Robin Williams: The Dark Side of Drug Addiction

The world was left stunned by the sudden death of beloved actor and comedian Robin Williams in 2014.

Now, his friends and colleagues are shedding light on the years leading up to his tragic suicide, revealing the depths of his drug addiction.

In the Vice documentary series “The Dark Side of Comedy,” Williams' episode served as the premiere for the show's second season.

The comedian initially rose to fame in the 1970s with his stand-up comedy and gained further recognition through his role as Mork, an alien, on the hit TV series “Happy Days.”

This led to his own show, “Mork and Mindy,” and eventually a successful career in film with movies like “Popeye.”

According to Williams' friends, while he enjoyed being around people, he also cherished his alone time.

As his fame grew, they began to witness him struggling with the pressures that came with it.

“Robin's highs were so high and his lows were often low,” said Gina Hecht, his co-star on “Mork and Mindy.”

Speculations of Williams' cocaine use arose due to his high-energy performances onstage.

Many claimed to have seen him frequent the back of The Comedy Store, where drugs were readily available.

His longtime friend Allan Stephan recalled a moment of concern when Williams asked for cocaine before a performance.

Stephan refused, reminding him that he was Robin Williams and didn't need drugs to perform.

After that incident, Williams allegedly stopped getting high before going onstage but continued using drugs afterward.

Williams' fame made it easy for him to access drugs, as they were frequently offered to him.

Filmmaker and comedian Mike Binder shared an anecdote about Williams taking an entire gram of cocaine accidentally and apologizing for it afterwards.

Binder described Williams as a “monster” when it came to drugs.

Despite the seriousness of his addiction, Williams incorporated cocaine into his stand-up routines, making audiences laugh while shedding light on the depth of his drug use.

Howie Mandel remembered Williams frequently joking about drugs during his performances at The Comedy Store.

Although it was funny on stage, Mandel acknowledged that it was a real issue for Williams.

The death of comedian John Belushi in 1982 had a profound impact on Williams, as they were close friends.

Belushi died from a drug overdose, and this tragedy prompted Williams to clean up his own drug addiction.

Combined with the birth of his first son in 1983, Williams quit cocaine cold turkey.

He recognized the importance of preserving his mind, imagination, and wit, and didn't want to compromise his talents by dulling them with drugs.

After overcoming his addiction, Williams' career continued to flourish.

He performed at prestigious venues like The Met and landed iconic roles in films such as “Mrs. Doubtfire,” “Good Will Hunting,” and “Night at the Museum.”

However, in the years leading up to his death, Williams was unaware that he was dealing with Lewy body dementia.

On set, he appeared tired and seemed different from his usual self.

He tragically took his own life on August 11, 2014.

It was only after an autopsy that he was diagnosed with the neurological disorder, which affects thinking, memory, and movement.

The autopsy revealed no illegal drugs or alcohol in Williams' system, indicating that his struggle with drug addiction was behind him.

His friends recalled seeing him in a deteriorated state before his death, with comedian Steven Pearl noting how Williams didn't recognize his wife and appeared distant.

Robin Williams touched the lives of many with his talent and humor.

While his drug addiction may have painted a dark side to his story, it is important to remember him for the joy and laughter he brought into the world.