Robin Williams has died today at the age of 63. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the actor was found today in his Tiburon, California home, appearing to have taken his own life.
The official police statement reads as follows:
“On August 11, 2014, at approximately 11:55 a.m, 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 Sheriffs 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 Division s of the Sheriffs 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 Sheriffs 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.”
Williams’ publicist, Mara Buxbaum, said: “Robin Williams passed away this morning. He has been battling severe depression of late. This is a tragic and sudden loss. The family respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time.”
His wife, Susan Schneider, said: “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.”
Williams made a name for himself starring in the hit ABC series, “Mork & Mindy.” Williams played Mork, an alien from the planet Ork, opposite Pam Dawber’s Mindy. From there, Williams continued to build a name for himself as both a stand up comedian and an actor, winning an Academy Award for his work in Gus Van Sant’s Good Will Hunting. He was nominated for three more Academy Awards and was also a two-time Emmy, five-time Golden Globe and six-time Grammy winner, but his incredible list of credits speaks for itself.
Williams recently starred in the CBS comedy series “The Crazy Ones,” which was cancelled after one season, and will next appear in Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb in December.
20th Century Fox, the distributor of the “Night at the Museum” films, released the following statement: “There are no words to describe the loss of Robin Williams. Our hearts go out to his family, friends and fans. He will be deeply missed.”
From Popeye to The World According to Garp to Good Morning Vietnam to Aladdin to Jumanji and Mrs. Doubtfire, everyone has their favorite Williams role. What was yours? Share your favorite Robin Williams memories in the comments below as we mourn the loss of a true Hollywood talent.
Update #1: President Barack Obama has now issued the following statement:
“Robin Williams was an airman, a doctor, a genie, a nanny, a president, a professor, a bangarang Peter Pan, and everything in between. But he was one of a kind. He arrived in our lives as an alien but he ended up touching every element of the human spirit. He made us laugh. He made us cry. He gave his immeasurable talent freely and generously to those who needed it most from our troops stationed abroad to the marginalized on our own streets. The Obama family offers our condolences to Robins family, his friends, and everyone who found their voice and their verse thanks to Robin Williams.”
Update #2: The following statement is from Robert A. Iger, chairman and chief executive officer, The Walt Disney Company:
“We’re deeply saddened by the loss of Robin Williams, a wonderfully gifted man who touched our hearts and never failed to make us laugh. An incredible actor and a comedic genius, Robin will always be remembered for bringing some of the world’s favorite characters to life, from his zany alien on ABC’s Mork & Mindy to the irascible genie in Disney’s Aladdin. He was a true Disney Legend, a beloved member of our family, and he will be sorely missed. We join Robin’s friends and fans everywhere in mourning, and offer our thoughts and condolences to his family during this difficult time.”
Update #3: We’ve added statements from Williams’ publicity team and his daughter, Zelda Williams.
Update #4: Marin County Assistant Deputy Chief Coroner Lt. Keith Boyd has unfortunately revealed that Robin Williams hung himself using a belt. He reportedly first tried to slit his wrist using a pocket knife.
Update #5: We’ve received more statements from Robin Williams’ three children, Zak, Zelda and Cody Williams, as well as Robin’s former wife (and mother to Zelda and Cody), Marsha Garces Williams.
“Yesterday, I lost my father and a best friend and the world got a little grayer. I will carry his heart with me every day. I would ask those that loved him to remember him by being as gentle, kind, and generous as he would be. Seek to bring joy to the world as he sought.”
– Zak Williams
“My family has always been private about our time spent together. It was our way of keeping one thing that was ours, with a man we shared with an entire world. But now that’s gone, and I feel stripped bare. My last day with him was his birthday, and I will be forever grateful that my brothers and I got to spend that time alone with him, sharing gifts and laughter. He was always warm, even in his darkest moments. While I’ll never, ever understand how he could be loved so deeply and not find it in his heart to stay, there’s minor comfort in knowing our grief and loss, in some small way, is shared with millions. It doesn’t help the pain, but at least it’s a burden countless others now know we carry, and so many have offered to help lighten the load. Thank you for that.
To those he touched who are sending kind words, know that one of his favorite things in the world was to make you all laugh. As for those who are sending negativity, know that some small, giggling part of him is sending a flock of pigeons to your house to poop on your car. Right after you’ve had it washed. After all, he loved to laugh too
Dad was, is and always will be one of the kindest, most generous, gentlest souls I’ve ever known, and while there are few things I know for certain right now, one of them is that not just my world, but the entire world is forever a little darker, less colorful and less full of laughter in his absence. We’ll just have to work twice as hard to fill it back up again.”
– Zelda Williams
“There are no words strong enough to describe the love and respect I have for my father. The world will never be the same without him. I will miss him and take him with me everywhere I go for the rest of my life, and will look forward, forever, to the moment when I get to see him again.”
– Cody Williams
“My heart is split wide open and scattered over the planet with all of you. Please remember the gentle, loving, generous – and yes, brilliant and funny – man that was Robin Williams. My arms are wrapped around our children as we attempt to grapple with celebrating the man we love, while dealing with this immeasurable loss.”
– Marsha Garces Williams
Update #6: Robin Williams’ wife, Susan Schneider, has released a second statement, saying that Williams was also in the early stages of Parkinson’s disease:
“Robin spent so much of his life helping others. Whether he was entertaining millions on stage, film or television, our troops on the frontlines, or comforting a sick child – Robin wanted us to laugh and to feel less afraid.
Since his passing, all of us who loved Robin have found some solace in the tremendous outpouring of affection and admiration for him from the millions of people whose lives he touched. His greatest legacy, besides his three children, is the joy and happiness he offered to others, particularly to those fighting personal battles.
Robin’s sobriety was intact and he was brave as he struggled with his own battles of depression, anxiety as well as early stages of Parkinson’s Disease, which he was not yet ready to share publicly.
It is our hope in the wake of Robin’s tragic passing, that others will find the strength to seek the care and support they need to treat whatever battles they are facing so they may feel less afraid.”
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
