Robin Williams: Actor found dead in northern California nyumbani aged 63 

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Obituary: Actor delighted audiences but struggled with addiction

Watch video highlights from his most-loved roles and appearances

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Robin Williams: Actor found dead in northern California home aged 63

Photo: Robin Williams gestures during a panel discussion for his upcoming HBO show Robin Williams: Weapons of Self-Destruction at the Television Critics Association Cable summer press tour in Pasadena on July 30, 2009. (Reuters: Mario Anzuoni)

Photo: Set in Saigon in 1965 during the Vietnam War, Good Morning, Vietnam starred Robin Williams as a radio DJ on Armed Forces Radio Service, who proves hugely popular with the troops.

Photo: Robin Williams poses back stage with the Cecil B. DeMille award at the 62nd annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton in California on January 16, 2005. (Reuters: Mike Blake)

Photo: Robin Williams (left) shares a laugh with Billy Crystal on the stage of New York\'s Radio City Music Hall during HBO\'s Comic Relief 8 show on June 14, 1998.

Photo: Robin Williams played Mrs Doubtfire in one of his most popular roles, dressing as an older woman so he could see his children after a painful divorce.

Photo: Robin Williams (centre) poses with wife Susan Schneider and daughter Zelda at the premiere of Happy Feet Two in Hollywood on November 13, 2011. (Reuters: Gus Ruelas)

Photo: Robin Williams, wearing a camouflage jacket, entertains US Army troops at Baghdad airport on December 16, 2003. (Reuters: Peter Kujundzic)

Photo: Robin Williams speaks on stage during the 65th Emmy Awards held at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on September 22, 2013. (AFP: Kevin Winter)

Photo: Robin Williams played Patch Adams in the semi-biographical comedy-drama film in 1998, about a doctor that helps heal through humour.

Photo: Matt Damon, Robin Williams and Ben Affleck hold their Oscars for Good Will Hunting at the 70th Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles on March 23, 1998. (Reuters: Sam Mircovich)

Photo: Robin Williams sings at the Idol Gives Back show at the Kodak theatre in Hollywood on April 6, 2008. (Reuters: Mario Anzuoni)

Photo: Robin Williams hugs Halle Berry after she presented him with the funniest male star award at the 33rd annual People\'s Choice Awards in Los Angeles on January 9, 2007. (Reuters: Mike Blake)

Photo: In the 1989 American drama film Dead Poets Society, Williams played inspiring teacher John Keating, who awakens his students to the power of verse.

Photo: Robin Williams arrives at the Happy Feet 2 Australian premiere at Hoyts Cinema in Sydney on December 4, 2011. (Getty Images: Ryan Pierse)

Photo: Robin Williams in an undated photo with his daughter Zelada. The photo was the last thing Williams posted on his Instagram account before his apparent suicide at the age of 63. (Robin Williams/Instagram)

Related Story: The world reacts to the death of actor Robin Williams

Related Story: Obituary: Williams delighted audiences, battled addiction

Actor and comedian Robin Williams has been found dead at his home in northern California.

In a statement, Marin County Sheriff\'s Department said officers had been called to the 63-year-old\'s house at 11:55am on Monday (local time) after he was found unconscious and not breathing.

He was pronounced dead shortly afterwards. The Sheriff\'s Department said an investigation into his death was underway, but that it appeared to be suicide.

Follow our blog as the world reacts to the death of the beloved actor-comedian.

The Oscar-winning actor was known for roles in acclaimed films such as Good Morning, Vietnam (1987), Dead Poets Society (1989), Good Will Hunting (1997), Mrs Doubtfire (1993) and Jumanji (1995).

Williams\' widow, Susan Schneider, released a statement, saying: "This morning, I lost my husband and my best friend, while the world lost one of its most beloved artists and beautiful human beings.

Watch a selection of the roles and appearances for which the beloved actor-comedian is best remembered.

"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 the focus will not be on Robin\'s death, but on the countless moments of joy and laughter he gave to millions."

Williams struggled with depression and addiction and entered a Minnesota rehabilitation centre last month.

His representatives at the time said Williams was not using drugs or alcohol but had gone to the centre to "fine-tune and focus" his sobriety after working a longer-than-usual schedule.

"Robin Williams passed away this morning. He has been battling severe depression of late," publicist Mara Buxbaum said in a statement shortly after his death.

Video: Robin Williams interviewed by Kerry O'Brien on The 7.30 Report (2010)

"This is a tragic and sudden loss. The family respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time."

Born in Chicago in 1951, Williams rose to fame with his role as the alien Mork in the TV series Mork and Mindy.

He went on to establish a career in both stand-up comedy and film action, and also did voice work, including on Aladdin and Happy Feet.

Williams is scheduled to appear in Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb on December 19, 2014, reprising his role as the statue of Teddy Roosevelt who comes to life at night.

Nominated for three Academy Awards, he won the best supporting actor Oscar for his performance in Good Will Hunting.

He also received two Emmy Awards, four Golden Globes, two Screen Actors Guild awards and five Grammys.

The actor had described himself as a quiet child who overcame his shyness after becoming involved in drama during high school.

In 1973, Williams became one of only two students accepted into the advanced program at the Julliard School - the other being Christopher Reeve.

After his work on Mork and Mindy in the late 1970s, Williams attracted a wider audience with his stand-up comedy, a consistent thread throughout his career.

Known for his improvisational skills and impersonations, most of his career focused on the silver screen.

His first film was the 1977 comedy Can I Do It \'Till I Need Glasses? His performance in Good Morning, Vietnam earned him an Academy Award nomination.

His unique voice brought the genie to life in Aladdin (1992), with Williams going on to voice parts in Fern Gully (1992), Robots (2005) and Happy Feet (2006).

He earned critical acclaim for his roles as an English teacher in Dead Poets Society, and later as a psychologist in Good Will Hunting, alongside Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.

His other films include Hook, What Dreams May Come, and thrillers Insomnia and One Hour Photo.

Williams was married three times, and has three children. He lived with his third wife in San Francisco until his death.

Legendary director Steven Spielberg paid tribute to his close friend.

"Robin was a lightning storm of comic genius and our laughter was the thunder that sustained him," Spielberg said in a statement cited by Variety.

"He was a pal and I can\'t believe he\'s gone," added Spielberg, who famously phoned Williams to cheer himself up during filming of his harrowing 1994 Holocaust drama Schindler\'s List.

Spielberg\'s tribute was echoed throughout the entertainment industry.

"I can\'t believe the news about Robin Williams. He gave so much to so many people. I\'m heartbroken," comic and talkshow host Ellen DeGeneres said on Twitter.

President Barack Obama joined the outpouring of grief.

"Robin Williams was an airman, a doctor, a genie, a nanny, a president, a professor, a bangarang Peter Pan, and everything in between. But he was one of a kind," Mr Obama said.

"He arrived in our lives as an alien but he ended up touching every element of the human spirit.

"He made us laugh. He made us cry. He gave his immeasurable talent freely and generously to those who needed it most - from our troops stationed abroad to the marginalised on our own streets.

"The Obama family offers our condolences to Robin\'s family, his friends, and everyone who found their voice and their verse thanks to Robin Williams."

Williams struggled with drug addiction during the late 1970s and early \'80s. He credited the death of his friend, fellow actor John Belushi, and the birth of his first son with helping him quit drugs.

"Was it a wake-up call? Oh yeah, on a huge level. The grand jury helped too," he told Inside the Actors Studio in 2001.

In 2006 his publicist announced the actor had "found himself drinking again" and checked into a rehab centre.

Which is your favourite Robin Williams performance?

Topics: death, human-interest, suicide, community-and-society, comedy-film, actor, film-movies, united-states

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