Twitter pauses to remember Robin Williams

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Legendary actor, comedian and entertainer Robin Williams has died age 63. The star of films like Mrs Doubtfire and Aladdin, Williams was found dead in his California home with authorities treating his death as suicide by asphyxia.

Williams had been battling recurring depression, alongside relapses into drug and alcohol abuse with his most recent return to rehab taking place last month.

In a statement released by his publicist, the actor’s wife Susan Schneider said she had “lost my husband and best friend, while the world lost one of its most beloved artists and beautiful human beings. I am utterly heartbroken.”

“As he is remembered”, she continued, “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.”

The White House meanwhile issued a release from President Barack Obama which said, “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 arrived in our lives as an alien – but he ended up touching every element of the human spirit.”

Williams’ passing has seen an outpouring of grief on Twitter from celebrities and ordinary fans alike:

Williams was scheduled to begin work on a sequel to Mrs Doubtfire later this year.

Image: Eva Rinaldi via Wikipedia.

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