The quick fire and manic performing qualities needed for stand-up probably fit the personality of a manic depressive type very well.
Once saw Stephen Fry argue that it was only a few famous depressed comedians, like Hancock, and most were perfectly happy like him. A few months later he'd disappeared on his depressed luvvie huff to Belgium.
Quote: youngian @ October 5 2009, 3:53 PM BSTOnce saw Stephen Fry argue that it was only a few famous comedians, like Hancock, them were perfectly happy like him.
Happy? Wasn't Hancock a depressed alcoholic?
Quote: Nogget @ October 5 2009, 2:51 PM BSTI think we should be criticising the people who romanticise his death, not him for killing himself.
I remember seeing a graphic novel based on his life, and on the front cover they'd given him angel wings. 
Quote: Matthew Stott @ October 5 2009, 4:43 PM BSTHappy? Wasn't Hancock a depressed alcoholic?
Wasn't that the point? If not, then I'm missing a trick or two too.
Quote: Liëka @ October 5 2009, 4:45 PM BSTWasn't that the point? If not, then I'm missing a trick or two too.
From Youngian's post, it read as though he was saying Stephan Fry had called Hancock a happy person. That's how I read it anyway.
I corrected that, sorry for the confusion
Of my favourites Tony Hancock and Frank Skinner were alcoholics, Bill Hicks was a drink/drugs fiend and Spike Milligan was FUBAR.
On the flipside, Stewart Lee seems pretty normal.