Oscar-Award winning actor Robin Williams dies at age 63. He was found dead at a home in Marin County. The coroner suspects suicide as the cause of his death. He starred in “Mork & Mindy” and several other movies throughout the years.
Here’s a statement from the Marin County Sheriff:
On August 11, 2014, at approximately 11:55 am, Marin County Communications received a 9-1-1 telephone call reporting a male adult had been located unconscious and not breathing inside his residence in unincorporated Tiburon, CA. The Sheriff’s Office, as well as the Tiburon Fire Department and Southern Marin Fire Protection District were dispatched to the incident with emergency personnel arriving on scene at 12:00 pm. The male subject, pronounced deceased at 12:02 pm has been identified as Robin McLaurin Williams, a 63 year old resident of unincorporated Tiburon, CA.
An investigation into the cause, manner, and circumstances of the death is currently underway by the Investigations and Coroner Divisions of the Sheriff’s Office. Preliminary information developed during the investigation indicates Mr. Williams was last seen alive at his residence, where he resides with his wife, at approximately 10:00 pm on August 10, 2014. Mr. Williams was located this morning shortly before the 9-1-1 call was placed to Marin County Communications. At this time, the Sheriff’s Office Coroner Division suspects the death to be a suicide due to asphyxia, but a comprehensive investigation must be completed before a final determination is made. A forensic examination is currently scheduled for August 12, 2014 with subsequent toxicology testing to be conducted.
This was cross-posted from The Hinterland Gazette.
TMV UPDATES:
—His wife and family issue statements:
His wife Susan Schneider, issued a statement after the tragic news.
‘This morning, I lost my husband and my best friend, while the world lost one of its most beloved artists and beautiful human beings.
‘I am utterly heartbroken. On behalf of Robin’s family, we are asking for privacy during our time of profound grief.
‘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.’
His family also issued this statement on the tragic passing of the Oscar winner.
‘Robin Williams passed away this morning. He has been battling severe depression of late,’ Mara Buxbaum, press representative, said in a statement.
‘This is a tragic and sudden loss. The family respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time.’
TWEETS:
RT @AlbertBrooks: Shocked by the news of Robin Williams passing. Rest in peace my friend
— Good Morning America (@GMA) August 11, 2014
I didn’t know I could be so sad, angry, stunned and grateful at the same time. RIP Robin Williams. If you are in pain please seek help.
— Jim Gaffigan (@JimGaffigan) August 11, 2014
I can’t believe the news about Robin Williams. He gave so much to so many people. I’m heartbroken.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) August 11, 2014
Best tribute you can pay Robin Williams is: ask yourself if you think someone you know suffers depression. And love them. We're everywhere
— Dominik Diamond (@DominikDiamond) August 11, 2014
Robin Williams' last tweet & Instagram pic was a #tbt of his 25-y/o daughter, Zelda Rae http://t.co/5FYGPHuIKt pic.twitter.com/1Mrr4NgWmX
— Mashable (@mashable) August 11, 2014
A great talent lost. Very sad news. #robinwilliams was one of the most versatile comedians of our time. http://t.co/RDn1mapMcL
— Chris Daughtry (@CHRIS_Daughtry) August 11, 2014
Here's a wonderful video of Robin Williams entertaining our troops in Kuwait. http://t.co/haw56NKaAl
— Pin-Ups For Vets (@PinUpsForVets) August 11, 2014
Here it is, the sweetest Robin Williams movie scene ever. RIP. http://t.co/gIXoGJ6umq pic.twitter.com/GwduiTLo5C
— HitFix (@HitFix) August 11, 2014
I'm shocked and saddened over the loss of Robin Williams. I had the great pleasure of working with him on Old Dogs. #RobinWilliams
— Lori Loughlin (@LoriLoughlin) August 11, 2014
Henry Winkler: 'Robin Williams was like no other.'; To watch him create on the spot was a privilege to behold' – @hwinkler4real
— NewsBreaker (@NewsBreaker) August 11, 2014
Just heard the news on @robinwilliams! What a talented individual so sorry! Once again we have lost an incredible talent! Prayers to family!
— La Toya Jackson (@latoyajackson) August 11, 2014
Such sad news. My heart goes out to his family. The great Robin Williams. http://t.co/gKqbQZosT2 via @YouTube
— graham norton (@grahnort) August 11, 2014
Impossible to wrap words around the loss of Robin Williams, a true artist, poet and genius. pic.twitter.com/4G5UsyyrO1
— iO West (@iOWest) August 11, 2014
How I'll always remember the man who got GOOD WILL HUNTING made: http://t.co/q6XEHea4ls RIP RobinWilliams. Thank you, Oh Captain my Captain!
— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) August 11, 2014
Robin Williams the saddest of sad !! A genius with a huge heart!His death is awake up call !Wow go hug your family and loved ones!
— David Hasselhoff (@DavidHasselhoff) August 11, 2014
Condolences to the whole world. @robinwilliams RIP. #RobinWilliams
— Drew Carey (@DrewFromTV) August 11, 2014
Robin Williams came by The Comedy Store several years ago. Hung out and goofed around with all the comedians. No attitude, just fun. #RIP
— Steven BRODY Stevens (@BrodyismeFriend) August 11, 2014
Had the pleasure of interviewing Robin Williams recently and was absolutely the nicest & funniest guy.… http://t.co/opPNNe6JFk
— Mario Lopez (@MarioLopezExtra) August 11, 2014
The entire Osbourne Family is grieving the loss of a kind, funny, generous and talented man, Robin Williams.
— Sharon Osbourne (@MrsSOsbourne) August 11, 2014
The comedian killed himself in Tiburon, in Northern California. His people tell us he’s been recently battling severe depression.
According to the Marin County Sheriff’s Office … authorities found William’s body inside his home. They say he was found unresponsive.
He was unconscious and not breathing and the coroner suspects suicide due to asphyxia.
Williams was last seen alive at his house at 10 PM Sunday night.
Robin went back to rehab last month to focus on his sobriety. We’re told alcohol was an issue.
Williams struggled with cocaine and alcohol abuse in the early ’80s but was sober for 20 years … with the exception of a stint in rehab in 2006.
UPDATE III:
Hollywood Reporter:
Robin McLaurin Williams was born in Chicago on July 21, 1952. He was raised in affluence, but he was brought up, as he admits, by the maid. He developed comedy to please his mother. He mimicked Jonathan Winters. The family moved to San Francisco, where he graduated from high school.
He studied political science at Claremont Men’s College and entered College of Marin to study theater. He won a scholarship to study at Juilliard in New York, where he spent three years under the tutelage of John Houseman and others. He returned to San Francisco before graduating. His goal was to become a dramatic actor but he could not get a foot in the door. He turned to stand-up comedy, supporting himself by tending bar and working at an ice cream parlor.
Williams moved to Los Angeles and enthralled at open mic nights. He became a regular at such clubs as The Improv and The Comedy Store. He got spots on such TV shows as the Richard Pryor Show and America 2-Night.
His big break came when the producers of Happy Days decided to add an alien to the show. Williams won an audition. He guest-starred on a 1978 episode that brought in avalanches of fan mail. Based on the outpouring the network decided to create a spinoff series, Mork & Mindy. The sitcom, featuring Williams as a good-natured alien from the planet Ork, afforded him great opportunity to improvise. It was hugely popular, even leading to the production of a talking Mork doll, which spouted such phrases as “nanu-nanu,” Orkian for hello.
Williams’ spellbinding delivery vaulted him from a complete unknown to national fame. Self-admittedly, fame arrived too fast, and he careened through a period of drug and alcohol abuse. His first movie role, in Robert Altman’s Popeye (1980), was disappointing. But in his second role, he showed his charm as a young writer in The World According to Garp (1982).
He performed in the mid-1980s in a series of mediocre movies including The Survivors (1983), The Best of Times (1986) and Club Paradise (1986). He excelled as a Russian saxophone player who defects in Bloomingdale’s in Paul Mazursky’s Moscow on the Hudson (1984).
He hit his movie stride with Good Morning, Vietnam (1987) where his comic versatility as an anti-authority G.I. disc jockey played to his manic, improvisational strengths.
Like the best of comics, Williams, at heart, was utterly serious. He was a driving force in Comic Relief to benefit the homeless.