It’s safe to say that most of us are still shell-shocked from the death of Hollywood icon Robin Williams, who took his own life four days ago in his Tiburon home. Since then, more information has come forward about why the actor committed suicide, including a statement from Williams’ wife Susan Schneider, which you can read below.
In the statement, Schneider discussed Williams’ terrific Hollywood career and revealed that Williams had been struggling with the early stages of Parkinson’s Disease. Read it in its entirety below:
Robin spent so much of his life helping others. Whether he was entertaining millions on stage, film or television, our troops on the frontlines, or comforting a sick child — Robin wanted us to laugh and to feel less afraid. Since his passing, all of us who loved Robin have found some solace in the tremendous outpouring of affection and admiration for him from the millions of people whose lives he touched. His greatest legacy, besides his three children, is the joy and happiness he offered to others, particularly to those fighting personal battles.
Robin’s sobriety was intact and he was brave as he struggled with his own battles of depression, anxiety as well as early stages of Parkinson’s Disease, which he was not yet ready to share publicly.
It is our hope in the wake of Robin’s tragic passing, that others will find the strength to seek the care and support they need to treat whatever battles they are facing so they may feel less afraid.
It’s still hard to come to terms with Williams’ death, but at least now we have a little more insight into what the actor was encountering in his personal life at the time. The only solace to be found in this terrible time is that Williams leaves behind decades of terrific work that we’ll be able to treasure for all time.
In his final weeks, Williams was no less prolific in Hollywood than usual. He has four upcoming projects, including indie comedy Merry Friggin’ Christmas; this December’s Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, next year’s comedy Absolutely Anything; and Boulevard, which debuted at Tribeca earlier this year but has not yet set a theatrical release date.
Now, new clips from Merry Friggin’ Christmas have landed online, giving us a chance to see Williams in one of his final roles. Though the film doesn’t look particularly inventive, Williams appears luminous as always.
