Today, we must pause in a time of such profound grief to treasure and honor the life of Oscar-nominated actor and comedian, Robin Williams. It is interesting how the death of people we've never met can have such astounding implications on our lives.

Robin Williams was a beloved artist, comedian, husband, father and idol to many people across several generations. Whether you wept your eyes out in the compelling comedy that is Patch Adams, or could not contain your laughter in Flubber, it's no question that Williams was someone who brought endless joy and happiness into people’s lives.

It is difficult to understand how someone who is so enigmatic and brilliant on screen may be battling demons of depression and addiction inside. Robin Williams is one of the greatest actors of his generation, and unbeknownst to many of his admirers and fans, he had demons. He clearly felt the only way to cease these demons was to take his own life. At the root of the chaos that will follow his sudden death is a genuine sort of grief. Our world has lost an immensely talented comedic genius, someone who was idolized and loved by so many. We live in an era where the actor becomes their character, akin to deaths of Heath Ledger and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Perhaps Williams felt so swamped by the stereotype of his dazzling comedic roles, which is what possible led to his depression and problems with addiction. 

He was not only a comedian, but a dramatic actor as well. He had a child-like charm that allowed him to act across a wide spectrum of roles. He delivered stirring performances in films such as Dead Poets Society, and who else none other than Williams could perform as the opposite sex in a film as captivating and hilarious as Mrs. Doubtfire? His ability to deliver such enigmatic performances influenced our generation, the generation of our parents, and will definitely continue to influence the lives of our children. Williams is a genius who will be remembered for years and years to come, because his mesmerizing delivery and distinct characters are treasures that not every actor is graced with. 

It's sad that as viewers, we idolize and objectify famous individuals. We dilute them to a stigma that they are supposed to represent. Perhaps for Williams, he felt he always had to be “funny,” even at times when he was battling these aforementioned demons. Although this is a period of grief, we must sit in the misery millions of Americans are feeing and transform that grief to gratitude, to thank Williams for the cinematic brilliance he gave to the world.