Posted on 08/09/2006 12:40:08 PM PDT by Abathar
Acclaimed actor-comedian Robin Williams has checked himself into rehab to battle alcoholism.
According to "Access Hollywood," Williams' publicist announced the actor's decision to seek treatment.
"After 20 years of sobriety, Robin Williams found himself drinking again and has decided to take proactive measures to deal with this for his own well-being and the well-being of his family. He asks that you respect his and his family's privacy during this time. He looks forward to returning to work this fall to support his upcoming film releases."
No further details were made available.
Williams made his mark on the television sitcom "Mork and Mindy" before starring in a string of hit feature films, including "Good Morning, Vietnam," "Aladdin," "Mrs. Doubtfire" and "Dead Poets Society."
He won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in 1998 for the drama "Good Will Hunting."
Williams' recent roles include the hit family comedies "Robots" and "RV." He also starred in the thriller "The Night Listener" over the weekend, but the film faired poorly at the box office, opening in 10th place.
http://www.celebpolitics.com/detail_page_actors.php?actor_id=41
Me three. And he's got a reputation for stealing material too.
Best wishes to him for a speedy recovery. IMO, the best comedian ever.
In spite of his love for an occasional raunchy, off-color routine, and in spite of the fact that most comedians seem to come from the wrong side of the tracks, Robin Williams was born to affluence and gentility. He had no bruising struggle to better himself economically; he faced no arduous climb up the ladder to fame and fortune. He was born the quintessential WASP--white, Anglo-Saxon, and Protestant from the get-go.
David, page 69:
With his world caving in on him, and with the news that he was going to be a father [with his wife, Valerie Velardi], Robin Williams came to a hard decision. He knew what he had to do. He could do it, and he would. Not many people could succeed at what he planned to do, but he could. He was going to stop drugs and liquor cold turkey. "No visit to the Betty Ford Center, no therapeutic support," a friend said of Robin's action. "He just quit, and he never touched drugs or drink again."
Valerie: "Robin has an incredibly strong will. He didn't need help. He has inner resources and he used them."
Robin had simly gone back to his origins; he knew he could do this if he willed himself to do it. And that was exactly the turn he took. He had read the boks. He knew how tough it would be. But he had made his mind up. He managed it. After all, he once pointed out, his mother had been brought up as a Christian Scientist, believing in "mind over matter."
When he did stop drugs and alcohol, he knew he was through with them for life. "For me there was the baby coming. I knew I couldn't be a father and live that sort of life."
Robin Williams married Valerie Velardi on 4 June 1978. Williams eventually separated from Valerie and began a long-term relationship with Marsha Garces, their son Zachary's nanny. The marriage of Valerie and Robin Williams officially ended when they divorced in 1988. Williams married Marsha soon thereafter, on 30 April 1989. Marsha and Robin Williams had two children together, and remain married as of this writing (2005).
Dad: Who broke the bed?
Son: Some man came in through the window and started jumping on the bed and broke it, Dad.
I guess living in the bluest of states has made me look beyond all that. If I held people's political views against them, I wouldn't be talking to my parents, most co-workers, most friends and at least one my kids.
Funny how the hollyweirdos always DEMAND privacy for their folk and them when the shoe is on the other foot, but no mercy, nor privacy for President Bush or his family! Robbin has always been a vicious hardcore RAT when it came to W. I caught a few of his HBO specials...VICIOUS against W and the pubs! CAN'T STAND the guy!
Simply a difference in the drug of choice for the addict...
A friend of mine still has a couple of Cosby's recordings on vinyl. Once in a while we drag them out and play them. They are still as funny today as they were 30 or more years ago.
Robin Williams' father was a senior executive for an automobile manufacturing company, and spent considerable time away from the home at work and on business trips. But Robin Williams' father retired and moved the family to California when Williams was in high school. (Source: Andy Dougan, Robin Williams, Thunder's Mouth Press: New York, 1998, pages 7-15.)
(((My favorite Bill Cosby routine was, "To Russell, My Brother, Whom I Slept With." It's a half hour about him and his brother fighting with each other while trying to go to sleep, and his father coming in on them. My favorite part:)))
The POLICE are YOUR mother and father!
years and years ago....I happened to see a "60 minutes" piece w/R.Williams and Jonathon Winters rattling out "improvs" back and forth....it was hysterical.
Was the only time I thought he was funny
"Did he say something bad about Jews?"
Not yet. He was being pro-active to prevent such media frenzy.
I guess living in the bluest of states has made me look beyond all that. If I held people's political views against them, I wouldn't be talking to my parents, most co-workers, most friends and at least one my kids.
***
You also would have to do away with most of your entertainment sources (tv, movies, plays, concerts, recordings).
why would we even want to have anything to do with a liberal like williams? oh yea, he makes people laugh - so does howard stern.
I really enjoy his movies and appearances. I hope he gets it together soon. Alcholism and drug addiction are no joke. They make you do things you really don't want to do.
"Nobody has more talent than he does. Nobody."
Except his mentor, Johnathan Winters. Both improv experts.
A Limo Lib with a drinking problem
There are plenty of conservatives who have addictions too, like alchohol, prescription drugs, internet porn and such.
He is a public figure who uses his public platform to engage in political activism and partisan politics. If he does not want to separate the two, why should I or anyone else refrain from criticizing him. He should, "Shut up and sing." Otherwise, he is fair game just like anyone else who chooses to enter the political arena.
Actually I don't find Williams or Stern funny. I do think Williams is a good actor. If I stayed away from music and movies made by liberals, there wouldn't be much to listen or watch.
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