When I was younger, around 1980, my mother took me to watch Popeye at the State Theatre. It was the first movie I saw with Robin Williams in it. I loved it. I didn't realise at the time that this amazing man was the same person I had laughed at and loved as Mork in one of my favourite television shows Mork and Mindy.
Going through our movie cabinet, I can count 19 of his movies among our collection, my favourites being Patch Adams and Dead Poets Society.
Dead Poets Society affected me more than I thought a movie could and my English teacher, Mr Pattinson, even wrote in my autograph book at the end of Year 12 "Remember the night at Dead Poets Society, and stick to the principles of being true to yourself." I came out of that movie bawling my eyes out and have watched it so many times since.
In Patch Adams, Robin played Hunter S. Adams, a doctor who used laughter as medicine and pushed the idea of a free clinic and treating the patient, not the disease. Another amazing movie that had me not only in tears, but in stitches as well.
Everything I saw him on left me with either tears of joy or tears of sorrow streaming down my face. One of my favourite interviews was with Rove, just hilarious.
In Patch Adams, Robin played Hunter S. Adams, a doctor who used laughter as medicine and pushed the idea of a free clinic and treating the patient, not the disease. Another amazing movie that had me not only in tears, but in stitches as well.
Everything I saw him on left me with either tears of joy or tears of sorrow streaming down my face. One of my favourite interviews was with Rove, just hilarious.
What he hid from many was the struggle with himself on a daily basis. Sometimes the people that give us the most joy, are the ones that fight the hardest demons without ever letting on.
I can't believe he's gone, and I don't want to believe he's gone. I think this week will be filled with Robin Williams DVD's because I need to remember what he left behind.
Rest in Peace Mork
