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Originally Posted by GMAN
Michael J Fox has had Parkinson's for years and seems to get along pretty well, although I am sure that it is challenging, at times. I can see how it might have been difficult for Robin to be facing such a disease. His comedy has always been very physical. That could have been more difficult with Parkinson's. I would imagine that it would have made his depression much greater. Material wealth is no indicator of happiness or health. Poor health, depression or disease can strike anyone at any time.
Hi, Gman;
You are correct in your observations of Michael J Fox, but the dynamics of MJF's and RW's personalities and projections were quite different. Michael J. Fox was a talented actor, to be sure; but Robin Williams was pure, unadulterated energy. He ad-libbed the vast majority of his script in "Good Morning, Vietnam". (I still maintain that he should have won the Oscar for Best Actor in GMV) His role in "Good Will Hunting" was partially borne of improv. His remarks of how his wife "farts in her sleep" were total improv. As much as I like Michael J. Fox, an applaud him for his courage in making his battle with Parkinson's Disease public, he could never match Robin Williams in those realms, nor within RW's realms of intensity.
Television hosts from Johnny Carson, to David Letterman, to Jay Leno, to Conan O'Brien, and Oprah Winfrey all noted that having Robin Williams as a guest was great for the ratings, but difficult for the producers and assistant (set) directors, due to the fact that Robin would immediately assume command of the stage and take control of the audiences. He did them in ways that, IMO, were unmatched by any other performer, past or present.
In television, timing is everything, and it is literally measured in fractions of seconds; otherwise, placing sponsor's commercials within allotted time frames (as per contractual stipulations) becomes much more difficult, and guests can wind up "stepping on" the time allotments for succeeding guests. Still, Robin, the assistant directors, and the producer's manged to get everything to mesh.
What many people don't understand is that the talents of many extraordinary performers flow from some very dark realms that exist within their mental frameworks. The comedic genius of many of the most successful comedians are often rooted in dark, menacing valleys of unresolved anger. George Carlin was an excellent example of a comedian who used his anger as a tool for inspiring his works. Look at comedians like Lenny Bruce, John Belushi, and Freddy Prinze. For all of their talents, they all lived in some very dark valleys.
One of the greatest singer/songwriters of the 1970's was John Denver. At the expense of showing our ages a bit, (Don't know about you, but I'm 29!!) I'm sure you remember the era of "Denvermania". John was so popular that his concerts often sold out in a matter of hours, not days. Frank Sinatra was willing to accept second billing when he and JD performed together in Las Vegas; yet, for all of his considerable talents, his former wife, Annie, said that even his most touching love songs came from very sad realms within his Spirit. "Annie's Song" was written after he and Annie had had a heated argument. "Perhaps Love" was written during their divorce proceedings. "Sweet Surrender" was written in the throes of a serious bout of depression.
While JD's death wasn't the result of suicide, Annie observed that in the weeks preceding his death, John had resolved some longstanding issues and internal conflicts, and he had mended some fences in his past relationships with others; most notably, with his former manager, Jerry Weintraub. Many of the wounds in their relationship with each other were in the processes of healing as well. She said that he seemed to have had a new found peace in his life. He also was one to live life to the fullest, and he also seemed to go out out full throttle.
For the life of me, I can't imaging Robin Williams being able to live his life any other way but to the fullest; pure, unadulterated energy, full throttle. Methinks that when he saw that slipping away, the depression took serious hold, and.........
........well, the rest is history.