Robin Williams

At 11:55 a.m, police receive a 911 saying a male adult is unconscious and not breathing inside his residence in unincorporated Tiburon, CA. Williams is pronounced dead at 12:02 pm. Williams was last seen alive at 10pm the previous evening. 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. Williams’ 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.

His wife, Susan Schneider:

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.

Teresa Cohen, 32, the wife of a TV executive who attended Hazelden Addiction Treatment Centre in Lindstrom, Minnesota in July at the same time as Williams says:

It was obvious there was something much, much deeper going on inside him. Even though he would goof around from time to time, just like he did on screen, there were many other occasions when his face reflected deep depression and unhappiness. He told me he was always pleased and proud to meet fans but felt under constant pressure wherever he went to ‘wear a happy mask’ and put on some kind of zany performance. He said he was weary to his bones and didn’t believe he could really relax for a moment. ‘I sometimes feel I could fall asleep standing up,’ he said. It was clear that physically, as well as mentally, he was in a terrible state.

He was in dread of dying while high on drugs or alcohol. Tears ran down his cheeks when he told me his greatest fear was relapsing and drinking himself into an early grave while his family watched helplessly.

He tells her:

When I go, I want it to be quick and I want to be clean and sober. I don’t want to die the slow, agonising death of an addict who makes everyone around him suffer too. I couldn’t stand the agony of checking-out that way.

Williams speaks to another patient, Teresa Cohen, in the rehab facility in Minnesota telling her

When I go, I want it to be quick and I want to be clean and sober. I don’t want to die the slow agonizing death of an addict who makes everyone around him suffer.

In this comedy drama directed by Phil Alden Robinson, Williams plays Henry Altman – a perpetually bitter middle-aged man – who is suddenly informed that he is suffering from a brain aneurysm and only has 90 minutes to live. Upon learning of his dire fate, Henry spends what he believes are his last moments on earth racing around New York in hopes of making amends with close relatives and friends he has repeatedly hurt or ignored. Cinematographer John Bailey:

He was ready to work, he was the first on one the set.

Williams plays Roger in this drama directed by Arie Posin. Williams is in a supporting role as a friend of Nikki, who falls for Tom, an art teacher who’s the spitting image of her late spouse. As she grows increasingly delusional in her attempt to pick up the marriage where it left off when her husband died, Tom strives to unlock the mystery of her tragic loss. Co-starring Annette Bening and Ed Harris. Posin:

I felt like I needed somebody who you would remember from the first moment you see him. [Williams] plays an increasingly dramatic role in the movie because she’s not telling anyone about [her romance with her husband’s double]. [Roger] is not only her closest friend and has been harboring a secret crush on her for a long time, but he’s also her neighbor, which means he can come over at any moment and see these things she’s doing with the double. I wanted someone who could make an impression.

In this TV series, produced by David E. Kelley, Williams plays Simon Roberts, an executive at a Chicago advertising agency,  who has been married and divorced frequently but genuinely wants to be a part of his daughter’s life to make up for his past. He adds Sydney to the executive partnership after she improves his business. Everyone tends to listen to Simon over Sydney, even though Simon tends to accept risk too willingly while finding solutions for his clients’ issues. Co-starring Sarah Michelle Gellar and James Wolk.

It’s fun. I’m having such a blast doing it with Sarah. She’s a sweet woman. And the idea of a father-daughter relationship — since I have a daughter [Zelda, 24], I’ve done the research on that.

The Guardian interviews Williams about the death of his friend  Christopher Reeve.

He was a friend. And also knowing him, especially after the accident and everything he went through it was a weird thing. Well, it’s a whole different game. It happens all the time, I know, but I know their kids, they’re amazing, and to see them go through so much loss in one year that’s tough.