The Academy Award-winning actor and comedian Robin Williams is dead of apparent suicide at age 63.  Authorities were called to his home across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco, California at around noon, local time on Monday.

The Marin County Sheriff's Coroner says the death was likely caused by asphyxia, but the cause of death is still under investigation. 

“This morning, I lost my husband and my best friend, while the world lost one of its most beloved artists and beautiful human beings. I am utterly heartbroken,” Williams’s wife Susan Schneider said in a statement.

Williams was born in Chicago in 1951, and studied acting at Juilliard, where his teacher, the renowned actor John Houseman, encouraged his talent for comedy.  Often, the only other student in those classes was Williams’ friend actor Christopher Reeve.  One would soar as Superman, and the other exploded on TV screens as the manic space alien Mork on the successful sitcom “Mork and Mindy”.

Williams went on to make movies, moving in between comedy and serious acting roles, and making it look easy.  Critics and audiences loved him in films like “Good Morning, Vietnam” (1987), “Dead Poets Society” (1989), “Awakenings” (1990), and “Good Will Hunting” (1997), for which he won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.  “Mrs. Doubtfire” (1993) remains one of his most popular roles, and there was talk of late of a possible sequel.  He wasn’t afraid to get dark in “The Fisher King” (1991) and “Death to Smoochy” (2002).  But it seems like the only movie that was capable of keeping up with his sense of humor was Disney’s animated “Aladdin” 1992. 

However with the successes came struggles.  Over the years, Williams was honest about his battles with substance abuse and alcohol as well as depression.

“He has been battling severe depression of late,” said his publicist Mara Buxbaum.  “This is a tragic and sudden loss.  The family respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time.”

Fellow comedic actor Steve Martin said on social media, “I could not be more stunned by the loss of Robin Williams, mensch, great talent, acting partner, genuine soul.”