The world lost a comic genius yesterday when Robin Williams tragically died at the age of 63.
Williams was an avid sports fan, once famously describing Australian Rules football as “rugby with a thong” and cricket as “baseball on valium”.
He was an avid supporter of the San Francisco Giants baseball team and 49ers football team, as well as the Tour de France and the All Blacks.
Williams recalls watching the All Blacks play France in 1999.
“And then when I saw the All Blacks do the Haka, I thought, ‘Oh no! They’re going to eat the other team! They’re going to beat these poor Frenchmen and then they’re going to eat them, with a nice chardonnay.”
Williams became a friend of Jonah Lomu. In 2011 Williams recalled in the Christchurch Press, “I finally got to meet him [Lomu] when I came down to New Zealand, I think I was there to promote What Dreams May Come.
“I got to meet him and he’s amazing… ‘Wait a minute; you’re a wall with legs!’ I think he picked me up and put me on his shoulders: ‘Put me down, Kong!’ He was so huge, but kind.”
Mrs Doubtfire was a keen soccer player, and Williams often talked about sport in his stand-up shows, making some hilarious observations.
Playing a Denver Broncos cheerleader on Mork and Mindy.
On the Origins of golf
On the 2002 Winter Olympics
On soccer
On American football
Highlights of the best of times
jamesb
Guest
I normally don't give a second thought when a celebrity passes away. But this ones different. Was sad to hear of his passing yesterday
Malcolm Dreaneen
Roar Pro
Top article Adam!
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Damn, I love that movie.
Steve
Guest
Great movie, my favourite of his. However you forgot the best part of that sequence right at the end, which showed the genius of his comedic delivery even in the more serious roles. Will: Wow...Woulda' been nice to catch that game, though. Sean: I didn't know Pudge was gunna hit a homer.
Paul Nicholls
Roar Guru
Very sad. I really loved him as the Genie. Thanks for this sporting tribute.
peeeko
Guest
Thanks for the laugh, very funny
Adam
Guest
There was a this scene from Good Will Hunting, Will: So, when did you know, like, that she was the one for you? Sean: October 21st, 1975. Will: Jesus Christ. You know the f##'n' date? Sean: Oh yeah. 'Cause it was Game 6 of the World Series. Biggest game in Red Sox history. Will: Yeah, sure. Sean: My friends and I had, you know, slept out on the sidewalk all night to get tickets. Will: You got tickets? Sean: Yep. Day of the game. I was sittin' in a bar, waitin' for the game to start, and in walks this girl. Oh, it was an amazing game, though. You know, bottom of the eighth, Carbo ties it up at 6-6. It went to twelve. Bottom of the twelfth, in stepped Carlton Fisk. Old Pudge. Steps up to the plate, you know, and he's got that weird stance. Will: Yeah, yeah. Sean: And BAM! He clocks it. High fly ball down the left field line! Thirty-five thousand people, on their feet, yellin' at the ball, but that's not because of Fisk. He's wavin' at the ball like a madman. Will: Yeah, I've seen... Sean: He's going, "Get over! Get over! Get OVER!" And then it HITS the foul pole. OH, he goes apesh1t, and 35,000 fans, you know, they charge the field, you know? Will: Yeah, and he's f##'n' bowlin' police out of the way! Sean: Goin', "God! Get out of the way! Get 'em away!" Banging people... Will: I can't f##'n' believe you had tickets to that f##'n' game! Sean: Yeah! Will: Did you rush the field? Sean: [surprised at the question] No, I didn't rush the f##'n' field; I wasn't there. Will: What? Sean: No - I was in a bar havin' a drink with my future wife. Will: You missed Pudge Fisk's home run? Sean: Oh, yeah. Will: To have a f##'n' drink with some lady you never met? Sean: Yeah, but you shoulda seen her; she was a stunner. Despite his amazing comedic work, some of his best roles were in films that weren't comedies.
Lostintokyo
Guest
A legend is lost. His stand up comic routine on golf with his Scottish accent is first class. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LSXMS8ABAAU