The suicide of Robin Williams, apparently prompted by depression and other personal problems, hit the world hard yesterday and drew expressions of dismay and grief from many sources, including Tim Cook, Apple Inc.’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) CEO. Mr. Williams was a famous comedian with vastly diverse roles that showcased his flexible talent for humor and ability to make people laugh and enjoy life’s absurdities in many different ways.
Mr. Williams was noted by people who knew him as an apparently cheerful, positive individual, which deepened the stunning impact of his self-inflicted death further. The police indicate that he died as a result of “asphyxia,” sometime between late Sunday evening and Monday noon, when his body was found. His publicist, Mary Buxbaum, reported that he had recently begun treatment for addiction in Minnesota was was profoundly depressed.
Robin Williams continued to work despite his difficulties, and had wrapped the filming on four different movies prior to his demise. These films will appear in the cinema later in this year or during 2015, and include a Christmas comedy as well as several other works. “Merry Friggin’ Christmas” is one of these, as is “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb,” in which Mr. Williams reprises his role as Theodore Roosevelt. “Absolutely Anything” and “Boulevard” are also due to be released in the near future.
Tim Cook’s Tweet laments Mr. Williams’ fate in three brief but heartfelt sentences:
Heartbroken by the news of Robin Williams' passing. He was an incomparable talent and a great human being. Rest in peace.
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) August 12, 2014
Though Mr. Cook’s regrets are understandable, the Tweet also highlights the differences between his leadership style and that of Steve Jobs. Under Mr. Jobs, the Cupertino firm presented a Zen-like calm and detachment to the outside world. The newer version being built by Mr. Cook is a more human, approachable organization, with a corporate culture that allows its executives to participate more openly in the day to day drama of human life.
