As most people know, Robin Williams was an American comedian of great success. Most famous for his appearances in Good Will Hunting and Dead Poet’s Society with other works like Aladdin and Jumanji, Williams quickly rose to fame in the entertainment industry. As a successful being, one can achieve almost anything, and the American Dream is no exception. The American is constantly changing, but it is evident that Robin Williams global success allows for his to be the definition of the American Dream. Shaping entertainment with his comedic and theatrical talent, Robin Williams achieved the American dream in the face of depression, criticism, and addiction and ultimately inspired many others to do the same. The well-known actor and comedian, …show more content…
Although humor became a creative outlet for Williams, he was hesitant on allowing his schoolmates to see this side of him. He amped up his severity and focus for his studies. Many of Williams’s childhood friends recall what it was like as he adjusted to a new school prior to his involvement in the theater department saying “‘He was kind of standoffish when we first met, but that was only because he was the new kid at school,’ said [Jeff] Hodgen, adding that Williams was never the class clown but just ‘an intense, serious student’” (Cullotta). In his rough transition, he became aware that, using his talent, he could fit in but still stand out. He would often say that he was a shy and quiet child until he discovered how a couple of students in costumes could really change his life (Gross). With the ability to overcome great torment in his life while finding what he was truly passionate about, Robin Williams began to grasp the American …show more content…
Williams’s cultural impact still resides today. It is this idea that sometimes the saddest people can make others the happiest. In his adulthood, Williams faced depression, addiction, and alcoholism which one could understand “how maybe he would become depressed. It probably wasn't easy to be him. He couldn't go out there and not be jovial and energetic. He probably needed some of those 'boosters' to help maintain that fast-paced, energetic persona," (Lombardi). The impact that Robin Williams had and still has on society is this sense of relatability. Statistically, depression affects five to eight percent of Americans over eighteen with addiction and alcoholism following with a equal or higher percentage every year (Suicide Facts). As it is today, these illnesses captivate most Americans making health and wellness part of the American dream. Although Robin Williams’s everlasting battle ultimately claimed his life, Robin Williams was still capable of impacting society for the greater and inspiring many Americans. As it has been said, the American dream is one of aspiration and success; with Robin Williams as a graceful outline for any up-and-coming dreamer. Williams created a whole new standard of success. He inspired many generations and will continue to. Many classify actors by two
Bill Cosby has always provided the world with fresh, clean, family comedy. His comedy albums often received Grammy honors. In the 1980’s, Bill Cosby had the nation’s top-rated TV series, The Cosby Show. The books he has written on the subject
Not to mention he never let go of his faith in God and believed in his dream which led to his great success today. However he is a man who gives to people and helps with different charities. He is a man of inspiration who used one passion, which led him to the road of success. His writing, producing and directing over the years has inspired so many people. However he has inspired millions of people to not only dream, but make their dream a reality. He did not let his struggles keep him down. He has inspired me to do better through his testimony.I’am a huge fan of his work, today I dream bigger because of him being an inspiration to my life.A man who had a dream and used his sense of humor to bring joy to so many people in this world who are struggling. His struggles did not break him but made him. Furthermore he continues to inspire people through his movies, plays, and his Faith in
Robin Williams was a standup comedian and actor, who was in films such as Mrs. Doubtfire, Aladdin, and Dead Poets Society. Ben Stiller in an interview with Rolling Stone says: “He made many, many film crews laugh out loud before the audiences ever saw it. He made such a big impact on the world. So there is the man, and his talent and I think in his case both were extraordinary” (Montgomery). Robin Williams comedy was groundbreaking and influential.
Tennessee Williams was a well renowned playwright, who highlighted his personal experiences in his plays and stories. He had a colorful life and he enjoyed writing about what was considered taboo subjects in the 1940's, 1950's and the 1960's. Williams explored homosexuality, alcoholism, violence, greed and sex.
Achieving the American Dream has been the ideal for people living in the United States for decades. People believed that the way to get there was through hard work, also known as the “Protestant work ethic”. The American Dream can vary depending on the person. Some people think that owning a house with a white picket-fence is the American Dream while others think that it is becoming a celebrity with a lot of money.
Americans are blessed with the freedoms of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Each person is entitled to pursue the true dreams and desires of his or her heart. These individualized opportunities are often referred to as the American Dream. Difficulties frequently arise on the journey to one's dream. One must find a way to conquer these struggles to make his or her dream a reality. Through comedy and drama, Robin Williams, has overcome many obstacles to achieve his American Dream.
Tennessee Williams is one of the best play writers in American history. Tennessee Williams's life experiences has been used as subject matter for his dramas. Tennessee Williams uses his experiences and express them through plays. His life experiences are used over and over again in the creation of his dramas.
There are many different ideas that come to mind when someone thinks about the American Dream. An American dream is the thought that an individual can be successful and have an equal amount of opportunity as the next guy. Raoul Duke has a somewhat twisted idea of the American Dream as he travels Las Vegas seeking an adrenaline filled, crazy trip to money.
On August 11, 2014, Robin Williams was pronounced dead in his home in Tiburon, California (Itzkoff). The official cause of death was suicide by asphyxia due to hanging. There was a pocket knife found near his body and he had several fresh cuts on his left wrist. The toxicology reports revealed that there was no evidence of illegal drugs in his system and only normal levels of prescription medication (Robin Williams Biography.com). After his death it was revealed that he had suffered from Lewy Body Dementia. Lewy Body Dementia is a degenerative condition in which nerve cells in the brain are blocked by protein clumps. People who suffer from this condition develop memory and language issues and experience vivid hallucinations. Some medication that is used to treat Parkinson’s disease can make the symptoms worse. Robin Williams family believes that Lewy Body Dementia was a key factor in his suicide even though there is no research provided that proves this (Robin Williams Had Lewy Body Dementia). Even though Robin Williams death was a very unfortunate event, the legacy he left behind is still present today. Just one week after his death, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline had a fifty percent increase in calls. Also after he died, there seemed to be much more conversation about suicide. This
On the other hand, even though the part of the story alluded to in the paragraph above has merit – and in particular the presence of the late Robin Williams brings star power and emotion to the picture – the protagonist does not really want to abandon his buddies in the old neighborhood and become part of the MIT culture.
After the start of Williams' career he began to struggle with the fame of his early success. In the 1970's Robin Williams used cocaine and was a heavy
The American Dream is something that anyone no matter their background, social standings, or ethnicity can improve their life through hard work.
In the Oxford Dictionary, the American Dream is defined as the traditional social ideals of the United States of America: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. People have the right of life and liberty, but happiness is not a right. Happiness can only be given by the amount of effort a person gives. People who have determination to devote their Life and exercise their Liberty to the accomplishment of discovering their talent and use what they like doing to achieve a goal. The film, Pursuit of Happiness, shows the American Dream being achieved by the main character, Chris Gardner, by working hard and using his talents. Chris Gardner in The Pursuit of Happyness goes through overcoming obstacles which shows that the American Dream is possible through faith, perseverance, and a focus on family values.
What is the "American Dream"? The "American Dream" cannot be defined. I know that my "American Dream" consists of a Porsche, a large house, and a happy family. Willy Loman's definition does not differ greatly from mine although while trying to pursue this dream, Willy's mind slowly drifted further and further away from reality. The "American Dream" is the idea that any man or woman can make his or her own fortune, despite his or her past. Willy is trying to achieve success through this thought, believing that being "well liked" and working hard will be enough to ensue his success. Willy was wrong.
In today’s society the term “American Dream” is perceived as being successful and usually that’s associated with being rich or financially sound. People follow this idea their entire life and usually never stop to think if they are happy on this road to success. Most will live through thick and thin with this idealization of the “American Dream” usually leading to unhappiness, depression and even suicide. The individual is confused by society’s portrayal of the individuals who have supposedly reached the nirvana of the “American Dream”. In the play “Death of a Salesman” Willy thinks that if a person has the right personality and he is well liked it’s easy to achieve success rather than hard work and innovation. This is seen when Willy is only concerned how Biff’s class mates reacted to his joke of the teachers lisp. Willy’s dream of success for his son Biff who was very well liked in High School never actually became anything. Biff turned into a drifter and a ranch worker. In the play “Seize the Day” Tommy who is financially unstable also pursues the idea of getting to the “American Dream” and becoming wealthy. He foolishly invests his last seven hundred dollars and eventually loses it leaving him broke and out of work. In both plays following the American Dream is followed in different characters and in both the characters are far away from it leaving them broke and forgotten by almost everyone.