A statement from the Marin County Sheriff's Department said the 63-year-old funnyman was found shortly before midday at his home in Tiburon, northern California.
"At this time, the Sheriff's Office Coroner Division suspects the death to be a suicide due to asphyxia," the statement said.
According to US media reports, the veteran actor had been battling depression.
One of the most beloved American entertainers of his generation, Williams rose to fame in the iconic US television sitcom "Mork & Mindy".
He later reeled off a string of big-screen hits, which included 1987's "Good Morning Vietnam", where he played a motormouth US military disc jockey, 1989's "Dead Poets Society" as a maverick English teacher and 1997's "Good Will Hunting" which earned him a best supporting actor Oscar.
I can't take the Robin Williams news. I've never cried over someone I've never met but I can't stop 😿😿😿😿
— Miley Cyrus (@MileyCyrus) August 11, 2014
Yo R.I.P. to comedy legend Robin Williams. What a loss. He was the nicest man. #robin williams
— godfrey (@GodfreyComedian) August 11, 2014
RIP Robin Williams, you will be missed! http://t.co/XrnI3U5T3Z v @takhalus
— Raza Ahmad Rumi (@Razarumi) August 11, 2014
Mork from Ork: Rare evidence that aliens can be smart, clever, articulate & funny. Robin Williams, RIP
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) August 11, 2014
Tributes to Robin Williams after the actor's death:
"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.
"He made us laugh. He made us cry. He gave his immeasurable talent freely and generously to those who needed it most" - President Barack Obama
"Robin was a lightning storm of comic genius and our laughter was the thunder that sustained him. He was a pal and I can't believe he's gone" - Hollywood director Steven Spielberg
"I can't believe the news about Robin Williams. He gave so much to so many people. I'm heartbroken" - comedienne Ellen DeGeneres
"Robin Williams made the world laugh & think. I will remember & honor that. A great man, artist and friend. I will miss him beyond measure" - actor Kevin Spacey
"I could not be more stunned by the loss of Robin Williams, mensch, great talent, acting partner, genuine soul" - actor and comic Steve Martin
"Absolutely stunned to hear the news about Robin Williams. It's unimaginable to me that we've lost such a genuinely funny and sweet man" - talk-show host Conan O'Brien
"I can't believe my lovely friend is gone. My heart goes out to his wife and his beloved children. He brought us so much joy and laughter" - Monty Python stalwart Eric Idle
"No! Robin Williams you were so loved" - actress Mia Farrow
"RIP Robin. I will always remember you as one hell of a friend. I love you and will miss you terribly" - disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong
"A tweet cannot begin to describe the hugeness of Robin Williams (sic) heart and soul and talent. This is so sad" - actor/director Ben Stiller
"Heartbroken" - Danny DeVito
"Robin Williams made the world a little bit better. RIP." - actor Steve Carell
A selection of quotes, wisecracks and offbeat wisdom from Robin Williams:
"Nanu Nanu" - Williams' extra-terrestrial greeting from hit television show "Mork & Mindy"
"Cocaine is God's way of telling you you are making too much money" - Williams on the perils of substance abuse.
"A woman would never make a nuclear bomb. They would never make a weapon that kills, no, no. They'd make a weapon that makes you feel bad for a while" - Williams on the battle of the sexes.
"You're only given one little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it" - Williams explains his comic style.
"Most of all, I want to thank my father, up there, the man who when I said I wanted to be an actor, he said, 'Wonderful. Just have a back-up profession like welding.'" - Williams pays tribute to his father in his 1998 Oscar acceptance speech for "Good Will Hunting".
"I went to rehab in wine country just to keep my options open," - Williams jokes about his stint in rehab.
"You're not perfect, sport. And let me save you the suspense, this girl you've met, she's not perfect either. The question is whether or not you are perfect for each other" - Williams' character Sean Maguire offers relationship advice in "Good Will Hunting".
"It's all part and parcel of the whole genie gig: phenomenal cosmic powers, itty bitty living space" - Williams as the Genie of the Lamp in Disney's 1992 hit "Aladdin."
"Goooooooood morning, Vietnaaaam!" - Williams as motormouth armed forces DJ Adrian Cronauer in "Good Morning, Vietnam".
COMMENTS (32)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1732354127-0/Untitled-design-(3)1732354127-0-270x192.webp "north america s oldest macaroni penguins mark their 40th year")
RIP he was a great comedian we ever had, But how American's are dealing with the phenomenon of depression here i concluded in short blog of mine related to Robin Williams http://fazalgilani.com/rip-robin-williams-depression-effects-us/
Can we mourn enough a life with hidden pain, RIP
Robin Williams, why couldnt you share and not leave us in despair
@Timorlane: Well put. RIP. you will be missed.
@Aysha M:
He so much wanted the role of THE JOKER in Christopher Nolans Batman trilogy.
He probably believed he was born for it.
Shows his confidence and brilliance since that role was no piece of cake.
He was a great actor and made some memorable movies. Good Will Hunting is one of my favorite movies. He will be missed! I hope his family and friends find the strength to deal with this tragedy.
Ali Khan Digital Engagement Team, USCENTCOM
@IndianDude:
I dont have any objections to the question you raise man. But , please consider the reality that it is the Muslims who r bad example of Islam , and not Islam itself.
Killing people is wrong and punishable in Islam.
Islam does not tell us to conquer non-Muslims.
Islam tells us to respect minorities & protect them.
Many Muslim countries , the religiously corrupt people in Pakistan included , are very bad examples.
Universally speaking , there is only ONE CENTRAL DEITY , whom we know by the name of ALLAH. And ALLAH is responsible & cares for every soul.
So please feel free to target people but not the religion itself.
(ofcourse this comment does not count for the Atheist bros/sis)
@IndianDude: A typical confused Indian Dude with identity crises.
You made us happy through your life. You left us sad through your death. RIP
Very sad. My respect for this great actor
Brilliant actor, even more brilliant comedian. REST IN PEACE.
@Uza Syed: I am now organizing my top 5 Robin Willisms, Goodwill hunting is so there, it's going to be a 'Robim Williams weekend' And thanks, ET community can we organize our top 5. RIP
Really sad and shocking news. One of the most talented actors ever and my personal favourite! RIP
Tragic. R.I.P.
@Aysha M: How true and nicely put, "you were were there for so many of us, when we wanted not to be with ourselves". Thank you & RIP Robin Williams.
'Good will hunting', it is 'Good will hunting' any time.
RIP- Sir Williams
@Faizan: @James: Thanks guys. There so many to choose from, RIP, you didnt have bow out like this.
@Aysha M: Mrs Doubtfire another great family movie
A great talent lost..very sad.
Noooooooooooooooooooooo.........................!!!!
@Ayesha M Patch Adams is another brilliant movie. And one of his finest workest of Art would be his broadway show hosted by HBO... If you can handle vulgarity though.
@Bano: Another clear proof. Peace of mind and heart can never be achieved with wealth & fame. It can only be achieved with remembrence of Allah.strong text
Depression is a medical condition the same as the common cold is a medical condition. It has nothing to do with remembering your Maker, because... medically speaking... Depression prevents peace of mind and heart.
peace of mind can be achieved by yoga and pranayam. submit your life to the supreme being paramatma.
After going though a tough decision, Going to see Dead poets' society, one of his truly wonder magical movie, any recommendations?
He combined profound and funny effortlessly and left his audiences charmed. If I had a country and. Flag, it would go half mast for 3 or 10 days, 10 it is. May be we should take more care of those who do excessively funny and all the time, their inner world may not be a happy place. Flag down 3days, but 10 for the way he chose to exit. RIP, you were were there for so many of us, when we wanted not to be with ourselves
@imran: everything is joke for u guys. Wonder how ET published ur comments
@Bano Another clear proof. Peace of mind and heart can never be achieved with wealth & fame. It can only be achieved with remembrence of Allah.
So come the 'land of pure' is always in chaos and mayhem?
RIP Robin Williams.
Sad to see that a person who made millions laugh, at the end was battling inside from depression.
Another clear proof. Peace of mind and heart can never be achieved with wealth & fame. It can only be achieved with remembrence of Allah. He was a great funny man.
Robin Williams was very sad to see performance of nawaz sharif as 3rd time prime minister. he could no longer take the pain.