Robin Williams "Had No Financial Problems"

"The better thing to do is to try to understand severe depression," publicist Mara Buxbaum says

By Zach Johnson Aug 14, 2014 2:45 PMTags
Robin Williams Art Streiber/CBS via Getty Images

So much for letting Robin Williams rest in peace.

Mara Buxbaum, Williams' longtime publicist and the president of ID-PR, previously revealed the actor had "been battling severe depression" prior to his death. She also asked the public to respect his family's privacy. But because there was no suicide note—and because Williams had publicly disclosed his alleged money troubles—some media questioned whether finances played a part in his decision to kill himself.

Indelicate as the press' speculation was, Buxbaum was forced to address the reports Wednesday. "Robin had no financial problems," she told The Wrap. "We should be blessed to have Robin's financial status."

Buxbaum continued to defend Williams' legacy and suggested the media back off the story, saying, "I understand the desire to understand the 'Why.' It's not going to happen. The better thing to do is to try to understand severe depression. That isn't going to be answered, and you can speculate all you want."

Furthermore, Williams had been open about his depression and sobriety struggles.

Where did the interest in Williams' finances come from, anyway? Last year, the 63-year-old actor told Parade that part of the reason he was returning to TV in CBS' The Crazy Ones was to have a steady job and pay the bills: "The idea of having a steady job is appealing. I have two [other] choices: go on the road doing stand-up, or do small, independent movies working almost for scale [minimum union pay]."

"The movies are good, but a lot of times they don't even have distribution. There are bills to pay. My life has downsized, in a good way," he said. "I'm selling the ranch up in Napa. I just can't afford it anymore."

Williams earned an estimated $165,000 per episode; The Crazy Ones was canceled in May.

Regarding Williams' Parade interview, Buxbaum clarified her client's comments. "Robin often said things in jest, and sometimes it just doesn't translate in print. There were plenty of times over the years that Robin was offered to do TV. Robin wanted to do The Crazy Ones because of [series creator] David Kelley and the material," she explained. "That's why he took the show—not because he needed the money."

Richard Cartwright/CBS

Williams enjoyed his time on The Crazy Ones and became quite close to Sarah Michelle Gellar, who played his daughter. "My life is a better place because I knew Robin Williams," Gellar told E! News. "To my children he was Uncle Robin, to everyone he worked with, he was the best boss anyone had ever known, and to me he was not just an inspiration but he was the father I had always dreamed of having."

"There are not enough adjectives to describe the light he was, to anyone that ever had the pleasure to meet him. I will miss him everyday, but I know the memory of him will live on. And to his family, I thank them for letting us know him and seeing the joy they brought him," she added. "Us crazy ones love you."

Meanwhile, the actor's family is still in mourning. He is survived by his wife, Susan Schneider, plus his three children from previous marriages: Zak Williams, 31, Zelda Williams, 25, and Cody Williams, 22.

"My heart is split wide open and scattered over the planet with all of you. Please remember the gentle, loving, generous—and yes, brilliant and funny—man that was Robin Williams," the Good Will Hunting star's second wife, Marsha Garces, said in a statement. "My arms are wrapped around our children as we attempt to grapple with celebrating the man we love, while dealing with this immeasurable loss."

If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).