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Robin Williams signed up for TV comeback to help pay bills

Written by . Published: September 13 2013

Robin Williams was tempted back to TV to star in upcoming sitcom The Crazy Ones by the idea of having a "steady job" to help him pay his bills.


The Mrs. Doubtfire star will portray eccentric advertising boss Simon Roberts on the new show, marking his first small screen role since shooting to fame on 1970s classic, Mork & Mindy, and he admits the job came at the right time as he was already looking for a new source of income when he was offered the part.


Williams, 62, also reveals he no longer lives a lavish lifestyle after having to pay out big settlements for his two previous divorces, first in 1988 to Valerie Verlandi and then in 2008 following his split from Marcia Garces, although he's happier living a simpler life.


He tells Parade magazine, "The idea of having a steady job is appealing. I have two (other) choices: go on the road doing stand-up, or do small, independent movies working almost for scale (minimum union pay). The movies are good, but a lot of times they don't even have distribution...


"There are bills to pay. My life has downsized, in a good way. I'm selling the ranch up in Napa (California)... I just can't afford it anymore... Divorce is expensive. I used to joke they were going to call it 'all the money,' but they changed it to 'alimony.' It's ripping your heart out through your wallet... Are things good with my exes? Yes. But do I need that lifestyle? No."


He has since settled down with graphic designer Susan Schneider, who he wed in 2011.

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