Comedians and Depression: The Downside of Comedy

After Robin Williams' death in August, many are wondering why someone who made us laugh so much could have been suffering so deeply from depression. Well, that's just it. When you have a successful career and seem to have everything, people will judge you for being human; especially, when people only see you as an entertainer rather than as a person. Many depressed people are capable of playing the part of being content while feeling the depth of their pain, internally.

"Your job as a comedian is basically to notice everything, and the better the comedian the more aware he or she is about the world around them. It can be not a happy place...I'm never shocked that a comedian is dealing with depression." Chris Rock on Robin Williams, ABC

Chris Rock has not only spoken about how common depression is among his colleagues, but poked fun at it in a skit for his show The Chris Rock Show. In the skit, alcohol becomes the solution for depression. Pun intended. The joke suggests how depression has no easy and/or universal antidote. Perhaps, even in some circumstances, there do not seem to be cures. Sometimes, depression can only be relieved temporarily. Maybe, that is part of Chris Rock's joke.

Chris Farley was a successful comedian, yet a troubled person. He died of a drug overdose of cocaine and morphine, in 1997. Multiple celebrity friends of his have been quoted, saying Farley went out of his way to get laughs. He willingly made fun of himself to gain the acceptance of others; therefore, his work was not merely for entertainment as much as it was for the purpose of being liked. Many comedians make fun of themselves, at least from time to time, as part of their routines, but if it is at the cost of their own mental health it isn't worth it. It is a tragedy that someone so talented could have been hurting themselves as deeply as Farley.

"The joke of it is, basically, 'We can't hire you because you're fat.' There's no comic twist to it. It's just (bleep)ing mean...Chris wanted so much to be liked. As funny as that sketch was … it's one of the things that killed him." Chris Rock on Chris Farley

Legacy.com, Natalie Pompilio

Jim Carrey has spoken about having depression. He has said he was in a constant "low level of despair." Some believed causes for his depression are linked to his financially difficult upbringing. His parents both had employment problems. Even though he has been on Prozac on and off for years, the thing which has helped him the most has been his spirituality. For some, medication is the only answer while others find that spirituality is. Thankfully, as with any common issue, it has been a positive thing for Carrey to speak openly about his struggle because it sheds light on a widespread mental illness.

Looking over the deceased comedians and the reality that the ones still living are experiencing difficulty should make society wonder how long each comedian will live. Will Jim Carrey stay with us or will his depression end his life? I hope he lives a full life, and never takes it into his own hands with suicide or drugs. I hope to see these talented people survive their pain. I want to see them capable of seeing how much good they have done. Comedy can be so helpful during times too low to handle otherwise. I hope they continue to use humor to deal with their heavy burdens of reality.