23 Years Ago Today

I've almost forgot about this day in the history of acting, but I'm glad that I did when I was updating my website.

For those of you who are somewhat new to NIMH and others that have known it longer than most, I have decided to bring this particular topic up. Because today, marks twenty-three years since Mrs. Brisby's voice actor, Elizabeth Hartman, who commited suicide by jumping from her fifth-story apartment. When paramedics arrived, Elizabeth was pronounced dead at the scene.

She had been suffering from depression that continued to decline after she divorced her husband, Gill Dennis after a five-year separation. During her last few years, she had given up acting altogether and worked at a museum in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania while she recieved treatment for her condition at an outpatient clinic. Shortly before her suicide on June 10, 1987, Elizabeth Hartman called her psychiatrist, telling him that she was feeling low. Her doctor became worried, and drove to her apartment, only to realize that she had jumped from her fifth-story apartment window.

Her last film she worked with was playing Mrs. Brisby's voice-roll in 1982.

May she rest in peace.

"In your fabulous red utterances of silence and silver, I speak to you of your unmoving movement, of your lonely way through life, and of your solemn silence. I wish to tell you of your miraculous solitude. For there is gold in autumn leaves stirred on the pavement of a park, and among the rhododendrons glistens the hidden black of a bear’s hide. These hidden creatures of the park sometimes appear and in their mouths as they come are coins for passage, and in their comings and goings are the shock of living. Such encumbrance you trace in the delineations of a brow’s rigidity, but soft, soft as a cloud that shifts its position. You drink the liqueur of many minds. Your hands are of down. You have the jewels of that Other."
Poem written by Robert Temple, friend of Elizabeth.

His article about her: http://www.robert-temple.com/nostalgia/elizabeth_hartman2.html

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Believe it or not, I've attempted suicide a few times during a depressive phase I had when I was 12 years old, I mostly attempted to suffocate myself, and I did nothing worse than that. Anyway, I've been reminded of that time when I first heard about this fantastic actress' fate.

You're not the only one who's attempted suicide,Dr.Cheezburger. When I was ten I was extremely depressed and one night I held a knife to my throat, I came to my senses when I was about to end my life and dropped the knife.

Apprantly history repeats itself because a month ago I suffered depressed and attempted suicide and again,came to my senses, I wish Elizabeth came to hers, she should've atleast allowed herself to have a daughter so when she did commit suicide her spirit would live on,although it already does,I can say this Elizabeth will never be forgotten.

Break ups to long term relationships can be the most diffcult times in life. Although I can't really say I've attempted suicide, I remember feeling the lowest I've ever felt about 2 and a half years ago when I broke up with my long term gf. I would emotionally beat myself up over it constantly, and though I still felt I had some things to live for, suicide always lingered in the back of my mind as an easy option sometimes.

Unfortunately, Elizabeth Hartman chose a permanent solution to a temporary problem.

For me (and many others I am sure) hearing of suicide is always painful on some leval, even when it happens to those we never really directley. I suppose its the realisation and fear that anyone could "give in" to just one moment of weakness. That the darker sides of life are truely blinding.

As always no one is to blame...

While I acknowledge the tragedy, I know that each time I see my favourite little mouse a part of her still lives on. Quietly speaking volumes, she will always be one of the most real animated characters Ihave known.

Jam-

In addition to what I posted, the depression kind of went down when I was getting closer to 13 when I had a crush on another girl in my class, she acted like she liked me back, but she said she didn't which for some reason, didn't trigger my depression again. I guess the experience of having feelings for someone else has a certain aftereffect that kills depression for the most part.

For me (and many others I am sure) hearing of suicide is always painful on some leval, even when it happens to those we never really directley. I suppose its the realisation and fear that anyone could "give in" to just one moment of weakness. That the darker sides of life are truely blinding.

As always no one is to blame...

While I acknowledge the tragedy, I know that each time I see my favourite little mouse a part of her still lives on. Quietly speaking volumes, she will always be one of the most real animated characters Ihave known.

Jam-

All that I can add to this is a heartfelt Amen!

Peace :)

Quietly speaking volumes, she will always be one of the most real animated characters Ihave known.

Jam-

It was not only her character that won me over but also her voice, that of Elizabeth Hartman, and back then I did not know who she was.