Robin Williams was a beloved comedian and actor with a nearly four-decade career, starring in iconic films like "Good Morning, Vietnam", "Dead Poets Society", and "Aladdin". Despite his success, Williams struggled with addiction and depression, which he managed to overcome temporarily. However, in his later years, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, which was later revealed to be a misdiagnosis. The autopsy report showed that Williams actually had Lewy body dementia, a progressive dementia that affects thinking, reasoning, and function. He also had changes in his brain characteristic of both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Struggling with these conditions, Williams took his own life on August 11, 2014, at the age of 63.
Here are the key facts about Robin Williams:
1. Robin Williams was born on July 21, 1950, in Chicago.
2. His father was an executive at the Ford Motor Company.
3. His mother was a former model.
4. Williams began using humor to make people laugh at school.
5. He was inspired by American comedian Jonathan Winters.
6. When Williams was 16, his family moved to San Francisco.
7. He studied Political Science at a renowned institution in San Francisco.
8. He took improvisation and theater classes.
9. He received a scholarship to study at the Julliard School in New York.
10. Williams began appearing in stand-up comedy clubs in the early 1970s.
11. He received his own TV show called "Death an Indie".
12. His first film appearances were in "Popeye" (1980) and "The World According to Garp" (1982).
13. Williams' breakthrough film was "Good Morning, Vietnam" (1987), which earned him his first Oscar nomination.
14. He also starred in "Dead Poets Society" (1989), which earned him a second Oscar nomination.
15. Williams played roles in several films, including "The Fisher King", "Aladdin", "Mrs. Doubtfire", and "Good Will Hunting", for which he won an Oscar.
16. He had heart problems in 2009.
17. Williams struggled with addiction and depression.
18. He died on August 11, 2014, at the age of 63.
19. His death was caused by asphyxia due to hanging.
20. Williams was initially diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, but his autopsy report revealed that he had Lewy body dementia.
21. The autopsy report also found changes in his brain characteristic of both Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
22. Williams' wife, Susan, insists that he was misdiagnosed with depression.