The death of comedian Robin Williams drew tributes from the secretaries of State and Defense, with the latter praising the late actor for consistently supporting our troops.
Williams was found dead Monday at age 63 from an apparent suicide. His publicist said the Good Morning Vietnam star had been battling depression.
“The entire of Department of Defense community mourns the loss of Robin Williams. Robin was a gifted actor and comedian, but he was also a true friend and supporter of our troops,” Hagel said in a statement Monday night. “From entertaining thousands of service men and women in war zones, to his philanthropy that helped veterans struggling with hidden wounds of war, he was a loyal and compassionate advocate for all who serve this nation in uniform.”
“He will be dearly missed by the men and women of DoD – so many of whom were personally touched by his humor and generosity.”
John Kerry issued his own statement this morning, stressing “there wasn’t anybody Robin Williams couldn’t touch.”
“His humor was just that expansive. He was an absolute genius, with an extraordinary zest for his profession. It’s safe to say that there was more going on in him in one minute than most people in a week,” Kerry said. “He loved people and he committed himself to any issue that concerned him. Robin wasn’t just a huge creative genius, but a caring, involved citizen. I’ll always be grateful for his personal friendship and his support for the causes that we both cared about deeply.”
“We will all miss Robin’s uncanny impressions, zany observations, and cutting-edge quips that found the truth as well as the humor. Teresa and I join the millions he inspired around the world in offering our deepest condolences to his family at this immensely difficult moment.”
Robin Williams circled the globe entertaining our troops & families. Part of @the_USO family, he’ll be sorely missed. pic.twitter.com/sIkeosPTv2
— USO (@the_USO) August 12, 2014
I once asked Robin Williams to offer advice for my son, who would soon turn 18. “Follow your heart,” he said. “The head is sometimes wrong.”
— Rear Adm. John Kirby (@PentagonPresSec) August 12, 2014
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