Robin Williams dead at 63
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Hell, for the longest time, I thought he was Canadian.
Karak
Member
He also studied Parkinsons heavily when he did the movie Awakenings. I can see that extra info coming back to him as well. Man that is rough.
PsihoPerihelion
Member
I just put my blu-ray copy of Good Will Hunting. Man, what a character. What a movie he made (with all due respect to Damon and company)
Give everyone a call once you do. Getting suspended on twitter is nothing compared to what those fucking scumbags really deserve (sorry but I'm pissed of at this)
Give everyone a call once you do. Getting suspended on twitter is nothing compared to what those fucking scumbags really deserve (sorry but I'm pissed of at this)
Why? The weird thing is I can actually relate.
JasonUresti
Member
From what I've read, while he did improv in his comedy, his great gift was an excellent memory and ability to make all his material, whether thought up that day or well worn and performed many times before, sound as if it just popped into his head right that instant. It made his whole routine seem so organic and connected.
Rebel Leader
THE POWER OF BUTTERSCOTCH BOTTOMS
I just heard he had Parkinson's disease
Shit...
Shit...
Rebel Leader
THE POWER OF BUTTERSCOTCH BOTTOMS
Just saw it on the news this morning
One Hour Photo I thought was really good too. That and Insomnia are quite different roles for him when many just looked at him for his comedic roles.
Having heard about this, I don't blame him for doing what he did. He must've been sitting back watching his career dry up, still struggling with his drugs and alcohol demons thinking to himself "absolutely nothing is going my way."
Ecto311
Member
Was really weird I was telling my wife about this kinda thing. Most of the time medical stuff is hidden from the public so if I was in his position and got say cancer I might do the same thing so I'm not withering away in a hospital for the rest of my days. Just as I'm talking to her about this she finds a story online yesterday showing he had Parkinson's. It's sad no matter what but I woulda done the same in his situation. People can say he was tormented or a coward for the suicide but it's really thoughtful on his part that he is just gone like that and no one has to see him get bad or suffer over time.
Sapphire Dreams
Member
I kid you not, I heard the news when I was talking to friend how awesome Insomnia was 
Discotheque
Banned
Yeah I don't really think this had anything to do with his career
You'd be surprised at how badly he was struggling to get a decent gig in his later years. He slowed down a lot in terms of comedy after his heart surgery.
Pai Pai Master
Banned
I can't say I wouldn't take the shortcut out if I were in his shoes. But it doesn't make it any less tragic. We still lost a beautiful human being
Vigilant Walrus
Member
Life is really really really difficult. It's very very sad. They have showing Williams film all week on danish television! It was good to see Good Morning Vietnam again.
Human Resources
Member
The day before we heard, a friend and I were extremely hungover, and so we watched The Adventures of Baron Munchausen to cheer us up. Say what you will about that film, but Williams was an inspired choice as King of the Moon, equally hilarious and terrifying.
I know that Williams had a lot of other problems, but about his Parkinson's: Michael J. Fox seems to be doing okay and he's in a late mild stage of Parkinson's now. Williams would still have had another 15 years or so before reaching that stage. Just wanted to bring that up, I'm not trying to downplay the effects of his diagnosis. Williams of course had to deal with depression and drug problems and Parkinson's was yet another blow. But I'm sure that Parkinson's wouldn't have ended his career as some people are saying.
Mutanthands
Member
Keep in mind that Parkinson's disease can vary greatly in presentation and severity, and can progress much quicker than it has in Michael J. Fox's case.
parkinsons has completely different effects on people. assuming that Robin Williams was overreacting to the diagnose because it effected somebody else differently is ridiculous.
There's a reason no one says anything about that movie
but yeah, Robin Williams was perfect in the role. The part where he reattached his head is literally reproduced (comically animated) in Aladdin when he first comes out of the lamp.
Let me see if I can find it on youtube... it's pretty funny if you saw both, subtle reference at best!
[EDIT]
Got 'em!
Baron: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUs27nDc5NI#t=180
Aladdin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLQLFJrV_o4#t=19
Pai Pai Master
Banned
Fox was also much younger and healthier when diagnosed. He's like a best case scenario when it comes to Parkinson's.
With his history of alcohol addiction, depression, recent heart surgery, and his age, it's pretty fair to assume that the disease would have effected him differently. He did extensive research on the disease for his role in Awakening, he was probably well-informed and had a good idea of how significantly the disease would affect him.
So you're saying the same thing I said... What's the point?
Ah I see. I kind of figured that current treatment methods could delay severe symptoms for a long time. I guess not
AuthenticM
Member
I really wanted to see him play a Batman villain. Back when The Dark Knight had just been released, there were rumors saying that he might play The Penguin in the next film. I always thought that was brilliant casting. I wanted that to happen very badly, and was hoping there was truth to that rumor, as he had worked with Nolan before in Insomnia.
Pai Pai Master
Banned
On the bright side, the people he is directing the comment towards probably have no idea who the fuck Gene Simmons is.
What a fucking dick.
MisterHero
Super Member
No shock there, that old elderly lady always seemed to me to be an asshole to the highest degree.
He was funny.
Just was thinking about that. Yeah if I was dealing with all the problems he was, plus being told I had Parkinsons I could easily see myself doing something bad. Maybe he had a moment, maybe it was a tremor or he was doing something he could do before, then suddenly could not, and was just overwhelmed with it all.
Marvel
could never
I've said it many times here on GAF that particular film of his is and always will be my favorite. So dark and sad, very different.
anarckitty
Member
I haven't seen One Hour Photo or World's Greatest Dad yet, but I bought Final Cut on a whim several years ago and I really enjoyed it.
anarckitty
Member
That's what I thought as well, but I haven't seen that movie since I was a child.
KingofGourds
Member
It's a tad narrow to say something like that; It doesn't make 'total sense' for someone to kill themselves because they have Parkinson's.
Don't mean to single you out or jump on you for this. I mean, I understand why you would say that - and clearly the sentiment is shared - but I just thought I'd say something because my dad has had Parkinson's since his early forties (mid fifties now).
Whilst it is a terrible disease, the range of long-term treatments and symptom management can greatly improve the quality of life of sufferers, certainly above "I wish I was dead" levels. My dad just had brain surgery last month and is now as mobile as he ever was.
It probably didn't help Williams' state of mind, but I doubt it was as clear cut as him saying "welp, I've got Parkinson's, guess I might as well die".
This whole situation is so sad. It must have been difficult for Robin to accept. My father was diagnosed with Parkinson's earlier this year, so this hits home more than I thought it would.
RIP Mr. Williams.
Darkmakaimura
Can You Imagine What SureAI Is Going To Do With Garfield?
Gene Simmons has always been very conservative. I remember him talking about how he believes people should be working six or seven days a week, he's a massive supporter of Israel, etc. What he said is extremely insensitive but not surprising coming from him.
Indeed. Unsurprising, but unfortunate nonetheless. Twitter exploded all over him, and some radio stations are banning all KISS tunes now. Apparently there's also a petition to take back his Key to the City in Winnipeg.
ComputerMKII
Banned
I'm watching Good Morning Vietnam. The man had a lot of energy and creativity.
speculawyer
Member
I don't know what his politics are but the guy is just a raving egomaniac asshole. He had a famous interview on Fresh Air with Terry Gross where he was such a douchebag.
Rebel Leader
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Gene's twitter is gone. ...
backflip10019
Member
Watched Hook last night. Made me cry. Between the nostalgia of watching it all the time as a kid and Robin Williams dying, I got very emotional.
Pai Pai Master
Banned
Good. There should be consequences to saying whatever the fuck dumb shit you want on the internet, and I'm glad to see it happen to a celebrity who thinks he can get away with it.
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