Actor Robin Williams suicide, reportedly by hanging, has caused the world to probe into the great comedian’s darker side that was marked by drugs, alcohol and depression. The actor is believed to have had money problems that caused frustration over having to accept roles for the sake of money.
The 63-year-old did not leave a suicide note, according to TMZ, however a family friend reportedly spoke with Williams recently. “All he could talk about were serious money problems,” the friend reportedly said. “There were clearly other issues going on and Robin sounded distant during the telephone conversation.”
“There was also frustration that Robin expressed at having to take television and movie roles he didn’t want to take, but had to for the paycheck,” said the friend. “Doing sequels was never Robin’s thing, and he wasn’t that excited at having to reprise the role of Mrs. Doubtfire, which was scheduled to start filming later this year.”
Another lethal blow was dealt when his TV show, “The Crazy Ones”, was axed, causing Williams to feel embarrassment and despair. He had checked himself into a rehabilitation center a month after the cancellation of the show. “It was very hard for Robin to accept. Here he was in his sixties, and forced to take a role on television for the money,” says the friend. “It’s just not where he thought he would be at this point in his life.”
Interviews prior to the suicide support claims that there were financial problems. He told Parade Magazine last year that he had only taken the TV role in “The Crazy Ones” because of the money. “The idea of having a steady job is appealing,” he had said. “There are bills to pay. My life has downsized, in a good way.” He also said that he was selling Villa Sorriso, his ranch in Napa, because he couldn’t afford to own the $35 million property.
Though Williams was reportedly worth approximately $130 million in 2012, but he told Parade magazine that he had lost a lot of money during two costly divorces to his first wife Valerie Velardi (1988) and second wife Marsha Garces (2008). He joked that divorce is expensive. “I used to joke they were going to call it ‘all the money’, but they changed it to ‘alimony’,” he said. “It’s ripping your heart out through your wallet.”
Williams three children are well taken care of due to trust funds that Williams had already set up for Zachary (aged 31), Zelda (aged 25) and Cody (aged 22). The trust funds allow them to receive portions of money at ages 21, 25 and the full amount at 30 years of age.
Events leading to the death
Marin County Sheriff Lt. Keith Boyd said that the actor was last seen by his wife, Sue Schneider, at 10 p.m. on Sunday night. She woke up the next morning and left the home, mistakenly believing that her son was still asleep somewhere else in the home. Williams’ assistant found him dead in the home after Williams failed to respond to knocks at the door. A 911 call was made at 11.55 a.m. on Monday and he was pronounced dead seven minutes later.
Coroners reports point to suicide by hanging with a belt around his neck with hacks also noted on the inside of his left arm. The actor was clothed and dead when he died. Suicide is suspected but has yet to be confirmed until a final ruling is made based on toxicology reports that will be ready in a few weeks.
Actor Robin Williams suicide, reportedly by hanging, has caused the world to probe into the great comedian’s darker side that was marked by drugs, alcohol and depression. The actor is believed to have had money problems that caused frustration over having to accept roles for the sake of money.
The 63-year-old did not leave a suicide note, according to TMZ, however a family friend reportedly spoke with Williams recently. “All he could talk about were serious money problems,” the friend reportedly said. “There were clearly other issues going on and Robin sounded distant during the telephone conversation.”
“There was also frustration that Robin expressed at having to take television and movie roles he didn’t want to take, but had to for the paycheck,” said the friend. “Doing sequels was never Robin’s thing, and he wasn’t that excited at having to reprise the role of Mrs. Doubtfire, which was scheduled to start filming later this year.”
Another lethal blow was dealt when his TV show, “The Crazy Ones”, was axed, causing Williams to feel embarrassment and despair. He had checked himself into a rehabilitation center a month after the cancellation of the show. “It was very hard for Robin to accept. Here he was in his sixties, and forced to take a role on television for the money,” says the friend. “It’s just not where he thought he would be at this point in his life.”
Interviews prior to the suicide support claims that there were financial problems. He told Parade Magazine last year that he had only taken the TV role in “The Crazy Ones” because of the money. “The idea of having a steady job is appealing,” he had said. “There are bills to pay. My life has downsized, in a good way.” He also said that he was selling Villa Sorriso, his ranch in Napa, because he couldn’t afford to own the $35 million property.
Though Williams was reportedly worth approximately $130 million in 2012, but he told Parade magazine that he had lost a lot of money during two costly divorces to his first wife Valerie Velardi (1988) and second wife Marsha Garces (2008). He joked that divorce is expensive. “I used to joke they were going to call it ‘all the money’, but they changed it to ‘alimony’,” he said. “It’s ripping your heart out through your wallet.”
Williams three children (pictured below) are to be well taken care of due to trust funds that Williams had already set up for Zachary (aged 31), Zelda (aged 25) and Cody (aged 22). The trust funds allow them to receive portions of money at ages 21, 25 and the full amount at 30 years of age.
Marin County Sheriff Lt. Keith Boyd said that the actor was last seen by his wife, Sue Schneider (pictured with Williams below), at 10 p.m. on Sunday night. She woke up the next morning and left the home, mistakenly believing that her son was still asleep somewhere else in the home. Williams’ assistant found him dead in the home after Williams failed to respond to knocks at the door. A 911 call was made at 11.55 a.m. on Monday and he was pronounced dead seven minutes later.
See the coroner’s news interview on Robin Williams’ death –
Reaction
Hollywood and the rest of the world were stunned by the news with social media buzzing over news of the death. Makeshift memorials of flowers and notes have been created all around the U.S. with particular focus on his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Amongst the thousands of comments by fellow actors was one that stood out for its negative reaction, that of Diff’rent Strokes star Todd Bridges who criticised Williams’ death as an “very selfish act”. The comment was posted on Twitter just moments after the death before quickly being deleted by the 49-year-old. He later tweeted an apology: “I apologize for my negative comment, and I ask forgiveness for any pain that I have caused anyone.”
Movies to be released posthumously
The great star has died, but fans will be able to celebrate his talents in the coming months due to several unreleased films:
* Absolutely Anything
* Merry Friggin’ Christmas
* Boulevard
* Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb
His last interview with ET –
Robin Williams on his “giant reboot,” marriage and “The Crazy Ones” on CBS –
