The fact that people continue to talk about Robin Williams and his incredible legacy, wondering how things might have changed if fate had been kinder, isn’t surprising at all.
His last words were shared by Billy Connolly, a close friend and comedian, more than ten years after the tragic death of the beloved actor. And they’re just as warm and touching as you’d expect. Robin Williams had a unique ability to mix humor with heartfelt moments.
Throughout his vibrant career, Williams became one of the funniest people ever to appear on screen. Even a decade after his passing, audiences still burst into laughter at his iconic performances, which featured a mix of hilarity, bizarre charm, and wonderfully flawed characters.
But Williams’ life was also marked by deep sorrow. On August 11, 2014, he was found dead at home, a heartbreaking incident that appeared to be a suicide. He was just 63 years old. Despite enjoying a successful acting career, Williams struggled with alcoholism, battling demons that haunted him even in his brightest moments.
In 2014, he checked into the Hazelden facility in Minnesota for three weeks to strengthen his recovery efforts. Williams had faced addiction before, fighting alcoholism and cocaine use in the early 1980s. The tragic death of his friend John Belushi from an overdose in 1982 prompted him to quit using drugs, but the battle continued.
After his death, his representative revealed that Williams had been “battling severe depression.” His wife, Susan Schneider, shared more about his struggles, including a devastating diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease just months before his passing. An autopsy later revealed that he had Lewy body dementia, a condition that profoundly affected his personality, movement, mood, memory, and sleep.
The news of Williams’ death hit hard, leaving many, especially his close friends and family, reeling. One of those deeply affected was Sir Billy Connolly, who himself had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. When asked what he would have done differently if he had known Williams was considering suicide, Connolly replied, “You have to give a guy the position that he’s wise enough to make up his own mind.”
He reflected on whether he would have tried to save his friend, stating, “I don’t think so.” Connolly recounted how he and Williams had many heartfelt phone conversations about their experiences with Parkinson’s, always expressing their love for one another. During an appearance on the BBC program In My Own Words, Connolly reminisced about their last conversation.
“A week before he died, he called me to ask if I wanted to have dinner,” Connolly remembered. “I love you,” Williams had said when inviting him over. “Do you believe me?” Connolly replied. “Obviously, I do,” he reassured him. Williams then declared, “You have my undying love.” Connolly found that moment special, saying, “That was great, in my opinion.”
But reflecting on that conversation, Connolly thought, “How strange, how strange for him to say that. It’s not like him normally.” Connolly shared the heart-wrenching news: “He died during the weekend. I hope you find peace, Robin Williams.”
Despite the darkness that surrounded his life, Robin Williams will always be remembered for the light he brought to others. His laughter and kindness continue to resonate, reminding us of the complexity of life and the importance of reaching out to those we love.
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