The angel of laughter has returned home. Robin Williams, one of the most charismatic and cheerful actor of the century, has passed away. He stared in many classics ranging from Aladdin, and Jumanji, to Dead Poets Society, and Good Will Hunting. He’s received many awards in his time including one Academy award, one Emmy award, and six Golden Globe awards.

“I remember watching him since I could walk! He is one of the people that you remember where you were standing when you hear the news about their death,” said Scotty McGuire, a 16 year old student.

This era of greatness came to an end on the morning of August 11, 2014. He was found dead in his Northern California home. While a final investigation is still being performed, the immediate cause of death was an apparent suicide by asphyxiation. Although he has been with us for many years, he was just 63 years old.

“I still feel like he is alive. It’s terrible,” said Angela Holmes-Cruz.

“I wonder why somebody would make us so happy and put us before him, but what battling something much more important and put it aside for us,” said Barbara Ross, a lifelong fan of Robin Williams.

Psychiatrists believe Williams had many suicidal risk factors. He previously struggled with drug and alcohol issues and had been to treatment twice. He also received a valve replacement operation on his heart. These were all the known risk factors, except for one previously unknown to the public. He had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in which he had not been ready to reveal to the public. He was in the very early stages of the disease when this event occurred but the effects were inevitable.

FSA Connection Questions

1. In the second paragraph what does asphyxiation mean?
2. Summarize the main idea of the story.
3. What is the connotation of the word charismatic?
4. Based on the story, how to you think the author feels about the subject?
5. Which sentence best summarizes the main idea of the story?