Following a long battle with neurological issues, Hollywood actor Robin Williams took his own life a decade ago at age 63 on August 11. His widow said every region of his brain was under attack, causing him to feel like he was disintegrating.
After Williams' death, the conversation around mental health in the entertainment industry shifted, and celebrities began speaking out about their struggles.
Lisa Jakub, who co-starred with Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire, revealed he was one of the first to speak to her about mental health issues and was involved with hiring local veterans on set. She expressed gratitude for the experience and his kindness.
Williams, a legendary comedian and Oscar-winning actor is remembered for his iconic roles in films like Aladdin, Good Will Hunting, Mrs. Doubtfire, and Dead Poets Society. His career took off with the sitcom Mork & Mindy in 1978, and he won a Grammy for Best Comedy Album in 1979 after attending Juilliard on a scholarship and starting his stand-up career in San Francisco.
Williams struggled with serious neurological issues, including Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia, which impacted his work, led to social and marital problems, and ultimately to his suicide in 2014.
Financial troubles led him to take undesired roles to earn money, and his career suffered due to fatigue, audience disinterest, typecasting, and substance abuse.
Despite his battles, Williams continued performing and left a vast artistic legacy, winning numerous awards for acting and comedy.
Zelda Williams, his daughter, made her directorial debut this year.1
Autopsy results showed that Williams did not consume drugs or alcohol before taking his own life.
Sources: Forbes, Independent, ABC News, Fox News, New York Post, Nine, El Universal, El Sol del Bajio, Los Andes, RTL, Hello Magazine, Blikk.
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq.
