It’s no surprise that people continue to talk about Robin Williams and his incredible life. Many wonder how different things might have been if fate had smiled upon him. His story sparks curiosity and emotions even years later.
Billy Connolly, a comedian and one of Williams’ closest friends, shared the last words Robin ever spoke to him over ten years after the tragic loss of the Good Will Hunting star. Those words were as warm and heartfelt as you would expect. “It’s true that humor and Robin Williams go hand in hand,” Connolly said, highlighting the magic Williams brought to the world.
Throughout his colorful career, Robin Williams became one of the funniest men to ever appear on screen. Even ten years after his passing, people still laugh at the unforgettable comedy he created, which combined gut-busting humor with quirky, wonderful, flawed, and fabulous characters.
But behind the laughter, tragedy followed Williams. On August 11, 2014, at the age of 63, he was found dead in his home, and it seemed he had taken his own life. Despite his incredible success in acting, Williams struggled with personal demons that haunted him.
Williams fought against alcoholism throughout his life. In 2014, he spent three weeks at the Hazelden facility in Minnesota to commit to his recovery. Reports show that he battled alcoholism and cocaine addiction in the early 1980s but decided to quit after the overdose death of his friend, John Belushi, in 1982.
After Robin’s passing, his representative revealed he had been “battling severe depression.” His wife, Susan Schneider, later shared that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease just a few months before he died.
An autopsy revealed that Williams suffered from Lewy body dementia (LBD), a condition that caused significant changes in his personality, movement, mood, memory, and sleep patterns. This diagnosis added to the struggles he faced in his last years.
Williams’ death left a deep impact on many people, especially those closest to him. One person who felt this loss acutely was Sir Billy Connolly, who also has Parkinson’s disease. When asked what he would have done differently if he had known Williams was thinking of suicide, Connolly said, “You have to give a guy the position that he’s wise enough to make up his own mind.”
He added, “I don’t think so,” when asked if he would have tried to save Williams’ life.
At 81 years old, Connolly reflected on his friendship with Williams, revealing that they often talked on the phone about their experiences with Parkinson’s and expressed their love and support for one another. When Connolly appeared on the BBC program In My Own Words, he fondly remembered their last conversation.
“A week before he died, he called me to ask if I wanted to have dinner,” Connolly recalled. “I love you,” Williams said when he invited him over. Connolly thought back to that moment with warmth. Williams asked, “Do you believe me?” Connolly replied, “Obviously, I do.” Williams then declared, “You have my undying love.” Connolly cherished that moment, feeling it was truly special.
However, he couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of foreboding. “How strange, how strange for him to say that. It’s not like him normally,” he thought. Tragically, Connolly added, “He died during the weekend. I hope you find peace, Robin Williams.”
Even with the challenges that shadowed his life, Robin Williams will always be remembered for the joy he brought to the world. His laughter, warmth, and incredible talent continue to inspire and remind us of the importance of love and connection in our lives.
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