Robin Williams 63, Hollywood’s most celebrated and bankable comedian movie star was found dead Monday at his home north of San Francisco.
Marin County sheriff’s Lt. Keith Boyd said the preliminary cause of death was determined to be “suicide by asphyxiation,” although an autopsy was planned for Tuesday to confirm that finding. Williams apparently took his own life, law enforcement officials said.
Marin County deputies responded to an emergency call from Williams’ home in unincorporated Tiburon, California, at 11:55 a.m., reporting a male adult had been located unconscious and not breathing, the release from the sheriff said. Williams was pronounced dead at 12:02 p.m., it said. The sheriff’s office said Mr. Williams was last seen alive at 10 p.m. on Sunday.
“He has been battling severe depression of late,” his media representative Mara Buxbaum reported. “This is a tragic and sudden loss. The family respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time.” He also suffered from substance abuse problems.
Williams’ wife Susan Schneider said she was utterly heartbroken, “I lost my husband and my best friend, while the world lost one of its most beloved artists and beautiful human beings,” Schneider said in a statement to the media.
She continued, “As he is remembered, it is our hope the focus will not be on Robin’s death, but on the countless moments of joy and laughter he gave to millions.”
Robin Williams, hailed as a comic genius, was a star of movies and television for more than three decades., and has won a number of awards.
Williams did a role as the alien Mork in the TV series Mork & Mindy (1978–1982). Then he went on to establish a successful career in both stand-up comedy and feature film acting.
His film career included such acclaimed films as The World According to Garp (1982), Good Morning, Vietnam (1987), Dead Poets Society (1989), Awakenings (1990), The Fisher King (1991), Good Will Hunting (1997), Popeye (1980), Hook (1991), Aladdin (1992), Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), Jumanji (1995), The Birdcage (1996), Night at the Museum (2006), and Happy Feet (2006). He also appeared in the video “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin.
Awards Won: Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor three times, Williams received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Good Will Hunting. He also received two Emmy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards and five Grammy Awards.
RIP Robin Williams.
