Four years ago today one of the greatest comedians and actors of the past several decades tragically committed suicide, ending a life that made so many smile and laugh with utter sadness. Robin Williams is, of course, the man I am referring to. After starting his career as a stand-up comedian in San Francisco during the 1970s Williams quickly gained a reputation as the ultimate entertainer.

Despite his success as a comedian, he struggled early in his career to find success in acting. This, unfortunately, pushed Williams into drug and alcohol abuse before he eventually landed a role on the popular show, Happy Days as Mork.

The role was one that was born from the imagination of an eight-year-old. Scott, the sun of Happy Days creator Gary Marshall, suggested to his father that the show ”needed a spaceman.” That spaceman was Mork from Ork, a role that seems perfect for the charismatic Williams today. Shockingly, Williams nearly missed out on the role of Mork as the show selected both Dom DeLuise and Roger Rees before both eventually backed out.

One of the show’s associate producers had previously seen Williams perform at a showcase and thought he could play the part. She set out on a mission to find the man she remembered with a limited amount of time to spare. Luckily, she succeeded and the rest is history.

Williams saw his career blossom through the role of Mork. First came the spinoff show titled Mork & Mindy followed by a plethora of roles that only served to grow the genius of Williams. He appeared in everything from Popeye to Criminal Minds as the three and a half decade his career span seemed to fly by. Williams was so much more than just a comedian though. Yes, he could make us laugh but he also was capable of captivating us, helping us forget about our everyday problems and struggles while the camera rolled. That’s why the ending to this story shocked, horrified and devastated so many people.

August 11, 2014, was a day that will forever be locked away in the memory banks of millions. The biggest question that seemed to arise was, ”How could someone who always seemed so happy be this depressed?”

Williams spoke openly of depression and suicide throughout his career and has a novel worth of quotes on the subject. Depression does not mean that the sufferer is quite or introverted and many times rears its ugly head when they feel most alone. Depression is not just about feeling sad. It’s about trying to fight through the unbearable, weighted blanket of misery, loneliness and psychological torture that seems to always be suffocating us. As someone who has battled the disease, I consider myself blessed to be able to openly discuss the subject.

In the end, I believe that Williams said it best when he stated, ”No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.”

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal or self-harming thoughts, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or suicidepreventionlifeline.org. Remember, just like the great Robin Williams, people truly care about you and your wellbeing.