Performance is a specialized skill, yet some performers elevate it to the level of art—sometimes, even they may not fully understand how they achieve it, as it often stems from mysterious chemical reactions in the brain. Take Robin Williams, for instance. We may never fully grasp how he brought such vitality to the Genie in “Aladdin”, nor can we fully comprehend why he chose to leave this world a decade ago. On July 21, 2024, we will celebrate what would have been Robin‘ s 73rd birthday. We should revisit the documentary “Robin's Wish”, which explores how this legendary comedian concealed unbearable pain behind his laughter.
Robin Williams' unexpected death not only brought profound sorrow but also deep confusion. At the beginning of “Robin’s Wish”, Robin Williams' widow, Susan Schneider Williams, is shown sitting on a bed. Her words set the stage for the documentary's main theme:
“We didn’t know we were facing a fatal and incurable disease. Robin Williams had one of the most severe cases documented in the medical community. Yet, even with his illness, he maintained incredible mental strength. We had no choice.”
On August 11, 2014, Robin Williams took his own life at home, at the age of 63. Hollywood and the world plunged into deep mourning and bewilderment. At the end of April, his new series “The Crazy Ones”, marking his return to television after many years, had just aired its season finale; three days later, his film “Boulevard” premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival; by the end of May, “The Angriest Man in Brooklyn” was released in limited screenings across the U.S.; and that summer, he appeared as President Theodore Roosevelt in “Night at the Museum 3”, which was just beginning to heavily advertise.
Then, Robin Williams died by suicide. This actor, who had once talked about spending his later years with countless jokes, chose to leave this life in a manner he had never previously mentioned. His sudden death sparked confusion, anger, and self-blame. Friends and fans speculated wildly, wondering if there might be a conspiracy behind his passing. How could such a genius suddenly be gone? Gossip and conspiracy theories, which rarely surrounded Robin during his lifetime, now seemed to swarm around his death. His passing became a black hole of grief, leaving many to shout into the void, only to hear their own echoes.
Was Robin Williams behind the spotlight always an alcoholic and drug addict?
Comedians who rose to fame in the 70s and 80s faced tremendous pressure, and many sought ways to cope with the demands of success. Some turned to alcohol, others to drugs. For Robin Williams, alcohol and drugs became his crutches, and his struggle escalated from substance abuse to heroin addiction. At the height of his popularity with the sitcom “Mork & Mindy”, he was consuming large amounts of alcohol and heroin daily. In the show, Robin played Mork, a wacky alien whose eccentricity made audiences laugh. However, what the audience didn’t know was that part of Mork’s madness wasn’t just an act.
Robin's addiction was so severe that it turned him into a desperate figure. He once pleaded for drugs from the entire crew and even flew into a rage over his cravings. Although he eventually tried to quit drugs, this only led him to develop another addiction—alcohol. Ultimately, it was his love for his family that helped him escape this toxic cycle. In 1983, six months before the birth of his eldest daughter, Zelda, Robin made the life-changing decision to quit both drugs and alcohol.
While Robin managed to overcome his drug addiction, its shadow remained. After his death, many in the media speculated that he had taken his own life due to depression. They began attributing tragic labels to the now-silent Robin Williams, such as suffering from depression, battling bipolar disorder, experiencing relapses and overdoses, facing financial crises, and dealing with career downturns. Some saw him as a "sad clown," while others believed that behind the scenes, he was perpetually drunk and addicted.
Neither drugs nor alcohol, the documentary "Robin's Wish" clarifies the truth behind his death.
If you’ve ever had similar thoughts about Robin Williams, “Robin’s Wish” will reveal that he was not just an actor who brought laughter but a warrior fighting alone in the darkness against the unknown.
“Robin’s Wish” presents undeniable evidence: Robin Williams' autopsy report. Toxicology tests revealed no residual alcohol or drugs in his system. The cause of his death was Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB). This disease causes neurodegeneration, leading to severe confusion. Every part of Robin’s brain was infested with Lewy bodies, attacking all regions simultaneously and affecting his cognitive functions, emotions, and physical movements. Robin endured prolonged periods of depression, fear, anxiety, hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia.
The warrior is gone, and only after his death did we learn of his battle. Before Robin's passing, neither he nor his close friends and family knew he suffered from this disease, nor had he ever been professionally diagnosed. His death prompted an investigation: medical professionals and his relatives began examining his medical history, slowly uncovering the nature of the elusive enemy that plagued him for years. What exactly is DLB? How much damage did it cause? How did Robin continue to struggle through such a debilitating condition?
This is the focus of “Robin’s Wish”. The documentary does not recount Robin's achievements or highlight his creative contributions to Disney's “Aladdin”. Instead, it acts as a scalpel, deliberately avoiding the well-known Hollywood persona of Robin and instead delving into his quieter, private life in Marin County, north of San Francisco, and the hidden struggles within his mind. If you're seeking to simply mourn Robin’s death, this documentary will not provide that solace. Instead, it aims to reveal the real, often overlooked aspects of his life.
The affable and warm comedian, whose occasional lapses were gradually overwhelming him.
The essence of “Robin's Wish” is stark and unforgiving: the medical community still has no cure for Lewy body dementia. Even if Robin Williams had discovered his condition early and sought treatment, those treatments could only alleviate symptoms, not cure the disease.
“Robin's Wish” captures the moments leading up to Robin's death through extensive interviews with friends and family, as well as live-action footage. The documentary aims to document how a person endures each day when their physical and mental states are pushed to the limit, even if they are unaware of the full extent of their affliction. We see Robin energetically delivering his trademark humor, which continued to resonate with everyone around him. Audiences laughed heartily at his jokes, eagerly anticipating the next one, while his co-stars often struggled to keep up with his rapid-fire wit.
The film contrasts warm portraits of Robin with the harsh reality of his struggles. Two years before his suicide, his behavior began to change. He became hesitant to visit his regular comedy clubs, and the vivacity and kindness that once defined him began to wane. This wasn’t just a few off days but a troubling trend, as his once-unshakable confidence started to erode. Robin was unaware that his condition had caused irreversible changes. Despite this, he continued to prepare for new projects, convinced he could handle everything.
The cruel irony was that Robin increasingly struggled to manage the chaos during his episodes, while another part of his mind, still under his control, fought desperately to counteract the forgetfulness or disorientation he experienced. When one joke fell flat, he immediately came up with a new one. It was a relentless battle, with Robin using his improvisational skills to cover up the gaps caused by his physical pain. This made his struggle harder to detect—how could anyone notice something was wrong with a genius who could always come up with ten jokes on the spot, even if today he only managed eight? His normal was already extraordinary to us, so any deviation from that seemed less noticeable.
After Robin's death, those who had worked closely with him suddenly recognized the significance of his earlier behavior. In “Robin’s Wish”, they reflect on moments when Robin acted unusually, initially thought to be mere lapses but later understood as symptoms of his debilitating condition. The documentary provides a poignant farewell, revealing the reasons behind Robin's tragic departure, documenting his final moments, and analyzing his emotional state in his last days. By showing Robin's life in his final years and the emotional journey of his family after his death, viewers sense that the family used this film not only to reorganize their feelings but also to find a way to say goodbye to their beloved one.
Degenerative diseases may progress slowly, but those affected are acutely aware of their deteriorating state—a truth known only to themselves. Why did Robin ultimately give up? The first half of “Robin’s Wish” provides insight, presenting the warmth of Robin's character alongside the cold reality of his illness. The film does not shy away from the inevitable conclusion, meticulously detailing Robin’s last hours: how he chatted with neighbors, suddenly burst into tears, and said goodnight to his wife. When his wife woke up the next morning and found him still in bed, she mistakenly believed her insomniac husband had finally gotten a good night’s sleep.
"I want to help people be less afraid," is the most fitting epitaph for Robin Williams' life.
DLB (Dementia with Lewy Bodies) is not depression; it is a severe, incurable condition involving brainstem lesions and brain damage that cannot heal naturally or be resolved by changing one’s perspective or "letting go." It is often undetectable until advanced stages, and its causes remain unknown, making it impossible to eradicate.
Following Robin Williams' death, Susan Schneider Williams spoke out in major media outlets to raise awareness about the seriousness of DLB and to correct public misunderstandings and biases about her husband. Robin’s passing was a profound tragedy, and we must confront the lessons his life has imparted.
On July 21, Robin Williams would have celebrated his 73rd birthday. In a book on his bedside table, he wrote: "I want to help people be less afraid." This sentiment encapsulates Robin's life and is poignantly portrayed in Robin's Wish.
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