Williams Needs Heart Surgery, Remainder of Tour Cancelled, Broadway Dates Postponed

Robin Williams' publicist says the comedian needs heart surgery and must cancel the remainder of his one-man show, "Weapons of Self-Destruction."

Diane Rosen said in a news release Thursday that Williams needs 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 this week 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.