Before his death at 63, Robin Williams had a long, tumultuous history with drug abuse that stretched back three decades. While Williams was a comedic icon and idol to thousands, he battled depression, anxiety, and more, while also contending with addiction. While filming 1993’s Mrs. Doubtfire, Williams advised Matthew Lawrence, his young co-star, against doing drugs. It was a warning that resonated deeply.
Mrs. Doubtfire turns 30 this year and in celebration, members of the cast and crew have shared their most powerful memories from filming the comedy film. Lawrence played the young Christopher “Chris” Hillard, son of Williams’s Daniel Hillard. Prior to Mrs. Doubtfire, Lawrence also appeared in Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Pulse, and Tales from the Darkside: The Movie. More credits followed, but Williams was the one who was transparent with Lawrence in ways no other actor was.
‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ actor Matthew Lawrence shares the warning Robin Williams gave him about drugs
Last spring, the Connecticut Convention Center played host to the first ever ‘90s Con. It was here that Lawrence shared his experience filming Mrs. Doubtfire and working with Williams.
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“He was the first adult who really let me in on his condition. Like, full-on let me in,” revealed Lawrence. “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.”
As difficult as it was for Williams to present such a vulnerable side of him in the midst of his inner struggle, Lawrence would call his advice a “gift.”
“Don’t ever do drugs,” Williams flat-out warned Lawrence. “Especially cocaine.”
“He was very serious,” continued Lawrence. “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.”
Robin Williams looked out for Matthew Lawrence
It’s thanks, in part, to Williams that Lawrence was in that role, and thus in that position to receive such sage advice. When casting for the role of Chris, the decision came down to Lawrence and one other child.
“There was another strong choice that everybody else wanted,” said Lawrence. “The studio wanted this other boy … I don’t know who it was, I was only 9 years old. But I did start to sense that something was up because there was like this little pause and little awkwardness and I was always the quiet one.”
During their screen test, Williams wanted to “do something” to help Lawrence secure the role.
“He very secretly reached behind my back and pinched me so hard,” he continued. “The studio started bawling and wept. I got the role because of that little moment over the other boy. It was all Robin Williams. ‘I know what I’m going to do to get this kid this job.’ Thank you, Rob.”
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