Knowing: Robin Williams

Robin's health is in decline and he is soon diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. On August 11, 2014 he takes his life, but the circumstances that drive him to this tragic end are not what we earlier thought to be true.

Robin caps off 20 years in show business with an Oscar-winning performance, but this is a brief high that can't last. A series of career duds and personal tragedy push Robin back into the depressive and addictive tendencies he's never fully addressed.  

This week, we sit down with comedian Chris Gethard to talk about performing improv with Robin and the stigma of the depressed artist. 

Robin shows he's leading man material with hits like Good Morning Vietnam, Dead Poets Society and Aladdin. But, his burgeoning film career cuts into time spent with his growing and changing family.  

Robin is confronted with the brutalities of drugs, addiction and fame. To learn more about Robin, check out Dave Itzkoff's book, Robin, here. Stay up to date on the latest at Macmillan by checking out this newsletter here. 

This week we're speaking with comedian Jimmy Pardo about Robin's special brand of comedy and the struggle to stay fresh in comedy. We also share some classic Robin standup bits. Be sure to check out Jimmy's podcast, Never Not Funny.

Robin's hustling pays off when he lands a role that makes him a household name. But, the thrills of Hollywood begin to strain his personal relationships. 

Robin finds solace in a lonely childhood through comedy and defies his father's wishes to eventually pursue acting at Juilliard. But, his pinball energy proves hard to contain in the structure of academia.        

From the magic to the mundane -- and everything in between -- get to know Robin Williams like never before. Coming October 28th from Macmillan Podcasts.