The entertainment world has been completely splintered in the last 48 hours over the passing of comedian/actor/humanitarian Robin Williams.
We weren’t close, but I was a fan. Mr. Williams made me laugh until I cried. His work made me think, more often than I cared to admit. I think, above everything, we took him for granted.
He ventured into new territories and wasn’t always met with critical approval. When Mr. Williams went from comedy to “serious” acting, a lot of folks thought he had jumped the career shark. I dare to think that “Good Will Hunting” shut them all up, but maybe I’m wrong.
Mr. Williams was an amazing humanitarian, whether viewers cared for his acting or not, he always gave 100% in his efforts to entertain. This was never more evident than his tours entertaining the brave men and women of the United States Military. To quote Brigadier General John I. Pray, Jr. (USAF retired) – “Robin Williams was a natural fit for the USO, with a magical ability to connect with every service member he met – he shook every hand, signed every autograph and lifted every spirit.”
I grew up watching Robin Williams. From the enigmatic “Mork and Mindy” to “Good Morning Vietnam”. I was a huge fan of the ensemble series “The Crazy Ones” featuring Williams, Sarah Michelle Gellar, James Wolk and Hamish Linklater as the most chaotic ad agency in the history of pitch men. “Death to Smoochy” put me on the floor. More controlled movies lie “The Final Cut” and “One Hour Photo” allowed Williams to explore the deepest parts of the human psyche.
I will miss Robin Williams, because I’m old enough to respect his craft, his tireless enthusiasm, and he devotion to the screen, regardless of his emotions off camera. Our children might know Mr. Williams from his roles in “Night at the Museum“. We can hope that they grow to appreciate this marvelous talent for his storied career, and they will willingly ask us to see some of his works that were before their time.
When I was told of Mr. Williams’ passing, I thought of a quote that I hear almost daily in my life. It comes from Brandon Lee, son of Bruce Lee, who passed away while filming “The Crow” in 1993. Brandon was 28 when he was killed in a tragic accident. In his final interview, he helped me to understand the fragile nature of life. Here are his words:
“Because we do not know when we are going to die, we get to think of life as an inexhaustible well and yet everything happens only a certain number of times, and a very small number really. How many times will you remember a certain afternoon of your childhood? An afternoon that is so deeply a part of your being that you cannot conceive of your life without it? Perhaps 4 …. 5 times more. Perhaps not even that.
How many times will you watch the full moon rise …… Perhaps twenty and yet it all seems limitless.”
Click HERE to watch the USO tribute to Robin Williams.
One love,
nK
