Robin Williams Recovering After Heart Surgery

The New York Times is reporting that actor and comedian Robin Williams is recovering from heart surgery he underwent Friday, after a health scare that forced the postponement of his "Weapons of Self-Destruction" tour.

In a news release, Mr. Williams's publicists said that he had undergone a three-and-a-half hour procedure on Friday at the Cleveland Clinic to replace his aortic valve, repair his mitral valve and correct his irregular heartbeat. In another statement, Dr. A. Marc Gillinov, a staff cardiothoracic surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic, said that Mr. Williams would have normal heart function in a few weeks. Mr. Williams is expected to resume his "Weapons of Self-Destruction" tour, which included dates on Broadway, in the fall.

Diane Rosen said in a news release earlier this month that Williams needed an aortic valve replacement. The 57-year-old Williams says he is "touched by everyone's support and well wishes."

The comedian and actor had canceled four shows in Florida after experiencing shortness of breath.

Williams, 57, had been touring "Weapons of Self Destruction" since September 2008 and was scheduled to bring it to Broadway with a stop at the Neil Simon Theater - on April 23rd through the 29th and May 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, 2009. His Broadway engagement has been officially postponed until the fall with exact dates to be announced at a later date.

The 80-city tour is expected to resume in the fall.

Williams last toured in 2002 when he returned to the stand-up scene after a sixteen year hiatus. The sold-out tour earned the distinction of being one of the highest-grossing comedy tours in history, and culminated in a final performance filmed by HBO and broadcast lives from New York City. The resulting July 2002 HBO broadcast, Robin Williams: Live on Broadway, was nominated for five Emmy® awards.

With four Golden Globe® awards, four Grammy® awards, and an Oscar® to his credit, Williams has become one of the most successful and beloved figures in entertainment history. In addition to his upcoming tour, Williams will soon be seen starring in the Disney comedy Old Dogs opposite John Travolta, and will reprise his role as ‘Teddy Roosevelt' in the sequel Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, co-starring Ben Stiller.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.