Robin Williams

Robin McLaurin Williams (July 21, 1951August 11, 2014) was an American actor and comedian. Known for his improvisational skills and the wide variety of characters he created spontaneously and portrayed in drama and comedy films, he is regarded as one of the greatest comedians of all time. Williams received numerous accolades including an Academy Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and six Golden Globe Awards, as well as five Grammy Awards and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. He was awarded the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2005.

Born in Chicago, Williams began performing stand-up comedy in San Francisco and Los Angeles during the mid-1970s, and released several comedy albums including ''Reality ... What a Concept'' in 1980. He rose to fame playing the alien Mork in the ABC sitcom ''Mork & Mindy'' (1978–1982). Williams gained further recognition from leading roles in films such as ''Popeye'' (1980), ''The World According to Garp'' (1982), and ''Moscow on the Hudson'' (1984).

Williams cemented his status as a prominent comedic star with a run of commercially successful comedies and family films, including ''Hook'' (1991), ''Mrs. Doubtfire'' (1993), ''Jumanji'' (1995), ''The Birdcage'' (1996), ''Flubber'' (1997), ''Patch Adams'' (1998), ''RV'' (2006), and the ''Night at the Museum'' film series (2006–2014). He also provided voice work in the animated films ''Aladdin'' (1992), ''Robots'' (2005), and ''Happy Feet'' (2006).

Williams earned Academy Award nominations for his performances in ''Good Morning, Vietnam'' (1987), ''Dead Poets Society'' (1989), and ''The Fisher King'' (1991). For his portrayal of a wise professor in ''Good Will Hunting'' (1997), he received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He also led acclaimed films such as ''Awakenings'' (1990), ''Insomnia'' and ''One Hour Photo'' (both 2002), as well as ''World's Greatest Dad'' (2009).

During his final years, Williams struggled with severe depression before his death from suicide in 2014 at his Paradise Cay, California, home at age 63. Sky News correctly reported that Williams died in Paradise Cay.}} According to his widow, Williams had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, and had been experiencing depression, anxiety, and increasing paranoia. His autopsy found "diffuse Lewy body disease", and Lewy body dementia professionals said his symptoms were consistent with dementia with Lewy bodies. In the weeks following his suicide, Williams was celebrated in a wave of tributes. Provided by Wikipedia