US actor and comedian Robin Williams, 63, has been found dead in his house in an apparent suicide.

Marin County Police in California said he was pronounced dead at his home shortly after officials responded to an emergency call around noon local time, yesterday.

Williams was famous for such films as Good Morning Vietnam and Dead Poets Society and won an Oscar for his role in Good Will Hunting and his publicist has stated that had been “battling severe depression”.

According a report by the Los Angeles Times reported in July Robin Williams had recently returned to a rehabilitation centre to “fine-tune” his sobriety.

“At this time, the Sheriff’s Office Coroner Division suspects the death to be a suicide due to as Robuphyxia, but a comprehensive investigation must be completed before a final determination is made,” police said in a statement.

Several showbiz stars and politicians including US President Barack Obama have sent out tributes to Robin Williams. A statement from President Barack Obama described the actor as “one of a kind”.

“Robin Williams was an airman, a doctor, a genie, a nanny, a president, a professor, a bangarang Peter Pan, and everything in between. But he was one of a kind,” he said.

“He arrived in our lives as an alien – but he ended up touching every element of the human spirit. He made us laugh. He made us cry.

“He gave his immeasurable talent freely and generously to those who needed it most – from our troops stationed abroad to the marginalised on our own streets.

“The Obama family offers our condolences to Robin’s family, his friends, and everyone who found their voice and their verse thanks to Robin Williams.”

May His Soul Rest in Peace