Oscar-winning actor and comedian Robin Williams was found dead this Monday, August 11, 2014. As of posting, local authorities say the suspected cause of death is suicide due to asphyxia. He was 63. The news has been confirmed by his representative, Mara Buxbaum. Fans all over the world and fellow actors sent their condolences.
“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.” Buxbaum was quoted in a statement. A forensic examination will be done this Tuesday, August 12, to confirm the real cause of his death.
“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,” Susan Schneider, Robin’s third and current wife, said. The couple was married on October 23, 2011 in California. They have no children together.
According to the released statement from Marin County Sheriff’s office, the legendary comedian was last seen alive at about 10 p.m. Sunday in his home, where he lives with Schneider. Robin Williams’ last tweet was on July 31, 2014, when he greeted his daughter, Zelda Rae Williams, on her 25th birthday. Williams included an old photo, where he holds Zelda when she was still a little girl.
Zelda is one of Robin’s two children with his second wife, Marsha Garces. Their other child is Cody Alan Williams, who was born in November 1991. Robin and Marsha were married in 1989, but Garces filed for divorce in 2008, citing irreconcilable differences.
Robin Williams married his first wife, Valerie Velardi in 1978. Their marriage had controversies, and related cases were settled out of court. The couple eventually divorced in 1988. They had one child, Zachary Pym “Zak” Williams, who was born in 1983.
The entertainment industry was shocked with the passing of the veteran comedian. Among the Hollywood personalities who paid respect on Twitter include Steve Martin, Ben Stiller, Kathy Griffin, Chris Rock, John Cusack, Val Kilmer, and Ellen DeGeneres. US President Barack Obama also released a statement, saying that “Robin Williams was an airman, a doctor, a genie, a nanny, a president, a professor, a Peter Pan, and everything in between. But he was one of a kind.”
Robin Williams started his showbiz career in the late 70s. He appeared in TV sitcoms such as “Happy Days” and its spin-off, “Mork & Mindy” with co-star Pam Dawber from 1978 to 1982. Williams and Dawber were reunited this 2014 when she appeared in one episode in the CBS comedy, “The Crazy Ones.” The show was cancelled after one season. Before his box-office films, Williams had a successful career in standup comedy, including three HBO comedy specials.
In the movies, Williams was best known for portraying the lead role in “Good Morning, Vietnam” (1987), “Dead Poets Society” (1989), “Mrs. Doubtfire” (1993), and in Jumanji (1995). Williams had three Oscar Best Actor nominations, and won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for the movie “Good Will Hunting” back in 1997.
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