As the world reacted with shock and grief to the death of Robin Williams on Monday, Conan O’Brien was in the middle of a taping for his late night talk show. And so a visibly shaken O’Brien was left to break the sad news to his Los Angeles studio audience.
“This is unusual and upsetting, but we got some news, we got some news during the show that Robin Williams has passed away,” O’Brien said, drawing a gasp from those in attendance.
O’Brien made the announcement at the end of Monday’s taping, when the news of Williams’ apparent suicide was still fresh.
“Obviously we don’t know much yet. We know that this has happened. And we’re absolutely stunned, stunned to get this news,” O’Brien said.
O’Brien’s co-host Andy Richter and actor Will Arnett, a guest on Monday’s program, were similarly dejected by the news.
“As funny as he was — he’s truly one of the all-time greats — he was even better as a person. He was even more fantastic — just the loveliest, sweetest, one of the kindest guys that I’ve ever worked with,” Arnett said.
Very very sad situation indeed.
He will be missed by all lovers of his gentle, manic humor.
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really sucks, doesn’t it? everybody has their own personal abyss that they stare into from time to time, but robin williams had a talent that only comes along every other generation. he could have muddled along for 20 years and then come up with something new under the sun. it’s so sad that his demons overwhelmed him, but it is sad for the rest of us, too. he can’t be replaced.
“Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.” -
– John Donne
He must have been very lonely at the end. Sad, truly sad.