Robin Williams, Legendary Comedian, Found Dead

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Robin Williams
On Monday, Oscar winning actor, and legendary stand-up comedian Robin Williams was found dead from an apparent suicide in his home in California. He was 63-years old.

(UPDATE: You can check out some celebrity tributes to Williams here.)

Here’s the report from the Marin County Sheriff’s Department:

On August 11, 2014, at approximately 11:55 am, 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 Sheriff’s 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 Divisions of the Sheriff’s 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 Sheriff’s 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.

A statement from Williams’ publicist says:

“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.”

Entertainment Weekly writes of it all here.

The hyperkinetic Williams’ credits include such films as Dead Poets’ Society, Good Morning Vietnam, Popeye, and Good Will Hunting (for which he won an Oscar). He was also the star of the hit late-70s sitcom Mork & Mindy, but is probably best known and respected for his immensely influential stand-up comedy career.

Shocked and at a loss for words, we just share this extraordinary clip of a pre-fame, mid-20s Robin making his cable TV debut on one of HBO‘s earliest “Young Comedians” specials.