Robert Crumb = Asperger's?

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I just saw the film "Crumb" and was very much struck that Robert and both of his brothers displayed many autistic traits. It was glaringly obvious. One brother (Charles, who committed suicide a year after the filming) never left home after high school but was quite brilliant and well spoken. The other brother was a hermit living in San Fransisco. All the brother were shunned by society except Robert, once he became famous. I listened to the commentary provided with the DVD and the commentators kept saying, "I don't know how they could be so brilliant but so messed up." It was very obvious to me.

Ummm A few faulty circuits will do that to you.

Good movie and yeah...I think they probably are.You might also enjoy the movie...."American Splendar",I think it was based on him....the main character certainly seemed AS to me.

Excellent movie. "Mr. Natural Does the Dishes" is on a metal sign in my kitchen. The content of the Crumb flick is very insightful not only about R., but the AS-type mental grid, too.

..." American Splendor " was based on Harvey Pekar , a friend of and a person who worked with Crumb . I guess you're suggesting that Pekar might be AS ?
Crumb himself is also portrayed (by an actor) in AS-the-movie .
There was an article on Max Crumb in the SF Chronicle here some months ago , on what he is doing now .

I can't remember his name, but an associate of Pekar was unofficially diagnosed by Pekar's wife as HFA in "American Splendor." This was the guy who was utilized by MTV for some kind of comedy spoof? Sorry but I can't recall his name. Harvey might be aspie too but pretty high functioning, it would seem to me.

He was "Real Nerd" Toby Radloff.

I emailed Wayne Harold, Toby Radloff's producer, shortly after American Splendour came out here in Ireland and asked him if Toby was an Aspie expecting a firm yes. Some of the scenes in American Splendour really cut me to the bone, such as Harvey Pekar and Toby talking about loneliness over a tray of jellybeans.

I asked Wayne if Toby was autistic. Wayne emailed me back within half an hour telling me that Toby's friends discussed the possibility with Toby over the years. Yes, Toby is an Aspie but he prefers to think of himself as Real Nerd Toby Radloff, that keeps him happy, that is his identity.

I later emailed someone called Jim, can’t remember who he was, it was a few years ago now. Anyway here is what he said to me.

Anyway allot of enlighten ones contacted Toby and others after I did. I’m sure Toby et al. are sick of Aspergers by now. One gentleman from the UK sent a 35 page hand written description of AS/autism to Toby, there is dedication for you.


To be honest, Crumb and Pekar are Aspies. Toby, judging from his additional language peculiarities (monotone voice) is most likely high functioning autistic, I'd expecxt he had a language delay in childhood.

very well could be AS. i saw that doc, years ago, and remember thinking that i could relate waaay too well with Crumb and his strange antisocial brothers. Harvey Pekar could possibly be, but his "file clerk" friend most definatly is on the spectrum. (i forget his name). good movies tho!

I've heard about these movies, but have never checked them out for rental.
Are they really that good ???

yes. rent them. you will like.

Both films should be on the autistic "must see" list.

It is a shame there was not more awareness about HFA to help Charles Crumb, he was clearly crushed by life and it's a profound tragedy that he took his own life.

Sorry,my bad.You are correct and I misspoke.

...'Salright ! !! !! !!

My husband and I only recently saw American Splendor (about Harvey Pekar). His wife uses the term "borderline autistic" concerning Toby and it makes historical sense as Asperger's wasn't coined yet and "high functioning" wasn't used by the lay public. I think Toby (as portrayed in the movie) is classic autistic, for what it's worth. I just think the pervasiveness of stereotypes prevent people from recognizing autistic people who are able to work and socialize (at whatever level).
Harvey certainly seems Aspie. In fact, we exchanged a lot of knowing glances throughout the movie, but shouted in laughter when Harvey's wife (can't remember her name, Gloria?) yells, "Use your inside voice!"

Interesting. I had seen both "American Splendor" and a documentary on Robert Crumb and felt a strange kinship with both guys. Would it surprise me if either were on the spectrum? No. Would it surprise me if they pursued the diagnosis and went public with it? Yes.

It would be neat, though, to add either of them into the League of Extraordinary Aspies heh

Add my recommendation, too (for both "Crumb" & "American Splendor").

Saw "Crumb" in theater when it came out in 1995 (9 years before my dx) & was struck by all 3 brothers' oddness/eccentricity.
Later, seeing "American Splendor", I identified with aspects of both Harvey & his wife. After my dx, I thought back to the Toby character & wondered about his likely label/category-but couldn't recall which film that was in, until someone reminded me about "American Splendor".

So, yeah-I appreciate seeing confirmation of my hunches (am not usually skilled at "spot the aspie"-but occasionally I get a certain sense of "this has got to be someone on the spectrum").