Obama on Robin Williams: He was one of a kind

MANILA, Philippines — In a rare expression of regret over the death of a Hollywood personality, American President Barack Obama offered condolences to the family and friends of comedian Robin Williams on Tuesday.

"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," Obama said in a statement.

Obama hailed the late actor for giving "his immeasurable talent freely and generously to those who needed it most - from our troops stationed abroad to the marginalized on our own streets."

He also referred to Williams' memorable roles that touched "every element of the human spirit."

"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," Obama said.

"He made us laugh, he made us cry," he added.

Williams passed away Monday morning (Manila time) at the age of 63 in apparent suicide after suffering a long battle with depression. His entertainment career spanned decades first a stand-up comedian, climbing to become a Hollywood stalwart.

He played an alien in Mork & Mindy in 1978 and as a man masquerading a woman just to be with his family in Mrs. Doubtfire. Williams also led the cast of Dead Poets Society in 1989 as an inspiring poetry professor and voiced Genie in Disney's hit animation Aladdin in 1992.