Sam Neill Reflects On Friendship With Robin Williams Ahead Of 9th Death Anniversary

Sam Neill has candidly addressed his friendship with legendary Hollywood star, the late Robin Williams. Loved by one and all, Williams starred in some unforgettable comedy films that helped etch his name into the hearts of millions worldwide.

However, tragedy struck when he died by suicide in August 2014, and his fans subsequently learned that his colorful offscreen life was riddled with depression and turbulence. The actor, who was 63 then, was later said to have Lewy body dementia, which causes a progressive decline in a carrier's mental abilities.

For fans who watched Williams' films religiously, they have his portrayal of happiness through movies like "Mrs. Doubtfire," "Jumanji," and "World's Greatest Dad" to keep his memory untainted. The case is different for Hollywood stars like Neill, who built long-lasting friendships with the late actor.

For Neill, who worked alongside the "Patch Adam's" star in "Bicentennial Man," there was something "sad" about his friend's life. Detailing their relationship in his newly published memoir, "Did I Ever Tell You This?" the 75-year-old actor recalled having "great chats" throughout their visits to each other's trailers during filming.

Per PEOPLE, the New Zealand star explained that they talked "about this and that" and their upcoming projects, adding that his late friend "was irresistibly, outrageously, irrepressibly, gigantically funny."

While the "In the Mouth of Madness" actor commended Williams for being the "funniest person" he ever worked with, he observed that the California native was also "the saddest person" he ever crossed paths with.

"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," the father-of-two emphasized. 

Neill recalled his co-star appearing "inconsolably solitary and deeply depressed" on different occasions. The "Peaky Blinders" alum added that even though he had a "sense" of "the dark space inside," during his conversations with Williams, a switch would turn on for him once he "flung open the door." In the "Event Horizon" star's words:

"Funny stuff just poured out of him. And everybody was in stitches, and when everybody was in stitches, you could see Robin was happy."

Although honest, this would not be the first time an insider would open up about Williams' mental health struggles. In 2020, his son, Zak, spoke about the "Good Will Hunting" actor's challenges during an appearance on "The Dr. Oz Show."

The 39-year-old disclosed that he "was acutely aware" of his father's struggles with depression as it occasionally "manifested in addiction," which resulted in him [Robin] taking steps to "support his well-being and mental health, especially when he was challenged." 

When Robin's eighth death anniversary came up in August 2022, more than a handful of people shared touching tributes. The somber mood was led by Zak, who The Blast observed uploaded a throwback image of the screen god along with the words:

"Dad, on the eighth anniversary of your passing, I'm remembering how incredibly kind and joyful you were. I deeply miss you, you wonderful hairy man, and will be celebrating your life today. Love you so much!" 

His half-sister Zelda followed suit with a quote from the Japanese writer Haruki Murakami that explained a person's inability to recall how they made it through a storm whenever it was over. 

"You won't even be sure whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won't be the same person who walked in," the rest of the quote read.

One fan called Robin a "treasure" who "truly made the world a better place when he was here," and a second remembered him for being an "amazing" person who was "rich in talent and abundant in kindness."

Professional wrestler Marc Mero uploaded a collage of images, with one showing him holding up a signed and framed picture of the "What Dreams May Come True" actor. The former amateur boxer lauded Robin as a "beautiful soul" and an "amazing, talented actor-comedian whose death brought attention to "dementia, anxiety, and depression."