Robin Williams Film Relied On Marboro, N.J. Psychiatric Hospital For Support

Robin Williams, the Academy-Award-winning actor and comedian who died in an apparent suicide Monday, was best known for his manic comedy that appeared to have no ending.

But some of his most endearing roles were serious. And the movies were known for their depth and authenticity to the point that one of the film’s directors sought the Marlboro Psychiatric Facility for assistance.

Before Williams won the Best Supporting Oscar for “Good Will Hunting” in the late 1990s, his film “Awakenings” used artwork created by Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital patients as props in some scenes.

Gwen Schneider, then an art therapist at the Arthur Brisbane Child Treatment Center in Wall, said in a 1991 Asbury Park Press story she was contacted by the “Awakenings” prop director for assistance. George Detittis sought consultation on appropriate hospital furniture and was given a tour of Marlboro Psychiatric Hospital, according to the APP.

Detittis decided to use patient art for his film hospital, and Columbia Pictures donated $500 to Marlboro Psychiatric’s art and occupational therapy programs, according to the APP.

The Marlboro facility is now closed.

Williams was found dead in his Marin County home Monday morning, according to the county coroner’s bureau.

Williams, 63, a noted film and television actor, appears to have killed himself via asphyxiation, coroner’s officials said. He was found unconscious and not breathing shortly before noon at his home in unincorporated Tiburon. He was pronounced dead shortly after noon.