Robin Williams, an American actor and comedian committed suicide at 63. On August 11, 2014, the actor's body was discovered at his home in Paradise Cay, California.
Who was Robin Williams?
Robin McLaurin Williams was born in Chicago, Illinois on July 21, 1951. The comedian turned actor once revealed that he chose humor as it helped him gain his mother’s attention. The actor also revealed that his humorous nature was loved by all his classmates. He was named "Most Likely Not To Succeed" and "Funniest" in his high school graduation book.
Talking about his career, by the mid 1970s, Williams began his career as a stand-up comedian. What got him noticed by the year 1977 was his ‘manic’ style of stand-up comedy shows. After being noticed, the American actor was then offered the TV show Laugh-In in the same year.
After Laugh-In, Robin steadily began to gain fame by appearing in other TV shows such as The Richard Pryor Show, Eight Is Enough, America 2-Night, Mork & Mindy, Saturday Night Live, and many others. It was in the year 1980 when he was offered his first major role in Popeye. That’s how his Hollywood career soared to heights.
Williams became a household name and amassed a huge fan following in no time thanks to his prominent roles in films like Mrs. Doubtfire, Jumanji, Flubber, The Birdcage, The Final Cut, Happy Feet, Night at the Museum, August Rush, and countless others. After Popeye, the 1987 film Good Morning Vietnam bagged him his breakthrough. The actor also made headlines for voicing Genie in the 1992 released Disney film Aladdin.
When did Robin Williams die?
The American actor was found dead in his California home on August 11, 2014. His final autopsy reports, which were released in November 2014, revealed that Robin’s death was a result of ‘asphyxia due to hanging’. It was further revealed that Robin was suffering from Lewy Body Disease which was undiagnosed.
How did Robin Williams die?
On August 11, 2014, it was revealed that Robin Williams committed suicide in his home in Paradise Cay, California. After his autopsy result revealed the reason to be ‘asphyxia due to hanging’ and the undiagnosed Lewy Body dementia to be the reason for his demise, Robin’s wife Susan Schneider Williams described the disease as "the terrorist inside my husband's brain".
She also explained how a year before his passing, the actor witnessed a sudden and prolonged increase in fear and anxiety, depression, and insomnia, which lead him to suffer through memory loss, paranoia, and delusions too.
His reports ruled out any influence of drugs or alcohol in his system during the time of his death. It also highlighted that Robin was suffering from depression and anxiety. Robin Williams was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease three months before his death in 2014.
He shared the news with his wife and three kids, but was not ready to share it with the world. However, as his symptoms worsened by the time, he was not sure whether the Parkinson’s disease diagnosis was the answer to it.
Where did Robin William die?
As mentioned above, Robin was found dead in his home in Paradise Bay, California. His wife Susan Schneider Williams revealed that the night before his death, the last word that Robin said to her was “Goodnight, my love… goodnight, goodnight.” Later in the night, the actor moved to another bedroom and committed suicide. It was his personal assistant who found the actor dead in the other room on August 11, 2014 at 11:45 a.m.
As the officials and paramedics reached the scene, they found Robin had hung himself with his belt. The police also found some superficial cuts on his wrists and the pocket knife he used to cut himself before committing suicide. They found no foul play and it was a clear suicide. The authorities also found his iPad, but with nothing in it (no note or letter) and two different antidepressants.
What is Lewy body dementia?
Lewy body dementia is one of the most common types of dementia. In this, the problem with mental abilities arises as a result of gradual brain changes and damage. It usually develops slowly and worsens gradually over time.
FAQs
Q. Who is Robin Williams’ wife?
A. Robin William had married thrice. First to Valerie Velardi, after their divorce in 1988 he then married Marsha Garces. Their marriage ended in 2010. In 2011 he married Susan Schneider Williams.
Q. At what age Robin Williams passed away?
A. Robin Williams was 63 when he passed away after committing suicide in 2014.
Q. What was Robin Williams’ net worth before his death?
A. Robin William had a net worth of $50 million at the time of his death.
Q. What disease was Robin Williams diagnosed with after his death?
A. As per Robin Williams’ autopsy report, he suffered from Lewy body dementia.
