World Mourns Loss Of 'Genius' Robin Williams

There have been tributes from around the world to Oscar-winning actor and comedian Robin Williams who has been found dead in a suspected suicide.

The 63-year-old star of Good Will Hunting, Good Morning, Vietnam and Mrs Doubtfire was discovered shortly before midday local time on Monday at his home near San Francisco, in northern California, police said.

"At this time, the Sheriff's Office Coroner Division suspects the death to be a suicide due to asphyxia," Marin County Sheriff's Department said.

Emergency services found his body after receiving a 911 call reporting "a male adult had been located unconscious and not breathing inside his residence."

More information about Williams' death has now been released at a news conference in Marin County .

Mara Buxbaum, Williams' press representative, said: "He has been battling severe depression of late. This is a tragic and sudden loss."

Last month it was reported that Williams had checked into a rehab centre in Minnesota to "fine-tune and focus on his continued commitment [to his sobriety]".

Williams' wife Susan Schneider said : "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.

"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."

His daughter Zelda Williams posted an excerpt from French poet and aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupery's El Principito.

"You - you alone will have the stars as no one else has them... In one of the stars I shall be living. In one of them I shall be laughing.

"And so it will be as if all the stars were laughing, when you look at the sky at night... You - only you - will have stars that can laugh."

She added: "I love you. I miss you. I'll try to keep looking up."

US President Barack Obama said of Williams: "He was one of a kind. He made us laugh. He made us cry."

Prince Charles, who met the star several times, said: "He was a remarkable man, whose wonderful frenetic humour brought a special kind of laughter into people's lives.

"I greatly enjoyed meeting him on several occasions and his irreplaceable contribution to life will be greatly missed by countless people, including myself."

Steven Spielberg, who directed Williams in the 1991 film Hook, called the actor "a lightning storm of comic genius" saying "our laughter was the thunder that sustained him".

Night At The Museum co-star Ben Stiller praised Williams' "kindness and generosity" adding "And he could not help but be funny all the time.

Williams' last tweet had been on July 31 when he wished Zelda a happy 25th birthday.

The actor shot to fame in the late 1970s as an alien in the TV comedy series Mork And Mindy.

But he won his Academy Award in a serious role, as the therapist in Good Will Hunting.

A number of films starring Williams are due for release in coming months, including Night At The Museum: Secret Of The Tomb, which also stars Ben Stiller and Ricky Gervais.

A sequel to Mrs Doubtfire was thought to be in the works but it has been reported that this will now not go ahead without Williams.

He stars in Merry Friggin Christmas and Boulevard. He has also voiced Dennis the Dog in Terry Jones' comedy Absolutely Anything.

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 08457 90 90 90 or email jo@samaritans.org