ACTOR ROBIN WILLIAMS has been found dead at his home at the age of 63.

Williams was discovered just before 12 noon on Monday at his home in California (8pm GMT), his publicist said.

An initial report by the local coroner in Tiburon, California, has indicated that the death was a suicide due to asphyxia.

A statement released by the Marin County Sheriff’s Office said that an emergency phone call had been received at 11.55am local time to report a man who was unconscious and not breathing. Emergency services arrived on the scene, but the man was pronounced dead at 12.02pm (8.02pm GMT).

“The male subject… has been identified as Robin McLaurin Williams, a 63-year-old resident of… Tiburon, California,” the statement says.

“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”.

His publicist said in a statement to Entertainment Weekly that the actor ”had been battling severe depression of late”.

“This is a tragic and sudden loss,” his publicist said.

Williams was a hugely influential comic actor, who won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Good Will Hunting in 1998.

He was well known for his roles in Good Morning Vietnam, Dead Poets Society, The Fisher King, Mrs Doubtfire, Jumanji, One Hour Photo, and Happy Feet.

He is survived by his wife and three children.

Originally published 12.01am

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