I was a big fan of his. When he took his own life, it made me very sad. A brilliant guy who was really a great actor and comedian. He did what a lot of comedians can't do, become an outstanding serious actor..

There's an article where his wife tells what really happened in those last years and months. He DID have depression and struggled with it. But his wife says that when they were dating, he opted to get off A "truck load" of meds. And he did well. They married in 2011 and there was no depression before or since then, total of 6 years.

But he was developing disturbing physical, mental and emotional symptoms that they had attributed to a Parkinson's Diagnosis. What they assumed was the Parkinson's wasn't at all.

After he passed and a full autopsy was done, they found his brain tissues riddled with a disease called Dementia with Lewy Bodies. I never heard of that as I'm sure many of you haven't. But, that's what was causing his demise mentally and physically. The dementia was taking his mind and he knew it so he ended his life bc he was sure the end was only going to get worse, and he was right.

His wife said he may have made it 3 years at the most and most of that would have had to be in a dementia care facility. So, he decided to end his life bc although he never knew the real diagnosis, he assumed it was Parkinson's and just didn't want to die that way.

Sometimes life is so cruel. 

I wonder why he was found sitting in a chair.... 

I read that, too- I don't blame him, there's nothing worse, to me, then your mind dying before your body. 

That's what they think my grandmother is suffering from. Unfortunately they can't know for sure until they perform an autopsy, which by then it won't even matter anymore. It's so hard to watch the sharpness fade and the hallucinations start. 

a terrible thing- 

Didn't he used to do a bunch of cocaine when he was younger? Not accusing, just asking. 

DVaz --- 1 min ago - quote - hide comments
Didn't he used to do a bunch of cocaine when he was younger? Not accusing, just asking.?


Yes, I've heard that too. I wonder if there is any correlation between certain drug use and some later illnesses? Not just Williams, but in general population? Seems like drug use often exacerbates mental and physical diseases but hard to tell who is using drugs to self medicate and who creates an illness by their own drug abuse? 

After starring in the movie "Awakenings" I think he might have had a unique view of mental incapacity. My DD burst into tears when told of his suicide. Apparently he was known and loved by many generations. He is sorely missed.

Two of my favorite movies that he starred in: Dead Poets Society and Good Will Hunting. 

Rough way to go too...strangling like that. 

"Didn't he use to do a bunch of cocaine"




Maybe, I don't know, but I highly doubt any connection to this degenerative brain disease. If there was, all of Hollywood would have been insane by now.

His genetic lottery was lousy. Depression, Parkinson's and DLB. Just not fair. 

I can't see why someone who is depressed would want to suffer like that at the end...that's a very self loathing way to do it... 

When I heard it was because of depression, it made me a little mad. My first thought was others with depression are going to think, he's famous and has money, if he can't get help what chance do I have. Once I heard it was Parkinson's it was a little more understandable. My neighbor has it and it isn't pretty. Dementia would be unbearable to someone like him. He had such a sharp wit. 

Dementia would be unbearable to someone like him.

SO true and also a good reason to have depression for both the patient and care giver. 

Dementia is unbearable to anyone! 

Money and fame do not accentuate that. It can and will happen to some people reading this.

We all need to get ready, prepare your financials and directives. 

And...enjoy every single moment 

Seems almost accidental, by the way the scene has been described...