RIP Robin Williams

Tom Hanks' death would eclipse this in terms of public response.

 

Yes, but he would probably have to die unexpectedly.

 

Williams hit every demographic. From Disney to R-rated stand-up, Doubtfire to Good Will Hunting, from his USO appearances to his work with sick kids, late-night appearances to Sesame Street.

 

FART's short list

 

I think the list would be McCartney, Springsteen, Hanks and then there are a couple others that would be debatable.

 

If Jennifer Lawrence suddenly died in a car wreck or whatever, I can't imagine a negative word being uttered about her.

Williams is an interesting case in that a lot of people (me included) had grown tired of his act in recent years. He'd been doing the same character riffs in every movie and interview for about 15 years.

 

In terms of crosscultural and crossgenerational celebrity, what has Jennifer Lawrence achieved?
I love Hanks but he's an actor and occasional director-producer.
Williams had a way of showing people his soul.

 

I don't know, but she's treated like the next Katharine Hepburn in every movie review and at every awards show.

 

I love Lawrence, but let's not compare someone who has been a star for five years with someone who was a beloved star for more than three decades.

 

I think Hanks is the only actor out there who could get a similar wide-reaching response as Williams.

 

Which celebrity deaths hit you hard for whatever reason?

For me it's Cobain (I was 20), John Ritter and Williams. If we're including sports, Walter Payton was a really tough one.

I grew up watching Williams. The name of my first cat was Mork. My best friend and I saw him do stand-up when we were in high school. I saw Aladdin on my first date with my longtime college girlfriend. Good Will Hunting is a top 5 all-timer for me.