unilad homepage
unilad homepage
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • World News
    • Crime
    • Health
    • Money
    • Sport
    • Travel
  • Music
  • Technology
  • Film and TV
    • News
    • DC Comics
    • Disney
    • Marvel
    • Netflix
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • 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

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover
Featured Image Credit: 20th Century Fox

Topics: Celebrity, Robin Williams, Film and TV

Poppy Bilderbeck
Poppy Bilderbeck

Poppy Bilderbeck is a freelance journalist with words in Daily Express, Cosmopolitan UK, LADbible, UNILAD and Tyla. She is a former 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.

Advert

Advert

Advert

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.

  • Mrs Doubtfire Star Says Robin Williams ‘Gifted’ Him With Important Drug Addiction Advice
  • Hugh Hefner's ex-girlfriend Holly Madison reveals disturbing rules he gave her for the Playboy Mansion
  • Storage Wars star Darrell Sheets' son breaks silence after his tragic death

Choose your content:

6 hours ago
a day ago
  • Gregg DeGuire/Variety via Getty Images
    6 hours ago

    Jurassic Park star Sam Neill has died aged 78

    Sam Neill's family confirmed the loss was 'sudden and unexpected'

    Film & TV

    breaking

  • Laura Lezza/Getty Images
    a day ago

    Why it's illegal to abandon ship as Shipwrecked: Nightmare at Sea captain remains in prison

    Netfilx's new documentary details how Costa Concordia captain Francesco Schettino abandoned ship roughly two hours into the 2012 disaster

    Film & TV
  • Matthew Taplinger / CBS
    a day ago

    Big Brother producers expose real reason behind casting major Survivor stars for Season 28 mayhem

    Executive producers Allison Grodner and Rich Meehan have broken their silence on why they are bringing in fan favorites to 'stir things up.'

    Film & TV
  • Universal Pictures
    a day ago

    Tom Holland reveals why he says 'dad' instead of 'father' in The Odyssey after facing backlash

    The star has cleared things up once and for all with director, Christopher Nolan

    Film & TV