Whether the coverage of Robin William’s completed suicide has been overdone remains a debate. To me, celebrating the life of someone who has influenced the lives of others can never be done enough. But, among the most important things to remember about celebrating lives of those who passed is that it should never be solely about celebrating the lives of celebrities.
Celebrities are people. And while some people aspire to be a celebrity in his or her own right, I’d argue their lives are among the most difficult of all – especially given today’s realm of social media. I can’t imagine anyone would want to live the isolated life of being followed by paparazzi, having every word scrutinized and knowing that there are very few people around you that you can indeed trust. The minute you become “someone”, everyone wants to have a piece of you. They will agree with you no matter what you say.
Working with and meeting various levels of celebrities throughout my career, you realize that some get caught up in this world of being adored, while others do not.
But, to celebrate Robin Williams, shouldn’t be about celebrating his celebrity. While people post quotes of what characters he played have said, they should know that while he delivered the words and made them impactful, it is often that he didn’t not invent the words (even though he was known to improvise). What he did know, that can’t be replicated, was how to bring those words to life. The art of communication and delivering messages is what he knew. As PR professionals, we often tell our spokespeople, to be prepared. Have your talking points. Never have an original thought when you’re about to go on – whether that is TV, an interview or a presentation.
While it can be trained, Robin had an artistic instinct to create impactful delivery. And maybe his publicist and manager cringed when anyone would hand him a mic because they never knew what would happen. Or maybe they just enjoyed the ride.
That is Robin Williams, the celebrity. But, behind “the celebrity”, is Robin Williams, the now icon for mental health (or illness, depending on how you look at it). There is no question that his death re-ignited another debate about the state of mental health in the U.S. It’s a terrifying spot we’re in and if the ongoing mass shootings haven’t been enough to turn the tide, then maybe it will take the death of an influential celebrity to look at the need for care in this country. It has been said quite often that comedians are among the most depressed people. Their innate ability to use that as a springboard to make others laugh and smile is a gift that certainly not all who struggle with mental disorders can achieve. It’s fascinating to me that some people think that Robin was a coward that he “gave in” or “took the easy way out”. Completing suicide isn’t a fleeting thought. It isn’t an impulse. You don’t have a bad day and decide that’s it. It takes serious contemplation and is brought on by a state of mental health that would chill anyone who hasn’t experienced it to their very core. These aren’t “sick” people. They’re mostly people that function in every day society living with a huge secret for fear they will be called “crazy” if they tell the world how they really feel.
But beyond celebrity and now unintended voice for mental health that Robin Williams will be remembered for, is Robin Williams the human being. And if you celebrate nothing else about his life, you should celebrate the words he didn’t write, but the accomplishments he made. The most touching moments are the ones that aren’t scripted, not in a movie. Perhaps the best tribute or pieces of footage I’ve seen is Robin Williams as he reacts to a “retreat” while visiting troops overseas. Just watching the minute facial changes every second is mesmerizing. First its confusion, then slight fear, then sheer humility as he realizes there is something bigger than him that is taking place. After that, you see his expression change and the light bulb go off as if he’s thinking “how can I even make an impact on these people who are saving our lives… what can I say to brighten their day?” Yet, when his performance resumes, he nails it.
If you move beyond this footage, there is one brief clip where he talks about his experience with other service men. But again, it’s less about the jokes he makes about this experience. It’s when he pauses his conversation to turn, shake someone’s hand and say “did you get your photo that you needed? Good. Merry Christmas.”
You can see it
here at the bottom of the article.
My point in all this is that I’m not real sure that many cowards or selfish people are ones that think to turn to someone and say that. And there is a wide number of people who believe that those that complete suicide are cowards or selfish. But in my experience, they’re often the ones that care more about others than they do themselves.
And that's my two cents.
Smooches,
G
