The Drs: Wayne Brady Remembers Robin Williams & Overcoming Depression

The Doctors: The Tragic Death Of Robin Williams

The Doctors kicked off their episode  by talking about the tragic death of legendary career Robin Williams, who of course starred in such classic movies as Good Morning, Vietnam, Aladdin, Dead Poets Society, and Mrs. Doubtfire. Audiences first fell in love with Robin Williams in Mork & Mindy, where he played an alien. In 1998, Robin Williams won the Oscar for his amazing role in Good Will Hunting. 

Since his passing, there’s been an enormous outpouring of love and condolences for the actor.

The Doctors: Robin Williams Suicide

Robin Williams took his own life August 11 2014 after struggling with depression and addiction for many years. He was 63 years old.

Dr. Andrew Ordon said that he was very sad when he heard about Robin Williams’s death. They’re the same age and Dr. Ordon grew up with his work. Dr. Ordon also said that when he met Robin Williams, he was impressed with his sincerity and his humbleness.

Dr. Rachael said it was shocking to learn how much pain he was in behind his public image. Robin Williams struggled with alcohol and drugs in the ’80s, with a relapse in 2006 and 2014. Dr. Travis wanted to talk about how people could put forth a happy public image while hiding deep pain.

The Doctors: Battling Addiction & Depression

Dr. Travis talked to Ken Seeley, an addiction specialist, who said that this was heartbreaking because Depression is a brain disease. He said the Depression took him to such a dark place he couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. Ken Seeley said if you’re feeling like that, you have to seek help.

Dr. Ordon said there’s a physiological basis for both addiction and depression and unfortunately, we see that combination in celebrities far too often. There are a lot of facilities out there though that are available and do treat both addiction and depression.

The Doctors: Wayne Brady Remembers Robin Williams

Wayne Brady came by the show to remember Robin Williams. Before they had him come out, they showed a clip from Whose Line Is It Anyway? where Wayne Brady and Robin Williams were pretending to be church choir leaders serenading an audience member. It was a hilarious clip and it got me laughing, even during this sad broadcast.

Wayne Brady said that they had a lot of fun that day and it was an amazing moment for him. He said he grew up watching Robin Williams and he idolized him since he was a child. He said it was an honor to work with him. He said before they started rolling, Robin Williams said he was really nervous and said, “You got me, right?” Wayne Brady responded, “Yeah, I got you,” and he said that was a “life high.”

The Doctors: How Could Someone Famous Have Depression?

Wayne Brady talked about being famous and struggling with depression and he said it way better than I ever could. Here’s his quote:

“Life is life. We’re all the same, everybody’s human. We all have ups. Everyone has downs. When you have a job like this and when you’re someone like Robin and even to a degree, my life, like you said, we make people happy with the various things we do. That’s why you get paid. That’s your job. So people really aren’t interested for the most part in you having a regular outlook on something. So the joy you carry with you on stage, you’re supposed to carry with you even in life. If someone meets you in the parking lot and you’re not smiling or jumping off the roof like you do on stage or like you’re supposed to do, they’re like, ‘Well, what’s wrong with you? You’re mean.’ No, I just woke up. Or no, maybe I got something going on that you don’t know about. And it’s not just celebrity, it’s anyone,” Wayne Brady said.

The Doctors: How Do Comedians Deal With Depression?

Wayne Brady also said he was “shocked, but he wasn’t shocked” because he knew some of the things Robin Williams was going through and that Robin Williams was always “on”. He also said that people might not get it because Robin Williams was a rich comedian, but there was something chemically wrong with Robin Williams.

Dr. Travis asked Wayne Brady what he does when he has to go out there when he’s depressed. Wayne Brady said you have to compartmentalize.

Dr. Rachael said that there’s a lot of speculation that he fell back into Depression because his TV series didn’t make it. Wayne Brady said that unlike other jobs, your career is hot one minute and cold the next. If you’re a plumber or doing some other job, you don’t have that problem.

If you’re feeling depressed or like you have no way out, ask for help and call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. They will not pressure you and you don’t have to give your name. They’ll listen and talk to you. Remember, it does get better.