Content Warning: This article discusses suicide, which may be distressing for some readers.
The world became a sadder place with the tragic passing of beloved actor and comedian Robin Williams, an event that deeply affected his close friend and fellow comedian Billy Connolly. Recently, Connolly shared his reflections on their final conversation, offering a glimpse into their cherished friendship.
Williams and Connolly first crossed paths during a Canadian talk show appearance and forged a close friendship that lasted for years. Tragically, their bond was cut short when Williams took his own life in 2014 at the age of 63.
Connolly recently reflected on that tragic day and the last conversation the two comedy legends and close friends shared as part of the BBC series In My Own Words.
“He phoned me and said ‘let’s have dinner’, and during the dinner he said, ‘I love you’, I said thanks very much. He said, ‘do you believe me’, I said ‘of course I do’. He said, ‘believe me, I love you’, I said ‘that’s great’,” Connolly shared.
It wasn’t until he received the news of Williams’ passing that Connolly realised his friend might have been bidding his final farewell.
“I thought ‘how weird, how weird for him to say that, it’s not like his usual’. He was dead on the weekend,” he said.
“I always felt that was him saying goodbye. He was the best ever.
“When he took his life it was the saddest day.”
Connolly has previously mentioned how their shared health challenges deepened the bond between the two comedians. While Williams was grappling with Lewy body dementia, Connolly received a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in 2013, creating a unique understanding between them.
Since his diagnosis, Connolly has been open about his challenges living with the disease, which affects his ability to control movement.
Elsewhere in the BBC documentary, the beloved comedian reflected on his journey and how he has learnt to embrace his condition. He shared that he found peace with his diagnosis and the inevitable realities that come with it.
“With something as big as that you just confront it and stick to the front of it. Be with it and make decisions based on it,” he said in the documentary, as per The Scottish Sun.
“And don’t think you have been badly treated and think you have got the bad pick of the straws. It’s not like that, you’re one of millions, just behave yourself, relax.”
If you or anyone you know needs help: Lifeline — 13 11 14; MensLine Australia — 1300 789 978; BeyondBlue — 1300 224 636; Suicide Call Back Service — 1300 659 467; Headspace — 1800 650 890; Kids Helpline — 1800 551 800.