Henry Rollins criticized Robin Williams for taking his own life in his newest article for LA Weekly published Thursday, Aug. 21.
The 53-year-old former Black Flag frontman began his write-up with compliments to the late comedian, praising his performance in "Good Will Hunting" and saying that his talent as an actor has never been a question. But later in the article, Rollins turned his attention to the public's cultural values and admiration for celebrity that might make everyone so confused over how someone so seemingly successful like Williams could commit suicide, Billboard reported.
Rollins then candidly admitted that he lost respect for Williams the moment he learned the actor had killed himself, primarily because of the fact that Oscar-winning actor was a father.
"How in the hell could you possibly do that to your children?" Rollins wrote. "I don't care how well adjusted your kid might be - choosing to kill yourself, rather than to be there for that child, is every shade of awful, traumatic and confusing."
The "Dead Poets Society" actor committed suicide Aug. 11 in his California home, leaving behind three adult children, New York Daily News noted. The 63-year-old actor had suffered from depression and addiction for years and had recently been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
"I think as soon as you have children, you waive your right to take your own life," Rollins continued. "No matter what mistakes you make in life, it should be your utmost goal not to traumatize your kids. So, you don't kill yourself."
But aside from singling out Williams' suicide, Rollins' essay also served as a warning for everyone to consider the consequences of their actions, according to Rolling Stone. He said that the act of suicide makes him reassess the person.
"When someone negates their existence, they cancel themselves out in my mind," he wrote. "I have many records, books and films featuring people who have taken their own lives, and I regard them all with a bit of distain [sic]. I know they existed, yet they have nullified their existence because they willfully removed themselves from life."
"I no longer take this person seriously," he continued. "I may be able to appreciate what he or she did artistically but it's impossible to feel bad for them. It's hard to feel bad when the person did what they wanted to."
Rollins' write-up follows Kiss rocker Gene Simmons' harsh comments about addiction, depression and suicide in his recent interview with Song Facts.
In the controversial interview, Simmons was quoted as saying: "Drug addicts and alcoholics are always: 'The world is a harsh place.' I don't want to hear f**k all about 'the world as a harsh place.' And for a putz, 20-year-old kid to say, 'I'm depressed, I live in Seattle.' F**k you, then kill yourself."
The Q&A was published on July 31, but in light ofWilliam s' suicide, Simmons' remarks sounded more unsympathetic to many and went viral.