R.I.P. Andrew Koenig

There is nothing worse than writing a silly, happy-go-lucky message to connect with an old friend on Facebook, and then, once you’ve been approved, to go to their page and see it filled with messages of bereavement.

This is what happened to me today, when I got in touch with a good friend of mine, comedian Danielle Koenig. Her brother Andrew — an actor, writer, director, and environmental and human rights activist who became famous as a child for the role he played on the ’80s sitcom Growing Pains — committed suicide last week. He was only 41.

I am shocked and devastated at the news. I first met Andrew around the year 2000, when he and Danielle were kind enough to give me a job, collaborating with them on a TV show they were developing at the time. Andrew was an intelligent, kind, sensitive and elegant person who made you feel welcome and at ease. It was very clear that he had tremendous potential to accomplish whatever he wanted in this life. Unfortunately, Andrew also struggled with severe depression. It’s very sad to know that someone with such talent, so much quality as a person, and so much to offer the world, would feel so despondent about his life that he would choose not to continue.

My deepest condolences go out to Danielle, her parents Walter and Judy, and everyone else that loved Andrew. I cannot even begin to imagine what they must be feeling right now.  One thing is certain: his family loved him very, very much, and did everything they could to make sure he knew that. They should at least be at peace with that.  And I hope Andrew is finally at peace, wherever he is.