On the passing of Robin Williams, my thoughts…

Los Angeles, CA--Those that really know me understand my deep love for all entertainers.  I champion every actor, singer, musician, dancer and comedian’s efforts.  Perhaps it’s because I would not want to live in a world without entertainment.

Yes, I’m also an actor along with so many other occupational hats that I wear.  It’s really a small percentage of people that have the opportunity to impact our lives with their performances. 

Robin Williams made a huge contribution to all of us.  He made us all forget at least for a while our own troubles like health issues, financial disasters and failed relationships.  

Those that possess a special talent gift are usually rewarded handsomely, yet for some for some the stress of keeping their careers on track takes a very heavy toll.

I feel most for the talented and beautiful women that seem to have a short entertainment shelf life.  As they approach 40,  at a point when their skills are at a pinnacle suddenly casting directors ignore them. We all wonder whatever happened to so and so? 

Robin Williams has touched all of our souls as a comic, actor and a genuinely kind fellow.  Somehow Williams’ own life was troubled by drug use.  I suspect Williams like many athletes sought to experiment with performance enhancing chemicals. 

Yesterday Williams’ demons caught up with him silencing him forever.  He is just one more entertainer that demonstrated that fame and fortune did not provide some of the things he needed most.

Williams certainly gained some form of immortality in that his plethora of films will live on perhaps for centuries.  We will all be laughing again when we see those films over and over again.  

Human life is fragile.  The older I get I see the unfairness and pain that aging brings.  Our eyesight, hearing and dental problems only increase despite advanced medicine.  Many of us watch our own physician’s age and die as they try to cure or slow our own inevitable date with the Grim Reaper.

Robin Williams is missed.  He’s a victim of those mental illness secrets we’ve not yet discovered.  This is a wake up call to watch those people close to us that need us to make them laugh. 

Phillip Seymour Hoffman, We Hardly Knew You!

New York, NY—Becoming a successful actor is incredibly difficult for most even if they have talent.

Just getting a decent manager and or agent is a major task.  An actor without an agent is unemployed.

Aside from my investigative and media work I'm an actor.  I did my best work in community theater. 

I’ve had a SAG-AFTRA membership card since 1997.  I did a few forgettableTV spots and  films before a serious hearing loss problem sidelined me.  I have great hearing aids now but my age is not helping me to get motivated again. 

46 year-old Phillip Seymour Hoffman made to the RED Oscar Carpet winning as Best Actor for his role in Capote.  His career was on fire!  

Hoffman was also successful producer and director.  He was currently filming for the Hunger Games franchise. 

Hoffman confessed addiction problems and did a stint in rehab.  His premature death seems to indicate this was an accidental overdose of drugs.   But that is only a guess by NYC police officials that revealed he was found with a needle in his arm.  It will take weeks for toxicologists to tell us what poisons he had in his blood.

Hoffman appeared to be at least 15 years older than he should.  Perhaps drugs played a role in that too.  

It’s heartbreaking to see a talented and successful actor destroy a great life.  I know so many terrific actors today that fight so hard for small paying roles.  Many of them will be shaking their heads in disbelief. 

Hoffman like most of us had demons and I’m sure depression played a part.  He sought help but apparently it was too little too late. 

This kind of thing should make all of us understand that we are our brother’s keeper.  We must help those around us understand they are needed. 

Hoffman’s manager and agent must be devastated by this loss.  Hoffman left behind a partner Mimi and three children. 

Hoffman had many more roles to play, parties to attend and friends to meet.  That’s all over now and may he rest in peace.  

Don’t have a Dog? Go to a Shelter and Let one Rescue You Today!

If you never owned a dog your life has been incomplete.  Owning a dog is not difficult or burdensome.  The only bar to dog ownership are serious allergies, landlord prohibitions or you’re gone away from home for long periods of time. 

Today there are a surprising number of dog friendly employers that allow pets to be brought to work.  I’ve even seen this at locally owned TV stations.  I think many companies are learning that being dog friendly is actually good for business, productivity and certainly employee morale.  

Dogs are a tremendous cure for depression and walking them insures you get more exercise and perhaps a longer life. 

Dogs are also wonderful matchmakers for their unattached owners!  Dogs make it a lot easier for members of the opposite sex to approach each other on the street.  Egos always interfere with our first meetings but when a dog is present ego problems seem to simply vanish.    

A dog will bring a smile a minute to your face and that translates to improving your appearance and personality.  Dogs are fun, funny and lovable. There are no bad dogs, just bad owners. 

A dog will always help you through a crisis, heartbreak or even a bad day.  Their loyalty to you is never in question.   They sense when you’re sad or lonely and will give you the special attention you need. The money spent on food and veterinary healthcare will bring you priceless joy in return.

I’ve seen good relationships and marriages saved simply because laughter is returned to a house house with the introduction of a new dog.  When laughter leaves a home that is a sign that divorce may not be far away.

Housebreaking and training your dog is easy.  The dog will be training you at the same time!  Instructions don’t come with a dog but pet stores have lots of books and the Internet is filled with lots of helpful information.

Shelters always have an abundance of dogs of every kind and size that are in desperate need of adoption.  The truth is that they adopt us asking for only love, kindness and some food in return.  

The only downside is that their lives are too short.  But when they pass on there is always another doggie that needs you as much as you needed the loyal friend that just crossed that Rainbow Bridge.

If you believe in Heaven and it’s reward you will see every critter you ever loved there or it would not be heaven. 

The last thing I will say is that dogs will bring out your best behavior.  When I was a cop arresting people, I always asked they if the had a dog when I was booking them.  I did this to make sure that the dog was not locked up in some dwelling without food and water.  I would help the arrestee notify friends and relatives to avoid a tragedy.  What I learned doing that was surprising.   Virtually none of the people I arrested owned dogs!

Perhaps it’s true that the Devil’s work is done with idle hands.  Dogs will keep their owners busy loving them and that seems to prevent and incredible amount of anti-social behavior.

If you don’t have a dog perhaps you need to be rescued!