The death of Robin Williams by suicide has left a nation of fans in stunned disbelief, but it's left one news personality wondering what kind of man the comic really was.

Fox News Channel's Shepard Smith has come under fire after suggesting the Oscar winner was a coward for taking his own life. You can watch the clip below or fast forward to the 1:35 mark for the controversial remark.

The reaction was swift and harsh:

Smith quickly backpedaled and apologized for his comment, saying in part:

I would never presume to know anything about his private life. And if any of his family members and friends were to have seen me use the word “coward,” I would be horrified. I would just to apologize to the end of the earth to anyone who might think that I meant to openly call him a coward.

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