Robin Williams had Parkinson's disease, wife says

Robin Williams, the acclaimed comedian and actor who was found dead at his home this week, was in the early stages of Parkinson's disease and was sober at the time of his suicide, his wife said on Thursday.

Susan Schneider said in a news release that Williams was also struggling with depression and anxiety when he took his own life.

Schneider said her husband had not been ready to share his Parkinson's diagnosis publicly.

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder resulting from the loss of certain brain cells and is marked by trembling in the legs, arms and face as well as impaired balance and coordination, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. As symptoms progress, patients may have difficulty walking or talking.

The star of numerous big-budget films including "Mrs. Doubtfire" and "Hook," Williams won an Academy Award for his portrayal of therapist Dr. Sean Maguire in the 1997 hit "Good Will Hunting." In 2003, he won a Grammy for best spoken comedy album, "Robin Williams – Live 2002."

He rose to fame for his portrayal of an alien named Mork on the popular 70s sitcom "Happy Days." That character became the subject of spin-off "Mork & Mindy," which started shooting in 1978 and catapulted Williams into stardom. 

Al Jazeera and The Associated Press