Actor Matthew Lawrence believes that Robin Williams changed the course of his entire life. The two worked together on Mrs. Doubtfire when Matthew was just 9 years old. But the experience has never left him.
Matthew spoke about the special relationship he had with Robin when he played his son in the film. During an appearance at 90s Con, the actor said that Robin not only fought for Matthew to get the role but was incredibly open with him in a way that would have a huge impact on his life.
As a result, he says Robin is the reason he stayed away from drugs.
Robin was transparent with Matthew about mental health in a way that adults typically aren't with kids. "He was the first adult who really let me in on his condition. Like, full-on let me in," Matthew said per People. "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."
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While at the age of 9, Matthew may not have fully grasped the seriousness of what Robin told him, he still carried it with him, especially when it came to what Robin said about drugs.
"Don't ever do drugs. Especially cocaine," he says the late actor told 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.'"
It could've gone in one ear and out the other, but it didn't. Matthew clearly had so much respect for Robin, at least enough to really listen to him when he spoke.
"I stayed away from it because of him," he said.
He also shared the sweet way that Robin help Matthew get the job in the first place. "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 9 years old," he said. "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 a screen test, Robin sneakily did something that got everyone excited about the pair's dynamic. "He very secretly reached behind my back and pinched me so hard," he said. "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."
All these years later and Matthew still feels that Robin was an amazing influence on him. He called his candor a "gift" and one he still greatly appreciates.
