President Barack Obama has led tributes to Robin Williams, who has been found dead, aged 63, in an apparent suicide.
Marin County Police in California said Robin Williams was pronounced dead at his home after officials responded to an emergency call around noon local time.
Robin Williams was famous for films such as Good Morning Vietnam and won an Oscar for his role in Good Will Hunting.
His publicist said he had been “battling severe depression”.
President Barack Obama has led tributes to Robin Williams, who has been found dead in an apparent suicide (photo Getty Images)
Barack Obama was one of many offering condolences to Robin Williams’ family saying: “Williams arrived in our lives as an alien – but he ended up touching every element of the human spirit.
“He made us laugh. He made us cry. He gave his immeasurable talent freely and generously to those who needed it most – from our troops stationed abroad to the marginalized on our own streets.”
In the past Robin Williams had talked, and even joked, about his struggles with alcohol and drugs.
The actor had recently returned to a rehabilitation centre to “fine-tune” his sobriety, the Los Angeles Times reported in July.
The local Sheriff’s office said Robin Williams was found unconscious and not breathing at his home near Tiburon, north of San Francisco.
“At this time, the Sheriff’s Office Coroner Division suspects the death to be a suicide due to asphyxia, but a comprehensive investigation must be completed before a final determination is made,” police said in a statement.
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The next installment of VH1 Divas will feature a tribute to one of the most renown singers: the late Whitney Houston.
The special will be taped in December in Los Angeles and aired at a date to be determined with Whitney Houston’s longtime musical director Rickey Minor handling executive producer duties.
Whitney Houston herself has been a three-time performer on Divas in 1999, 2002, and 2003. Performers for the show have yet to be announced.
“We all felt that if any show could pay tribute to Whitney’s music, it would be <<Divas>>,” VH1 president Tom Calderone said
“December felt like enough time where it wouldn’t be sad anymore, you’d want to celebrate her music.”
Whitney Houston herself has been a three-time performer on Divas in 1999, 2002, and 2003
Last year’s Divas concert paid tribute to soul music, honoring five different cities for their contribution to the genre.
The specials began in 1998 as a way to support the VH1 Save the Music Foundation, having gotten a revamp in 2009.
R&B singer and Ray J’ sister Brandy dedicated a heartfelt performance to Whitney Houston during a concert last week in Los Angeles.
Ever since Whitney Houston and Brandy co-starred together in the 1997 TV movie Cinderella, the R&B singer has looked up to Whitney.
In her first performance since Whitney Houston passed away last month, Brandy, 33, sang her 2008 hit Right Here (Departed) and dedicated it to the late singer during a set at The Factory nightclub.
Before she sang the song, Brandy said: “If she was here with us now in the physical, this is what I would tell her.”
Brandy went on to wow the crowd with her emotional performance, although bowed out of singing any of Whitney Houston’s songs.
“I heard there was a rumor that I was doing a Whitney Houston tribute tonight – unfortunately that’s not true, because I would be an emotional wreck right now,” Brandy told the crowd.
“I’m just not ready to sing any of her songs. You guys know what that’s like.”
R&B singer and Ray J’ sister Brandy dedicated a heartfelt performance to Whitney Houston during a concert last week in Los Angeles
Brandy’s brother, Ray J, was left devastated by the death of his one-time girlfriend Whitney Houston last month.
At Whitney Houston’s funeral, Ray J was reduced to tears as he watched her casket being carried out of the church.
At the time of Whitney Houston’s death, Ray J released a statement which read: “Over the past few days I’ve tried to process the emptiness that I am experiencing.
“What my heart feels cannot be expressed in words. The world lost an icon, but I lost my close friend. Nippy, I miss you so much!
“You were so happy and full of love. Your smile will live in my heart forever.”
Whitney Houston and Ray J were first romantically linked back in 2010, and were said to have been in an on-off relationship until as recently as February 3rd, when they were apparently seen having dinner together in Los Angeles.
Shortly after Whitney Houston’s tragic death, Ray J was seen at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in LAwhere she died, but was turned away by police when he arrived.
Whitney Houston was 48-years-old at the time of her death on 11 February.
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