Robin Williams death: Actor last seen alive late Sunday, officials say

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An iconic Bay Area tunnel, commonly known as the Waldo Tunnel or Rainbow Tunnel, will be named after the late actor Robin Williams.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Robin Williams performs at the Universal Amphitheater on July 1, 1979 (Tony Barnard / Los Angeles Times)

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Robin Williams stars as Popeye the sailor man, whose secret source of strength turns out to be spinach, with Shelley Duvall as Olive Oyl, in 1980’s “Popeye.” (File / AFP/Getty Images)

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Robin Williams performs at the Universal Amphitheater on Aug. 16, 1982. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

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In 1984’s “Moscow on the Hudson,” Robin Williams plays Vladimir Ivanoff, a saxophonist in the Moscow circus who defects to the U.S. Here, Williams is pictured with actor Cleavant Derricks and director Paul Mazursky. (Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images)

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Robin Williams in San Francisco in 1991. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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Robin Williams speaks to the media backstage after his performance at the Sam Kinison tribute held at the Celebrity Theatre in Anaheim, Sept. 3, 1992. (Christine Cotter / Los Angeles Times)

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In 1993’s “Mrs. Doubtfire,” Robin Williams plays Daniel Hillard, an irresponsible father who creates an alter-ego in the form of a nanny in order to spend time with his children. (Phil Bray / Los Angeles Times)

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Robin Williams plays Alan Parrish, a man who was trapped in a board game for 26 years in 1995’s “Jumanji.” He costarred with Bonnie Hunt. (Rob McEwan / Los Angeles Times)

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Robin William plays Armand Goldman, owner of a South Beach drag club who must hide his same-sex relationship with Albert (Nathan Lane) from their son’s future in-laws in the 1996 film “The Birdcage.” (Lorey Sebastian / Los Angeles Times)

By Joseph Serna

Aug. 12, 2014 12:52 PM PT

Actor Robin Williams was last seen alive inside his home late Sunday night before his body was discovered just before noon Monday, the Marin County Sheriff’s Office said.

Authorities are expected to release further details about the Oscar-winning actor’s death at a news conference Tuesday, but in a statement, they said Williams was last seen alive inside his Tiburon home at 10 p.m. Sunday. They did not specify by whom or under what circumstances.

The Marin County Sheriff’s Office said he appeared to have committed suicide, with asphyxiation a possible cause of death. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The actor had been battling “severe depression of late,” his publicist Mara Buxbaum said.

“This is a tragic and sudden loss. The family respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time,” Buxbaum said.

The news of the beloved 63-year-old actor’s death rocked the nation Monday. TV channels broke into their usual programming to make the announcement, and within minutes, Williams dominated online trending topics. President Obama noted his passing.

Born in Chicago in 1951, Williams was accepted into John Houseman’s acting program at Juilliard along with Christopher Reeve, who became a lifelong friend.

Dubbed “the funniest man alive” by Entertainment Weekly in 1997, Williams brought audiences hours of laughter, putting his imaginative spin on characters in film and television. He was lauded for his serious roles as well, winning a best supporting actor Oscar for his performance as Sean Maguire, the therapist who counsels Matt Damon’s math genius in “Good Will Hunting” (1997). He also received nominations for “The Fisher King” (1991), “Dead Poets Society” (1989) and “Good Morning, Vietnam” (1987).

Williams was open about his problems with cocaine and alcohol over the years.

The actor spent time on a Hazelden campus in Oregon in 2006. He later explained that drinking had gradually become a problem again after 20 years of sobriety.

This summer, he returned to rehab to “fine-tune” his sobriety.

Neighbors were stunned by his death.

Kelly Cook, 50, who lives down the street, called the actor “brilliant,” as well as “really quiet and private.” An avid cyclist, he was often seen riding the Paradise loop, which hugs the Tiburon peninsula.

By Tuesday morning, flowers, candles and memorabilia had piled onto Williams’ star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Williams had received the last star in front of TCL Chinese Theatre, previously known as Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.

Tourists left messages on paper, magazine covers with his face or pictures of Williams from the innumerable charity events he attended over the years.

Times staff writer Lee Romney contributed to this report.

For breaking California news, follow @JosephSerna.