[Shaun J. Russell]

I know he wasn't a poet, but if I'm being completely honest, Dead Poets Society had as much of a formative impact on me as any actual poetry. I might not have considered him my favorite actor, but he was certainly right up there thanks to his roles in The Fisher King, Good Will Hunting, Good Morning Vietnam, and The World According to Garp, among many others.

He battled addiction and depression throughout his life, so I suppose his death isn't as much of a shock as it could be, but...well, it's still a shock. He will be sorely missed.

[Nausheen Eusuf]

Oh my goodness. This is so sad and unexpected. I'm very sorry to hear about it.

Nausheen

[Jayne Osborn]

I'm REALLY shocked, Shaun, as I somehow missed this news yesterday and your post was the first I knew of it.

Though I wasn't what you'd call a big fan, either, I agree with you and it's doubly awful that he took his own life. Poor man, to de driven to do that, and 63 is far too young to die.

Jayne

[Gail White]

Thanks for the news, which I had not heard before. I too Loved Dead Poets Society and many of his other movies. He didn't have a face for romantic leads, but that freed him up for more unusual roles (who can forget Mrs. Doubtfire?).

[Gregory Dowling]

He was a very fine actor and I admire many of his films. However, I have to say that I can't really take to The Dead Poets' Society; among other things it contains a total misreading of "The Road Not Taken". But maybe this isn't the right moment for such comments... Very sad day.

[Shaun J. Russell]

Originally Posted by Gregory Dowling

He was a very fine actor and I admire many of his films. However, I have to say that I can't really take to The Dead Poets' Society; among other things it contains a total misreading of "The Road Not Taken". But maybe this isn't the right moment for such comments... Very sad day.

Ah, I'd completely forgotten about that...but you're absolutely right! Then again, I'm sure all of us have had great teachers who have also managed to misinterpret literary works. Also, it's worth pointing out that that misreading wasn't Robin's fault, all things considered.

I will say this: for all of Williams' reputation as a comedian, I think he was at his best when he had to channel some of his dark depths. One can say this about most actors, but in light of Williams' obvious emotional pain, it deserves to be noted as significant.

[Brian Allgar]

Originally Posted by Jayne Osborn

Though I wasn't what you'd call a big fan ... 63 is far too young to die.

I agree, with you, Jayne. He wasn't one of my favourite actors either, although I liked him, but 63 is too young for anyone to die. Mind you, so is 163.

[Simon Hunt]

I think that for Americans of my generation Williams has ALWAYS been hugely famous and the-funniest-man-in-the-world. Even if we were turned off at times by the needy manic quality of his stand-up comedy and talk show appearances or by the goopy sentimentality of some of the film roles he chose and the performances he gave in them (both of which, given his death, seem now like aspects of bipolarity), he was nonetheless simply part of our mental and cultural furniture. And that is why his death seems epochal, a feeling which is likely magnified if one is Californian (especially Northern Californian) or moves in "liberal" circles (where Williams was active).

I often have a San Francisco sports radio channel on as background noise in the house (don't judge). Today the hosts have dispensed with speaking of baseball, football, and golf (except for Williams's great monologue on how that last game was conceived...) and instead are allowing callers to share their memories of Williams's greatest moments and of their encounters with the man himself, who lived most of his life in and identified strongly with the Bay Area. It has been interesting to hear one story after another of an unfailingly kind, generous, and philanthropic Williams who apparently was thoroughly decent (and better) on numerous occasions, even as he negotiated (on one hand) his successful and lucrative career and (on the other) his challenges with addiction, depression, and marital disharmony.

This piece also comes from the world of sports journalism. I find it the most rewarding and perceptive analysis of Williams that I have read today (warnings: it doesn't pull punches in criticizing some of his work and it rather revels in profanity):

http://grantland.com/hollywood-prosp...ath-1951-2014/

[Marion Shore]

Last scene of Dead Poet's Society


Thank you, Robin.

[Jeanne G]

Robin Williams was one of my favourite actors; I admired his acting much more so than his comedic work, which was also considerable, but made me somewhat uncomfortable for that manic quality it had. He didn't have what Hollywood considers a leading man's good looks, but he had those amazing eyes that could break your heart with a look. Sad to know he won't be making any more movies. Tragic to know he and so many others, famous or not, suffer to that point.

Jeanne