Actor/comedian Robin Willams dead at 63
By Contributor
The Huffington Post
Legendary American actor and comedian Robin Williams has died at 63.
Williams was found unconscious and not breathing inside his Tiburon, Calif. home on Monday, according to a Marin County Sheriff’s Office press release. The coroner’s office suspects the cause of death to be “suicide due to asphyxia.”
The death was also confirmed by William’s wife, Susan Schneider, in a statement:
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.
According to his publicist Mara Buxbaum, the Oscar-winning actor was recently battling “severe depression.”
Police say Williams was found by first responders at noon Monday and pronounced dead at the scene. Though the coroner’s office believe he died of an apparent suicide, an investigation has been launched to determine the actor’s official cause of death.
An autopsy has been scheduled for Tuesday.
Widely regarded as one of his generation’s most gifted artists, Williams’ career began after he left his theatre studies at The Julliard School in New York City when he snagged an opportunity to play the alien Mork from Ork on “Happy Days.”
Former co-star Harry Winkler took to Twitter to share the “privilege” he had to witness his improvisation talent and creativity on the “Happy Days” set.
“I’ve worked with a lot of people and there is and was no one quite like him,” Winkler told The Hollywood Reporter.
