Robin Williams, You Will Be Missed

I don’t even really know how I’m supposed to begin this or how to even structure it to be quite honest. I’ve never been sad about any post i’ve ever written since beginning this site, but I write this piece with a heavy heart. Just like 99.9% of the celebrities on the planet, I didn’t know the late great (still pains me to know end to refer to him in the past tense) Robin Williams. I was never lucky or honored enough to meet him in person, so the only things I know about the man is what I saw on TV or read in various magazines or newspapers, etc. But yesterday, the new broke that the world had lost one of the greatest entertainers we have ever seen. And I am not ashamed to admit that I was absolutely crushed and heart-broken that Robin Williams had passed away. At only 63 years old he lived a full life, a successful life, but his work was not done. 

RIP Robin Williams, hope daddy and Carlin were there to greet you. My heart is broken.

— Rain Pryor (@RainPryor) August 12, 2014

But it’s not the work that the comedic legend didn’t give us that made me sad yesterday, it was the thoughts of all that he has given us that ruined my afternoon. Every Robin Williams movie that I hold near and dear to my heart still resonates the exact same way with me today as they did when I was a kid. And by the reactions of people across the globe, Williams’ movies had that same effect on millions. Social media was alive yesterday with tweets from celebrities who knew Williams, to fans posting pictures with some of his quotes, to condolences to his family, the works.

“Robin Williams was an airman, a doctor, a genie, a nanny … and everything in between. But he was one of a kind.” —President Obama — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 12, 2014

Usually when something like this happens there will always be a good amount of idiots who try to capitalize on a situation like this for “likes” or follows, but yesterday was different. Yesterday felt like Williams’ death hit home to a lot of people. And as I sat there reading tweets and messages from people around the globe, it became quite clear why his loss hurt so damn much, we all grew up with this legend. Think about it, if you were born anywhere from the mid-60’s on, you experienced some of Robin William’s brilliance. In the 70’s and 80’s there was his classic show Mork and Mindy, then the late 80’s until now there were his movies, voice overs, television appearances, stand up routines, interviews on late night talk, Broadway, and every other entertainment medium on Earth. 

In one way or another Robin Williams made you laugh, made you cry, or just made you feel good to know there was another human being on this planet that genuinely wanted to entertain you and get your mind of everything. Williams just wanted you to enjoy your time when you were with him, and we all did. Just last week I was in my room and it was late, I can’t recall the specific hour but Jumanji came one. Mind you I’ve seen Jumanji easily a hundred times, but every time it comes on I can’t help but watch it again and again. It’s like how I am with Shawshank Redemption, and I know I know they are entirely different movies, but I’ve watched Shawshank on TNT so many times it’s as if I know Andy Dufresne personally.

Jumanji is one of those movies for me. And the best part of Jumanji for me personally is that it transcends age and time. I saw Jumanji as a 12-year-old and loved it, I’m 31 now and the movie is still as amazing to me now as it was when I was kid. And it is mainly because Robin Williams makes you forget about age. He just makes you focus on enjoying what you’re witnessing. Take Mrs. Doubtfire, another classic Robin Williams role. Realistically speaking, who could have pulled that off like Williams? No one. He was so amazing in that movie and it was such a heartwarming film that we never even bring up the fact it was a man wearing women’s clothing for half the movie. It didn’t matter because Williams character made you want him to pull off the Mrs. Doubtfire disguise so he could be with his children. IT WAS FOR HIS KIDS!

Then there were his other lighthearted films like Hook and Aladdin (my favorite Disney movie) that he made children around the globe; children who are adults now and adore those films. Even his darker roles like One Hour Photo and Insomnia, or his non-comedic classics Good Will Hunting and Good Dead Poets Society showed the range of talent Williams had.

“Beauty, Romance, Love…These are what we stay alive for”

My favorite part of Good Will Hunting is the very last scene when Williams’ character is reading the not left to him by Matt Damon and Williams says with a rye smile, “That son of a bitch. He stole my line.” It wasn’t my favorite scene initially, but once I found out that Williams just added that himself without it being in the script, and director Gus Van Sant made a point to keep it in the film, it immediately stuck with me.
Williams was just that good. 

I’m truly going to miss Robin Williams, and the world is too. We were blessed to live in a world where a man as brilliant as him wanted to do nothing more than to entertain the likes of you and I. Robin Williams was the ultimate performer. The world was his stage and we were all just the audience whom were lucky enough to be part of it. Rest in peace Mr. Williams you legend, the world is a lot less funny without you. You will be missed. Truly. Nanu Nanu, Friend. 

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