🎙️ Voice is AI-generated. Inconsistencies may occur.
Robin Williams' son Zak posted a tribute to his late father on what would have been his 71st birthday.
The actor, 39, took to Instagram on Thursday, July 21, to share a photo of the Academy Award winner with his bike.
"Happy 71st Birthday Dad! I'll be remembering you today as you would want to be remembered, in spandex," he teased in the caption. "Miss you and love you always!"
The comedian died by suicide in 2014 at the age of 63. Just three months prior, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. It wasn't until the results of the Good Will Hunting star's autopsy were released, though, that it was discovered he actually had dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Following his death, Zak fell into a deep depression and self-medicated with alcohol.
"I was deeply unhappy and feeling extremely isolated and broken," he told People in October 2020, adding that he was "traumatized."
However, he soon realized his drinking was getting out of control and got help—attending recovery meetings and using exercise and meditation to heal.
"Ultimately, I found that if I continued living that way, it wasn't a life that was worth living," he told the outlet. "Something had to give."
Today, Zak is the co-founder and CEO of PYM (Prepare Your Mind), a mental health support brand. Their product, Mood Chews, is a dietary supplement for the treatment of stress and anxiety.
According to the company's website, Zak's wife, Olivia June, helped him discover the benefits of amino acid therapy. The couple "spent the next two years working with food scientists to discover a formula that tasted delicious and worked fast to support feelings of stress and overwhelm."
Zak further elaborated on the product in an interview with Forbes. "I discovered that there are a wealth of complexes that help calibrate our hormones and our brain to provide balance and support wellbeing," he explained. "While creating PYM, we experimented with compounds, flavors, bioavailability and delivery methods to create a safe, natural, supportive and delicious anxiety and stress relief product."
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders are the most common mental health illness in the United States and affect 40 million adults ages 18 and older each year. Only 36.9 percent of those suffering receive treatment.
In October 2020, Zak married Olivia in a COVID-safe ceremony. The couple welcomed their son McLaurin, a.k.a. "Mickey," in 2019, and daughter Zola in June 2021.
Following her birth, the proud dad gushed about their newest arrival via Instagram.
"Introducing our newest member of the family, Zola June Williams!" he captioned a slew of family photos. "Since joining us, she's getting on amazingly with her big brother @mickeycwilliams and has proven to be one laid back little girl. @heyoliviajune is doing awesome and we are over-the-moon to be welcoming Zola into the world!"
If you have thoughts of suicide, confidential help is available for free at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call 1-800-273-8255. The line is available 24 hours every day.
About the writer
Megan Cartwright is Newsweek's Deputy Entertainment Editor, based in London, U.K. Her focus is on U.S. pop culture and entertainment ... Read more