Robin Williams and Why Funny People Kill Themselves

That was very well written, and very insightful.

Damn that was deep. Solid post.

such an eye opener. I had remembered reading something somewhere that a lot of comedians suffer/suffered from depression. I didn't know that it was like 99.9%. It's so sad, and almost paradoxical that almost all funny men/women suffer from something that's so heartbreaking.

Good post.

its sad. theres been too many hilarious people that have passed in the last 5-6 years or so. Patrice oneal, greg giraldo, the great otto and george, to name a few big names. really sucks, Jim Norton wrote a similar piece for Time and said basically the same thing, Great quote from the article:

"The funniest people I know always seem to be the ones surrounded by darkness. And that's probably why they're the funniest. The deeper the pit, the more humor you need to dig yourself out of it."

DeebieSkeebiesits sad. theres been too many hilarious people that have passed in the last 5-6 years or so. Patrice oneal, greg giraldo, the great otto and george, to name a few big names. really sucks, Jim Norton wrote a similar piece for Time and said basically the same thing, Great quote from the article:

"The funniest people I know always seem to be the ones surrounded by darkness. And that's probably why they're the funniest. The deeper the pit, the more humor you need to dig yourself out of it."

stupid me forgot to link the article

http://time.com/3103256/robin-williams-dead-jim-norton/

A great read. So sad to read about the struggles people go through who seem on the outside to be so happy.

The part about Chris Farley was really sad. Last words were dont leave, so she stole his shit. So fucked.

super sad, but robin Williams was also one hell of a dramatic actor. his roles in Dead Poets Society and Good Will Hunting were beyond incredible

Damn, that was a great read. Wish that was around for Robin to read before he decided to take his own life

Damn, good read. And I'll admit this relates a lot to myself. Gives me some validation to be honest.

My friends think im hilarious, but i dont act anymore. Im just comfortably funny

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I think you are dead wrong.

Not so much wrong as trolling. Badly.

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I don't know what's worse, you trying to troll in a thread that's actually pretty damn meaningful or how fucking bad you suck at it. I'll go with your poor trolling skills.


Jesus, do better next time.

Yeah I'd delete that but I'm leaving it there to use as an example of something we're talking about in mod discussion right now.

LE.Skiingsuch an eye opener. I had remembered reading something somewhere that a lot of comedians suffer/suffered from depression. I didn't know that it was like 99.9%. It's so sad, and almost paradoxical that almost all funny men/women suffer from something that's so heartbreaking.

yeah, for me too. Great read. Im glad I read that because It made me understand myself a lot better. Just thinking about my own actions and ways. I was totally that kid from elementary all the way to mid high school always just trying to make jokes because thats all I had, and now ive been growing out of it a little bit as I saw what was happening at some point

Teared up a little towards the end there. Really good post man, thanks for sharing. This is something that should be read by everyone.

.Steezy-McGee.Teared up a little towards the end there. Really good post man, thanks for sharing. This is something that should be read by everyone.

For sure man. This was something I was trying to explain in the other thread and on facebook when people said "I don't understand why somebody that made so many people laugh killed themselves". This of course is a million times more complete and coherent than anything I could have put together though.

I teared up a bit reflecting more on myself and also some of the quotes like the part about Chris Farley who was also one of my favs.

One of the funniest guys I know has one of the saddest stories I know. Sometimes you can see it but for the most part it's all about being the funny guy.

The one thing I feel personally that wasn't in the article was that sometimes I feel like there's some purpose in making other people feel good. In some way you feel hopeless about your own life but find a sense of purpose in trying to better other peoples lives.


Another thing about this discussion that I wish made it out there more is depression and suicide in general. All these people who say things like "They had ___ or they had ____ why weren't they happy?" As if everyone who's depressed is that way because they feel they don't have enough stuff, and are greedy assholes. Shit like that pisses me off.

Depression is real, and it can affect anyone. Just because somebody has this or that doesn't mean they can't be depressed. It's nice to see some movement away from the whole "Cheer up and get the hell over yourself" approach but there's still a long way to go.

Honestly I find some sort of happiness in helping other people. I haven't developed any medical breakthroughs, or saved anyone from a burning building but the little things. That's what keeps me going. Seeing somebody having a shit day and maybe not fixing their problems, but making them smile even if just for that moment. Idk, there's something profound in that. That could be the stupidest bunch of shit ever but that's what I cling to, that's what get's me by. I feel like we all have a connection as humans and when you make somebody feel better it helps you in the same way.

I just hope that we don't get to the point where we care more about what's happening on our phones or computers than with the people around us. That's a tangent but I ended up here and it does relate so whatever.

Fuck I posted a bunch of stuff again. Sorry

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are you trying to be funny right now?

theabortionatorI don't know what's worse, you trying to troll in a thread that's actually pretty damn meaningful or how fucking bad you suck at it. I'll go with your poor trolling skills.


Jesus, do better next time.

This thread is pretty damned meaningful? I'll admit that it was a kinda intense post and very possibly too soon (on NS, you have to wait at least a couple weeks before making light of a celeb dying) but at the end of the day it's an NS thread that will disappear within a week when the members find something else to pay attention to. Outside of NS, this event will hopefully bring much needed attention to the mental illnesses that forces people to commit such acts.

At the very least, I hope people will take this discussion off this thread, which I guarantee is already happening. I've seen plenty of threads on here in the past with people discussing themselves or people they know going through this and that leads to plenty of positive discussion so this isn't the ARK of mental illness discussion. In my eyes, this is just another celebrity death thread. I'm sorry if that's not how you view it but that's what public threads are all about, right? Expressing different "views"? Maybe I'm wrong because it seems to in recent years become more of expressing views that align with what the mods want outsiders to view all NS members as.

I'll stop now because the hole is probably pretty deep. I can't blame people for getting sensitive over a touchy subject with such a beloved celebrity but threads like this about celebs have popped up many times before... without much significance. If you care about depression and the affects of suicide, a thread on a ski site about a comedian killing himself wouldn't hold such heavy significance to you. Again, sorry for the harshness but that's how I see/convey it. Take it as you will.

I think its fucked up but i felt like in interviews of williams before he passed i could just feel that something wasnt right with him and in his acting where he was suppose to act depressed were played really good..........to good.

JenniferGarnerThis thread is pretty damned meaningful? I'll admit that it was a kinda intense post and very possibly too soon (on NS, you have to wait at least a couple weeks before making light of a celeb dying) but at the end of the day it's an NS thread that will disappear within a week when the members find something else to pay attention to. Outside of NS, this event will hopefully bring much needed attention to the mental illnesses that forces people to commit such acts.

At the very least, I hope people will take this discussion off this thread, which I guarantee is already happening. I've seen plenty of threads on here in the past with people discussing themselves or people they know going through this and that leads to plenty of positive discussion so this isn't the ARK of mental illness discussion. In my eyes, this is just another celebrity death thread. I'm sorry if that's not how you view it but that's what public threads are all about, right? Expressing different "views"? Maybe I'm wrong because it seems to in recent years become more of expressing views that align with what the mods want outsiders to view all NS members as.

I'll stop now because the hole is probably pretty deep. I can't blame people for getting sensitive over a touchy subject with such a beloved celebrity but threads like this about celebs have popped up many times before... without much significance. If you care about depression and the affects of suicide, a thread on a ski site about a comedian killing himself wouldn't hold such heavy significance to you. Again, sorry for the harshness but that's how I see/convey it. Take it as you will.

Maybe you should have read the article.

"another celebrity death thread" the whole article is about the despair that many times runs along with funny people and not about celebrity deaths.

Expressing different views? You tried to troll, sucked balls at it and got called out. As far as views and opinions, you can think whatever you want but if they're shit, people can call you out. This is a public forum but you should try and pollute everything simply because you can. Other people use this space too.

"If you care about depression and the affects of suicide, a thread on a ski site about a comedian killing himself wouldn't hold such heavy significance to you"

Lol what? People everywhere struggle with depression. A lot of people on this site struggle with depression. I struggle with it and go up and down all the time. I spend my time on the mountain because it keeps me sane and makes me feel like things are alright.


IT had nothing to do with harshness, just an ill placed troll attempt and a really really piss poor job at that. Idk if this is some bizarre attempt at anther troll or a really shitty attempt to defend your first post but I can tell you it would have better to just quick while you were behind.

Go find something better to do with your time.

theabortionatorMaybe you should have read the article.

"another celebrity death thread" the whole article is about the despair that many times runs along with funny people and not about celebrity deaths.

Expressing different views? You tried to troll, sucked balls at it and got called out. As far as views and opinions, you can think whatever you want but if they're shit, people can call you out. This is a public forum but you should try and pollute everything simply because you can. Other people use this space too.

"If you care about depression and the affects of suicide, a thread on a ski site about a comedian killing himself wouldn't hold such heavy significance to you"

Lol what? People everywhere struggle with depression. A lot of people on this site struggle with depression. I struggle with it and go up and down all the time. I spend my time on the mountain because it keeps me sane and makes me feel like things are alright.


IT had nothing to do with harshness, just an ill placed troll attempt and a really really piss poor job at that. Idk if this is some bizarre attempt at anther troll or a really shitty attempt to defend your first post but I can tell you it would have better to just quick while you were behind.

Go find something better to do with your time.

1. That article doesn't contribute anything aside from informing people that telling everyone who thinks about suicide is selfish is not accurate or helping the issue, which is absolutely true and obvious among those who have dealt with or dealt with people who suffer from clinical depression.

2. I don't give a shit if people call it out, good, express your opinion but to act like it's some sort of unforgivable act in a thread you claim holds major significance. In a week, it'll be another forgotten thread.

3. You clearly missed my point. My view of this thread is another celebrity death thread. Guaranteed, people will either move on to another topic or will continue the core significance of this topic outside of a thread on a skiing website. I only view it as a celebrity death thread and made an obviously immature comment about it.

4. As I just wrote, people do struggle with depression and have already discussed it on this site multiple times with what appears to be success.

Again, you can interpret however you want. That's how I view it. I've noticed a nice trend on this site that whenever someone posts a different view of a subject, it's labeled as "trolling". Whatever helps you better digest the opinion, I guess.

Tested up a little at the Farley part; such a poignant example. We all have friends that fit into this description. Thanks for posting this.

JenniferGarner1. That article doesn't contribute anything aside from informing people that telling everyone who thinks about suicide is selfish is not accurate or helping the issue, which is absolutely true and obvious among those who have dealt with or dealt with people who suffer from clinical depression.

2. I don't give a shit if people call it out, good, express your opinion but to act like it's some sort of unforgivable act in a thread you claim holds major significance. In a week, it'll be another forgotten thread.

3. You clearly missed my point. My view of this thread is another celebrity death thread. Guaranteed, people will either move on to another topic or will continue the core significance of this topic outside of a thread on a skiing website. I only view it as a celebrity death thread and made an obviously immature comment about it.

4. As I just wrote, people do struggle with depression and have already discussed it on this site multiple times with what appears to be success.

Again, you can interpret however you want. That's how I view it. I've noticed a nice trend on this site that whenever someone posts a different view of a subject, it's labeled as "trolling". Whatever helps you better digest the opinion, I guess.

This isn't an interpretation. Your post sucked and you should try to do better or just quit. Yes you were trying to "troll" no, you didn't do a good job, nobody cares about your opinions, now it's time to get off the internet.

JenniferGarner1. That article doesn't contribute anything aside from informing people that telling everyone who thinks about suicide is selfish is not accurate or helping the issue, which is absolutely true and obvious among those who have dealt with or dealt with people who suffer from clinical depression.

2. I don't give a shit if people call it out, good, express your opinion but to act like it's some sort of unforgivable act in a thread you claim holds major significance. In a week, it'll be another forgotten thread.

3. You clearly missed my point. My view of this thread is another celebrity death thread. Guaranteed, people will either move on to another topic or will continue the core significance of this topic outside of a thread on a skiing website. I only view it as a celebrity death thread and made an obviously immature comment about it.

4. As I just wrote, people do struggle with depression and have already discussed it on this site multiple times with what appears to be success.

Again, you can interpret however you want. That's how I view it. I've noticed a nice trend on this site that whenever someone posts a different view of a subject, it's labeled as "trolling". Whatever helps you better digest the opinion, I guess.

As someone who has struggled with and gone to battle against Severe Depression, OCD, and Anxiety Disorder for many years, I can safely say that anything that allows these subjects to come to the forefront of public awareness and conversation is worthwhile, no matter how repetitive or wrapped in celebrity it is.

Here is an interview that went unreleased until his tragic passing a few days ago. Worth a read.

http://www.empireonline.com/interviews/interview.asp?IID=1929

JenniferGarner1. That article doesn't contribute anything aside from informing people that telling everyone who thinks about suicide is selfish is not accurate or helping the issue, which is absolutely true and obvious among those who have dealt with or dealt with people who suffer from clinical depression.

2. I don't give a shit if people call it out, good, express your opinion but to act like it's some sort of unforgivable act in a thread you claim holds major significance. In a week, it'll be another forgotten thread.

3. You clearly missed my point. My view of this thread is another celebrity death thread. Guaranteed, people will either move on to another topic or will continue the core significance of this topic outside of a thread on a skiing website. I only view it as a celebrity death thread and made an obviously immature comment about it.

4. As I just wrote, people do struggle with depression and have already discussed it on this site multiple times with what appears to be success.

Again, you can interpret however you want. That's how I view it. I've noticed a nice trend on this site that whenever someone posts a different view of a subject, it's labeled as "trolling". Whatever helps you better digest the opinion, I guess.

i agree. this is not trolling. it's a shitty opinion.

Apparently he had early stage Parkinsons at the time of his death. You wonder if this just added on to his depression.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2014/08/14/robin-williams-was-battling-parkinsons-disease/14062707/

http://www.tomclempson.com/2014/08/robin-williams-did-not-die-from-suicide/
Another great article.. it is short and worth reading!


I highly encourage everybody to check out Marc Maron's WTF PODCAST from 2 days ago when he re-released an interview with Robin Williams from 2010. Robin really opens up and I highly recommend it

.MASSHOLE.Apparently he had early stage Parkinsons at the time of his death. You wonder if this just added on to his depression.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2014/08/14/robin-williams-was-battling-parkinsons-disease/14062707/

I was actually coming here to share this. I mean it doesn't really matter at this point seeing as the legendary man is still gone, but it could have been one of the many underlying factors as to why he took his own life. I could only imagine how hard it would be to deal with that kind of information.