<p>I haven’t watched much on tv except for local news.
I am not interested in how he died, I am interested in all the many, many kindnesses he showed to folks without expecting anything in return.
That is too rare in this world.
I am also interested in remembering his many many films, television and personal appearances, in which he brought joy or touched the heart of people he would never meet.</p>
<p>I do agree that if someone with as much going for him as Robin had, can’t keep the darkness at bay, what does it say for your average schmuck battling with depression?</p>
<p>Some people seem to be compelled to learn details about a personal struggle. Whether it is a child using drugs, an unfaithful spouse or a parent’s bankruptcy, it as if they find out everything, then they can prevent it from happening to them. They are desperate to find out * the cause*.
But as the saying goes $h*+ happens.
Not everything can be forseen and prevented, and sometimes the best we can do is pick up the pieces and try again.</p>
<p>As far as whats being printed or reported, it sounds like some outlets are being irresponsible.
They really need to hold themselves to a higher standard, they can push someone closer to the edge, just for the sake of more advertising dollars.</p>
<p>I don’t believe that it is the place of his coworkers to randomly speculate about what may have “caused” this. They are just adding to the rumor mill that serves no useful purpose. I was stuck earlier by the person/friend who said that he just did the recent work because he felt financial pressure. Isn’t that a big chunk of why many of us work? Just because everyone who had any contact with him feels like they need to be an expert witness that doesn’t make it a cool or respectful thing to do.</p>
<p>Setting aside the rumours of financial troubles, (which seem so far to not be true) it seems to me that the cancellation of his most recent public endeavor may have had a lot to do with this, but not just financially. As people age, there is a struggle for “relevance”. You can see it in the oldest among us, and it’s not uncommon at all. When people’s sense of self-worth is completely deflated, it doesn’t take much to push some people over the edge…especially when they are suffering from clinical depression and/or have their inhibitions weakened by substances. If you’ve been a big star, the deflation has to be all the more daunting. </p>
<p>He really was a funny guy. Apart from a few snarky funny lines, I don’t think I ever heard him get on a soap box or take a cheap shot at anyone. </p>
<p>Watched Good Morning Vietnam last night and cried much of the way through. I disagree with the poster here who said it was “a crap movie.” I was sad as I realized several of the main characters in that movie are now gone: RW, Bruno Kirby (“And if you doooo…and if you dooooo…”), JT Walsh (mean guy), and Noble Willingham (General Taylor).</p>
<p>Police incident reports are public record. There is no special exemption for suicides. This was big deal in our community when a family was murdered and happened to be on the telephone with the 911 operator at the time. The whole thing was on tape. It was awful, but it was also public information. I don’t think this is only true in CA. The news conference felt very odd at times because they answered every question openly and in great detail but I really think that’s because it was a suicide and normally wouldn’t warrant a news conference at all. Morbid curiosity about celebrity deaths is not unusual, though. I remember commentators reading Anna Nicole Smith’s coroners report and discussing her weight. So yeah. </p>
<p>I watched “The Fisher King” on Netflix the other night. What an odd movie. It was as if it was written for Robin williams. I enjoyed it and would recommend it if you have not seen it. It was filmed in 1991. </p>
<p>I don’t think the mainstream media should report the exact details of the suicide. It gives people ideas. I think it’s enough to say that it was a suicide and/or release a report, and if people want to know the full details, they can get it off of the internet.</p>
<p>MIT used to do report the full details, and I always felt like it encouraged susceptible individuals to do the same.</p>
<p>I have always been a huge Robin Williams fan. But I had no idea how incredibly generous he was and what an amazing person he was until all the stories were revealed about him after his death. Now I love him even more…</p>
<p>Yeah, one of his causes was his ex-wives. According to knowledgeable sources, it created significant financial distress for him and may have been one of the stressors that led to the suicide. It is estimated he paid out over $30 million in alimony.</p>
<p>In his own words:</p>
<p>“Well, not all. Lost enough. Divorce is expensive. I used to joke they were going to call it ‘all the money,’ but they changed it to ‘alimony.’ It’s ripping your heart out through your wallet. Are things good with my exes? Yes. But do I need that lifestyle? No.” </p>
<p>Goldenpooch - so because he was divorced, we can’t let all the good that he did in the world shine through at this time? Wow… such judgment. D2’s boyfriend’s father has been married several times (after being widowed); I’m sure glad I don’t hold the same judgment against him as you do against RW and am able to see what a wonderful job he did in raising his children. Why even bring that into this discussion when the majority of posters here (me included) have made it clear we’d like to honor RW’s death with dignity - not by disparaging him. He did a lot of good for a lot of people. He touched many, many more lives than I can ever imagine to do so if I live another 30 years.</p>
<p>Financial distress leads to suicide quite frequently. Of course, we have no idea if it a was a factor or not in this case but I don’t read that post as a judgment about divorce (which would be ridiculous) as explanation seeking. His idea of broke is not real relatable, though.</p>