Ricky Martin, Ellen DeGeneres and Jason
Collins were among the out celebrities mourning the loss of comic
great Robin Williams.
The Oscar-winning actor's body was
found just before noon at his home in California. According to a
spokeswoman, Williams had been “battling severe depression of
late.”
Among his many memorable roles,
Williams, 63, played a gay man opposite Nathan Lane in the 1996 film The
Birdcage. In the 2014 film The Boulevard, which premiered
at the Tribeca Film Festival but has yet to find a mainstream
distributor, Williams played Nolan Mack, a gay man coming to terms
with his sexuality.
Ellen DeGeneres said in a tweet to
followers that she was “heartbroken.”
“I can't believe the news about Robin
Williams,” she messaged. “He gave so much to so many people.
I'm heartbroken.”
“I am stunned and just reeling from
the news of Robin Williams' death,” wrote Neil Patrick Harris. “He
brought so much joy and heart to millions... Just, wow.”
“Shocked and saddened,” Ricky
Martin said.
“RIP, great soul,” added George
Takei. “We hope your spirit has found peace.”
Jason Collins sent prayers to “his
family and loved ones.”
“So sad to hear the passing of
@RobinWilliams. One of the best ever,” he tweeted.