel especially for those that don't have the spiritual awareness or philosophical background that I've been blessed to have in life. 

I'm saddened he died without hope or peace in this life.   

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

http://www.theguardian.com/science/brain-flapping/2014/aug/12/robin-williams-suicide-and-depression-are-not-selfish
Maybe

[wmenorr67]

While I've always have thought that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary situation I have seen too many friends/colleagues take their own life recently and in some ways can understand why.

 

[lupinus]

His wife is now sharing that he was in the early stages of Parkinsons but hadn't wanted to make it public. May well have had something to do with it, I know I sure as hell wouldn't look forward to it.

[Ron]

He didn't go out with dignity.

He chose to shake off this mortal coil and leave a mess.

It makes me sad to reflect on what his state of mind was in the final hours.

He was at minimum suffering from severe depression and self absorption.

If you philosophically accept suicide as a rational choice please choose a method that doesn't traumatize or inconvenience innocents. Socrates would have been a better model for emulation when choosing self destruction.