I just saw the man on TV in an old episode of Mork and Mindy. It was the strangest thing seeing Robin when he was young. This strange wild man just took people with him. He invited you to share his world, and you would go along because you knew the journey would be like nothing else.
This episode of Mork and Mindy, which admittedly I only caught the end of, saw Mork break down over a robot friend that he built which then died. The pain he showed in his eyes touched something in my heart...maybe it was because this moment became a reflection of how Robin himself died with his friends and family unable to save him.
Robin might be the first comedian I ever saw on TV. Certainly throughout my life he's been the funniest, and his material is only more funny and more poignant now that we know his comedy came from such a a wounded place.
Robin was the ultimate clown. That he gave so much joy to so many only hurts more, because I know there are no more jokes coming and the world has never needed his brand of madness more than it does right now.
Rest in peace Robin. Genie, you're free now.