Robin Williams, I believe in you.

A tribute to our Happy Thought

Social media is overrun with prayers, thoughts, hilarious stories, and tear-jerkers for the memory of Robin Williams. The beloved comedian was more like our collective wacky uncle than a movie star, but by now I'm sure many have seen — and cried over — this simply stated tweet from The Academy of Motion Pictures: 

Yes, from the average moviegoer to The Academy, it seems everyone has something to say about Robin's passing — and his life. I read a comment on Facebook from my cousin Matt which said that, for some reason, the death of Robin Williams feels so much more personal than the passing of other Hollywood greats. And that word — personal — struck me. 

How is it that one man can affect so many lives? In the past 24 hours, we've heard fellow comedians, actors, and directors call Robin Williams a genius time and again. They say that what he had could not be taught, and that X Factor is what made him such an extraordinary entertainer. Beyond "genius," a phrase that keeps cropping up is "generosity of spirit." I believe that while his genius made him the entertainer that he was, it was Robin's genuine nature and palpable kindheartedness that made him the man we all grew to love on a very personal level.

To name just one favorite Robin Williams role would be impossible. All last night, I kept realizing another movie, then another, then another in which Robin captured our hearts and wailed on our funny bones. He was our nanny, our captain, our genie, and our spirit of youth. He told us to "bee yourself" and taught us an eclectic celebration of the dance. Together, we learned how to play. Now as we look back with utter fondness and adoration for the all the joy this man has given, I like to think that Robin Williams is somewhere looking down on us, thinking: "That was a great game."