"ROBIN Williams was an airman, a doctor, a genie, a nanny, a president, a professor, a bangarang Peter Pan, and everything in between. But he was one of a kind," Obama said.
"He arrived in our lives as an alien - but he ended up touching every element of the human spirit," Obama added, referring to Williams' breakthrough television role as the extraterrestrial visitor Mork.
"He made us laugh. He made us cry. He gave his immeasurable talent freely and generously to those who needed it most - from our troops stationed abroad to the marginalised on our own streets.
"The Obama family offers our condolences to Robin's family, his friends, and everyone who found their voice and their verse thanks to Robin Williams," the statement concluded.
The 63-year-old actor and comedian was found dead at his northern California home in an apparent suicide on Monday morning. His agent said he had been battling severe depression lately.
Legendary director Steven Spielberg, a close friend of Williams, paid tribute to a comic genius.
"Robin was a lightning storm of comic genius and our laughter was the thunder that sustained him," Spielberg said in a statement cited by Variety.
"He was a pal and I can't believe he's gone," added Spielberg, who famously phoned Williams to cheer himself up during filming of his harrowing 1994 Holocaust drama Schindler's List.
Spielberg's tribute was echoed throughout the entertainment industry.
"I can't believe the news about Robin Williams. He gave so much to so many people. I'm heartbroken," comic and talkshow host Ellen DeGeneres said on Twitter.
Fellow comedian Steve Martin added: "I could not be more stunned by the loss of Robin Williams, mensch, great talent, acting partner, genuine soul."
Oscar-winning actor Jared Leto paid tribute to a "brave, original artist".
"You taught us how to stand on the edge, fearless, + shine," Leto said on Twitter.
Williams' co-star on the hit sitcom Mork & Mindy, Pam Dawber, expressed her grief.
"I am completely and totally devastated," Dawber said in a statement. "What more can be said?"
In London, Graham Norton, who had interviewed Williams on his BBC chat show, said: "Such sad news. My heart goes out to his family. The great Robin Williams."
Jonathan Ross, who had also interviewed the actor, said: "Robin Williams is gone. I loved him. Incredibly talented performer. Wonderfully sweet and generous person. Heartbreaking news. So sad.
"What a devastating loss."
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