Robin Williams could make a room of strangers feel like old friends, yet his own mind became a battlefield few knew about. His death by suicide in 2014 stunned millions, but the years that followed revealed a far more complex story—one involving a misdiagnosed brain disorder, a broken promise from Disney, and a last quiet exchange with his wife.
Born: July 21, 1951 · Died: August 11, 2014 · Cause of Death: Suicide by hanging · Notable Diagnosis: Lewy body dementia · Academy Awards: 1 (Best Supporting Actor) · Marital Status at Death: Married to Susan Schneider
Quick snapshot
- Died by suicide via hanging on August 11, 2014 (Wikipedia (crowd-sourced encyclopedia))
- Posthumously diagnosed with Lewy body dementia (CNN (news outlet))
- Disney broke a promise not to use his voice for merchandise (Disney Wiki (fan encyclopedia))
- He was a heterosexual ally of LGBTQ+ rights (Wikipedia (crowd-sourced encyclopedia))
- Exact last words: “Goodnight, my love” attributed but not independently verified
- Whether the Disney apology was formal or informal
- Full extent of his health struggles prior to diagnosis
- 1992: Voiced Genie; feud begins
- 1997: Oscar for Good Will Hunting
- August 11, 2014: Found dead
- November 2015: Widow reveals Lewy body dementia
- Ongoing awareness of Lewy body dementia
- Charitable foundation continues his legacy
- Films still celebrated and studied
Nine key facts about the actor’s life, career, and passing:
| Full Name | Robin McLaurin Williams |
| Born | July 21, 1951, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | August 11, 2014, Tiburon, California, U.S. |
| Cause of Death | Suicide by hanging |
| Spouses | Valerie Velardi (m. 1978; div. 1988), Marsha Garces (m. 1989; div. 2010), Susan Schneider (m. 2011–2014) |
| Children | Zelda, Zachary, Cody |
| Academy Awards | 1 (Best Supporting Actor for Good Will Hunting) |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
| Net Worth at Death | Approximately $50 million |
What caused Robin Williams’ death?
The official autopsy concluded that Robin Williams died by suicide due to asphyxiation from hanging on August 11, 2014, at his home in Paradise Cay, California (Wikipedia (crowd-sourced encyclopedia)). No suicide note was found.
Was it suicide?
- The Marin County coroner’s initial finding was suicide by hanging (Disney Wiki (fan encyclopedia)).
- Toxicology reports confirmed no other contributing substances; the manner of death was suicide by asphyxiation.
What disease did he have?
- An autopsy revealed diffuse Lewy body dementia (CNN (news outlet)).
- Williams had been initially diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease; the correct diagnosis came only after death (USA Today (national newspaper)).
- Lewy body dementia shares characteristics with both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease (USA Today (national newspaper)).
The disease that ravaged his brain—not depression alone—likely drove the suicide, yet experts caution against a direct causal link (Scientific American (science magazine)). The medical community is still learning how Lewy body dementia affects behavior.
Why did Disney apologize to Robin Williams?
The feud between Williams and Disney stemmed from a broken promise about how the Genie character would be marketed.
What was the broken promise?
- Williams agreed to voice Genie for Aladdin (1992) at a low rate (Disney Wiki (fan encyclopedia))—around $75,000—on the condition that Disney would not use his voice to sell merchandise.
- Disney violated that agreement, using his vocal performance in toys, ads, and theme parks.
How did the feud start?
- When Williams saw Genie dolls speaking in his voice, he felt betrayed and refused to work with Disney for years.
- After Jeffrey Katzenberg left Disney, studio chairman Joe Roth arranged a public apology to Williams (Disney Wiki (fan encyclopedia)).
- The apology led to reconciliation; Williams later voiced the Genie again in the direct-to-video Aladdin and the King of Thieves (1996).
Disney got one of the most beloved animated performances ever—but lost Williams’ trust for years. The apology, while public, may have been informal in nature; the exact format of the mea culpa remains unclear.
What were Robin Williams’ last words before he died?
The account of his final exchange comes from his widow, Susan Schneider Williams.
Did he say anything to his wife?
- In a 2016 op-ed, Schneider Williams wrote that their last words included “Goodnight, my love” and later “Goodnight, goodnight” (USA Today (national newspaper)).
- She recalled him smiling as they parted for the night.
Was there a suicide note?
- No suicide note was found anywhere in the home (Wikipedia (crowd-sourced encyclopedia)).
- The absence of a note is a common pattern in suicides linked to neurological disease, where impulse control collapses.
The implication: Williams’ final words were gentle and routine—nothing foreshadowing the tragedy that followed. The lack of a note suggests a sudden, disease-driven act rather than a planned farewell.
Is Robin Williams LGBTQ?
Was he openly gay?
- Williams identified as heterosexual throughout his life (Wikipedia (crowd-sourced encyclopedia)).
- He was married three times, all to women.
His support for LGBTQ+ rights
- Williams was a vocal ally. He performed at fundraisers for LGBTQ+ causes and famously portrayed a gay nightclub owner in the 1996 film The Birdcage (Wikipedia (crowd-sourced encyclopedia)).
- The film, a remake of La Cage aux Folles, became a commercial success and was praised for its positive representation.
Why this matters: Williams never claimed to be part of the community, but his on-screen roles and off-screen activism made him a trusted figure within LGBTQ+ advocacy circles.
What has happened to Robin Williams?
What was his funeral like?
- A private funeral was held in San Francisco for close family and friends (Wikipedia (crowd-sourced encyclopedia)).
- Public memorials took place at his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and at the Walt Disney Studios lot.
How did the world react?
- Tributes poured in from fans and colleagues. President Barack Obama called him “one of a kind” and praised his ability to “make us laugh and make us think.”
- The BBC News (international broadcaster) reported that Williams’ health problems would have killed him within three years if he had not ended his life.
- His widow, Susan Schneider Williams, became an advocate for Lewy body dementia awareness, describing the disease as “the terrorist inside my husband’s brain” (USA Today (national newspaper)).
Timeline of key events
- July 21, 1951: Born in Chicago, Illinois.
- 1978–1982: Rise to fame with Mork & Mindy.
- 1992: Voices Genie in Disney’s Aladdin; feud begins over merchandise.
- 1997: Wins Academy Award for Good Will Hunting.
- 1990s–2000s: Prolific film career; reconciles with Disney.
- 2013–2014: Health declines; initially diagnosed with Parkinson’s (later corrected to Lewy body dementia).
- August 11, 2014: Found dead at home; cause determined as suicide by hanging.
- November 2015: Widow Susan Schneider Williams reveals Lewy body dementia diagnosis.
Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Robin Williams died by suicide via hanging on August 11, 2014
- He was diagnosed posthumously with Lewy body dementia
- Disney broke a promise not to use his voice for merchandise and later apologized
- He was not LGBTQ but a strong ally
What’s unclear
- Exact last words: “Goodnight, my love” attributed but not independently verified
- Whether the Disney apology was formal or informal
- Full extent of his health struggles prior to diagnosis
Quotes and perspectives
“The terrorist inside my husband’s brain.”
— Susan Schneider Williams, describing Lewy body dementia in a 2016 op-ed (USA Today (national newspaper))
“Robin was a Disney Legend. He brought so much joy to our company and to the world.”
— Bob Iger, Disney CEO, in a statement after Williams’ death (Disney Wiki (fan encyclopedia))
“Goodnight, my love.”
— According to Susan Schneider Williams, Robin Williams’ last words to her on the night of his death
For the millions who grew up with his voice and his comedy, Robin Williams’ death is a reminder that mental and neurological illness can hide behind a brilliant smile. For his family, the fight for accurate diagnosis and destigmatizing dementia continues. For the entertainment industry, the Disney feud remains a litmus test of corporate accountability. The legacy is clear: laugh often, but also look closely at the people behind the laughter.
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Frequently asked questions
Did Robin Williams leave a suicide note?
No, no suicide note was found after his death. (Wikipedia (crowd-sourced encyclopedia))
Where did Robin Williams die?
He died at his home in Paradise Cay, Tiburon, California, on August 11, 2014.
What medication was Robin Williams taking?
At the time of his death he was taking medications for depression and Parkinson’s disease; the full list has not been publicly released.
What was Robin Williams’ last movie?
His final completed film was Absolutely Anything (2015), a comedy in which he voiced a dog. (Wikipedia (crowd-sourced encyclopedia))
How did the public react to Robin Williams’ death?
Outpouring of grief worldwide, including tributes from President Obama, Hollywood stars, and fans. Memorials were held at his Hollywood Walk of Fame star and at Disney Studios.
What charities did Robin Williams support?
He supported organizations including Comic Relief, the USO, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. His family established the Robin Williams Scholarship at Juilliard.
Was Robin Williams in The Birdcage?
Yes, he starred in the 1996 film The Birdcage as a gay nightclub owner, co-starring Nathan Lane. (Wikipedia (crowd-sourced encyclopedia))
Did Robin Williams have any mental health issues?
He struggled with depression and anxiety, which were exacerbated by Lewy body dementia. He also had a history of substance abuse, though he had been sober for many years before his death.
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Jonathan MacDonald is Editor-in-Chief at Civic Maple, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.