Tributes paid after death of Robin Williams at 63

Sheriff reports say the actor was found dead in his Californian home. Picture: PA

Zelda Williams, 25, who wrote the comment on Twitter, added: “It will be as if all the stars were laughing, when you look at the sky at night.”

• 11 of Robin Williams’ best quotes from his films

Dozens of celebrities, comedians and friends of the Oscar-winning actor took to social media to mourn the man that Scots star Billy Connolly described as “my hero”.

At the world-famous Laugh Factory comedy club in Los Angeles the sign was changed to read: “Robin Williams, rest in peace, make God laugh.”

Williams was found dead in his California home at the age of 63 at midday on Monday.

Marin County police last night said Williams had hanged himself. Williams had recently been seeking treatment for depression and was discovered by his personal assistant.

The star’s hyperactive genius entertained generations of people for 40 years, but at the same time he grappled with addiction and alcoholism.

Despite four films still in production and being happily married to his third wife, graphic designer Susan Schneider, his demons returned to haunt him.

His publicist Mara Buxbaum said in a statement that Williams had been “battling severe depression of late” and called his death a “sudden and tragic loss”.

Among those who spoke of their heartbreak were director Stephen Spielberg, fellow star Steve Martin and US president Barack Obama.

Also paying tribute was Connolly who hosted Williams many times during his visits to Scotland. Connolly said: “Robin was both my friend and my hero, a unique talent and a kind and generous man; the world will be a much poorer place without him.”

Comedian Eddie Izzard, who is currently at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, said: “From every comedian here at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, we salute him and we say goodbye.”

President Obama hailed Williams by saying: “He made us laugh, he made us cry.”

Williams’ versatility in both TV and film was astonishing, from his breakthrough role playing an alien in the 1970s series Mork and Mindy to his lightning sharp stand-up routines.

He won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in Good Will Hunting in 1998.

Williams’ last tweet and Instagram post was on 31 July, 11 days before he died, in which he wished Zelda a happy 25th birthday by posting a picture of the two together. He wrote: “Quarter of a century old today but always my baby girl.”