Robin Williams had a reputation for being one of the most bright and charming actors. His humor was on another level and it was impossible for anyone to compete with his level of talent. The actor has contributed greatly to the Hollywood industry and has always been remembered for his ever-dashing smile. Not only was his laugh contagious, but his smile could warm anyone from within.
Throughout his life, the actor works with quite a few directors and actors, becoming iconic thanks to his unique style of acting. He had some of the most iconic roles and movies as well, adding to his filmography in the best way. However, that was not enough for him to go on in life. Unfortunately, the actor went through a lot mentally, to the point where he could not handle it anymore.
Sam Neill Saw Beneath Robin Williams’ Mask
Sam Neill talked about his relationship with Robin Williams in his memoir Did I Ever Tell You This? He opened up about how the two met and the way their relationship transitioned from then on. His main focus had been on his friend’s health and how badly it deteriorated. Neill was saddened by the mask Williams had put on for the world.
“He had fame, he was rich, people loved him, great kids—the world was his oyster. And yet I felt more sorry for him than I can express. He was the loneliest man on a lonely planet.”
His smile was a mere facade that he kept to hide just how painful his life had really been. Neill added that Williams would often make jokes and lean towards humor as a coping mechanism. However, he would be so good at it that oftentimes people would forget just how much the actor went through because of how much he made everyone laugh.
Sam Neill Was There By Robin Williams’ Side
It is not rare to see humor as a coping mechanism. Although Robin Williams relied on his ability to make people laugh, he was lonely and depressed, as described by Sam Neill. He had been by the actor’s side ever since they first met on the set of Bicentennial Man in 1999 and was close friends with the actor till his final moments.
“We would talk about this and that, sometimes even about the work we were about to do. He was irresistibly, outrageously, irrepressibly, gigantically funny.”
The actor was troubled immensely. He was battling addiction as well as depression, something he never tried to hide either. The actor dearly misses his friend and further encouraged everyone to take care of their mental health and of those near and dear to them.
Source: Did I Ever Tell You This? (via People)
