4 Latest Developments In Robin Williams Death: Michael J. Fox Reacts To Parkinson’s Revelation, Gaming Community Moves For Multiple Tributes To Late Actor
Aug. 15 2014, Published 10:27 a.m. ET
Hollywood and the rest of the world remain reeling less than four days after Robin Williams’ hanged himself at his Tiburon, Calif. home, and RadarOnline.com has all the latest developments in the unfortunate string of events.
Parkinson's Fallout
After Williams' widow Susan Schneider shared that the actor was in the beginning stages of Parkinson's Disease Thursday, the actor’s friend and colleague Michael J. Fox, one of the neurodegenerative condition’s most famous advocate, shared his thoughts.
Fox, on Twitter, he was “stunned to learn Robin had” Parkinson's disease, noting that he was “pretty sure” Williams’ charitable support for his foundation “predated his diagnosis."
“A true friend; I wish him peace,” wrote Fox, who stayed mum on his 1991 diagnosis with Parkinson's until 1999, eventually leaving his successful show Spin City to receive more extensive treatment. Fox in 2013 told Howard Stern his “first reaction to it was to start drinking heavily,” but eventually, and successfully, sought help.
Gamers Pay Homage
Williams' passion for video games was well noted, and those in the niche community are paying homage to the late actor following his passing. A character in the World of Warcraft series, which Williams enjoyed, will be modeled after the star, designer Ion Hazzikostas said at a Los Angeles roll-out event for the latest installment in the franchise, World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor.
Hazzikostas said the Williams’ tribute character “will most likely be a character inspired by him or some of his favorite roles of the past.
“We knew he was an avid player, which was awesome . . . we’re just thinking about the appropriate and right way to do it.”
In addition to the nascent WoW character, more than 36,000 people have endorsed a Change.org petition hoping for a similar homage in the next edition of The Legend of Zelda (a game already associated with the late actor, who famously named his daughter after its’ titular character).
Tributes Continue Pouring In:
The Expendables 3’s Kellan Lutz, a friend of the late actor’s daughter Zelda, was choked up on the red carpet of the film’s New York City premiere on Thursday.
"I love my dad, but kind of grew up with my mom and always wanted a father figure there, and I'm a huge fan of his movies and always just wished he was my dad,” the Twilight star, 29, said. "I want to be that dad to my kids. I want to be the Patch Adams, the Jumanji, the Mrs. Doubtfire, Good Will Hunting."
Elsewhere, many music stars, such as Justin Timberlake, Rihanna and Nikki Sixx were vocal about the passing of the multitalented comic.
Timberlake hailed Williams as “a genius,” and remembered how the star “was always so kind to me,” while Rihanna called the news “heartbreaking” and proclaimed, “May his soul now be at peace!”
Sixx — outspoken against Gene Simmons’ recent insensitive suicide remarks, tweeted that “life is so very fragile.
“You gave us all such joy. Having struggled with depression and addiction myself Robin Williams death cuts even deeper for me.”
Award Memorials:
Emmy Awards organizers continue to work on a memorial for the actor, with less than two weeks to go until the show’s 66th annual ceremony. Executive Producer Don Mischer Thursday said plans are under way for a "meaningful" segment for Williams, who cut his teeth on the boob tube with an appearance on Happy Days, that led to his star-making tun in Mork & Mindy.
Golden Globe officials reworked a previously-planned dinner Thursday to insert a Williams’ memorial segment, as the entertainer racked up five Golden Globes in his illustrious career. Hollywood Foreign Press Association President Theo Kingma, saying the actor “certainly deserves the moment,” noted how the star “did so much when it comes to charities.”
The 2014 Emmys airs Aug. 25 on NBC at 8 ET/5 PT.
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If anyone you know, is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please immediately seek help. You can speak with a skilled, trained counselor at a national Suicide Prevention Lifeline crisis center in your area, anytime 24/7 — call 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
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