Sad news has begun to break that superstar Robin Williams has died.
The sheriff’s office said a preliminary investigation shows the cause of death to be a suicide due to asphyxia.
From his breakthrough in the late 1970s as the alien in the hit TV show “Mork and Mindy,” through his standup act and such films as “Good Morning, Vietnam,” the short, barrel-chested Williams ranted and shouted as if just sprung from solitary confinement. Loud, fast, manic, he parodied everyone from John Wayne to Keith Richards, impersonating a Russian immigrant as easily as a pack of Nazi attack dogs.
He was a riot in drag in “Mrs. Doubtfire,” or as a cartoon genie in “Aladdin.” He won his Academy Award in a rare, but equally intense dramatic role, as a teacher in the 1997 film “Good Will Hunting.”
While his career was taking off, Williams faced many personal challenges. He developed a drug and alcohol problem while working on the sitcom Mork and Mindy, and would struggle with addiction for more than two decades. He also became involved in several tumultuous romantic relationships; while married to actress Valerie Velardi, he was briefly involved with another woman. Williams and Velardi divorced soon after, in 1988. The following year, he married his son’s nanny, Marsha Garces, who was pregnant with their first child together at the time.
Despite personal setbacks, Williams continued acting. He appeared in the hit drama Awakenings (1990) with Robert De Niro. Tackling family friendly fare, he provided the voice of the genie in Disney’s animated film, Aladdin (1991), and starred as grown-up Peter Pan in Hook (1991). Williams also starred in Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), Jumangi (1995) and Flubber (1997). His more adult-oriented films also did well, including The Birdcage (1996) and Good Will Hunting.
Suicide is a difficult issue.
If you or someone you love is needs help don’t hesitate to get help.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – Suicide prevention telephone hotline funded by the U.S. government. Provides free, 24-hour assistance. 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Make sure you are following @Elev8official for stories like this and more. Need more? Read: 4 Lies About Suicide.
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