• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Mrs. Doubtfire child star reveals important warning Robin Williams gave him that he'll 'never forget'

Home> Film & TV> News

Published 17:29 18 Apr 2025 GMT+1

Mrs. Doubtfire child star reveals important warning Robin Williams gave him that he'll 'never forget'

'There's not a day that goes by' Matthew Lawrence doesn't 'hear Robin Williams' voice' in his head...

Poppy Bilderbeck

Poppy Bilderbeck

Warning: This article contains discussion of drug addiction and suicide which some readers may find distressing.

Matthew Lawrence has opened up about working alongside Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire and the important lessons he taught him 'behind the camera'.

The 1993 hit classic - since turned into a musical in London's West End - stars none other than the legendary Robin Williams as actor Daniel, who's desperate to still see his kids as much as possible after going through a divorce with their mom.

And well, I won't spoil it, but you should really have all seen the film by now.

Advert

Matthew Lawrence played the role of Daniel's 12-year-old son Chris, the actor 12 years of age at the time himself.

Now 45, Lawrence has spoken about his experience working alongside Williams for 'six to eight months' and the lessons he learnt both professionally but also 'behind the camera' from the star.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly after being unmasked on The Masked Singer, the actor explained working on the film was 'the biggest learning curve anyone can get when it comes to making movies and being an entertainer'.

Lawrence praised Williams as being 'the most brilliant artist' he's 'ever worked with' - and he's 'worked with some great people'.

However, he also learnt some pretty big general life lessons about what it means to be human - with Williams taking an 'investment' in every person he works with but 'really' taking one when it came to the young actor.

Williams imparted some important words of wisdom on the then-12-year-old, explaining you 'don't judge until you walk in someone else's shoes' and embodying the 'type of compassion you need to have for people' himself.

Lawrence continued: "He had the compassion, he had the humility, and he also had these things that he struggled with. He really explained his life to me and really brought me in and taught me not just about in front of the camera, but a lot about the behind the camera as well."

And Williams also opened up about 'substances' to Lawrence, saying one thing he'll 'never forget' - with Williams having previously spoken out about his addiction to alcohol and cocaine.

Matthew Lawrence worked alongside Robin Williams on Mrs. Doubtfire (20th Century Fox)
Matthew Lawrence worked alongside Robin Williams on Mrs. Doubtfire (20th Century Fox)

The actor recalled Williams 'really opening up' to him about 'how he felt substances really further pushed his brain to not function properly'.

Williams warned the young star to never 'put that stuff in [his] body', as Lawrence recalled him saying: "If I could go back and tell myself, this is why I'm telling you, don't put that stuff in your body."

Lawrence resolved: "I'll never forget it."

Williams passed away by suicide on August 11, 2014, Lawrence adding 'there's not a day that goes by [he] doesn't hear his voice'.

If you want friendly, confidential advice about drugs, you can call American Addiction Centers on (313) 209-9137 24/7, or contact them through their website.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.

Featured Image Credit: 20th Century Fox

Topics: Celebrity, Robin Williams, Film and TV

Poppy Bilderbeck
Poppy Bilderbeck

Poppy Bilderbeck is a Senior Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from The University of Manchester in 2021 with a First in English Literature and Drama, where alongside her studies she was Editor-in-Chief of The Tab Manchester. Poppy is most comfortable when chatting about all things mental health, is proving a drama degree is far from useless by watching and reviewing as many TV shows and films as possible and is such a crisp fanatic the office has been forced to release them in batches.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

a day ago
4 days ago
6 days ago
  • Getty Images/Joe Raedle
    a day ago

    What movie theaters do when no one buys a ticket as Melania's new film shows underwhelming bookings

    Donald Trump may think it's a 'MUST WATCH,' alas clearly others don't quite feel the same...

    Film & TV
  • Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for BAFTA
    4 days ago

    Kristen Stewart slams Trump as she claims she can 'no longer work freely' in the US

    The actress detailed how she would get her revenge... sort-of

    Film & TV
  • Warner Bros.
    4 days ago

    Harry Potter fans in shock as Ralph Fiennes seems to accidentally spoil who will be playing Voldemort in new series

    Ralph Fiennes thinks the actor would be a 'very good choice'

    Film & TV
  • TLC
    6 days ago

    15-year-old reality star admits boyfriend was only 12 when she fell pregnant

    The reality star's teen pregnancy story has faced criticism after the trailer for TLC's latest series of 'Unexpected' dropped

    Film & TV
  • Mrs Doubtfire Star Says Robin Williams ‘Gifted’ Him With Important Drug Addiction Advice
  • Reunion picture of Mrs. Doubtfire siblings is leaving fans emotional for one specific reason
  • Natalie Portman and Julia Roberts gave each other hilarious gift after working on 'masterpiece' film that's set to leave Netflix
  • Jodie Foster reveals why she thinks she was ‘saved’ from sexual abuse as a 12-year-old child actor