Robin+Williams

**Personal Background** A brainy comedian named Robin McLaurin Williams was born in Chicago on the day of July 21,1951 (Itzoff). He was “the only child of a Ford Motor Co. exzecutive” and his mother worked as a “Christian scientist”(Chawkins). Robin Williams was a very privileged child “[growing up] on a huge estate”(Chawkins). Yet, being the only child can get lonely. “’[I] was miles to the next kid,’ [Robin] said”(Chawkins). Robin followed in his father’s footsteps from the Detroit area all the way to San Francisco where he graduated “highschool in Marin County and briefly attended what was then Claremont Men’s College before discovering theater”(Chawkins). After his discovery of theater, Robins “transferred back to the Bay Area where he [enrolled] in the College of Marin”(Chawkins). Surprisely, Robin was the one of the lucky few who was “accepted into John Houseman’s acting program at the Julliard School in New York City”(Chawkins). Robin then proceeded to study acting there. It was surprising how he went from “entertaining crowds as a mime outside of the Metropolitan Museum of Art” to “doing stand-up clubs in San Francisco”(Chawkins). Indeed, he was making steady, but adequate progress to fame. In addition to stand-up comedies, he moved on to movie roles. “Soon after “Mork and Mindy” made him a star, Mr. Williams graduated into [other] movie roles…”(Itzoff). “In dozens of film roles that followed, Mr. Williams could be warm and zany, whether providing the voice of an irrepressible magic genie in “Aladdin,” the 1992 animated Walk Disney feature, or playing a man who cross-dresses as British housekeeper in “Mrs. Doubtfire,” a 1993 family comedy, or [a teacher in “Dead Poet’s Society]…”(Itzoff). Robin Williams got recognized for his work and his goofiness and he ended up “[getting] nominated for eight Emmys and won two in 1997 and 1988…”(Chawkins). It does not seem that hard for such a fun-loving comedian to get a wife and have kids. Soon enough he was married to Valerie Verlardi and had a son named Zak and a daughter named Zelda(Itzoff). Sadly, they divorced each other and Robin ended up marrying another woman named Marsha Garces. Together they both had a child named Cody. Robin Williams did countless things to get where he was. He inspired people from the streets to President Obama himself! Everyone is so proud of him. **Personality Traits** There are few people in the world that has a huge, unique personality like Robin Williams. No one can light up a room like he can “with a multitude of voices and characters”(Chawkins). Whenever, Williams was doing stand-up comedy, he would impress people with his quick thinking and “rapid-fire impersonations [of celebrities, musicians, etc.]”(Chawkins). His “repuatation for...a seemingly endless talent for comic improvisation…”(Chawkins) helped with his rise to fame. Robin had such a rare ability to be spontaneous on stage. The “…tear-up-the-script style of improvisation practiced by Williams was unusual in major Hollywood productions, and the actor seemed to be able to rewrite the rules by sheer force of personality…”(Chawkins). Robin did not really use any scripts whenever he performed. Instead, he used honesty through the façade of his jokes. In addition, Robin was extremely charismatic. “…he ended up touching every element of the human spirit”(Chawkins). He had a compelling charm to him ever since people recognized him through the show of Mork and Mindy. “I will never forget the day I met him and he stood on his head in my office chair and pretended to drink a glass of water using his finger like a straw”(Chawkins). Millions of people started tuning in on Mork and Mindy after the first showing of Robin and his shenanigans. His performances “come from some spiritual and other-worldly place”(Chawkins). He infected everybody with laughter and joy. Not only is Robin charismatic, but he is also very generous. Robin spread warmth everywhere he went. He had“… a great capacity for thoughtfulness and kindness”(Coyle). He touched everyone’s hearts through many movie roles such as Mrs. Doubtfire. Robin was also very energetic. He can get out of control. His maniacal energy levels electrified everyone. “His energy levels are prodigious”(McCarthy). All in all, Robin affected everyone he met-“… from [our United States] troops stationed abroad to the marginalized on our own streets”(Chawkins). **Obstacles** People may think that a humorous and energetic person like Robin Williams seem to not have a single problem in their life. However, that is where most people are wrong. Robin Williams did experience obstacles in his life. His biggest obstacle in life was fighting his depression. As of late, “William’s publicist, Mara Buxbaum, said in a statement that Mr. Williams have been battling severe depression”(Itzoff). Whoever knew that a comedian like Robins can be “plagued by [countless] demons of depression and addiction”. Despite having depression, Robin “was always warm even in his darkest moments”(Coyle). Not only did Williams suffer from depression, but he also abused drugs. Robin was addicted to cocaine for, strangely enough, “ it slowed [him] down [from]… working all day…”(Chawkins). He was quite open to abusing drugs for he “… addressed his drug habit in his comedy act”. In addition, it also eased him of the inner pain he was dealing with. Later on, Robin started having a drinking problem. “In 2006, he checked himself into the Hazelden center in Springbrook, Oregon, to be treated for an addiction to alcohol, having fallen off the wagon after some 20 years of sobriety”(Itzoff). For Robin, it seemed that he could not stay somber. He had “…several relapses quickly followed by rehab”(Coyle). He had trouble staying consistent.On top of all that, Robin experienced heart troubles. “In 2009, he underwent heart surgery for an aortic valve replacement”(Itzoff). He was “… also suffering from the early stages of Parkinson’s disease”(Coyle). His marriages were not as successful either. He divorced with two wives.These obstacles that Willams faced create a deeper understanding of William’s depression. **Historical Significance** Robin Williams may have not played a major role in history like George Washington, Martin Luther King, etc, but he did affect many lives. Williams was “one of the world’s most successful entertainers, actor, and comedian”(Chawkins). Wherever Williams went, he spread warmth and laughter. “When O’Brien was feeling down during the “Tonight Show” debacle, a bike arrived out of the blue from Williams, outfitted for maximum ridiculousness”(Coyle). This shows how even though Williams was battling his own demons, he still had a capacity to love others. No matter where Robin Williams was, people would recognize him. Not only was Robin a phenomenal human being, but he was also a phenomenal human being, but he was also an excellent actor that made people laugh and cry.He “graduated to films such as “Good Will Hunting”, “Dead Poet’s Society”, “Mrs. Doubtfire”, and “Good Morning, Vietnam”…”. All these films impacted people and it made them see pieces of Robin Williams here and there. He left pieces of his strange soul in his performances and he was dedicated in his acts. He set a fire in people’s hearts and he showed them the good and the bad side of life. “His [performance] was truly one of the most brilliant and singular performances in [all] of history”(Chawkins). Everyone can agree that Robin did affect millions of lives. He was a part of people’s childhood and adulthood. From “Aladdin” to “Good Morning, Vietnam”, he grew up alongside us. “…he ended up touching every element of the human spirit”. Robin enlightened people and made people see the world in a different perspective. “He gave his immeasurable talent freely and generously to those who needed it most-from our troops stationed abroad to the marginalized on our own streets”(Chawkins). People need to thank what Robin has done and what he has given to the world. It is sad to say good bye to the one most unique and bright human being. The world has lost one of the most beautiful human beings. **References** Chawkins, Steve, and Steven Zeitchik. "Robin Williams, 1951-2014." Los Angeles Times. 12 Aug. 2014: A.1+. SIRS Renaissance. Web. 16 Oct. 2014. **SE#3** Coyle, Jake. "Lessons of Stigmas, Stereotypes in Williams' Death." Newsday. 16 Aug. 2014: SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 19 Nov. 2014. **SE#5** Itzkoff, Dave. "Robin Williams, Comic, Oscar-Winning Actor and TV Alien, Dies at 63." New York Times. 12 Aug. 2014: A1. elibrary. Web. 02 Oct. 2014. **SE#2** [|McCarthy, Terry.]"Can the Real Robin Still Stand Up?." Time. 11 Mar. 2002: 65-66. SIRS Renaissance. Web. 12 Dec. 2014. **SE#6**
 * Introduction** “You’re only given a little spark of madness [and] you mustn’t lose it"- Robin Williams(Brainy Quotes). Robin Williams was never one for being serious. Through Willam’s eyes, the world was a playground and that there was infinite possibilities to be whoever you liked and do whatever you liked. He never acted his age for he his energy levels were off the charts. It is truly a delight to be around him. You’d be lucky if you were around Williams. He would knock the breath out of your lungs and make you cry for dear life.