Remembering Robin Williams...

*Photo:  Source-Fox8-Cleveland

On August 11, 2014 one of my favorite childhood actors surprisingly passed away from an alleged suicide. It has been reported that he hung himself and that he battled with depression for years before his death, but details of his death are not what this post is about. It's about the memories of one of the most talented actors I have known in my lifetime.

Robin Williams was a known actor well before my birth; according to IMDB.com he started making a name for himself back in 1977. However, I did not become aware of his work until 1993 when he played Daniel Hillard/Mrs. Doubtfire in the film Mrs. Doubtfire. Being 1 of 3 kids in a divorced household the movie hit close to home. Although the film had a dramatic topic it was able to mesh the drama with a huge dose of comedy because of how Williams was able to portray the character. Since that movie Robin Williams was on my radar. As a HUGE fan of Disney films, when I figured out Robin Williams was the voice of the Genie in Aladdin he went from top 5 of my favorite male actors to the top. As his career went on Robin Williams was able to take a dramatic role and make it into his own. There was just something about the way he acted out a scene it made you feel like he was right next to you, talking to you in person and not through a television screen.

Robin Williams not only brought magic on the big screen. He was well known for his humanitarian work. For example, Williams was an active participant of the USO traveling to Afghanistan and Kuwait bringing comedy to the troops that were risking their lives for our country. He was a great supporter of the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital meeting sick kids and signing autographs one-on-one like his character in the film Patch Adams. Williams had an impact in the lives of adults with his comedy shows and subject matter and brought smiles, laughter, and inspiration for our youth.

Robin Williams left behind 3 kids and a world of fans that will never forget the impact that he had on their lives, mine included. As difficult as it is to know that he is gone, it is uplifting to know that he left behind a list of films that greatly depict how huge his heart was and how inspirational he was to the world.

"Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys! Make your lives extraordinary!" -Dead Poets Society

"Real loss is only possible when you love something more than you love yourself."
 -Good Will Hunting

"You'll have bad times, but it'll always wake you up to the good stuff you weren't paying attention to." -Good Will Hunting

"There are all sorts of different families, Katie. Some families have one mommy, some families have one daddy or two families. And some children live with their uncle or aunt. Some live with their grandparents, and some children live with foster parents. And some live in separate homes, in separate neighborhoods, in different areas of the country and they may not see each other for days, or weeks, months, even years at a time. But if there's love, dear... those are the ties that bind. And you'll have a family in your heart, forever. All my love to you poppet. You're going to be all right."
-Mrs. Doubtfire

"Please, don't worry so much. Because in the end, none of use have very long on this Earth. Life is fleeting."
-Jack

"The human spirit is more powerful than any drug and that is what needs to be nourished: with work, play, friendship, family. These are the things that matter. -Awakenings

"You know what music is? God's little reminder that there's something else besides us in this universe; between all living beings, everywhere, even the stars." -August Rush