ROBIN WILLIAMS’ CHILDREN have paid tribute to their late father, saying he was one of the “kindest, most gentle, generous souls” they have ever known.

The 63-year-old actor and comedian was found dead on Monday after taking his own life. His publicist Mara Buxbaum said he had been receiving treatment for depression.

His daughter Zelda released a statement on the website Tumblr, saying her father’s death had left her “stripped bare”.

Zelda and Robin in 2009 AFF / EMPICS Entertainment AFF / EMPICS Entertainment / EMPICS Entertainment

“My last day with him was on his birthday, and I will be forever grateful that my brothers and I got to spend that time alone with him, sharing gifts and laughter,” she said.

He was always warm, even in his darkest moments. While I’ll never, ever understand how he could be loved so deeply and not find it in his heart to stay, there’s minor comfort in knowing our grief and loss, in some small way, is shared with millions.

The 25-year-old said that even though it doesn’t help the pain, she was grateful to her father’s fans for offering to “help lighten the load”.

To those he touched who are sending kind words, know that one of his favourite things in the world was to make you all laugh. As for those who are sending negativity, know that some small, giggling part of him is sending a flock of pigeons to your house to poop on your car. Right after you’ve had it washed. After all, he loved to laugh too.

“Dad was, is and always will be one of the kindest, most generous, gentle souls I’ve ever known,” she added.

“And while there are few things I know for certain right now, one of them is that not just my world, but the entire world, is forever a little darker, less colourful and less full of laughter in his absence.”

You can read Zelda’s full statement here.

Zak, Marsha Garces and Robin in 2002 EMPICS Entertainment EMPICS Entertainment

Williams’ sons, Zak and Cody, also released statements online. Zak, 31, said the world had “got a little greyer”:

I will carry his heart with me every day. I would ask those that loved him to remember him by being as gentle, kind and generous as he would be. Seek to bring joy to the world as he sought.

Cody, 23, said the world would never be the same without his father:

There are no words strong enough to describe the love and respect I have for my father. The world will never be the same without him. I will miss him and take him with me everywhere I go for the rest of my life, and will look forward, forever, to the moment when I get to see him again.

Meanwhile actor Ben Affleck, who starred with Williams in Good Will Hunting, posted this touching tribute on his Facebook page.

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• Console 1800 247 247 – (suicide prevention, self-harm, bereavement)

• Aware 1890 303 302 (depression, anxiety)

• Pieta House 01 601 0000 or email mary@pieta.ie - (suicide, self-harm, bereavement)

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Robin Williams had been receiving treatment for depression>