Mrs Doubtfire Star Says Robin Williams ‘Gifted’ Him With Important Drug Addiction Advice

Robin Williams left one of Mrs. Doubtfire's child stars with lifelong advice and insight on drug addiction.

Williams has a wealth of iconic, beloved roles, but the character that's truly synonymous with his name is Mrs. Doubtfire, a bona fide classic that's still essential viewing for each new generation.

The 1993 film tells the story of Daniel Hillard (Williams), an actor who disguises himself as an elderly, female housekeeper in order to spend time with his children (Mara Wilson, Matthew Lawrence, Lisa Jakub), who are in his ex-wife’s (Sally Field) custody.

The cast of Mrs. Doubtfire. (20th Century Studios)

Williams passed away on August 11, 2014. His death saw a titanic outpouring of love for the actor and comic, with fans and former co-stars still fondly remembering on-set japes nearly eight years later.

Lawrence, now 42, made an appearance at the first-ever ’90s Con yesterday, March 12. Speaking to People, he remembered his conversations with Williams, who'd struggled with drug and alcohol addiction in the past.

'He was the first adult who really let me in on his condition. Like, full-on let me in. I mean, as bright as he was on camera - I would go visit him in his trailer to talk to him - it was painful for him. It's really painful for him. He didn't hide it. He talked to me about it,' he said.

Matthew Lawrence bonded with Robin Williams in Mrs Doubtfire. (20th Century Studios)

Lawrence said Williams gave him a 'gift' by being so candid about drug addiction, and gave him an important piece of advice. 'Don't ever do drugs. Especially cocaine,' he recalled the actor telling him.

'He was very serious. He was like, 'You know when you come to my trailer and you see me like that?' He's like, 'That's the reason why. And now I'm fighting for the rest of my life because I spent 10 years doing something very stupid every day. Do not do it.' I stayed away from it because of him.'

Lawrence also remembered the audition process for Mrs. Doubtfire, and how Williams was key to him landing the role. 'There was another strong choice that everybody else wanted. The studio wanted this other boy ... I don't know who it was, I was only nine years old,' he said.

During their screen test together, Williams 'very secretly reached behind my back and pinched me so hard... the studio started bawling and wept. I got the role because of that little moment over the other boy. It was all Robin Williams... Thank you, Rob.'

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