The White House, Ben Stiller, Conan O'Brien and More Mourn Robin Williams (VIDEO)

By Nick Roman ·

Following the tragic death of Robin Williams, suspected to be a suicide by "asphyxiation," Hollywood displayed an outpouring of grief for the late, beloved comedian, actor, and Oscar winner.

In a statement released via Twitter pic, The White House commented on the actor's death, calling him a "one of a kind" performer who "ended up touching every element of the human spirit":

Ben Stiller also released a statement on the death of Williams, sharing his personal reflections on his friendship with the late star:

I met Robin when I was 13 at The Improv. I was there with my parents who were performing and it was crowded and I heard this voice behind me saying “Stay close to your mother you’ll be safe! Stay close to your mother you’ll be safe!” I turned around and it was Robin. For a 13 year old who was a huge “Mork and Mindy” fan it was sort of like the end of the world. I never forgot it. So working with him years later I always had this little voice insides of me going “you are acting with Robin Williams! This is the coolest thing ever!” I never got over being a fan. I think most people my age have the same feeling — that he and Steve Martin and Bill Murray sort of represented what it meant to be funny. His kindness and generosity is what I think of. How kind he was to anyone who wanted to connect with him. And he could not help but be funny all the time. He would do something as long as it would keep you laughing. He made many, many film crews laugh out loud before the audiences ever saw it. He made such a big impact on the world. So there is the man, and his talent, and I think in his case both were extraordinary.

Edward Norton, who co-starred with Williams in the dark comedy Death to Smoochy, added his thoughts:

I grew up watching Robin and was always in awe of the range of his talents. To find that he was as great spirited and generous a person as I’ve ever worked with only made me admire him more. The film we made together was one of the most pure fun experiences I’ve ever had.

Danny DeVito, who directed Williams in Death to Smoochy, struggled with the death of his friend:

So sad to think about this. Hard to speak. Hard to say. Hard to take. All I can think about is what a joy he was to be with. I’m devastated. I’m sending my love to his family and everyone who loved him. My heart is broken by this news.

Conan O'Brien paid tribute as well on his show last night, as the news of Williams's death broke during the show's taping cycle. He took the remainder of the show to reminisce about Williams with co-host Andy Richter and guest Will Arnett:

http://teamcoco.com/embed/v/84435#playlist=x;eyJ0eXBlIjoicmVsYXRlZCIsImlkIjo4NDQzNX0

Meanwhile, The Today Show provided an emotional tribute in the form of a video package of Williams's best moments on the show. It's a video that made this death all the more heartbreakingly real for me, although seeing him at his comedic best was a bittersweet delight:

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/32545640

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Yet it was The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which honored Williams with an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for 1997's Good Will Hunting, that delivered the most succinct, poignant tribute with their tweet:

As a kid who grew up on reruns of Mork and Mindy on Nick at Nite, to say nothing of countless incredible films from Aladdin, Mrs. Doubtfire, Good Will Hunting, and Dead Poets Society, Robin's death guts me. My thoughts and prayers are with Robin Williams's family and friends, and all I can hope for right now is that he is at peace.

H/T: Entertainment Weekly

Credit: AP/Roberto Pfeil

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