By Mary Whitfill, editor-in-chief
On Monday afternoon, Robin Williams, actor and comedian, was found dead at his home in Tiburon, Calif. A statement issued by the police department in Marin County, Calif. suggests that the death was an apparent suicide by asphyxia. His publicist, Mara Buxbaum, confirmed that Williams had been suffering from depression.
Williams was best known for his roles in popular films such as âDead Poets Society,â âMrs. Doubtfire,â âJumanji,â âAladdinâ and âGood Will Hunting,â for which he won the supporting actor Oscar. Most recently, he stared in the CBS comedy âThe Crazy Onesâ along side Sarah Michelle Gellar.
In addition to his Oscar, Williamâs was the recipient of four Grammy Awards and two Emmy Awards for âCarol, Carl, Whoopi and Robinâ and âABC Presents a Royal Gala.â
Two of Williamsâs most recent works are in post production, âMerry Frigginâ Christmasâ and âAbsolutely Anything,â in which he voiced Dennis the Dog. âNight at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb,â the third film in which he was slated to play Teddy Roosevelt, is currently filming, and the sequel to âMrs. Doubtfire,â had yet to begin production.
Williams got his start in improv comedy at open-mike nights after graduating from Claremont Menâs College and spending time at The Julliard School in New York. His first major role came from âHappy Days,â where he guest stared in 1978 and sparked spinoff series âMork & Mindy.â
In 2004, Williams was awarded the Chicago International Film Festivalâs Lifetime Achievement Award.
Following his death, his wife, Susan Schneider, released the following statement:
âThis 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.â
Photo courtesy Eva Rinaldi, Creative Commons.