'He made us laugh, he made us cry': Obama leads tributes to Robin Williams as the beloved comic is found dead in apparent suicide at his California home following a long battle against depression

Possible last picture of the comedy great: Three weeks ago Robin Williams posted this photograph to Instagram on his birthday of himself and his Night at the Museum co-star, Crystal the monkey, who will also be familiar to viewers of the Hangover trilogy

Devastating: Robin Williams with his third wife, Susan Schneider, who he married in 2011. She released a statement on Monday after his tragic death

Often dubbed 'the funniest man alive', Williams fought drug and alcohol problems from the time he was still appearing in Mork & Mindy--right at the start of his fame.

As recently as this past July, Williams would reconnect with the 12-step program he's so often championed, this time during a brief stay at a Minnesota facility.

One of his last photographs: This photograph of Robin Williams was taken in July at a local Dairy Queen in Minnesota during his stay at a rehabilitation facility which he checked himself into for treatment for alcohol addiction

He was pictured meeting a worker at a local Diary Queen near the facility

Publicist Mara Buxbaum said at the time that Williams had not fallen off the wagon, but was 'taking the opportunity to fine-tune and focus on his continued commitment, of which he remains extremely proud.'

Indeed, behind the laughter on and off stage and camera, Williams endured a struggle with personal demons that manifested themselves in well publicized drug and alcohol problems.

Williams was a close friend of Blues Brothers and Saturday Night Live star John Belushi and was one of the last people to see the actor alive before his death by drugs overdose at the Chateau Marmont Hotel in Los Angeles in 1982.

The star of Good Morning Vietnam said that experience forced him to evaluate his own wild lifestyle and led to him seeking help for his addictions to alcohol and cocaine.

'Was it a wake-up call? Oh yeah, on a huge level,' he once said.

Williams managed to maintain his sobriety for two decades but in 2006, relapsed and sought treatment.

Williams described his family's reaction to the his relapse in a September 2013 Parade Magazine interview:

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Oscar winner Robin Williams dead at 63

Sad: The home of actor and comedian Robin Williams on August 11, 2014 in Tiburon, California. Academy Award-winning actor and comedian Robin Willias was found dead in his Marin County home earlier today of an apparent suicide

'It was not an intervention so much as an ultimatum. Everyone kind of said, 'You’ve got to do this.' And I went, 'Yeah, you’re right.'

His divorce from his wife of 19 years and mother of two of his three children, film producer Marsha Garces, came a couple of years later and many outside his family's inner circle opening suspected his substance abuse struggles were to blame.

The relapses, it seems, had happened before. In that same Parade interview, Williams described a 2003 relapse, which came after 20 years of sobriety, to the magazine:

'One day I walked into a store and saw a little bottle of Jack Daniel’s. And then that voice—I call it the lower power—goes, "Hey. Just a taste." Just one.’ I drank it, and there was that brief moment of "Oh, I’m okay!" But it escalated so quickly. Within a week I was buying so many bottles I sounded like a wind chime walking down the street. I knew it was really bad one Thanksgiving when I was so drunk they had to take me upstairs.'

He described feelings of loneliness and fear that pushed him back towards alcohol at the time he was filming Christopher Nolan's Insomnia in Alaska with Al Pacino.

'I was in a small town where it's not the edge of the world, but you can see it from there, and then I thought: drinking. I just thought, hey, maybe drinking will help. Because I felt alone and afraid. It was that thing of working so much, and going f***, maybe that will help. And it was the worst thing in the world.'

In a revealing interview with ABC News' Diane Sawyer in 2006, the legendary comic opened up about drinking again and said that his descent back into alcoholism was 'very gradual'.

'It's the same voice thought that … you're standing at a precipice and you look down, there's a voice and it's a little quiet voice that goes, 'Jump,' Williams told Sawyer. 

With trademark humor, Williams attempted to make some light of his battle with the bottle during his interview with Sawyer, calling addiction a predator that lies in wait and is always present.

'It's fine now, I'm OK. Then, the next thing you know, it's not OK. Then you realize, 'Where am I? I didn't realize I was in Cleveland'.

While he recently sought help in Minnesota, in 2006, Williams spent two months in Orgeon's Hazelden Springbrook treatment center.

In 2006, he said that he was only drinking, having kicked his well-documented problems with cocaine.

Williams often seemed at odds with his public persona, struggling to be seen as something more than just man with a gift to make people laugh.

'It's hard because people want to know you're a certain thing,' he told The LA Times in 1991.

Thank you for the laughter: A woman leaves flowers outside the home of actor and comedian Robin Williams in Tiburon, California August 11, 2014

'They still say, 'That's the little manic guy. He's the little adrenaline guy. Oh, yeah, he touches himself. He doesn't do that anymore. But wait a minute. He's the little manic guy who played the really quiet guy and then the really scary guy. Oh, no, wait....'

Others often saw his manic need to tell jokes as a classic shield to hide his real feelings.

'He was always in character — you never saw the real Robin,' said Jamie Masada, founder and chief executive of the Laugh Factory to The LA Times.

'I knew him 35 years, and I never knew him.'

'He was a wonderful guy,' Masada said to The LA Times.

'I remember John Belushi and Robin, both of them always complained to me — no matter where they were people would recognize them.

'They sold their privacy to the public. They could be in the middle of talking in the street and someone would come up for an autograph.... he didn't realize how much he sold his privacy to people.'

Williams' last tweet and Instagram came on July 31, in which he wished his daughter, Zelda Rae, a happy 25th birthday, posting a picture of himself with her as a child. 'Quarter of a century old today but always my baby girl,' he captioned the photo.

On Monday in California, the sheriff said, ‘An investigation into the cause, manner, and circumstances of the death is currently underway by the Investigations and Coroner Divisions of the Sheriff’s Office. 

Goodbye: A neighbor brings flowers to place at the front gate of US actor Robin Williams house on 11 August 2014. Oscar-winning actor and comedian Robin Williams was found dead of an apparent suicide in his Tiburon home, near San Francisco on Monday

‘Preliminary information developed during the investigation indicates Mr Williams was last seen alive at his residence, where he resides with his wife, at approximately 10pm on August 10, 2014.

‘Mr Williams was located this morning shortly before the 911 call was placed to Marin County Communications.

'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.

‘A forensic examination is currently scheduled for August 12, 2014 with subsequent toxicology testing to be conducted.’

Sure to grow: A bouquet of flowers and a mock Oscar statue lay on Robin Williams star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles on Monday

Touching: AJ Polis leaves a flower alongside a placard and a photo of the late actor Robin Williams as Mork from Ork, as people pay their respects at the home where the 80's TV series "Mork & Mindy",was set, in Boulder, Colorado

His family also issued this statement on the tragic passing of the Oscar winner.

'Robin Williams passed away this morning. He has been battling severe depression of late,' Mara Buxbaum, press representative, said in a statement.

'This is a tragic and sudden loss. The family respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time.'

From his breakthrough in the late 1970s as the alien in the hit TV show 'Mork and Mindy,' through his standup act and such films as 'Good Morning, Vietnam,' the short, barrel-chested Williams ranted and shouted as if just sprung from solitary confinement.

Loud, fast, manic, he parodied everyone from John Wayne to Keith Richards, impersonating a Russian immigrant as easily as a pack of Nazi attack dogs.

He was a riot in drag in 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' or as a cartoon genie in 'Aladdin.' He won his Academy Award in a rare, but equally intense dramatic role, as a teacher in the 1997 film 'Good Will Hunting.'

He was no less on fire in interviews.

Tragic: Last instagram: Robin Williams uploaded this picture to Instagram two weeks ago to celebrate the 25th birthday of his daughter, Zelda Rae Williams

Father and daughter: Actress Zelda Williams and father actor Robin Williams attend the House Of D film premiere at Loews Lincoln Square in New York in 2005 and (right) Zelda seen in November, 2013

Lost friends: Steve Martin starred with Robin in Waiting For Godot and was devastated at his pal's passing

'He gave so much to so many people': Ellen DeGeneres was one of the first stars to pay her respects

Rest in peace: Robin, whose death is being treated as a suspected suicide, leaves behind wife Susan Schneider. They are pictured in August 2010

In floods of tears: Miley Cyrus awas a big fan of the actor and couldn't stop crying at the sad news

Friends: Robin Williams, from left, Whoopi Goldberg and Billy Crystal posing after hoasting "Comic Relief" at Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2006 - social media has been awash with shock in the aftermath of the news of the comedians passing

During a 1989 chat with The Associated Press, he could barely stay seated in his hotel room, or even mention the film he was supposed to promote, as he free-associated about comedy and the cosmos.

'There's an Ice Age coming,' he said. 'But the good news is there'll be daiquiris for everyone and the Ice Capades will be everywhere. The lobster will keep for at least 100 years, that's the good news. The Swanson dinners will last a whole millennium. The bad news is the house will basically be in Arkansas.'

Like so many funnymen, he had serious ambitions, winning his Oscar for his portrayal of an empathetic therapist in 'Good Will Hunting.'

He also played for tears in 'Awakenings,' 'Dead Poets Society' and 'What Dreams May Come,' something that led New York Times critic Stephen Holden to once say he dreaded seeing the actor's 'Humpty Dumpty grin and crinkly moist eyes.'

Williams also won three Golden Globes, for 'Good Morning, Vietnam,' 'Mrs. Doubtfire' and 'The Fisher King.'

Tributes poured in after the shocking news of Robin Williams' death broke on Monday.

Ellen DeGeneres and Steve Martin were amongst the first to pay their respects to the late actor, whose tragic death aged 63 at his Tiburon, California home is being treated as suspected suicide.

'I can’t believe the news about Robin Williams. He gave so much to so many people. I’m heartbroken,' Ellen tweeted after hearing the news.

Actor Robin Williams has died aged 63 from an apparent suicide, police in California said tonight

Big break to top of his profession: Robin Williams and Pam Dawber in Mork and Mindy which ran from 1978 to 1982 and launched the comedian to national prominence before his Oscar win for Good Will Hunting in 1997 (right)

Oscar winner: Robin Williams took home the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1997 for his role alongside Matt Damon in Good Will Hunting

Iconic introduction: Robin Williams in character as disc-jockey Adrian Cronauer in director Barry Levinsons comedy drama, 'Good Morning Vietnam' - for which he was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar in 1988

Dressed in drag for one of his most famous roles as Mrs Doubtfire, Robin Williams brought joy to millions with his performance as the Scottish nanny in the 1993 Hollywood movie

Stand-Up: Actor-comedian Robin Williams speaks on stage at the "Idol Gives Back" fundraising special of "American Idol" in Los Angeles. Williams, whose free-form comedy and adept impressions dazzled audiences for decades, has died in an apparent suicide. He was 63

The actor's friend and contemporary Steve Martin, who he starred alongside in the play Waiting For Godot, said: 'I could not be more stunned by the loss of Robin Williams, mensch, great talent, acting partner, genuine soul.'

Miley Cyrus revealed that she was in floods of tears, writing: 'I can't take the Robin Williams news. I've never cried over someone I've never met but I can't stop.'

Mia Farrow was in shock as she posted: 'No! Robin Williams you were so loved. Awful news.'

Sharon Osbourne also shared her sadness on Twitter, telling her followers: 'I’m so sad and devastated to hear of the passing of Robin Williams.  My thoughts are with his family.'

Her son Jack added: 'RIP @robinwilliams you will be missed. Thank you for making us all laugh for so long.'

Born in Chicago in 1951, the four-time Oscar nominee and one-time winner started as a funnyman and soon proved he could also captivate America with his skills as an improvisor and dramatic actor.

He is survived by his wife of three years Susan Schneider and children Zachary Pym, Zelda Rae and Cody Alan.

First wife: Robin Williams with his first wife Valerie Velardi, who was married to the comic from 1978 to 1988 and (right) his second wife, Marsha Garces, who was married to the Oscar winner from 1989 to 2010

Despite his lifetime battle with depression and substance abuse, the four-time Oscar nominee was in the midst of a career Renaissance of sorts.

In December, Williams will reprise his role of Teddy Roosevelt in the third installment of the Night at the Museum franchise.

The Chicago-born funnyman had also recently made headlines after he signed on to once again play the cross-dressing Mrs. Doubtfire in a sequel to the 1993 family comedy.

Williams' star power and status as one of America's most adored comedians had never really gone away throughout his 35-plus year career.

He first became a household name in 1978 with his breakout role as zany alien come to earth Mork in the ABC comedy Mork & Mindy.

Partly on the power of his sitcom's popularity, Williams soon made his big screen debut in Robert Altman's 1980 comedy Popeye as the spinach-loving muscleman.

Reviews were mixed for the live action film, but Williams easily moved on to such successes as The World According to Garp, The Survivors and Moscow on the Hudson.

Then at 36, Williams took his career another great leap forward thanks to the undeniable magnetism he put on display in 1987's Good Morning Vietnam.

For laughs: Robin Williams performs at the 7th Annual Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation's Grand Slam for Children benefit concert on September 28, 2002 at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada

The role would win him his first Academy Award nomination. He would go on to receive three more nods and one statue, for his role of Sean Maguire in the 1998 hit Good Will Hunting alongside a fresh-faced Matt Damon.

The undeniable success did not always bring Williams the happiness his gifts gave audiences.

Williams' drug and alcohol problems first arose while he was still appearing in Mork & Mindy--right at the start of his fame.

His struggle would continue for decades. As recently as this past July, Williams would reconnect with the 12-step program he's so often championed, this time during a brief stay at a Minnesota facility.

Publicist Mara Buxbaum said at the time that Williams was 'taking the opportunity to fine-tune and focus on his continued commitment, of which he remains extremely proud.'

Williams was very open about the challenges of maintaining sobriety. He sought treatment in 2006 when he relapsed and returned to drinking after 20 years.

Williams stars in the CBS series The Crazy Ones and the film The Angriest Man in Brooklyn, which was released in May.

Buxbaum released a statement as the tragic news broke

•  For confidential help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or visit http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

•  For confidential support on suicide matters call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 or visit
a local Samaritans branch or visit http://www.samaritans.org/