Actor Robin Williams Dead At 63 In Apparent Suicide

Multiple sources, including his wife and Entertainment Weekly, report that actor Robin Williams died this morning at the age of 63.

While an official cause of death has not been determined, CNN reports they've received word from the Marin County, California, Sheriff's office that coroner investigators suspect "the death to be a suicide due to asphyxia."

Williams' publicist wouldn't confirm that his death was a suicide, but issued a release stating: “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.”

Williams was best known for his roles in movies such as Mrs. Doubtfire and Jumanji.  He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Dr. Sean Maguire in Good Will Hunting and rose to fame while playing Mork the alien in the TV show Mork & Mindy, a Happy Days spinoff. I'll remember him most for his role in Patch Adams, a movie based on the life story of Dr. Hunter "Patch" Adams and the book Gesundheit: Good Health is a Laughing Matter by Adams and Maureen Mylander. In the movie (and in real life), Patch’s peers and those in authority saw him as a threat to the medical field because of his unorthodox methods of truly loving and sincerely caring for others. Patch didn't let those people stop him from working hard and exercising his passion- a life lesson that resounded within me long after the movie had ended. Do what you've been called to do and don't let anyone steal that from you.

Susan Schneider, the actor's wife, released the following statement to the New York Times' Dave Itzkoff:

"This morning, I lost my husband and my best friend, while the world lost one if 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 that the focus will not be on Robin's death but on the countless moments of joy and laughter he gave to millions."