I, like many people around the world, am saddened by the passing of Robin Williams earlier today.  Mr William’s death is being reported as an alleged suicide.

Robin Williams was one of the comedians who dominated my viewing during my childhood and continues to this day to make me laugh until my sides hurt.  Mork and Mindy repeats were a staple in the Humphreys household during my childhood and from Good Morning Vietnam through to the Birdcage and many movies in between and since Williams’ supreme talent and ability to make people laugh he put a smile on my face and filled my heart with joy.

As a fan of many stand up comedians and having watched or seen live a number of stand up performances I have never had the privilege of watching a funnier stand up performance (on DVD or live) than that that Mr Williams produced in his Weapons of Mass Destruction tour in 2008.  If you have never seen this performance then stop what you are doing, find it and watch it now.

There will be many statements made about Williams’ best movies: I have a smokey to put in the mix for that discussion.  I rate Mr Williams’ performance in “The Big White” to one of the best performances I have seen by him in what was a very dark comedy.  Again: if you have not seen it check it out.

It has been stated in the formal statements about Williams’ passing that he was suffering from depression at the time of his passing.  I am not a fan of the statement “if something good can come out of his passing, then …” but I will say that Mr Williams’ passing again puts a spotlight on the fact that the insidious disease that is depression can strike anyone at any time.  That spotlight, if a “good” is to come from Mr Williams’ passing it is it, I hope, will help other sufferers step forward and seek assistance.

Goodnight and Goodbye Robin Williams: thank you for making us laugh, smile and, at times, cry.  I hope your pain is now at an end.