‘Lightning storm of comedy’ Robin Williams dies of apparent suicide

THE brilliant comedian and actor who was suffering from depression is believed to have died from asphyxiation.

Actor Robin Williams in 1987 film "Good Morning Vietnam".

PRESIDENT Barack Obama has joined a national outpouring of grief to pay tribute to the actor and comedian Robin Williams who has been found dead aged 63, of apparent suicide.

As tributes flowed for the Oscar winner renowned for his comic genius, Mr Obama and the first family said in a 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.” Obama said. “He arrived in our lives as an alien - but he ended up touching every element of the human spirit.”

Williams, who had been battling depression, was found unconscious and not breathing inside his home in Tiburon, northern California. He had died of asphyxia, according to the Marin Country Sheriff’s Department.

A statement from the department said the Oscar winner had been found shortly before midday at his home. He was pronounced dead at 12.02 pm local time.

“At this time, the Sheriff’s Office Coroner Division suspects the death to be a suicide due to asphyxia,” it said.

It added that a “comprehensive investigation” into the “cause, manner, and circumstances of the death” was underway.

A forensic examination is expected to take place on Tuesday, with toxicology tests to take place later.

Williams’ agent Mara Buxbaum said in a statement: “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 third 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.”

Robin Williams (R) and his wife Susan Schneider arrive at the premiere of Walt Disney Pictures' <i>Old Dog</i>s in 2009.

Despite a lustrous career spanning 20 years, the roles became less prominent as Williams aged and a different generation took the spotlight. Williams’ most recent primetime TV show, the sitcom The Crazy Ones, was canned by CBS in May after one season and after mixed reviews and ratings, despite the studio’s high hopes for the series. In the show, by Ally McBeal, Boston Legal crestor David E.Kelley, Williams played an eccentric advertising executive with the ability to “sell clouds to God”. The show re-united him with Pam Dawber, more than 30 years after they starred together in the breakthrough sitcom, Mork and Mindy.

It was a bitter reminder that Williams was no longer a sure ticket to success.

Timeline: Robin Williams’ hits and memories

Like many comedians, he seemed at times haunted by demons. He had a complicated personal life, suffered from depression and was treated for substance abuse, most recently earlier this summer, when he checked into a rehabilitation centre to maintain his sobriety, according to US media.

A darkness seeped in during an interview with comedian Marc Maron in 2010, where Williams seemingly dismissed what would be a career highlight for many actors. “People say you’re an Academy Award winner,” he said. “The Academy Award lasted about a week and then one week later, people went, ‘Hey Mork!’”

His last tweet was on July 31 ... wishing his daughter Zelda Rae a happy 25th birthday. He posted an instagram picture of himself holding her as a child.

Robin Williams with his daughter Zelda Rae as a child.

As news of his death broke, friends and showbiz colleagues alined up to pay tribute to him.

The statement from the Obama family concluded: “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 marginalised on our own streets. The Obama family offers our condolences to Robin’s family, his friends, and everyone who found their voice and their verse thanks to Robin Williams.”

Happy Feet director: Williams was “extraordinary”.

Steven Spielberg, a close friend of Williams, paid tribute to a comic genius.

“Robin was a lightning storm of comic genius and our laughter was the thunder that sustained him,” Spielberg said in a statement in Variety magazine.

“He was a pal and I can’t believe he’s gone,” added Spielberg, who famously phoned Williams to cheer himself up during filming of his harrowing 1994 Holocaust drama Schindler’s List.

Spielberg’s tribute was echoed throughout the entertainment industry.

“I can’t believe the news about Robin Williams. He gave so much to so many people. I’m heartbroken,” comic and talkshow host Ellen DeGeneres said on Twitter.

Fellow comedian Steve Martin added: “I could not be more stunned by the loss of Robin Williams, mensch, great talent, acting partner, genuine soul.” Oscar-winning actor Jared Leto paid tribute to a “brave, original artist”.

“You taught us how to stand on the edge, fearless, + shine,” Leto said on Twitter.

Glenn Close, Williams’ co-star in The World According to Garp, said in a statement: “I am absolutely heartbroken. Robin was a national treasure and a beautiful soul.”

“I’ve never known a sweeter, brighter, more considerate person than Robin. Robin’s commitment as an artist to lifting our mood and making us happy is compared to none. He loved us all and we loved him back,” said Old Dogs co-star John Travolta, in a statement.

Sally Field, who starred with him in Mrs Doubtfire, said: “He always lit up when he was able to make people laugh, and he made them laugh his whole life long - tirelessly. He was one of a kind. There will not be another.”

Born in Chicago in 1951, Williams was renowned as a brilliant comic whose career spanned stand-up to Hollywood movies. He first achieved fame with the 1970s television series Mork and Mindy, in which he played the endearing extra-terrestrial Mork. He first previewed the Mork role as a guest star in the hit series Happy Days.

He followed that success with Good Morning Vietnam, where, playing the anarchic radio DJ Adrian Cronauer, he used his comedic talent to throw an unblinking spotlight on the horrors of war.

Robin Williams in character as disc-jockey Adrian Cronauer in director Barry Levinsons comedy drama, <i>Good Morning Vietnam</i>.

His performing style was at its most pure in his standup act, as he impersonated a Russian immigrant or parodied anyone from John Wayne to Keith Richards.

He had recently signed a deal to appear in a sequel of Mrs Doubtfire. He reprised his role in the third instalment of Night at the Museum, due out in December, and was last seen in the movie The Face of Love, opposite Annette Bening.

In 1997, Entertainment Weekly magazine named Williams the funniest man alive, and the next year listed him as one of the world’s 25 best actors — a double distinction that made him rare, if not unique.

He touched every generation and demographic, making his entrance in a 1970s comic generation with Steve Martin, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd and Billy Crystal. He exploded onto the scene at a time when two schools of comedy dominated — “Saturday Night Live” and Johnny Carson — and Williams felt equally comfortable running with both crowds.

He won an Academy Award for his role as a teacher in the 1997 film Good Will Hunting.

He also played for tears in Awakenings, Dead Poets Society and What Dreams May Come, something that led New York Times critic Stephen Holden to once say he dreaded seeing the actor’s ``Humpty Dumpty grin and crinkly moist eyes.’’

Williams also won three Golden Globes, for Good Morning, Vietnam, Mrs. Doubtfire’’ and The Fisher King.

His other film credits included Robert Altman’s Popeye (a box office bomb), Paul Mazursky’s Moscow on the Hudson, Steven Spielberg’s Hook and Woody Allen’s Deconstructing Harry. On stage, Williams joined fellow comedian Steve Martin in a 1988 Broadway revival of Waiting for Godot.

Williams returned from a six-year break from live stage performance with the 2008 show, Weapons of Self Destruction, during which joked about his past drug addiction and lampooned US political leaders, President Bush and Dick Cheney. He brought the show to Australia in late 2010, his live debut here.

The same year Williams was forced to apologise for describing Australians as “English rednecks” on David Letterman’s TV show in New York. Williams had recently returned from a visit to Australia where he did voiceover work for the movie, Happy Feet 2. Then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, angered by the comments, suggested Williams spend “a bit of time in Alabama”.

The Wit and Wisdom of Robin Williams

“ Cocaine is God’s way of telling you you are making too much money”:Williams on the perils of substance abuse

“ A woman would never make a nuclear bomb. They would never make a weapon that kills, no, no. They’d make a weapon that makes you feel bad for a while”: Williams on the battle of the sexes.

“You’re only given one little spark of madness. You mustn’t lose it”: Williams explains his comic style.

“Most of all, I want to thank my father, up there, the man who when I said I wanted to be an actor, he said, ‘Wonderful. Just have a back-up profession like welding’.”; Williams pays tribute to his father in his 1998 Oscar acceptance speech for the movie Good Will Hunting.

“I went to rehab in wine country just to keep my options open”: Williams jokes about his stint in rehab.

“You’re not perfect, sport. And let me save you the suspense, this girl you’ve met, she’s not perfect either. The question is whether or not you are perfect for each other”: Williams’ character Sean Maguire offers relationship advice in Good Will Hunting.

“It’s all part and parcel of the whole genie gig: phenomenal cosmic powers, itty bitty living space” ; Williams as the Genie of the Lamp in Disney’s 1992 hit Aladdin.

If you are depressed or contemplating suicide, help is available from Lifeline on 131 114. Kids Helpline can be contacted on 1800 551 800.