Robin Williams Essay

“Madness may lurk where creativity lies,” (Adams). Robin Williams, a well-known comedian and actor, is an example supporting the preceding statement. Although not proven, Williams is alleged to be mentally ill with bipolar disorder and depression. His creative role in comedy and the acting world, which has largely impacted society, is often attributed to his rumored mental illness. Over time, psychologists have continually studied the possible link between creativity and mental illness, which could be explained by genetics. Robin Williams, among several other famous creatives, is a living testament to this link. He further proves this highly speculated connection through his creative improvisational style, his symptoms of bipolar disorder and depression, and his addiction to alcohol and drugs.

Robin Williams, born July 21, 1952, is an exceedingly creative actor and comedian educated at Juilliard. He is most famous for his improvisational style. Williams debuted his talent for the art of acting on the television show, Mork and Mindy, and in his first film, Popeye. For the beginning several years of his career, he acted in several comedies; however, he later took on darker roles such of those of Insomnia and The Night Listener. Williams’ most notable parts are his characters in Good Will Hunting and Dead Poets Society. However, aside from Robin Williams’ successful career, he has faced many personal challenges (“Biography”).

Throughout his career, Williams has been confronted with the issues of alcohol and drug addiction, bad relationships, divorce, and cheating. He struggled with alcohol and drug abuse for more than twenty years, a large section of his life and career, and was required to visit a rehabilitation center. Williams’ ...

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...f his impulsive improvisational acting and comedian career, symptoms common in bipolar patients, and his constant battle with alcohol and drug abuse, Robin Williams majorly contributes to the association between mental illness and creativity. Williams, an esteemed actor and comedian, is noted for his creativity. He is alleged to have bipolar disorder through his depression, addictions, bad relationships, and stress. This possible illness has been investigated and proved through much research to lead to an increased creativity, something Williams has an abundance of; however, this link will only be proved in the future, probably with the help of genetics. Therefore, if Robin Williams is a bipolar sufferer, there is only one explanation to his creativity-bipolar disorder. “Clearly some people suffer for their art, and clearly some art stems from suffering,” (Adams).