Nation & World

Robin Williams’ wife: He had Parkinson’s disease

Associated Press
FILE - This Nov. 9, 2009 file photo shows actor Robin Williams, right, and his wife Susan Schneider at the premiere of "Old Dogs" in Los Angeles. Williams, whose free-form comedy and adept impressions dazzled audiences for decades, died Monday, Aug. 11, 2014, in an apparent suicide. Williams was 63. (AP Photo/Katy Winn, FIle)
FILE - This Nov. 9, 2009 file photo shows actor Robin Williams, right, and his wife Susan Schneider at the premiere of "Old Dogs" in Los Angeles. Williams, whose free-form comedy and adept impressions dazzled audiences for decades, died Monday, Aug. 11, 2014, in an apparent suicide. Williams was 63. (AP Photo/Katy Winn, FIle) Katy Winn AP
LOS ANGELES

The wife of Robin Williams says he was in the stages of Parkinson’s disease and was sober at the time of his apparent suicide.

In a statement Thursday, Susan Schneider said that Williams was struggling with depression, anxiety and the early stages of Parkinson’s when he was found dead earlier this week ..

The wife of the actor-comedian said he was not ready to share his Parkinson’s diagnosis publicly.

Williams’ personal assistant found the actor who was struggling with depression dead in a bedroom of his San Francisco Bay Area home Monday.

The Oscar-winning actor for years dealt with bouts of substance abuse and depression and referenced his struggles in his comedy routines. Just last month, Williams announced he was returning to a 12-step treatment program.

Word that the actor had killed himself left many stunned and sparked an outpouring of grief and praise from his family and Hollywood colleagues.

Makeshift memorials of flowers and notes popped up around the country including on his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, at his home and outside the house where the '80s sitcom "Mork & Mindy" was set in Boulder, Colorado. People also gathered to remember Williams at a bench in Boston's Public Garden where he filmed a scene for "Good Will Hunting."

Ben Affleck, a co-star and co-writer on that movie, was among the legions of friends and fans who shared tributes online.

"Robin had a ton of love & did so much for so many," Affleck tweeted. "He made Matt & my dreams come true. What do you owe a guy who does that? Everything."

Actor and comedian Ricky Gervais wrote: "I am deeply saddened. He was a lovely man who would keep everyone laughing even if he wasn't feeling good himself."

This story was originally published August 14, 2014 at 2:28 PM with the headline "Robin Williams’ wife: He had Parkinson’s disease."

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