Like everyone else, I was stunned to hear of the suicide of Robin Williams.
I don't have brilliant thoughts or great insights to add to what you'll be reading and hearing in the coming days.
But I'm old enough to have remembered Mork & Mindy when it first debuted and first exhibited his insane gift for making us laugh.
It's a terrible loss to all of us, and of course, and unbearably so for his friends and loved ones.
Forgive me, but I couldn't help think of Didi, the crazy female poker player who said I looked like him--an observation no one else had ever made. I wonder if she will still call me "Patch Adams" next time she sees me. Of course it was on my mind because I had just linked to the blog post where I used "Patch Adams" in the title, as part of the Robvegaspoker quiz.
One of my favorite Robin Williams movies is one almost forgotten, that got a pretty bad reception when it opened, as I recall. It is a very odd film, not for everyone, but I enjoyed it. It's The World According to Garp, It was based on a hugely popular best-seller of the time.
If you've never seen it, you might want to give it a try sometime. Here's a clip:
Patch Adams. One reference. Try being told for 35 years that you look like the guy. I always dreaded any time a new movie of his was announced (especially if the character had a beard).
ReplyDeleteHe was one of those performers who was usually good even when the show wasn't.
Yeah....I thought about both of us being identified with him. However, EVERYONE'S told you that and only one crazy gal has ever said that to me.
DeleteI still remember the waitress at the Deli that said you should be flattered to be told you look like him because he's very talented. Not handsome, mind you, but talented.
is that like some1 saying u have a good personality?????
DeleteI am reminded of the time I working for a week in Salt Lake City and decided to use the rental car the company had given me to drive to West Wendover (120 miles each way). Not having been bitten by the Poker bug, I drove around town until I found the casino where I could play Pai Gow Poker for $5/hand.
DeleteI had been playing a while when the woman next to me asked if anyone had ever told me I looked like Robin Williams. I answered "all the time," to which she asked "Don't you wish you had his money?"
I put down my cards, looked at her and said "Lady, if I had his money do you think I would be playing nickel Pai Gow in West Wendover?"
I will always regret never meeting him, because I wanted to ask him, "Has anyone ever told you that you look like ?"
I remember that story.
DeleteBut one of the things I've heard today is that the reason he was still working so much (and perhaps contributed to his depression) is that he didn't have all that much money, having lost a lot of it due to his two divorces.
the part of the movie (Garp movie) with the bj scene is EPIC/
ReplyDeleteEmbarrassed to admit this but....the punchline to that scene (it's actually in the follow up scene) is one of my all time favorite movie lines. My friends and I were quoting it for years.
DeleteI would have mentioned it in my post but I didn't want to spoil it for anyone.
also,the movie INSOMIA (if that is how u spell it) is awesome. (no bj scene) but still Killer flix
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip, I've never seen that one.
Deleteinsomnia is the movie. a thriller with al pacino,the girl in Million Dollar Bbaby,and other actors( obvious). u will like it
DeleteI read The World According to Garp - loved the book and the movie. BTW I do see the resemblance to Robin.
ReplyDeleteMy recollection is that people who had read the book didn't like the movie....however, that's almost always true, isn't. Impossible to get all the nuances of a book into a 90 minute film. But nice to hear you were the exception.
DeleteWow, so you see the resemblance too huh/ I guess it's only "crazy" ladies who see it. :)
Funny, I always think of John Lithgow when something reminds me of Garp. I had forgotten Robin Williams was in it.
ReplyDeleteI believe this was Lithgow's first major role, and the one that really put him on the map. His performance as Roberta, the trans-sexual, was incredible, so it's easy to understand how that would be the performance that stuck with you.
DeleteRobin was a bit subdued compared to his previous roles, but of course he was the lead.
I drove Robin and his wife around the Hamptons for a weekend when I was a Limo driver. It was back in the early 90's and the occasion was Spielbergs wedding. Of all the celebrities I drove he was the coolest, most friendly. He palled around with me like he knew me his whole life. He was down to earth unlike other celebrities who think little or nothing of the little people. Very sad to hear of his passing.
ReplyDeleteAwesome story, Tino. Thanks for sharing that.
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