>> yeah, like on a napkin in the cafeteria in juilliard or something. >> saying what?that if either of us gets in trouble, that we'll take care of each other in the future. >> in 1976, he left juilliard. williams was on a fast track. >> nanu nanu. >> mork was such a success on "happy days," it would spin off as its own sitcom. >> you know, when he would break for lunch, and he was working with jonathan winters on his show "mork & mindy," they would walk down the street together, and all of the sudden just stop. and then they would start to kibitz. and then they would start to improvise. and then they would do this routine. in minutes, almost the entire lot was standing there like an open air theater, watching these two great minds go at it. >> it's a man! >> in the years after "mork & mindy," williams would have great success on the stand-up comedy circuit. >> it's been brief. 'tis over, and the lights do turn bright. i'm melting! help me! >> a comedic genius fueled by his incredible improvisation, something he discussed with james lipton on "inside the actor's studio.

in trouble that we'll take care of each other in the future. >> in 1976, he left juilliard.s on a fast track. >> nano, nano. >> mork was such a success on happy days, it would spin off as its own sit com. >> you know, when he would break for lunch and he was working with jonathan winters on his show, mork and mindy, they would walk down the street together and all of a sudden just stop and then they would start to kibutz, then they would improvise and they would do this routine, in minutes, almost the entire lot was standing there like an open air theater watching these two grade minds go at it. >> it's a man! >> in the years after mork and mindy, williams would have great success on the stand-up comedy circuit. >> it was brief, and it was over. the lights would turn bright. i'm melting. help me. >> a comedic genius fueled by his incredible improvisation, something he discussed with james lipton. are you thinking faster than the rest of us? what the hell is going on? [ applause ] >> what is it that does this thing to you? try to explain yourself. >> but it wasn't just willia

. >> 22 years, we go back to juilliard together.ut there is this crazy cockamamy story that went around that we signed some pact. >> pact? >> yeah, like on a napkin in the cafeteria in juilliard or something. >> saying what? >> that if either of us gets in trouble, that we'll take care of each other in the future. >> in 1976, he left juilliard. williams was on a fast track. >> nanu nanu. >> mork was such a success on "happy days," it would spin off as its own sitcom. >> you know, when he would break for lunch, and he was working with jonathan winters on his show "mork & mindy," they would walk down the street together, and all of the sudden just stop. and then they would start to kibitz. and then they would start to improvise. and then they would do this routine. in minutes, almost the entire lot was standing there like an open air theater. watching these two great minds go at it. >> it's a man! >> reporter: in the years after "mork & mindy," williams would have great success on the stand-up comedy circuit. >> it's been brief. 'tis

soon after leaving juilliard he got his start as a comedian right here in this area.nt to high school in marin county. and one area journalist describes williams as having at that time, quote, unstoppable talent. neighbors had this to say about the comedic genius. >> just so distraught because i just immediately thought of his family, you know, and, you know, i just think he was such a great guy and such a loss to the whole community. he was such an icon to everyone, an inspiration. >> he really, really tried to be not a celebrity. he tried to be just a human being. >> reporter: even as his star was rising, there was always a dark side there, too. one journalist who knew williams at the time said that williams himself did not have a bright image of his own future life, a life that ended at the age of 63. live in tiburon, mark kelly, kpix 5. >>> and a final check this morning of your "kcbs" drive to work. you can see some slowing approaching the castro valley y and on northbound 238. 880 slow northbound on the approach to 98th. that accident is cleared to the shoulder

. >> juilliard. >> he had a new way of working.e started that style that people like howie mandel did, everyone else. crazy guys on stage. robin worked improve a lot, but also a structured performer because of his acting jobs. he laid on his old juilliard. >> also an element of the lenny bruce jazz to it, he would get on these rifs that were free form. he would start with shakespeare and end up someplace 180 degrees away from that aystericale hystl in between. that's a gift. >> interestingly have so much objective knowled e knowledge. he could call upon things he knew. he had a remarkable memory. >> i want to take a break. we know robin suffered from severe depression. today we learn that he was in the early stages of parkinson disease. you know, another blow to all of those who felt so connected to him in so many ways. >> yeah. >> gosh. >> crazy. >> his daughter sent out a message on social media. she said while i will never ever understand how he could be loved so deeply and not find it in his heart to stay, there's minor comfort

the juilliard trained actor reportedly ad-libbing so often producers would leave blank pages in the scriptor him to do his thing. >> oh, let's kiss and make up. >> mork. >> reporter: that quickie, seemingly spontaneous comic brilliance translating to so many roles. from a cross-dressing babysitter in "mrs. doubtfire," to a gay nightclub owner in "bird cage." >> you do fossie, fossie, you do martha graham. >> reporter: using his talents to raise money for the homeless as host of comic relief. he was named entertainment weekly's funniest man alive in 1997. that's how he'll be remembered. mara schiavocampo, abc news, new york. >> she remind us of so many good movies what we will miss. what's your robin williams favorite? >> i started out with "mork & mindy." it's hard you go back to that. such a ground breaking series. like, mara said, colleagues said, had to wind him up and watch him go. and the talent that he brought to the screen, from tv screen to big screen. how about you? >> never lost his humor. love watching "mrs. doubtfire," all-time favorite so. many on facebook, i laugh like it is

the juilliard trained actor reportedly ad-libbing so often, producers would leave blank pages in the script for him to do his thing. >> let's kiss and make up. >> reporter: that quirky spontaneous comic brilliance landed him so many roles, from a cross dressing babysitter in "mrs. doubtfire," to a gay nightclub owner in bird cage. >> you do fosse, fosse, fosse. >> reporter: he was named entertainment weekly's funniest man alive in 1997 and tonight will be remembered as such. mara schiavocampo, abc news, new york. >> our thanks to mara. as we're on the air live here across much of the west, the statement in from poresident obama. he was an airman, a doctor, a jeannie, a nanny, a professor, peter pan and everything in between but he was one of a kind, the president says. he arrived in our lives as an yil yen but he made us laugh and cry, gave his talent freely and generously from the troops stationed abroad to those on the streets. the obama family offers con doll lens. one of his best loved roles was in "good morning vietnam" and the one role he did win the actor for. >> fly, be free!

mind if i cut in. >> reporter: a combing genius who trained at juilliard to be a serious actor he told exciting to wear tights and have people say i can't see anything. someone get him a daergger. >> reporter: among this first roles, one of the most iconic cartoon heroes. >> i'm popeye the sailor. >> reporter: williams came into his own when he started playing offbeat heroes with a strong streak of humanity. garp in "the world according to garp." >> my name is t.s. garp. >> seize the day. >> reporter: lovable teacher in "dead poet's soy sciety. >> why do i stand up here? >> to be taller. >> no. >> good morning, vietnam. >> reporter: as the the crazy war time d.j., adrian, in "good morning, vietnam." in the bird cage he was the flamboyantly gay father. in "mrs. doubtfire," a cross-dressing mary poppins. >> hello! >> reporter: at the time williams' marriage had fall any part. >> i want a divorce. >> reporter: so scenes like this must have resonated from his own personal life. >> man you are perfect right now. you don't want to ruin that. >> reporter: his portrayal of a south boston psych

that's what you were trained to do at juilliard.rained to do stand-up at juilliard. >> no. doing television-- television was more like stand-up. >> rose: acting. >> when i finally did movies, that's how i was trained -- >> that came easy to you when you made the transition? >> no, not easily. first when you are doing film-- for example, when i did "the world according to garp." >> rose: who directed that. >> george roy hill. and i improvised a line and he made a face like this. "not good?" "no." "just say the lines and commit to that." "okay." and that was first grade lesson. second grade lesson came from peter weir. you have great power listening. that's the second part of the equation. when you listen to someone, it's kite fascinating. and stillness is very powerful." and i went "second grade lesson." and third grade lesson is always find out whereicatering is. and the idea of really listening and the idea of what it means to be engaged in listening. and the other great gift was jeff bridges who said whf there's an accident in ter

after studying drama at the juilliard school the chicago born actor worked his way into our hearts on "moroccaned mindy" in 19d 78. he was nominated for an award as eccentric radio host in "good morning vietnam." >> good morning vietnam. >> he garn earned his second in dead poet society and fisher king respectively. he also starred along side deniro in awakening and also goodwill hunting. rolls like jumangi aladdin and mrs. doubt fire are forever etched in our minds. he was set to star in mrs. doubt fire 2 in 2016. two of his films night at the museums will premiere this winter. outside of his tv and film credits he charmed theater audiences with plays and stand-up comedy shows on and off broadway. on several occasions he openly discussed his addictions to alcohol and cocaine which he claims began in the early 80's. after 20-years of sobriety he relapsed and entered rehab in 2006. he returned to a treatment center last month. he leaves behind a wife susan and three children zelda, cody and zachary. >> legendary actor robin williams made a big name for himself on screen with lovable sc

because that is what you were trained to do a juilliard.ou were not trained to do stand-up at juilliard. >> no. doing television, i mean, television was more acting. when i finally did movies, that was like, that is what i was trained. >> that came easy too? >> no, not easily. at first when you're doing film, example, i was doing "the world according to garp," and i improvised the first day of shooting. he made a face like this. i went, not good. he went, "no." just say the lines. and commit. i went, ok. and that was the first great lesson. the second great lesson came from peter weir who said, you have great power and listening. really? yes, that is the second part of the equation. when you listen to someone it's quite fascinating. and stillness is very partial. second great lesson. third great lesson is always find out were catering is. these guys were giving me these great lessons. the idea of really listening and the idea of what it means to be engaged in listening. the other great gift was jeff bridges who said, whenever there's an acc

fast-talking, no holds barred comedian, also a juilliard trained actor.ore hollywood and juilliard, he studied political science and put that knowledge to good use in the 2006 film "man of the year" playing a talk show host to runs for president, turning a presidential debate into his own personal one-man show. >> we're not exploring opportunities, feels like methane, hard to do, holding that chicken over the gas tank or ethanol, which is basically fuel -- >> mr. -- >> it's grain alcohol. stopped by the police. my car has been drinking, not me, baby. or maybe helium. if you have a helium car -- if you have a helium car that gets rear ended, next thing you know, hey, something's wrong. think the tree we carved our names in is still here? probably dead... how much fun is this? what? what a beautiful sunset... if you like sunsets. whether you're sweet or salty... you'll love nature valley sweet and salty bars. a body at rest tends to stay at rest... while a body in motion tends to stay in motion. staying active can actually ease arthritis symptoms. but if yo

paint brand of comedy was his trademark/but he also had a strong foe of--the land to pick side/ the juilliardl of acting revealed his dramatic side. >>robin williams and i feel restrained as an actor so they don't have that medicate me. >>he finally won his only oscar in 1998 for goodwill hunting. but he never stopped being funny, even when the topic was serious. he helped launch and co posted a eight telethons in to help the homeless. >>pam moore the house where the "mork and mindy" exteriors were shot in boulder, colorado. has become a makeshift memorial. fans gathered today to pay respects to the actor. some even left notes. the show ran from 19-78 thru 19-82. and featured williams and an alien living on earth. willams' co-star in that show, pam dawber said today she is quote--- completely and totally devastated" by his death. one of robin williams most memorable movies. was shot in san francisco. the 1993 comedy called - mrs. doubtfire -- starred williams. he played a father posing as a female nanny working at the san francisco home of his former wife and children in the pacific heights n

. >> reporter: he went on to prestigious juilliard, where he met christopher reeves. the two became friends and then the wacky "mork & mindy." his giant hits like "mrs. doubtfire" and "good morning, vietnam." >> hanna! >> reporter: to sell animated films. and he proved he could be just as serious as he was funny. >> you've never had your best friend's head in your lap, watch him gasp his last breath. >> reporter: he won an oscar for his dramatic performance in goodwill hunting. williams also won three grammy awards and six golden globes but williams' success did not keep him out of trouble. he fought an addiction to cocaine in the late '70s and early '80s. and went to rehab in 2006 for alcohol addiction. he checked into a facility again to stay sober. he married three times leaving behind three children, two girls and a boy. in march, williams was hospitalized for hospital problems to have valve surgery. he came back laughing. >> i can prep standing up. >> reporter: he remembered to television on cbs' "the crazy one." bringing his crazy still. >> how much is script --

a lot of people may not know he went to juilliard, didn't graduate.le he was there one of his professors said, you are so funny, you -- just leave the school, go out, be a comedian. you're going to be a super success. and, of course, won an oscar and got nominated another three times. >> won a grammy, as well. >> there you go. >> picks up a grammy. >> yeah. >> for comedy album. >> gary marshall, we'll bring you in on this lawrence, gary marshall is the creator of mork and mindy so during that show there were three cameras in the studio and he said three cameras are not enough. we needed a fourth camera just to follow robin williams. and then he realized four cameras were not enough. >> is that right? and apparently, they didn't write scripts for him anymore after a while. >> he just went off and did his own thing and ad libbed. he was just brilliant, really an amazing man. >>> let's talk weather. we have patchy fog around the bay area this morning. looks like that's going to give way to some sunshine and mild temperatures. it looks like weak weather s

he went to juilliard as a serious actor.nd again, as i mentioned, his oscar nominations were for serious roles. so you have those serious roles. you have the serious roles that have kind of that comedic twist. and then you have those just straight out comic just brilliance that he's done, whether it's been movies or stand-up or any talk show appearance that he ever did. he just took the feet away from whoever was interviewing him. >> yeah, he could certainly cover anything, couldn't he? and williams, as we've been talking about, was battling severe depression and addiction. what all do we know about the time eading up just before his passion and of course the rehabilitation that he needed to work through? >> of course we talk about this so often in hollywood. it's very sad. but robin williams was very open about his struggles with addiction. he did have an addiction problem. he went to rehab in 2006 after he had 20 years of sobriety. and then there was this -- about a month ago he checked himself back into rehab. but again,

christopher reeve and williams were roommates at juilliard and lifelong friends.er the accident that left him paralyzed reeves said it was williams who first made him laugh again. reeves said williams helped him know he was going to be okay. ♪ with a little fanfare, williams went on six uso tours, including trips to afghanistan and iraq. >> i'm not going to forget that. i've never had an entire audience go, forget you. >> reporter: williams' acts of kindness were not about him, he was a man of enormous empathy. perhaps he could not find his own peace. but he surely knew how to make others happy. harry smith, nbc news. >>> that's our broadcast on a tuesday night. thank you for being here with us. i'm brian williams. we, of course, hope to see you right back here tomorrow evening. right back here tomorrow evening. good night. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com >>> nbc bay area news starts now. >>> he could have reached out to anyone, any one of us would have been there in a heartbeat for him. >> right now at 6:00, the legacy of robin williams. close friends share

he showed he could do more than make people laugh. >> reporter: the juilliard actor revealed his actingand that's serious side i can an oscar nomination for the fisher king. >> reporter: good morning vietnam's and dead poets society, he finally found his only oscar statuette in 1998 with good will hunting. >> reporter: william, it never stopped being funny even when the topic became serious. he helped launch an " wrote a telethon to help the homeless. >> reporter: comic relief earned more than $50 million. even when talking about his battle with the drug and alcohol he talked about it with humor. >> reporter: and 2009 williams was rush to the hospital for heart felt heart problems. he talked about his recovery on the allen show. >> really vulnerable. >> very emotional about everything. >> reporter: quickly springing back into life and 2011 he made his broadway acting debut. that same year he would marry his third wife and graphic designer susan schneider. in 2013 he would return to the small screen with a crazy one. he would reunite with his old friend pam gabor known as manti. >> repor

he studied theater at juilliard.he was a beloved performer who excelled as a comedian and actor on both stage and screen. he was found dead in his home in northern california on monday. the coroner's office says it suspects the death is due to asphyxiation but the cause is still under investigation. >> good morning, vietnam! this is not a test. this is rock 'n' roll. >> reporter: williams was a versatile actor who first starred as a wacky alien in the tv show "morning & mindy." he was flamboyant if "the bird cage," "mrs. doubtfire" and "good morning, vietnam." he could also play serious roles. the shock of his death could be seen on the hollywood walk of fame. mementos like a miniature as kerr were left for the award-winning actor. even the president weighed in on his death. part of president obama's statement reads he made us laugh, he made us cry, he gave us his immeasurable talent freely and generously to those who needed it most. one of williams most acclaimed roles was in 1989 "dead poet's society." the film was

. >>: the juilliard school schooled at their and displayed his trauma site.ed him out oscar nomination. for good morning vietnam and dead pulled the sightings. he finally won an oscar in 1998 for good will hunting. >>: never stopped being funny even when the top the became serious. comic relief earned him more than $50 billion even when he spoke on his battle with drugs and out all you did it with humor. >>>> reporter: he talked about s recovery on the thailand shell. >> reporter: the west and new lease on life he quickly sprang the back into action. he made a broadway actor debut. and he married his third wife. and2013 he returned to the small screen. >> reporter: from standup to sit down he delighted generations. >> mark:the oscar -winning actor also leaves behind four completed movies.which are all slated to hit theaters within the next 12 -months. >> mark:he was recently in the drama "boulevard". which debuted in march at the tribeca film festival. he stars in "merry friggin' >> mark:williams also plays teddy roosevelt in "night at the musuem three". whic

but the juilliard-trained actor was also in "dead poets society" and "good will hunting." the actor's wife released a statement saying, quote, as he is remembered, it is our hope the focus will not be on robin's death, but on the countless moments of joy and laughter he gave to millions. a gifted actor and comic genius whose sudden passing leaves those who knew him and those who watched him heartbroken. in 2009, robin williams underwent heart surgery but has made a full recovery. it appears he'd been working on several movies at the time of his death, including a possible remake of the '80s hit "mrs. doubtfire." robin williams is survived by his wife and three children. >> one of robin williams' most famous roles is based on a true story that had its originals right here in the bay area. patch adams was a doctor -- >> i'll be your surgeon. oh, there you are. >> reporter: the real patch adams grew up in arlington, attended george washington university. he now livesn liis. when that movie came out in 1998, adams called the film inaccurate in the way it portrays his wife. >>>

robin williams was a juilliard-trained actor.rent television shows and movies. we've compiled a handful of some of our favorites. sit back and enjoy. >> good morning, vietnam! >> the water is boiling. >> hello. >> ah! >> ah! [ screaming ] >> greetings, fonzi. remember me? mork from ork. ♪ and square >> i found my happy spot. took me three days to find it. look what happens when i did. i win. >> you do martha graham, mart wra graham or twila, twila or michael kid, michael kid. >> medicine, law, business, engineering. these are all necessary to sustain life, but poetry, beauty, romance, love. these are what we stay alive for. >> i'm going to miss you. >> me too, al. no matter what anybody says you will always be a prince to me. >> so tragic. so many people just in shock this morning, bill. >> seeing that makes you upset because you want to see more. you want to see what's coming next. he is so great with improv. what was next? now there's no more. >> i know. all right. he already sorely missed. i am kristen welker, and this is "ear

williams was born in chicago and studied theater at juilliard. took up standup acts to nightclubs. he was a performer who excelled on stage and screen. his publicist says the actor had been battling depression. he lives behind a wife and three grown children. now, the sheriff's coroner's division says it suspects the death was due to asphyxia but the cause of death is still under investigation as we said. the shock of williams' death canning seen on the hollywood walk of fame. fans gathered by his star to remember the comedic genius, mementos like a miniature oscar were left on the star. a former college professor and mentor of williams said he knew right away williams was a unique talent. >> he had us in stitches in five minutes. i went home about 2:00 in the morning and i woke up my wife at that time and i said you won't believe what i just saw. i said this young kid is going to be somebody someday, mark my words. >> you can read more about robin williams' life and legacy on nbc10.com. you'll find a gallery of pictures of him through the years

the juilliard-trained actorç served in dramatic roles like "good will hunting."lliams films grossed more than $5 billion worldwide. he supported the troops. he supported athletes. >> he was a big-hearted, kind, generous person. >> reporter: that's how he'll be remembered and memorialized. >> fine, fine, fine man. >> reporter: so much more than an actor, he was a person who brought joy and laughter to so many. and his wife released a statement earlier today saying, in part, it's our hope the focus will not be on robin's death but the countless moments of joy and laughter he gave to millions. i'm jennifer bjkokland in tiberon. there is a news conference set for 11:00 a.m. pacific time. the autopsy is scheduled for today which would include preliminary toxicology tests. whether we'll get results from those so soon is a big question. we do hope to learn a few more details at this news conference, that's 11:00 a.m. pacific time. >> thank you. >>> a 72-hour cease-fire is holding in the middle east this morning. in gaza, people are coming out to survey the new damage ov

the juilliard trained actor excelled in dramatic roles including "dead poet society" and "good will hunting." willi williams' films grossed more than $5 billion worldwide at the box office. the actor's wife, "as we remember the -- his sudden passing leaves those who knew him and those who watched him heartbroken. and in 2009, williams underwent heart surgery but had made a full recovery. he'd been working on several projects recently including, we understand, a possible sequel to the popular '90s hit "mrs. doubtfire." williams is survived by his wife and three children. in hollywood, stephanie stanton, back to you. >> and one of williams' most acclaimed roles was in 1989's "dead poet society." it was shot in st. andrews school in middletown. while robin william couldn't make the event. he signs the memorabilia for an auction. "dead poet society" was one of his first dramatic parts. read her about his life and legacy on our website, nbc10.com. find a fwgallery of pictures of him through the years and reaction from hollywood. >>> skyforce 10 over breaking news at the jersey shore. a power out

the bay area was where young robin williams got his start in comedy fresh out of juilliard, journalist and broadcaster ben fong-torres profiled williams in a 1980 article for parade magazine. he remembers williams' boundless energy and his dark outlook. >> he was already saying at age 29 that he was looking at himself 30 years from now in about 2010, being a derelict washed-up drunk. he had a sat vision of his future even then. >> rest in peace. >> people raised a glass to williams at bridges. some of the best known scenes from "mrs. doubtfire" were shot right there at that danville restaurant including this scene. people say they always think of him when they come there to get a bite to eat. >>> s as the bay area and th world remembers him, some people are remembering him as a friendly neighbor and regular guy. >> so distraught because i just immediately thought of his family. you know, i just think he was such a great guy and such a loss to the whole community. he was such an icon and inspiration. >> he tried to be not a celebrity. he tried to be just a human being. >> robin williams

he was born in chicago and studied at juilliard. he was a beloved performer who excelled as a comedian an actor on both stage and screen. the actor had recently been battling severe depression. he leaves behind a wife and three grown children. williams was found dead at his home in northern california monday from an apparent suicide. the sheriff's coroner's division says it expects the death was due to asphyxia. the cause of death is still under investigation. >>> good morning, vietnam! this is not a test. this is rock 'n' roll. >> williams is a versatile actor who first starred as a wacky alien in the tv showç "morning and mindy" before turning to films. he voiced the genie in "aladdin." he could play serious roles, such as got good will hunting "for which he won an oscar. mementos like a miniature oscar there were left on the star. even the president of the united states weighed in on his death. part of president obama's statement reads, he made us laugh, he made us cry. he gave us immeasurable talent freely and generously to tho

. >> reporter: the juilliard school were revealed his dramatic sign with the serious role.erious side helped him receive an academy award. along with dead poets society and good morning be a non. in 1988 he won with the goodwill hunting. williams, never stopped being funny even when the topic was serious. he hosted telethons to help the homeless. , at least earned more than $50 million and even when he talked of his battles with drug and alcohol he talked about it with humor. in 2009 when it was rushed to the hospital with heart problems. temporarily canceling his one-man show to undergo surgery. he talked about this on the ellen show. >> very vulnerable. very very emotional about it. it opens you up to everything. >> reporter: and 2011 he made a broadway debut in that same year he would marry his third wife graphic designer susan schneider. in 2013, he would return to the small screen starring in six, the crazy ones. >> reporter: williams would delight audiences for decades with his wacky energy. even now the comic legend is destined to endure. the wait is over for even fa

>> reporter: the bay area was where a young robin williams got his start in comedy fresh out of juilliard. journalist and broadcaster ben vonterez profiled williams for this 1980 article for parade magazine one season into mork and mindy. he remembers his energy as boundless. >> an unstoppable talent. you couldn't control the guy. he couldn't control himself. >> reporter: even with the star rising he says williams was struggling with a dark side. >> he was already saying at age 29 that he was looking at himself 30 years from now in about 2010 being a derelict washed up drunk in a bar trying to buy a drink for an older lady by trying to remind her that he was in mork and mindy. he had a sad vision of his future even then. >> it scares me. that's a genuine fear that the fire goes out. mork and mindy could end this year, next year. i don't know how long it can go. >> reporter: tonight we learned there was a mrs. doubtfire sequel in the works that robin williams had actually attached himself to. that movie was set to be released in 2015, but tonight we have to say the future of that movie cer

>> reporter: the bay area was where a young robin williams got his start in comedy fresh out of juilliard. journalist and broadcaster ben torres profiled williams in this 1980 article for parade magazine, one season into mork and mindy he remember his energy as boundless. >> unstoppable talent. you couldn't control the guy. he couldn't control himself. >> reporter: but fong-torres says even with his star rising, williams was struggling with a dark side. >> he was already saying at age 29 that he was looking at himself 30 years from now in about 2010, being a derelict washed up drunk in a bar trying to buy a drink for an older lady by trying to remind her that he was in mork and mindy. you know, he had a sad vision of his future even then. he scares me. that's a genuine fire that the fire goes out. mork and mindy could end this year, the next year, i don't know how long it can go. >> reporter: christin ayers, kpix 5. >> and this is robin williams' final instagram post. it was posted 12 days ago. it's a photo of himself with his daughter zeldas as a baby. >> he also we had to this for his d

. >> the juilliard-schooled actor unveiled his dramatic side for the first time in 1982's "the world according to garp." >> i was trained as an actor. so it's not like they have to medicate me. >> reporter: that serious side earned him oscar nominations for "the fisher king." >> good morning vietnam! >> reporter: "good morning vietnam" and "dead poets society." >> it's the golden dude. >> he finally won his only oscar statue in 1998 for "good will hunting." >> this one, yes. the other ones were just foreplay. it's extraordinary. >> reporter: but williams never stopped being funny, even when the topic seemed serious. he helped launch and co-hosted eight telethons over 20 years to help the homeless. >> men who sleep with chickens and the women who love them. >> reporter: comic relief earned more than $50 million. and even when he talked about his battles with drugs and alcohol, he talked about it with humor. >> you were drunk. >> well, that's nice of you to say that. >> reporter: he took three trips to rehab. most recently this summer. he talked about the process on "larry king live" i

>> reporter: "entertainment weekly" once called williams the funniest man alive, but many of the juilliard trained actor's roles were mixed with warmth and wit. "good morning, vietnam," "dead poets society," "mrs. doubtfire" and "good will hunting" for which he won his oscar. >> i thought about what you said to me the other day about my painting. >> reporter: an autopsy is scheduled for today, and the coroner will hold a news conference. tahman bradley, abc news, washington. >>> we've been hearing in recent years about williams' battle with addiction. >> that's right. eight years ago back in 2006, he sat down with our own diane sawyer and opened up to her about the darkness of his struggle with addiction, but, as always, he showed a glimmer of hope. >> people say how do you feel? with my fingers. how does it -- don't drink. what are you doing to stay that way? don't drink. >> it was just alcohol? >> just alcohol. that's enough really. >> yeah. >> that's all. >> so to talk about it as caused by something -- >> it's not caused by anything. it's just there. it's just, you know, latent. it wai

. >> he went on to prestigious juilliard where he met christopher reeve. the two remained lifelong friends. williams' big break came when he landed the lead as the whacky alien in mork and mindy. his manic style led to big box office success with giant hits like mrs. doubt fire and good morning, vietnam. he was the voice of the genie in disney's aladdin setting the precedent for voice star power to sell animated films and he proved he could be as serious as he was funny. >> you've never held your best friend's head in your lap and watch him gasp his last breath. >> he won an oscar in his dramatic performance in goodwill hunting. with his acting and standup comedy williams won three grammy awards and six golden globes, but his success did not keep him out of trouble. williams fought an addiction to cocaine in the late '70s and early '80s and went to rehab for alcohol addiction in 2006. he checked into a facility this year to stay sober. he married three times leaving behind three children, two boys and a girl. in march of 2009 williams was hospitalized with

he had just left juilliard. >> encouraging and so nice to everyone. >> reporter: this afternoon, those who knew williams and those who simply loved him on screen stopped by to leave notes, letters and flowers outside his home. sandy got to know him where he studied theater. it was fun watching him not as a performer but just trying to concentrate on his workout a lot of people coming up to him interrupt him but he was very focused. >> reporter: coming up at 6:00 we speak to robin williams' first stage teacher who can speak to his early talent. >> thank you, betty yu. >>> a memorial is growing outside the "mrs. doubtfire" house in san francisco. these are live pictures that show a large crowd gathering outside the classic victorian at steiner and broadway. the owner says people are welcome to keep leaving those flowers that you see right there and other tributes, as well. this memorial will not be disturbed. >>> a moving tribute in boston at a spot where williams touched many hearts. >> the bench from the scene in goodwill hunting has turned into a memorial itself honoring his role at t

it seemed to be working right off the bat. >> did the training a juilliard help? >> big-time.lowed me to do two jews walk into a bar. and yet my gentle friend -- don't go there. please. what are you doing and weapons of destruction? >> everything that has happened. the heart surgery. the idea of the valves. i said you are ready and inoculated for swine flu virus a bovine valve is great because you can craft standing up. >> play in the dirt. because you find yourself getting very emotional. >> one acquaintance told the los angeles he was always in character for me you never solve the real robin. dead at the age of 63. i, like so many people a huge fan. think of him as a comic genius of my generation. can't believe he is gone. ♪ >> live from bloomberg world headquarters in new york. this is "market makers." >> just when you thought it was safe to watch market makers, we bring you the guys responsible for those terrifying pictures of shark week that give me nightmares. >> timing your tweet. knowing what to post and when to post this the other. >> this is "market makers." i am eri

i was going to juilliard, and were theest people women on madison avenue who would say "get the helle." this is before botox. there was always this performance, getting out and doing it, that release forming. >> did you find instant response? >> yeah, with comedy, because i think you have to. there is very little stand up tragedy. it took a while. i started off -- because i was also trained in the theater, i could go off mic, which was my stop at a lot of people would need the microphone. i would be all over the place. that was my attack style, and it seemed to be working off the bed. >> did the training at juilliard help? >> of silly. it allowed me to do -- absolutely. jewslowed me to do two walk into a bar. shakespearean porn. >> what are you doing in weapons of self-destruction? >> talking about everything that has happened -- the heart surgery, the valves -- they gave me joyce's -- choices. valve is great because you can crap standing up. college kids tip you over at night. you find yourself getting very emotional after the surgery. >> he will undoubtedly be missed. robin william

i was going to juilliard and i would do street performing mine me.he ladies of madison avenue, i would imitate them, and they would say get away. [laughter] thing ofways this performing, to get him to do it. it was a release. >> did you find instant response? , you have to. there is very little standup tragedy. it took a while. i was also trained in the theater. i could go off mike which was my style. i would be all over the place. that was my style. it seemed to be working right off the bat. >> did the trading and help? >> big-time. do a lot. me to two jews walk into a bar -- it could happen. [laughter] nay, nay, say not so. do you talk about weapons of mass destruction? >> everything. surgery.about my heart valves is a porcine valve which is already immunized against swine flu virus can find truffles. you find yourself getting very emotional. williamsnius of raven -- robin williams. tonight, on charlie rose we have keith olbermann. in iraq, political instability has overtaken the gains made by the sunni military in the north. phil mattingly joins m

he studied at juilliard, he was a great actor.felt like he was a presence throughout my life. i guess there was a day where i didn't know where robin williams was and suddenly, boom. is there a generation discovering our robin williams even now as we talk about it? >> it's interesting with both careers he started with "mork & mindy" in 1978. a huge presence in the at 70s. the '80s. mrs. doubt fire, jumanji, and with disney with the voice of the genie in "aladdin." younger people felt very connected to him. >> you know, jane, i read in "variety" last night that "mrs. doubtfire" was the most played movie on cable. i watched with my kids. it does span the generation of 6 and 7 year olds who loves this movie. >> he said one of his favorite characters was oliver saks. he went to juilliard and got his start on the streets of san francisco doing improvization. no matter what it was, stand-up, it was the moment that he could go into the rift of improvisation that made it different. >> absolutely. "mork & mindy" it wasn't scripted which wa

two young men, part of 2,000 students who were auditioning for just 20 spots in the prestigious juilliard school of drama. and they both made it in. reeve and williams quickly became roommates and formed a friendship that would last decades, even after death. >> i just want to thank a very, very special person. chris reeve, i miss you. and i also say may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest, sweet prince. good night. >> reporter: legend has it the two of them made a pact as students -- that whoever "made it" first would always support the other one. in 1995, reeve injured his spine in a horse riding accident and was paralyzed from the neck down. when i interviewed him four months later, he said the greatest gift williams ever gave him was the gift of laughter. >> you had a very good friend named robin williams. >> yes, yes. >> and i understand that he came here to see you. >> i was hanging upside down semi-conscious. not eating, not drinking. and i turned to my side and -- there is robin williams dressed as a doctor wearing one of those funny blue scrub hats. for the first time since i

this young comic was the product of a brilliant education, john houseman was his prefer at juilliard,this junior year, john houseman told robin they didn't want him to come back the next year. and robin was crushed. he said, why? he said there's nothing more we can teach you. he was the product of an outside indication, enormous talent and a great sense of humor and he was magical permit. when you see him with these stars they had never seen robin williams and were in shock. he was one of a kind, never before, never since, and never have another one. >> you always talk about pima give people big breaks and you gave robin williams his. that it's risky for them, too. in other words, you can look like a fool if the guy doesn't pan out and because he was sound usual at the time, there war lot of folks that said, we're not quite sure about this guy. but you were. >> they weren't sure. they were sure when the saw robin, though. when he walked in the was magical personality. something that was brand flu an for evebody. garyác'qot@÷gey96s even that is not as rough in language and so forth. an

was that what you were -- you were trained to do that at juilliard. >> no, i mean -- doing television was more like acting. when i finally did movies it was like, that is what i was training to. >> became easy? -- it came easy? >> no, not easy. i was doing "the world according i improvise the line. and he made a face like this -- "not good?" "no." "say the lines and commit." "ok." and that was the first great lesson. "you have great power of listening. that is the second part of the equation. when you listen to someone it is quite fascinating." second grade lesson. third is always find out where catering is. the idea of really listening and what it means to be engaged. the other great gift is -- whenever there is an accident in terms of filming, the line may be flubbed -- that is a gift because it forces you to be in the moment. it is something that happened and everybody is responding. respond to what is going on immediately. don't be afraid to try those things. that forces everyone to engage with the media moment. >> he had a very good movie out. >> one of the great american actors,

when i finished with juilliard, i was taken in a competition to go to baltimore for some weeks to dooject with the baltimore symphony with visiting conductors leaving us, helping us. there were four of us. szell came to the audition and liked what he saw well enough to tell me he had a position open on the conducting staff in cleveland and he would love to audition me thoroughly and take me for it if it worked the way you thought it would. for me, this was exactly what i needed, as i say, always the right thing at the right moment. it was just what i didn't know anything about. i didn't know how to deal with a single symphony orchestra as an entity. the way i really did more know about operatic structure. i went there. i was with him from 1964 until he died in 1971. i think it was 1971, it may have even been 1970. i lose it now. i think, during that time, i observed him and asked to many questions. we spent many sessions together going over music that was related to music that he was doing, but not always the same music. he recommended me for some of the first professional work that

whether it's the shakespearean juilliard, robin williams or crazy stand-up comic he started as. >> always made you laugh. the "today" show had a touch be montage of him showing up for interviews, jumping on couches, but also behind the scenes introducing himself to every single person on the crew there. he just brought a light to the room every room he was in. it is really a tragic loss. >> like you, carl, i remember him from "mork & mindy" one of the first tv shows i ever loved. i really hope this causes all of us to think about depression issues and mental health issues not to measure the value of life by the ladder of success as we've seen again and again. philip seymour hoffman and now robin williams. drugs and alcohol, and addiction and so many other issues factor in, and it's just so tragic. suicide, so -- so tragic. apparent suicide. we still await the conclusion of that investigation. but what a light that's gone out. >> you got thoughts here, kevin? >> i just wonder as i see this play out with others, including robin williams, is, do you need a dark side to be the engine of comic

she had gone to juilliard together.hey made this pact, if one of you make it is before me, you've got to help me with that. jessica passed away a couple of weeks after the visit and so afterwards, robin williams planted a tree in her honor and he also sent you a gift, sir? >> he did. he sent me some wine. i had showed him my wine collection and so he did send me six bottles of wine from his winery. >> and how did you take the news of his passing? >> i was really upset. i can't tell you how much it meant to our family to have him bring his resources and take his time and come out and spend that time with jessica and very sad that that happened and obviously brought back a lot of tough memories that i have from 2004. >> mark cole, i appreciate you taking a couple of minutes with me to talk about your daughter and to talk about her special visitor ten years ago. thank you. >> all right. thank you. >>> next, we have selected nine of robin williams' best moments on stage and the screen. you'll have to stick around to see if