Robin Williams contemplates life following heart surgery

Published: December 18, 2020

World-famous and much-loved actor and comedian Robin Williams has had a tough few years. Apart from the death of his brother, a relapse into alcoholism and end of his almost 20 year marriage, Williams recently underwent a heart procedure which has given him new perspective.

Talking to the New York Times, the “Good Morning Vietnam“ star remarked: “You appreciate little things, like walks on the beach with a defibrillator.“ He then went on to say: “I think, literally, because you have cracked the chest, you are vulnerable, totally, for the first time since birth.“

Williams was in the middle of his “Weapons of Self Destruction“ tour when he started experiencing a shortness of breath. He later underwent emergency surgery to have a heart valve replaced. Speaking to an audience of TV critics in LA earlier this year, the comedian talked about how sudden and unexpected the procedure.

“I had the surgery at the Cleveland Clinic, and I woke up going, ’Where am I?’ And they said, ’Cleveland.’ And I kept going, ’Why?’…You go in, and they really tell you that you’re going to get a cow valve.“

He also spoke about his children and how proud he was of them. 26-year-old Zak has graduated with a degree in linguistics, 20-year-old Zelda is an actress and Cody, who is 18, is studying literature and art history.

Williams’ ordeal was not the first time he has come in close contact with death. In 1982 his friend John Belushi died of a suspected “speedball“ (combined injection of cocaine and heroin) overdose in a Sunset Boulevard hotel. Williams had visited Belushi just hours before he passed away. The tragic accident and early death of close friend and fellow Julliard graduate Christopher Reeve also left the “Aladdin“ star pondering the meaning of life.

During a TV appearance Williams told David Letterman: “You really do appreciate the simplest things like breath and friends,“ coming to the conclusion that “Yeah, I’ve got to keep going, just take it a little slower“, the Boston Herald reported.

However, the star does not plan to retire just yet. Earlier this month he made a comeback to HBO, the channel that raised him, with “Weapons of Self Destruction“.

After watching over 30 years worth of HBO footage of himself, the actor reportedly said: “I realize it’s been a long time. But HBO has always been there. That’s why I came back.“

Other celebrities who have had heart problems include Jennie Garth, Elizabeth Taylor, Larry King and Bill Clinton.

Image: Wikimedia File:Robin Williams picture.jpg

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Published December 18, 2020 by in Celebrities
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One Response to “Robin Williams contemplates life following heart surgery”

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    14. Feb, 2010

    Waugh. Great blog. Found it by accident when I search for robin williams actor. But belive me, I´ll come back to this great blog

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