NEW DELHI: In a development that left millions in shock, Oscar-winning actor Robin Williams was found dead in his California home in what is suspected by investigators to be a possible suicide. He was 63.
The Marin County Sheriff's office said Williams was found unconscious and not breathing inside his home in Tiburon, California around noon local time, and was pronounced dead shortly after. Tiburon is across the Golden Gate Bridge north of San Francisco.
President Barack Obama also paid laudable tributes to the American actor.
Williams was famous for films such as Good Morning Vietnam and won an Oscar for his role in Good Will Hunting.
His publicist said he had been "battling severe depression".
Also known for his stand-up comedy, Williams had inspired Kamal Haasan to make ‘Chachi 420’, based on Williams’ ‘Mrs Doubtfire’. In fact, many of his films including ‘Jumanji’ did very well at the Indian boxoffice.
Robin McLaurin Williams born on 21 July 1951, was also a film producer and screenwriter.
Rising to fame with his role as the alien Mork in the TV series Mork and Mindy (1978–1982), Williams went on to establish a successful career in both stand-up comedy and feature film acting.
His film career included such acclaimed films as The World According to Garp (1982), Good Morning, Vietnam (1987), Dead Poets Society (1989), Awakenings (1990), The Fisher King (1991), and Good Will Hunting (1997), as well as financial successes such as Popeye (1980), Hook (1991), Aladdin (1992), Mrs. Doubtfire(1993), Jumanji (1995), The Birdcage (1996), Night at the Museum (2006), and Happy Feet (2006). He also appeared in the video "Don't Worry, Be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin.
Nominated for the academy award for Best Actor three times, Williams received the academy award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Good Will Hunting. He also received two Emmy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards and five Grammy Awards.
There are four completed Williams films expected to be released posthumously: "Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb," "Merry Friggin' Christmas," "Boulevard," and "Absolutely Anything." Given his love for his craft and his fans, the final work feels like a gift left behind by the beloved actor.
