Robin Williams, the comic firebrand who gained fame as a goofy TV alien but matured into an Oscar-winning actor in films like Good Will Hunting, Awakenings and Good Morning, Vietnam, has died at the age 63.
Entertainment Weekly confirmed the stunning news via the actor’s publicist.
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.
Initial reports suggest the comic actor took his own life, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
illiams became a household name as Mork, the silly space creature in the ABC comedy Mork & Mindy. His rapid-fire delivery and penchant for mimicry allowed him to move seamlessly to the big screen. He proved riotous as the irreverent disk jockey in 1987’s Good Morning, Vietnam, revived cross dressing in Mrs. Doubtfire and won over a new generation of fans with his vocal work in the animated film Aladdin.
On stage his quicksilver wit made him a singular standup, a role he returned to frequently despite the demands of his film and TV schedule.
Last year, he returned to broadcast television with The Crazy Ones, a CBS comedy which didn’t draw a big enough crowd to merit a second season.
Williams had signed on to reprise his Mrs. Doubtfire character in a sequel and shot a third Night at the Museum feature alongside Ben Stiller.