Today we gather to remember and celebrate the life of Robin Williams, a man whose humor and generosity lit up the world. His passing left a hole in the hearts of millions and his legacy will last a lifetime.
Like so many others, I was a fan of Robin’s work, watching him star in movies, hearing him speak on interviews and talk shows, and laughing at his sly jokes with my loved ones. What truly made Robin special was his ability to make us regular folk feel like we were a part of his world.
Robin was much more than a comedian; he was a master at his craft. He had so many iconic roles such as a therapist in Good Will Hunting or the Genie in Aladdin. He had this special ability to give us multiple emotions all at one time. Robin had this gift, he was able to make light in the darkest times. His comedy was an escape from reality, but also a reminder to find joy in the harshest of environments.
Beyond the stars and lights, Robin struggled with depression and addiction. In the 70s and 80s comedians partied hard, and Robin was no exception. He and his close friend John Belushi were partying one night, and all seemed well, but when Robin woke in the morning he discovered John had passed away due to an overdose. Robin vowed to quit substance abuse, and he held true to this vow for many years.
In 2003, Robin was working in Alaska when he walked into a store and saw a bottle of Jack. That's all it took—“one sip,” he told himself. Within a week, he had nearly bought the store out of alcohol. Robin checked himself into rehab in 2006 and later again before his death in 2014.
Robin serves as a reminder that even those who seem the happiest fight battles nobody knows about. In the United States in 2011 alone, over 39,518 people died by suicide. This number jumped to 43,361 in 2012. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death worldwide. Men commit suicide more frequently than women, with rates three to four times higher than those among females in any given year.