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Many people who earn a living making us laugh also struggle with depression. Or, so it seems. That begs the questison: Is there a connection between comedians and mental illness, or, does the visibility of these public figures only make it seem like there is? We’ll explore this question in greater depth, as well as theories like the “sad clown paradox,” which seeks to explain why the funniest people can also be the most depressed….
The Comedy-Mental Health Paradox
Historical Context
Humans have been using humor to cope with difficult circumstances for centuries. Take, for example, Mark Twain, who famously declared that laughter is “one really effective weapon.” While his fame stemmed from poignant and humoristic writing, his satire was partly a way of coping with a lifetime of guilt about his younger brother’s untimely death.
Twain’s example is far from unique. A shocking number of contemporary well-known public figures in comedy deal with depression and addiction or have committed suicide due to mental illness.
One of the most famous celebrities to battle depression and mental illness was Robin Williams. Known for classic hits like Good Will Hunting, Dead Poets Society, August Rush, and Mrs. Doubtfire, Williams had a natural gift for comedic and heartfelt acting roles that touched viewers’ hearts.
Williams said in 2014 that he wasn’t clinically depressed but that he did “…get bummed, like I think a lot of us do sometimes.” Williams had notably dealt with addiction and was sober for 20 years before relapsing. He checked into rehab in June 2014, just months before passing away. In August 2014, the iconic actor was found dead of an apparent suicide at the age of 63.
Prior to his death, Robin Williams had been diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia and reportedly suffered from confusion and felt as though he was losing his mind, as written by his widow, Susan Schnieder Williams.
Chris Farley is another tragic example. He was considered one of the greatest comedians of his generation. Farley started in improv and got his big break when he joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in 1990. Fellow comedians like Adam Sandler and David Spade regarded him highly. However, the star also struggled with addiction throughout his career and ultimately died of a drug overdose on December 18, 1997, at the young age of 33.
More recently, popular comedian John Mulaney has opened up about his struggles with addiction following a stint in rehab in December 2020 and early 2021. During an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Mulaney revealed that an intervention from his friends was ultimately why he checked into rehab.
He told Meyers, “When I opened the door, I knew right away it was an intervention. That’s how bad of a drug problem I had, that when I opened a door and saw people, I went, ‘This is probably an intervention about my drug problem.'”
The Psychology of Comedy and Pain
When you realize some of your favorite comics are facing mental health challenges like addiction or depression, you may wonder why. Are these individuals more prone to dealing with these conditions, or is their struggle more visible because they’re in the public eye? While being a comedian doesn’t necessarily put you at a higher risk of experiencing mental health struggles, individuals who are predisposed to these conditions may be more likely to gravitate towards comedy as a coping mechanism.
Several studies found that humor can be used in conjunction with conventional mental health treatments to help patients cope with their symptoms. The use of humor can empower patients and aid in their rehabilitation. Because of its benefits, some group therapists and psychotherapists implement humor into their practice. Likewise, the type of humor a person chooses may indicate potential mental health struggles.
Many comedians may also use humor to deal with mental health struggles. Studies into the phenomena date back to the 1970s. One recent example found that, compared to the general population, professional stand-up comedians were substantially more likely to have received psychiatric care for conditions such as anxiety, depression, and substance use disorder.
The “Sad Clown Paradox”
The “sad clown paradox” refers to the contradictory presence of comedy and mental health issues such as depression and may help to answer the question, “Why are comedians depressed?” The concept is based on Sigmund Freud’s idea that comedians try to make others laugh to relieve their anxieties or sadness — in effect, acting as a clown who redirects (and sometimes disguises) their own sadness and mental illness with jokes.
An example of the sad clown paradox is the Pagliacci joke. The character Rorschach famously told this joke in Alan Moore’s Watchmen graphic novel. It tells of a doctor recommending the comedy of the country’s most famous clown to help treat his patient’s depression, only to learn the patient is, in fact, that clown. The joke’s message could be that the situation is dire, the healer is sick, or that, perhaps, the best medicine is what the patient has already been doing.
Causes and Contributing Factors
Personality Traits
It’s not uncommon to read in comedians’ biographies how they started “being funny” because others needed them to be. Many describe it as a way to make their mothers happy or to find joy during less-than-ideal childhoods. As the popular Twitter saying goes, “Did you have a happy childhood, or are you funny?”
Does facing mental health struggles make you funny, or do comedians have a natural vulnerability due to their ability to find humor in adverse circumstances? Some types of humor may negatively affect a person’s mental health. Aggressive humor is the tendency to manipulate or put down other people, while self-defeating humor is used to amuse others at your own expense. These two forms of humor can potentially harm the speaker’s self-esteem and mindset.
Additionally, the very nature of the entertainment industry can impact their mental well-being.
Environmental Factors: Cognitive Dissonance in the Entertainment World
Upon entering the public eye and achieving success, comedians may feel pressured to make people laugh constantly. The industry is highly competitive, so it’s natural for comedians to worry about rejection from clubs or fans. And some may engage in unhealthy coping mechanisms like drugs and alcohol.
The unorthodox schedule of late-night gigs and frequent travel disrupt sleep and routines. Despite the grueling expectations, many fear showing “weakness” by admitting the toll such a schedule takes on them. Given the cut-throat nature of the entertainment business, comics may worry that being less-than-perfect could hurt their reputation.
Broader Implications
When you look at your favorite comedians, you likely feel happy and positive because of the joy and humor they bring to your life. When you learn that a comedian is dealing with depression or mental illness or has committed suicide, it creates a stark contrast that can be challenging to understand and accept. From Pete Davidson to Russell Brand, there is no shortage of “funny people” who have publicly faced mental health and substance use issues.
Although depression is common, affecting 8.4 percent of U.S. adults, there can be a cognitive dissonance associated with comedians suffering from it. Many people find it hard to understand, but the effects are notable. Studies found an unexpected 9.85 percent increase in suicides in the months following Robin Williams tragically ending his life, especially among males aged 30-44.
The way we perceive and internalize celebrities certainly affects us. John Mulaney, for instance, drew considerable attention during his breakup with his wife, followed by a coupling and new parenthood with actress Olivia Munn. The strong public reaction to personal life changes can show why it’s hard to comprehend a comedian’s struggle with mental health – we build parasocial relationships with them.
Most comedians reveal intimate details about their lives (though sometimes these are fictional). These personal reveals, typically only shared among close friends, bring the audience closer to them, creating a one-sided bond. John Mulaney’s personal life changes upset many people because they felt invested in the comedian’s relationship with his former wife, through what he shared on stage. The same can be said for a comedian’s material and mental health. Believing they are confident and have a handle on the world is often a sugar-glass facade.
Strategies for Awareness and Support
Personal Coping Strategies
Thankfully, not all stories about comedians and mental health struggles end in tragedy. One example is the incredibly successful Sarah Silverman, who had her fair share of mental health struggles along the way. In a 2015 interview with Glamour, she shared that her first experience with depression occurred when she was just 13 years old: “My whole perspective changed. I went from being the class clown to not being able to see life in that casual way anymore. I couldn’t deal with being with my friends, I didn’t go to school for months, and I started having panic attacks,” she explained.
Since then, Silverman says she’s learned to live with depression and manage it successfully. She’s on a small dose of Zoloft to help her navigate the emotional highs and lows associated with the condition, in combination with therapy.
John Mulaney has also come a long way since the intervention that his friends staged in 2021. He has maintained sobriety, starred in earnest and awe-inspiring comedy specials, and discussed his recovery on several occasions.
“They intervened, they confronted me and they totally saved my life,” he recalled in a 2023 interview on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Public and Industry Support
As the conversation about mental health changes, more comedy clubs are taking steps to improve their performers’ well-being. One example is the Laugh Factory in Hollywood, which hired a psychologist to support comedians with mental health conditions.
Broader Societal Lessons
You never need to suffer alone. Mood disorders like depression and substance abuse issues can be treated. Thanks to comedians who have spoken up, there’s more support than ever to help you recover. There are tactful ways to talk to HR if depression is affecting your work performance, whether you work on or off the stage.
Comedians like John Mulaney and Sarah Silverman, who are now managing their depression and addiction after seeking treatment, are opening the conversation on how to cope with mental health struggles. Medication, rehabilitation programs, and talk therapies are all effective treatment options for depression and addiction.
Reach Out for Help
If you or someone you love is dealing with substance abuse or mental illness, FHE Health has compassionate counselors standing by to take your call 24/7. Contact us today and take the first step in your path to recovery.
