I did not think the loss of beloved celebrities could get any worse this year, but Monday evening was stunning for America and for me to learn of the death of multitalented, Oscar award winning actor and comic genius Robin Williams. He was not just an actor. He was a force of nature. His body of work ranged from rip-roaring comedy to highly emotional drama. He was able to take command of any situation and bring a smile to people's faces. For 38 years, Williams has been a part of our lives first on television and then making his mark in films.

In some ways his tragic loss is like losing a friend and companion. When I was a child, he first appeared as Mork from Ork on a crazy episode of "Happy Days" where he drove the Fonz crazy. Soon after, he starred in his own series "Mork and Mindy" with Pam Dawber. He was a manic actor and comic genius. The writers eventually got flustered trying to write for him and began to allow him to ad-lib his character. Ad-libbing became a staple of his career.He appeared as Mork for four years before transitioning into movies such as "Moscow on the Hudson" and the acclaimed "Good Morning, Vietnam" which was one of the first breakout film roles for him as he played DJ Adrian Cronauer. While the film portrayed Cronauer's career, the veteran Williams portrayed disputed several aspects of the film's depiction of his radio career.One movie stands out in my mind. Perhaps it was because it was an impressionable part of my life, but I can remember being moved to tears and the emotional tearing of heartstrings as he played the part of English teacher John Keating who teaches students about seizing control of their lives using poetry during their time at the Weldon Academy. The film is set in 1959, but its lessons transcend time and remind all of us that each day is important.Williams continued to accumulate decades of incredible hit films, and his body of work is almost unrivaled in his 30-year film career. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in "Dead Poets Society" as well as "Vietnam" and "The Fisher King" but won for Best Supporting Actor in "Good Will Hunting," ironically portraying another teacher opposite Matt Damon in the award-winning movie. He won the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2005 and won five Golden Globe awards for "Mrs. Doubtfire," "Good Morning, Vietnam," "Aladdin," "The Fisher King" and "Mork and Mindy." In addition to his film career, he also received awards for his stand-up comedy and comedic work. In total Williams had won 55 awards in his career and had 67 nominations.While his professional career was arguably unrivalled, his personal life was a constant struggle. Williams openly discussed his fight with addictions, first cocaine and then alcohol. He recently checked himself in to rehab for assistance in maintenance. This was public due to a photo he took near the facility with a fan that went viral. To add to his personal health issues, he also had successful open heart surgery five years ago. In an interview with Wolf Blitzer earlier this week, celebrity rehab Dr. Drew Pinsky said it is not unknown for recovering heart patients to have bouts with depression, and in Williams' case with his history, it is entirely possible his struggle with depression got the better of him.If anything, Williams' tragic loss should be a lesson to all of us that if we know of someone struggling with depression or who seems to have undergone a personality change recently that we should not ignore them. We need to reach out to each other and help each other.Depression is a serious problem and it doesn't just "go away." It is a serious, life-threatening medical illness, but it is one that can be helped with medication and support. Williams gave us the creative genius that was his body of work, but his loss should be a cautionary message to us. If we care about each other, don't let a loved one suffer in silence. One life lost is one too many.Learn the signs of depression in others and when they need help. These signs include: not sleeping or too much sleep, inability to concentrate, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, abuse of alcohol or drugs to feel better, talking about suicide, giving away personal items and saying goodbye for no apparent reason. These are signs of someone crying out for help.If you are feeling these symptoms, do not wait, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-8255 right away and reach out for help. You are not alone. There is someone always ready to listen and help. Sometimes though our bodies don't allow us to get out of the valleys on our own and that is why help is there for us. You do not need to suffer. If there is one lesson we can learn from this week's tragic loss, this would be the one I think Robin Williams would want us to remember.Personally though, I will always remember my silver screen movie idol, my comic ideal and one of my entertainment mentors from afar as a hurricane, a force, and I will climb on my desk and say "O, Captain, my Captain!"May God's angels have taken you home to heaven, Robin, may your struggle with life's demons have left you, and may you finally rest in peace. Just know that although the tears we shed for losing you are many, we are so blessed to have so much of you behind for us to remember, and we will remember to seize each day!Thank you for the smiles, the laughter and reminding us to smile.Till next time …