My dad has always loved Robin Williams. One memory in particular that I have, is him putting on one of his stand-up routines on cassette tape, on our old school stereo system. My mom would shake her head but laugh under her breath has he spewed profanities. I remember being so shocked and intrigued that the voice of the beloved blue genie was using these words that I knew were bad. But I loved it. Sitting between the couch and the stereo so my mom wouldn’t notice I was there. Listening. Taking it all in. Every single movie I watched with him in it from that point on, reminded me of that one hidden night, learning so many new words.

Robin Williams took that role of Mrs. Doubtfire and made it his own. That role can never be improved upon. It was quintessential Robin Williams. The script may not have been his own words but his magic made the character indistinguishable from his own flesh and blood. Kudos to you, Sir Robin!!

You were my dude,

the funniest thing alive.

You started as an alien when I had younger eyes.

You were kind,

and sweet as we could tell.

all you dealt with, you wasn't well.

You strive to be the very best,

you kept us laughing and crying,

all along planning on dying.

You dressed as a woman in MRS. DOUBTFIRE,

which is one of my favorite movies.

You woke up vietnam and drove a crazy RV.

You created FLUBBER, JACK!

You put a HOOK in THE FINAL CUT.

That was THE BEST OF TIMES when GARP grew up.

You were like HAMLET when PATCH ADAMS

became THE MAN OF THE YEAR.

WHAT DREAMS MAY COME brought us all to tears.

You being the WORLD'S GREATEST DAD gave us THE BUTLER

for THE BIG WEDDING plans.

And being LICENSE TO WED put us in THE FACE OF LOVE,

with the BICENTENNIAL MAN.

THE BIRD CAGE made THE NIGHT LISTENER,

AWAKENINGS too much for the HOUSE OF D.

POPEYE the sailor man was nothing compared to JUMANJI.

I could go on and on about my dude

and the legacy he left behind.

But I think I will leave it as is,

So you can remember the rest in your mind.

his stand up was insane! he did a lot of coke, to speed his mind even faster. but never too fast, to becoming a slurry mess.

his comedies even the disneyish ones were astounding.

but his greatest performance, i think was tragic. he played a guest on a police show called Homicide. playing a father to children who's wife was shot while they were taking a holiday trip to baltimore. he had to help the detectives, while still take care of his kids, helping them deal or just survive what was going on. he alternated brilliantly between his rage, fears and confusion. i remember that performance as one of the best that television ever produced. EVER. i think robin williams had a lot of pain in his life. like many brilliant people, he found an outlet for that in acting and comedy. i think his love of children took over some of that need, and as a result, in later life, his performances, particularly stand up comedy, was tamer to some degree. it also helped him to stop taking drugs.

i go back to that homicide performance, because there is a moment there, where he snaps, and shouts at his child. he is in hell in that moment. I think just imagining the situation, for him, was enough to stir up the act that he needed. think what unusual capabilities for empathy this giant must have had. i do not understand what drove him to take his own life. but it was a terrible blow, hearing about it. i am sure that many felt great sadness because of this news.