Actor, comedian Robin Williams dies at 63 in apparent suicide

LAT ^ | 08/11/2014 | Lauren Raab

[BuckeyeTexan]

Robin Williams, a comic and sitcom star in the 1970s who became an Oscar-winning dramatic actor, died Monday at 63 in Marin County. The Marin County Sheriff's Office said he appears to have committed suicide.

The news of the beloved actor’s death rocked the nation. Channels broke into their usual programming to make the announcement, and within minutes, he dominated online trending topics.

[Rockitz]

I had the delight of seeing him perform on a couple of occasions at the Comedy Store in Hollywood in the 80s. It's like his mind was running a million miles a second- a true comedy genius. Depression is pretty common condition in the trade so this is not totally surprising.

[Sans-Culotte]

Wow. I was never a fan. I never found his stream of consciousness/guy on coke style to be funny at all. But, just....damn.

[BuckeyeTexan]

Dr. Keith Ablow says that 95% of depression is treatable. I am just so sad. He was such a talented actor. His verbal and physical comedy is comparable to that of Steve Martin and Jim Carrey.

[Alberta's Child]

What sad news this is.

I never liked him as a comedian and despised his left-wing politics, but some of his serious roles were memorable on-screen performances.

[HarleyD]

All the over the top theatrics always seemed that his was trying to hide or suppress an inner demon.

That was how I felt about Robin Williams. He seem to sink lower and lower. This does not surprise me. What a tragic life.

[Alberta's Child]

His performance in “Good Will Hunting” won him an Oscar, and was one of the best leading roles of his era.

[petro45acp]

Sad. Prayers for the family,,,,,,

How does someone spend a life working hard to do what they love, succeed in doing what they love, become super successful doing what they love, and not live in pure gratitude for the journey?

Suicide is stupid, selfish, and wasteful (if indeed that is what happened).

Godspeed ‘Mork’

KYPD

[Beowulf9]

Well, there’s hanging.

[NormsRevenge]

r u a survivor of a gallagher front row seat?

nvr saw williams live,, or gallagher.

now , may nvr see either. damn.

[jdsteel]

I’ll get flamed for saying this, but my first thought was some kind of auto-erotica involving self strangulation. He wouldn’t be the first to die like this.

[con-surf-ative]

Asphyxia is a polite way to say hanging.

Awakenings was one of my favorite performances. I didn’t like his politics or cynical humor but he was an immense talent.

[Brother Cracker]

[Osage Orange]

I think....suicide isn't always bad.

Although in this case...I think it probably is.

Look up Masada....

And I've run some things though my mind where suicide would be better than...

I think God would understand.........

[RansomOttawa]

Cause of death listed as asphyxia. How do you kill yourself with asphyxia? I thought someone had to hold a pillow over your face or something like that.

Did you never wonder why large plastic bags have warnings on them to keep them away from children?

There's more than one way to cut off your oxygen. Suffocating yourself with car exhaust is asphyxiation.

[tanknetter]

There's more than one way to cut off your oxygen. Suffocating yourself with car exhaust is asphyxiation.

David Carradine died of self-asphyxiation too. But his was of the autoerotic variety. I'm assuming that Williams was just a straight suicide, not a botched autoerotic experience, but being Hollywood and given his prominence and connections we'll probably never know for sure.

[Morpheus2009]

Didn’t agree with him in a lot of ways, but I did enjoy a number of films with him in them ranging from Insomnia to Jumanji. Sad that he died so untimely.

[eaglescout1998]

You’re thinking like a rational human being. The thing is, people inflicted with depression to the point of having suicidal thoughts are not thinking rationally.

[ransomnote]

I think when you run the car with the garage door down - that’s sometimes call asphyxia because carbon monoxide displaces needed oxygen.

[hoagy62]

I AM a survivor of “Death Row” at a Gallagher concert....Spokane Interstate Fair, 1996.

In the late 70’s, I had never heard of ‘improv’ comedy until I saw Robin Williams on HBO. At the same time, my sister had purchased his 1st comedy album, “Reality...What A Concept”. I remember laughing at both to such a point that it was hard to breathe.

Many years later, my kids enjoyed him as Peter Pan in “Hook”.

I am still in a bit of shock. It feels like a little bit of light is gone from the world.

[lightman]

People say I’m the life of the party
‘Cause I tell a joke or two
Although I might be laughing loud and hearty
Deep inside I’m blue

So take a good look at my face
You know my smile looks out of place
If you look closer it’s easy to trace
The tracks of my tears....

Outside I’m masquerading
Inside my hope is fading
I’m just a clown since you put me down
My smile is my make-up I wear since my break-up with you

Baby take a good look at my face
You know my smile looks out of place
If you look closer it’s easy to trace
The tracks of my tears