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I was watching a documentary on Robin Williams on HBO, and here we are ten years later after his death, and whenever I see something he is in, I start to tear up and I don't feel that way about anyone else who has died. H and I were returning from a summer vacation, and when we got off of the plane in Chicago, I read the news on my phone. I cried all the way to the baggage claim. It hit me in the gut.

Reports were initially that he had Parkinson's, and I felt so bad about that, but when it came out that he'd actually been diagnosed with Lewy-Body dementia, I could somehow understand the decision to commit suicide. I knew from my work in hospice that some people who have Lewy-Body are initially misdiagnosed with Parkingson's. I just wish he hadn't had to be so alone in his pain, and maybe that's what makes me so sad whenever I see any images of him. He brightened the lives of so many people with his comedic timing and performances (although some of the movies he was in were very dark).

When I was in college, Thursday night was party night in town; but if I made plans to go out, it had to be after Mork and Mindy was on. I was so committed to seeing every episode (no VCRs or DVRs at that time!).

Anyone else have such a reaction to a celebrity's death?

Grant Imahara from Mythbusters. He died from an aneurysm early in the pandemic-so while his death was devastating to me-I imagine my emotions were on overload.

I watched every episode and still occasionally watch a rerun. Plus I had the absolute pleasure of volunteering in one of their episodes.

His joy, passion, and surprise of so many outcomes on the show were just so much fun to watch. 😢

[This message edited by AnnieOakley at 11:30 AM, Monday, December 9th]

I still miss Buddy Holly, Phil Ochs, Little Richard, Bo Diddley, and a number of classical music performers who still give me shivers.

Robin Williams is a tough one for me. I met him once a long time ago when Mork and Mindy was in its prime. I was barely 10 years old and he was so funny and kind to me. The weekend he died my husband started his affair. So when that weekend rolls around I have memories in social media of the pictures I posted from the day I met him. But I’m also aware of the date.

Prince is another one who gets me. I loved his music and was so disappointed he chose prescription drugs in excess to dull his pain. Sometimes his songs still make me cry.

Sometimes celebrities feel like family to us. We take it hard. It’s not easy for us to believe that like us, they are human and some have fragile mental states and others have such physical pain and anxiety due to years of performing and vigorous schedules.

I have to admit I had to look up Grant Imahara. Sounded like a tragic death.

Sisoon, of the musicians you mentioned, I think Buddy Holly is the one I was most familiar with, perhaps because of the publicity surrounding the plane crash, and American Pie's popularity.

I think the wide-reaching characters Robin Williams played really spoke to me. I was a fan of some of his lesser-known roles, such as The World According to Garp, and The Fisher King, Patch Adams, and Fisher King.

I used to think that he had an undiagnosed illness of bi-polar disorder because I couldn't explain to myself how he could perform like he did, but now I just think there was a level of genius that I just can't understand.

Marie2792 - I am so jealous that you got to meet him! Was he just his 'normal' self? Or was he comedic?