Pictured: Robin Williams and daughter Zelda Rae in flashback childhood snap which actor shared on Instagram just 11 days before apparent suicide

A star in her own right: Zelda has made a name for herself as an actress, appearing in TV series Checked Out and Teen Wolf along with a number of lesser-known movies

63rd birthday: On July 22 the star shared this image of himself with the caption, 'Happy Birthday to me! A visit from one of my favorite leading ladies, Crystal'

Father and son: Zachary attended the Comedy Awards with the actor in April, 2012

'The male subject, pronounced deceased at 12:02 pm has been identified as Robin McLaurin Williams.

'The Sheriff's Office, as well as the Tiburon Fire Department and Southern Marin Fire Protection District were dispatched to the incident with emergency personnel arriving on scene at 12pm.

'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.

'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.'

 

Ten of Robin Williams' most memorable moments

United: Williams was surrounded by his family at a screening for House Of D in 2004 (L-R) his sons Cody Alan and Zachary Pym, his former wife Marsha Garces Williams and daughter Zelda Rae

Family: The star was clearly delighted to be flanked by his children at the Golden Globe Awards in 2005

Utterly heartbroken: The Academy Award winner's wife Susan Schneider (pictured alongside the actor at the premiere of his film World's Greatest Dad in 2013) confirmed the tragic news of his death in a statement

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.

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

Comedic: The funny man starred as an absent minded professor in Flubber in 1997

Incredibly talented: Williams starred in roles as varied as the 1995 children's film Jumanji (left) and 2002 psychological thriller One Hour Photo (right)

Acclaimed: The actor won an Oscar for his role in Good Will Hunting and three Golden Globes for Good Morning, Vietnam, Mrs. Doubtfire (pictured) and The Fisher King

Little known start: While Mork & Mindy first brought the zany alien character fame, Williams had previously debuted the character in an episode of Happy Days

A look back at Robin Williams in Mork and Mindy

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.'

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

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.

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

Celebrated: The four-time Oscar nominated actor posed alongside Matt Damon and Ben Affleck after winning the Academy Award for Good Will Hunting in 1998

Good Will Hunting: Williams won the award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his role as a psychotherapist helping a troubled math genius

Archive: Robin Williams wins Oscar for Good Will Hunting

Award winner: He won a Golden Globe (left) for his role in Mrs. Doubtfire in 1994 and received a people's choice award for Best Actor (right) the same year

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.

Born in Chicago in 1951, Williams is survived by his wife of three years Susan Schneider and children Zachary Pym, Zelda Rae and Cody Alan.

Funny man: Williams was just as well loved as a stand up comedian as he was an actor (pictured here at Hard Rock Live in 2009)

Talented: He was known among other things for his stunning impersonations and parodied everyone from John Wayne to Keith Richards (pictured left at the annual Stand Up For Heroes and right at We Are Most Amused both in 2008)

Archive: A montage of Robin Williams' best movies

Tributes have been pouring in from across the globe as the news of Williams' passing.

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.

The actor's friend and contemporary Steve, 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.'

For confidential help, call the US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or visit www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org or for confidential support on suicide matters call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 or visit www.samaritans.org

In Australia call Lifeline for confidential help at 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au