Today marks the sixth anniversary of beloved actor and comedian, Robin Williams’ death. His daughter Zelda Williams announced ahead of time that she would be taking a break from social media. In order to protect herself from being overwhelmed by the flood of tribute messages.
Robin Williams died by suicide on Aug. 11, 2014, at the age 63 after suffering from Lewy Body Dementia. A type of brain disease that affected his thinking, memory and movement control. It is also known for creating Parkinson’s-like tremors, leading to depression and visual hallucinations.
“That leaves me emotionally buried under a pile of others’ memories instead of my own”
On Monday, Zelda said in a lengthy message shared on Twitter that she would be taking a break from social media on Tuesday to honor her father. The 31-year-old actress shared a text post on social media delving into the difficulty she had getting condolences from anonymous fans while marking her father’s death.
“Tomorrow is Dad’s death anniversary. As always, I will not be here,” she wrote. “It’s hard for me on a regular, good day to remain the person expected to graciously accept the world’s need to share their memories of him and express their condolences for his loss,” Zelda said. “As I’ve said in the past, while I am constantly touched by all your boundless continued love for him. Some days it can feel a bit like being seen as a roadside memorial, a place, not a person. Where people drive past and leave their sentiments to then go about their days comforted their love for him was witnessed.”
“But sometimes,” the actress added, “that leaves me emotionally buried under a pile of others’ memories instead of my own. After all, even roses by the truckload still weigh a ton. Tomorrow, it is simply too much,” Zelda said.
“Reach out. Seek help. Keep fighting”
But in case anyone suffered their own mental health crisis, she included information for suicide prevention and substance abuse hotlines for countries throughout the world. Zelda continued, “In my stead, if you find yourself in crisis and seek out this page hoping to be close to him somehow, please, use any of the following resources if you find you need them.” Zelda posted phone numbers and contact information for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. The Trevor Project, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration’s national helpline, among others.
“Whoever out there needs to hear it, please use this as your signpost in the desert,” she wrote, adding, “Reach out. Seek help. Keep fighting.”
“Miss you daily poppo”
Zelda posted the help lines to her Insta Stories, but she ended the list with a sweet throwback photo of happier times with her father. She and Robin were both decked out in camouflage pants for a round of paint-balling. While the Fisher King star showed off his iconic smile, which was augmented by a salt-and-pepper goatee.
‘Miss you daily poppo. Especially this goofy smile and the big ole laugh that went with it,’ she wrote.
Zelda’s tribute to Robin Williams on his 69th Birthday
In the years since her father’s death, Zelda has been open on social media about her grief. Last month, she mourned Robin on what would have been the late actor’s 69th birthday.
“Today would’ve been Dad’s 69th birthday, so to honor him (& that glorious number), I will be donating $69.69 to as many local homeless shelters as I can. Join me if you like, but regardless, know I am wishing you all at least one hearty, immature belly laugh on Dad today,” she wrote on Twitter. Zelda also shared screenshots of all the places she donated to.
“Robin’s Wish is Robin’s story, it’s our story, and in some ways it’s a universal one”
Robin Williams‘ legacy continues to shine bright in many people’s lives. Now with the help of director, Tylor Norwood, his wife, Susan Schneider Williams is finally telling the story behind the comic genius’ final days, and what caused his suicide.
Named Robin’s Wish, the new documentary will focus on Williams’ struggle with the neurodegenerative disorder named Lewy Body Dementia. Which plagued the Hollywood star greatly during the final year of his life.
The comedian’s widow, Susan Schneider Williams, chose the film’s title to reflect his legacy. “We had been discussing what we wanted our legacies to be in life,” she explains in a statement. “When it was our time to go, how we wanted to have made people feel. Without missing a beat, Robin said, ‘I want to help people be less afraid.'” The documentary is also set to feature the late actor’s celebrity friends. Like, Shawn Levy, John R. Montgomery, and David E. Kelley.
“Robin’s Wish is Robin’s story, it’s our story, and in some ways it’s a universal one. As we all understand what it means to search for answers, to experience love and loss and the power of healing that keeps us going,” said Susan Schneider.
Tylor Norwood’s Robin’s Wish will be released digitally and on-demand on Sept. 1.
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