Robin Williams: 10 quotes about his legacy

Celebrity colleagues and admirers of Robin Williams have been sharing their reactionsto the comedian'sdeath at age 63 in an apparent suicide. Here are 10 of the most eloquent and emotionaltributes:

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TV host and comedian Conan O'Brien, telling his studio audience:

• "This is unusual and upsetting, but we got some news during the show that Robin Williams has passed away.... I'm sorry to anyone in our studio audience that I'm breaking this news. This is absolutely shocking and horrifying and so upsetting on every level."

Comedian Marc Maron, on his WTF podcast:

• "He was sensitive, he was perceptive, he was empathetic, his mental agility was astounding, he was full of love, and he, by nature of putting all those out into the world, required that of us. And we felt it. The spirit of pure comedy ran through this guy."

Nathan Lane, The Birdcage co-star

• "What I will always remember about Robin, perhaps even more than his comic genius, extraordinary talent and astounding intellect, washis huge heart his tremendous kindness, generosityand compassionas an acting partner, colleague and fellow traveller in a difficultworld."

Actor-comedian Chevy Chase:

• "Robin and I were great friends, suffering from the samelittle-known disease: depression. I never could have expected this ending to his life and to ours with him. God bless him and God blessus all for his LIFE! I cannot believe this. I am overwhelmed withgrief. What a wonderful man/boy and what a tremendous talent in themost important art of any time comedy! I loved him."

Chris Columbus, Mrs. Doubtfire and Bicentennial Man director:

• "His performances wereunlike anything any of us had ever seen, they came from somespiritual and otherworldly place. He truly was one of the few peoplewho deserved the title of 'genius.'"

'He made such a big impact on the world'

Ben Stiller, Night at the Museum co-star

• "He made many, many film crews laugh out loudbefore the audiences ever saw it. He made such a big impact on theworld."

ActorMel Gibson:

• "Hewas very compassionate. But he was also like a benchmark. And whathe did he did what he did the best. And he set a very highbenchmark for people to follow. Not only did he excel in that field,but he crossed over into all sorts of other fields as well."

Harvey Fierstein, Mrs. Doubtfire co-star:

• "Robin was friend, boss, brother, inspiration. His generosityand intelligence knew no limits. Only his home planet could destroyhim."

John Cusack,The Butler co-star

• "A big, tenacious, overflowing,hyperkinetic eruption ofcompassion would be [the]best tribute to Williams."

U.S. President Barack Obama:

• "Robin Williams was an airman, a doctor, a genie, a nanny, apresident, a professor, a bangarang Peter Pan, and everything inbetween. But he was one of a kind. He arrived in our lives as analien but he ended up touching every element of the humanspirit."