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Robin Williams Checks Self Into Rehab
The Indy Channel ^ | August 9, 2006 | AP

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.


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: addiction; alcohol; alcoholism; films; hollywood; movies; rehab; robinwilliams
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To: Ghengis

I'm glad you wrote that, one of everybody's favorite "Robin Williams bits" was stolen from someone you've never heard of, along with 90% of everything else he does.

He pretends to improv, his improv consists of using his forearm to look like a penis and making an elephant sound.

See my earlier post about about Robin Williams and Dennis Leary.


141 posted on 08/09/2006 2:57:27 PM PDT by word_warrior_bob
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To: Ghengis

I'm glad you wrote that, one of everybody's favorite "Robin Williams bits" was stolen from someone you've never heard of, along with 90% of everything else he does.

He pretends to improv, his improv consists of using his forearm to look like a penis and making an elephant sound.

See my earlier post about about Robin Williams and Dennis Leary.


142 posted on 08/09/2006 2:57:27 PM PDT by word_warrior_bob
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To: CheneyChick
What was the name of that movie where he was a creepy drugstore employee that worked in the photo area?

That was a creepy show...

One Hour Photo

143 posted on 08/09/2006 3:22:48 PM PDT by Semper911 ("We can stand here like the French, or we can do something about it." -Marge Simpson)
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To: Abathar

Robin is in rehab??? I bet Batman is PISSED!!!


144 posted on 08/09/2006 3:25:40 PM PDT by Jackknife ( "It's not a real party 'til somebody breaks something.")
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To: kabar
But Robin Williams' father retired and moved the family to California when Williams was in high school.

They moved to Tiburon, a lovely town on the Bay just north of San Francisco. Williams contends that "Tiburon" is Spanish for "condominium".

145 posted on 08/09/2006 4:10:30 PM PDT by TChad
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To: word_warrior_bob
I'm glad you wrote that, one of everybody's favorite "Robin Williams bits" was stolen from someone you've never heard of, along with 90% of everything else he does.

He pretends to improv, his improv consists of using his forearm to look like a penis and making an elephant sound.

See my earlier post about about Robin Williams and Dennis Leary.

After doing a few searches, I believe the guy's name is Mark McCollum. IIRC, he does the Ozzy Fudd routine, Kill the Wabbit.

146 posted on 08/09/2006 4:39:37 PM PDT by Ghengis (Alexander was a wuss!)
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To: Lazamataz
Don't do this....don't!
There is no comparison.
147 posted on 08/09/2006 5:01:09 PM PDT by Guenevere (Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: Blessed are they that love thee.)
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To: ModelBreaker
Nah. I know Robin in college. That was really before cocaine. He's funny sober and he's funny stoned. He's just funny. He was actually a LOT funnier then than he is now. After lunch, your belly would hurt from laughing so hard.

True story...I was at an ice cream shop across from (sorry I can't remember the name...Holy City Zoo?) a comedy club in the late '80s. Robin came in with a comedian who was trying to impress him. Unfortunately, that comedian was trying to out-Robin-Robin. Nothing gay about it.

Robin was very patient with the guy and gave him hints. I looked at him briefly...small nod...he was cool.

148 posted on 08/09/2006 6:40:20 PM PDT by paulat
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To: Semper911

I would love for him and Jim Carrey to appear in a movie together.


149 posted on 08/09/2006 6:51:54 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist (404 Page Error Found)
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To: keithtoo
He's been doing the Mork and Mindy thing since forever. I am bored by him myself.

I agree - I've never found him to be all that funny. He talks a mile a minute in the hope that he blurts out something funny amidst the jumble of words.

150 posted on 08/09/2006 7:02:00 PM PDT by Mannaggia l'America
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To: Abathar

He's immensely funny when he wants to be. Unfortunately, like many great comedians, he somehow wants to be thought of as a serious actor. In most of his serious roles, he comes across as the usual lame angst-ridden liberal. However, when he's the funny Williams of "Good Morning Vietnam" or "Mrs. Doubtfire", he has hits.

I never understood the ego of people who don't understand what they are good at and stick with it.


151 posted on 08/09/2006 7:09:54 PM PDT by Tall_Texan (I wish a political party would come along that thinks like I do.)
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To: ModelBreaker

I knew a woman who could go on an improv role like Robin Williams. Her name was Robin also. She was married with kids and she didn't want to get into show business but, when she got into telling jokes, she'd be so hilarious with rapid-fire unrehearsed wisecracks that I had trouble breathing.

It truly is a gift. Most brains just don't work that fast. We all implored her to go into comedy clubs and get "discovered". She was so afraid of failure that she just refused to do it. But at a party...


152 posted on 08/09/2006 7:18:54 PM PDT by Tall_Texan (I wish a political party would come along that thinks like I do.)
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To: Ghengis

That routine came from a comic named Mark McCollum who was active on the comedy scene in San Francisco at the same time as Robin Williams.

Sad to say, but Robin has a terrible reputation among comedians because of his decades long habit of using other people's material. When Robin would come into the house it was common practice with comedians to stop using their "A" material until he left.


153 posted on 08/09/2006 7:30:28 PM PDT by Wordkraft (former SF resident. 25 years in the belly of the beast.)
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To: Wordkraft
That routine came from a comic named Mark McCollum who was active on the comedy scene in San Francisco at the same time as Robin Williams.

Yes. I found him on a web search. I have seen the guy live and on TV many times. He makes me laugh until I can't breathe very well.

Sad to say, but Robin has a terrible reputation among comedians because of his decades long habit of using other people's material. When Robin would come into the house it was common practice with comedians to stop using their "A" material until he left.

I have heard this from people connected to show business.

The reaction I have seen from the connected folks: First, roll their eyes and grumble a few things. Second, acknowledge that he's a very funny guy.

154 posted on 08/09/2006 7:44:03 PM PDT by Ghengis (Alexander was a wuss!)
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To: BOBWADE

ping


155 posted on 08/09/2006 9:22:57 PM PDT by zip (((Remember: DimocRat lies told often enough become truth to 48% of all Americans (NRA)))))
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To: Lazamataz
Substitute the word 'left' with 'right' and you've described me.

I don't know about the rest, but you're still funny. Always worth reading.

156 posted on 08/09/2006 9:28:40 PM PDT by TChad
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To: Abathar

Prayers for him and his recovery. It proves that no matter how much time you have under your belt, this disease is still alive and well and waiting to pounce.


157 posted on 08/09/2006 9:30:51 PM PDT by peggybac (Tolerance is the virtue of believing in nothing)
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To: Tall_Texan
she'd be so hilarious with rapid-fire unrehearsed wisecracks that I had trouble breathing. It truly is a gift. Most brains just don't work that fast.

That was what was so amazing about Robin. It was completely unrehearsed. It just comes out funny in an unending stream.

158 posted on 08/09/2006 9:35:07 PM PDT by ModelBreaker
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To: dinoparty
Not intending to invite flames, but I can't think of a single Williams movie or show (except possibly Goodwill Hunting) that I enjoyed. I guess I don't get his humor.

Check out "Awakenings." It's a wonderful story, and Williams plays his part perfectly, especially if you read about the character he played. And his performance stood up well working with Robert Denero.

A lot of people don't realize that Williams and Christopher Reeve met and became friends when they were both students at Julliard.

Mark

159 posted on 08/09/2006 9:36:23 PM PDT by MarkL (When Kaylee says "No power in the `verse can stop me," it's cute. When River says it, it's scary!)
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To: Richard Kimball
At least, the ones I've seen are.

Agreed... Two of the funniest "old school" commedians were Alan King and Buddy Hacket. Unfortunately, many of us never saw them live, only on "The Tonight Show," with Johnny Carson. They were good, and funny, but I've since seen some clips of them doing their standup acts, and they were a scream! And Buddy Hacket was really something of a "potty mouth!"

Mark

160 posted on 08/09/2006 9:44:19 PM PDT by MarkL (When Kaylee says "No power in the `verse can stop me," it's cute. When River says it, it's scary!)
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