Lisa Jakub and Mara Wilson, who played Robin Williams' daughters in Mrs. Doubtfire, reminisce on their time acting opposite the comedy legend. The two actresses recently reunited at the inaugural 90s Con in Hartford, Connecticut. The convention featured all manner of stars from iconic 90s properties, including movies like Hocus Pocus, reflecting on their work.
Jakub and Wilson played Lydia and Natalie Hillard, respectively, in the 1993 classic, along with Matthew Lawrence as their brother, Chris. Mrs. Doubtfire remains one of the top-grossing comedies of all time and became a staple in the career of Williams, who died by suicide in 2014. While the careers of Jakub and Wilson have taken them in different directions since Mrs. Doubtfire, they have still remained friends to this day.
In an interview with Good Morning, America on the final weekend of 90s Con, Jakub and Wilson fondly remembered their time on the set of Mrs. Doubtfire, where Williams treated them like they were his own daughters. They also spoke highly of Sally Field, who played the girls' mother and Williams's ex-wife, and how she and Williams took care of them and even helped with running lines. Jakub, who was 14 at the time of filming, said of Williams:
"He was very open about his issues with mental wellness. He taught me it was OK to be vulnerable. What was most meaningful to me was to see that human beneath the comedic act."
Jakub has since gone to found the mental health resource platform Blue Mala, saying that Williams had a "massive impact" on her. Wilson, who was 6 while filming, considered herself "incredibly lucky" to have known Williams, saying:
"I have so many moments of him being kind and looking me in the eye and and talking to me very gently. He was a very gentle and quiet, introverted person underneath. He was also often silly, like making his carpet bag bark like a dog and making little hand puppets that would talk to you and make little jokes."
Since Williams' passing, there have been numerous tributes to his long and diverse career. While best known for his comedic work, Williams has been acclaimed for many of his dramatic roles as well. The nearly 30-year-old stories that Jakub and Wilson have shared from their time on Mrs. Doubtfire add to a long list of positive memories people have of Williams and what he meant to them and their careers.
The legacy of Robin Williams is one of a kind. Not many comedians have mastered the art of improv as well as Williams did. Nor have many performers managed to touch the hearts of audiences the way he did. He both directly and indirectly touched the lives of millions and it's always so refreshing and heartwarming to hear how friendly Williams was to his fellow cast members. Not only did he make Mrs. Doubtfire a comfortable environment for his child co-stars, but Robin Williams also inspired them into becoming the people they are today.
Source: Good Morning, America