'He was so huge, but kind' - Jonah Lomu and actor Robin Williams had a friendship for life

Wednesday, 26 April 2023 at 08:23

byRugby Rucker

Jonah Lomu met Robin Williams at San Francisco's Fairmont Hotel in 1998 in a promotion organised by the New Zealand Rugby Union.

It brought together the biggest name in rugby and one of the biggest stars in Hollywood and started an enduring friendship.

They remained friends until Williams' death in August 2014 aged 63.

Describing Lomu, Williams once said: 'I never knew how huge he was.

'I felt like a peasant in a Godzilla movie.

'Quickly! Tell the other villagers! We go now!

'I realised I could fall out of Jonah's nose and he wouldn't even know.

'I think he picked me up and put me on his shoulders: Put me down, Kong!

'He was so huge, but kind.'

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In an open letter following the death of Williams, Lomu described the bond they shared.

Lomu said: 'My friend, it's sad to hear of your passing, it was an honour and privilege to have known you, we sure had a lot of laughs together.

'I still remember the first time we met, it feels like yesterday but we have both grown up a little more since then. Our times were full of laughs.'

'We had a lot of great times together so I thank you for each of them, thanks for all the great memories my friend.'

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The script from Williams' blockbuster movie Jumanji was a treasured gift that Lomu held on to.

Lomu said: 'I thought you had signed me a copy of the book Jumanji but when I opened it up it was the script of your entire movie.

'I will always treasure that my friend and will show it to my boys too.'

Lomu died on 18th November 2015, aged 40, after a long battle with kidney disease.

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Celebrities you didn’t know played rugby….

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**15 celebrities you didn't know were former rugby players...**

Fullback: Gareth Bale

Although more known for his achievements in football, Gareth Bale was actually a keen rugby player in his school days and has even played alongside future Wales rugby captain Sam Warburton.

Winger: Prince Harry

As an avid fan and patron of England’s Rugby Football Union (RFU), Prince Harry still loves the sport quite a bit and advocates it as a great discipline for youths to develop valuable social skills such as teamwork and respect for others.

Centre: Gethin Jones

The television presenter captained the Manchester University 1st XV to the final of the BUSA Championships for the first time in their history, represented Lancashire and had trials with Sale RFC. Also played for Clwb Rygbi Cymry Caerdydd.

Centre: Russel Crowe

A supporter of the New Zealand All Blacks, Gladiator star Russel Crowe once played in the South Sydney Rabbitohs youth side. After his success in the acting world, he eventually bought the team that he debuted for as a child, saving them from financial difficulties and seeing them through to their first National Rugby League premiership win in 43 years.

Winger: Aaron Ramsey

The Arsenal and Wales midfielder was another keen rugby player before turning to football. Played as a wing for Caerphilly RFC youth development programme, where he was approached by scouts from St Helens after playing in a youth match against them but had already been signed by Cardiff City’s football academy.

Fly-half: Daniel Craig

Obviously, the best training for playing James Freaking Bond would be rugby, and so it was for Hoylake RFC’s most famous Old Boy. It also goes a long way towards explaining why Craig’s face looks like it’s absorbed a punch or two in its time.

Scrum-half: Ryan Giggs

The Manchester United legend grew up watching his father, Danny Wilson, play rugby union and in the Wales international rugby league. Although a big fan of playing and supporting the game in his younger days, Ryan Giggs had to stop playing rugby at the age of 14 to concentrate on football.

Prop: Bill Clinton

Developing an interest in the sport during his time at Oxford University, the former President of The United States had no knowledge on how to play the game when he was thrown on the pitch. He eventually got the hang of it and played prop for the university side.

Hooker: Gordon Brown

Was playing for Kirkcaldy High School in Fife at age 16 when he received a boot to the head that tore and detached his retina in his left eye. This injury nearly blinded him in that eye, but didn’t stop him from earning a Ph.D. in history from the University of Edinburgh or taking over the PM slot from Tony Blair.

Prop: Boris Johnson

The charismatic Mayor of London played rugby in his Old Etonian School days and has since formed an unlikely bond with Wales prop Adam Jones who the Mayor of London describes as his favourite player.

Lock: Henry Cavill

Lock: Prince William

Flanker: J.R.R. Tolkien

According to a National Public Radio story, the Lord Of The Rings author played at Oxford while at school.

Flanker: Benedict Cumberbatch

Number 8: Andre the Giant

I’m throwing this one in because the prospect of playing against him – even as a very large boy – is, frankly, terrifying. He played as a teenager in Grenoble until he took up wrestling. He was already six and a half feet tall when he started. I also feel compelled to mention that he was friends with Samuel Beckett as a boy.