Michael J. Fox was shocked to learn that the late Robin Williams was in the early stages of Parkinson’s disease.
The 53-year-old actor, who has famously talked about his own battles with the disease, tweeted his reaction on Thursday and called Williams a “true friend.”
Not long before, Williams’ widow Susan Schneider issued a statement detailing the news. “Robin’s sobriety was intact and he was brave as he struggled with his own battles of depression, anxiety as well as early stages of Parkinson’s Disease, which he was not yet ready to share publicly,” she revealed.
Page Six reported that Williams did not shared his condition with anyone but family.
“It’s heartbreaking to know [now] that he was diagnosed,” said Williams’ close friend of 30 years Tony Tom. “Kind of makes a little more sense. That was one thing he feared—he didn’t relish getting old.”
Williams took his own life by hanging on Monday. His assistant, Rebecca Erwin Spencer, is identified as the person who discovered Williams’ lifeless body.
Since Williams’ death, sheriff officials of the San Francisco Bay Area received criticism over their decision to release details of Williams’ suicide.
The iconic comedian was 63.