Speaking from experience, I was heartbroken when Lou Reed died. The man had influenced me since my teens, and his influence grows as I mature, rather than fading. Lou was always there, and Lou always had something to say.
I feel very much the same way.
I'm still sad that Lou Reed died, he was a similar guiding light through all the bullshit in the world.
A strong voice that gives us hope, or a better glimpse into what it is to be human.
Lou wasnt a celebrity.
He was an artist, a poet, a playwright, a photographer, a painter.
He spent his time on this earth reflecting it back in whatever medium suited him at the time, and his perception and humanity shines through.
He wasnt perfect - nobody is.
But as an artist, a famous person, a "mirror" to our own lives (if you will) - his life work was something profound and touched upon thoughts and feelings many of us share or appreciate.
It is in this way we are touched by that artistic body of work and therefore the creator's persona. The grief or sadness at their passing is not the same as the sort of grief we feel when a close loved one dies - but I agree, it is similar.
I think the same can be said about Robin Williams for a lot of folk. He seemed to radiate warmth and love.
It is sad that a man driven to make others laugh - who excelled at it for decades - got to the point that the sadness overwhelmed him to the point of apparently taking his life.
Also, shit Dad joke busty, you stupid cunt.
Edit - don't forget that RW apparently stopped using coke in the 80s or something. I had previously heard he was Bipolar...but fuck knows, I didnt know the guy.