Robin Williams: A tribute

The news of apparent suicide of Robin Williams, the Oscar winning actor and comedian came as a shock to the whole world as to his Hollywood peers.

The 63 year old actor hung himself to death and was found “unconscious and not breathing" at his home in Tiburon, California. The loss is immense for an actor so gifted and a wonderful personality would not be there to entertain us anymore. The comic genius has proven his versatility through numerous films like The World According to Garp (1982), Moscow on the Hudson (1984), Hook (1991) and Patch Adams (1998). A four-time Oscar nominee, Williams won the Oscar for supporting actor for Good Will Hunting for his portrayal of a wise and morose psychologist. He also received two Emmy awards, four Golden Globe Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards and five Grammy awards. His other popular works include Good Morning Vietnam (1987), Dead Poet’s Society (1989), Aladin (1992), Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), Jumanji (1995), Night at the Museum (2006), and Happy Feat (2006).

Terry Gillian, who directed Williams in two of his films, described him as “the most unique mind on the planet” and his ability to "go from manic to mad to tender and vulnerable". Warm, friendly, playful and accommodating…so goes the list of definitions from his family and friends. Born on July 21, 1951, in Chicago, Illinois into a prominent family, Williams was shy and introvert. As s son of working parents, Williams was left to the care of maids always craving for the care and affection of his parents. He later described himself as a quiet child and had a severe fear of abandonment and a condition he described as “Love Me Syndrome”. When he graduated in 1969, the senior class voted Williams as both "Most Likely Not to succeed" and "Funniest”. Despite all these, he succeeded in getting out of his shell and rising to become a world famous Hollywood actor much loved by people of all ages. Williams had been battling depression for years and was an addict of drugs and alcohol for much of his career, admitting to his friends that he even has a “serious money trouble”. A fan of professional road cycling, he was passionate about his acting career and went on to perform memorable roles in films which would always be remembered by the audience. Robin Williams, the man who touched our hearts and brought a smile on our face many a time is no more. You will be terrible missed.