There are two stars that I almost feel like I have grown up with – John Travolta and Robin Williams. Both were young stars when I was a teen and have grown into very established stars. I have followed the career of both and have seen them go from underappreciated to well respected actors. As far as comedy goes, there is – at least in my mind – no comic greater at improve than Robin Williams. In fact, he may be the best – ever.
It was announced this week that Robin Williams decided to enter rehab for alcoholism. His publicist said the Oscar winning actor had been sober for 20 years, but recently started drinking again and wanted to seek help for himself and his family before it got out of control.
But, if you think this is the first time Robin has sought help for an addiction, you are wrong. Robin was one of the last people to see John Belushi before his 1982 death from a drug overdose. In the late 70s/early 80s, Robin had an addiction to cocaine, but Belushi’s death from a speedball (a combination of heroin and cocaine) prompted him to seek help. He was quoted as saying, “Was it a wake-up call? Oh yeah, on a huge level. A grand jury will sober you up pretty quickly.” I guess there is nothing like the death of a close friend to scare you straight.
Robin reportedly checked into Oregon’s Hazelden Springbrook rehab center for a 30-day treatment program in July. After Mel Gibson’s recent DUI arrest, I am glad to hear that Robin sought help before anything disastrous happened.
Robin, who won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his portrayal of psychiatrist Sean Maguire in Good Will Hunting, can currently be seen on the big screen in the thriller The Night Listener, based on Armistead Maupin’s book by the same name.