The beloved and timeless film “Mrs. Doubtfire,” released in 1993, captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. However, not many know that this heartwarming movie was based on the 1987 novel “Madame Doubtfire” by the talented author Anne Fine, who also went by the alias Madame Doubtfire.
This adaptation quickly became a cherished classic, earning critical acclaim and commercial success, grossing nearly half a billion dollars at the box office.
Considered the “Mary Poppins” of the 1990s for young audiences, “Mrs. Doubtfire” stands out as one of the few comedies from that era that still manages to entertain and resonate with viewers.
The film’s popularity can be ascribed to a variety of things, including Leslie Dixon and Randi Mayem Singer’s smart and hilarious writing and Chris Columbus’ superb direction.
A successful film relies on the talent in front of the camera and the equally skilled cast who breathe life into the story.
Thankfully, Chris Columbus assembled an extraordinary ensemble comprising seasoned performers such as Sally Field and Robin Williams alongside emerging talents like Mara Wilson, Lisa Jakub, and Matthew Lawrence.
It’s only natural to be curious about what the cast has been up to since the release of this beloved comedy that warmed our hearts over two decades ago.
Tragically, Robin Williams passed away in 2017, leaving behind a remarkable legacy. Williams’ breakthrough performance as the lovable alien Mork in the spin-off series “Mork and Mindy” catapulted him to stardom on the small screen.
He quickly distinguished himself with his impeccable comedic timing, versatile physicality, and masterful delivery of humorous lines.
Williams also showcased his dramatic range, taking on more poignant roles in films such as the critically acclaimed “Good Morning, Vietnam” (1987), for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, and “Dead Poets Society” (1989).
In the 1990s, Williams ventured into family-friendly movies, including memorable performances such as Peter Banning in “Hook” (1991) and the iconic Genie in “Aladdin” (1992). In “Mrs. Doubtfire,” his portrayal of a father who would do anything to be close to his children was charming and sympathetic.
Following the success of “Mrs. Doubtfire,” Williams starred in several notable films like “Jumanji” (1995) and “Good Will Hunting” (1997), the latter earning him his only Academy Award.
Williams’ untimely death at 63 shocked and saddened the world. In remembrance of his incredible talent, a memorial was erected outside the San Francisco house where “Mrs. Doubtfire” was filmed, serving as a place for his countless admirers to express their grief.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please reach out to the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or visit the National Institute of Mental Health website.
Sally Field, who played the devoted mother Miranda Hillard in “Mrs. Doubtfire,” has had an illustrious acting career filled with accolades. Even before her role in the film, Field had solidified her status as a Hollywood legend.
She gained recognition for appearing in shows like “Gidget” and her leading role as the sister in “The Flying Nun” during the 1960s. Field expressed a desire in her memoir to shed the cartoonish personas she had portrayed, despite their popularity.
She set out to secure outstanding roles showcasing her talent and succeeded. One of her most notable performances was as Norma Rae in the 1979 film “Norma Rae,” which earned her the first of her two Academy Awards.
Field also received a Primetime Emmy for portraying the title character in the 1977 television film “Sybil.” In “Mrs. Doubtfire,” her portrayal of Miranda added warmth, heart, and emotional depth to the occasionally zany comedy.
Since her legendary role in the film, Field has had a busy acting career. She received an Oscar nomination for her work as Mary Todd Lincoln in Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln” (2012), and she has appeared in both high-profile blockbusters like “The Amazing Spider-Man” and indie darlings like “Hello, My Name Is Doris.”
Field has also made notable contributions to television, winning Emmys for her leading role in “Brothers and Sisters” and a guest appearance on “ER.” More recently, she has appeared in the Netflix film “Little Evil” and the television series “Dispatches from Nowhere.”
Throughout her career, which began in the early 1960s, Field has consistently delivered outstanding performances, and there are no signs of her slowing down.
In a 2008 interview, Field reflected on her life, “In my late 50s, I learned to love myself in a way that I hadn’t been able to before. I’ve noticed that I’m less concerned about what other people think now.”
Pierce Brosnan, the dashing Irish actor, took on the role of Stu, the new boyfriend, in “Mrs. Doubtfire.” Like Robin Williams and Sally Field, Brosnan was already an established professional in the industry before joining the cast.
Prior to the comedy, Brosnan was most known for his performance as Remington Steele in the 1982-1987 television series of the same name.
He went on to portray James Bond in three more films: “Tomorrow Never Dies” (1997), “The World is Not Enough” (1999), and “Die Another Day” (2002). Brosnan has also appeared in cult classics such as Tim Burton’s “Mars Attacks!” and even lent his voice to a fictional version of himself in a memorable episode of “The Simpsons.”
Demonstrating his versatility, he took on the lead roles in the musical film “Mamma Mia” and its sequel, “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.” Recently, Brosnan has appeared in the humorous Netflix comedy “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga” and the Hulu original movie “False Positive.”
Brosnan has no intention of retiring anytime soon. According to his IMDb page, he currently has five impressive films in pre-production, showcasing his enduring passion for the craft.
Mara Wilson, who was only five years old during the filming of “Mrs. Doubtfire,” held the distinction of being the cast’s youngest member. Despite her lack of previous film or television credits, there was no doubt that Wilson commanded every scene she appeared in.
In a 2016 interview with NPR, Wilson shared what casting directors found appealing about her, stating, “I think I had a good ear for dialogue from a young age — and I think that was probably because I spent a lot of time eavesdropping on my parents and my three older brothers.”
Wilson quickly formed close bonds with her fellow cast members. During a heartwarming “Mrs. Doubtfire” reunion in 2018, she expressed, “I immediately felt like they were family.”
Wilson’s post-Mrs. Doubtfire” filmography includes memorable roles, such as her portrayal of Susan in the 1994 adaptation of “Miracle on 34th Street.” Natalie Wood originally played the role in 1947, but she revived it with her natural ease and charm.
She also brought the precocious Matilda Wormwood to life in the 1996 film “Matilda,” based on Roald Dahl’s novel of the same name. In 2016, Wilson published a book titled “Where Am I Now?” offering insights into her life.
She attended college and continues to work in Hollywood, taking on live-action and voice roles in projects such as “BoJack Horseman” and “Big Hero 6: The Series.” Wilson also lends her voice to the delightfully quirky adult cartoon “Helluva Boss.”
Reflecting on her life, Wilson has said, “I feel good about myself, and I feel like I’m sort of in control of my own story and life.”
Lisa Jakub, who made her acting debut at seven in the film “Eleni,” played the role of Lydia Hillard, the teenage daughter, in “Mrs. Doubtfire.” Before her involvement in the movie, Jakub had appeared in television shows like “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” and “Friday the 13th: The Series.”
She also played significant roles in films such as the Oscar-nominated “Rambling Rose” and Joe Dante’s homage to 1950s B-movies, “Matinee.” Jakub’s performance added relatability and sensitivity to the character of Lydia in “Mrs. Doubtfire.”
In a 2018 interview with the Today Show, Jakub shared her joy in filming a now-famous scene, saying, “The sequence in which Matt [Lawrence] and I find out that Mrs. Doubtfire is truly our father was so much joy to film. We had so much fun doing that.”
She also revealed that during the audition process, director Chris Columbus had initially introduced Mrs. Doubtfire as an actual actor, keeping Robin Williams in costume, which added an element of surprise for the young cast.
Following “Mrs. Doubtfire,” Jakub appeared in the renowned 1990 film “The Parent Trap” and played a key role in the critically praised short film “George Lucas in Love” (1999). Despite the fact that she hasn’t acted since 2000, Jakub has had a great impact. She started Blue Maia, a health community, in 2015.
She also wrote a memoir titled “You Look Like That Girl: A Child Actor Stops Pretending and Finally Grows Up,” where she reflects on her experiences in the industry and beyond.
Matthew Lawrence, the middle brother of Andrew and Joey Lawrence, began his acting career at the tender age of four. He made his mark as Danny Carrington in the 1984 TV drama series “Dynasty.”
By the time Lawrence joined the cast of “Mrs. Doubtfire” as Chris Hillard, he had already amassed numerous television appearances, including roles in “Gimme a Break!” and films like “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles” and “Tales from the Darkside: The Movie.” In “Mrs. Doubtfire,” Lawrence brings a sense of relatability and sensitivity to the character of Chris.
Lawrence continued to pursue acting after his involvement in “Mrs. Doubtfire” and landed a regular role in the popular TV show “Boy Meets World.” He even portrayed a younger version of his brother Joey Lawrence in the film “Blossom.”
Recently, Lawrence reprised his role as Jack Hunter in the spin-off series “Girl Meets World,” keeping the spirit of his character alive.
Lawrence credits Robin Williams for his performance as Chris. During the same interview, he recounted a memorable experience with his fellow “Mrs. Doubtfire” cast members: “He came and pinched me with the camera watching him, and I made this reaction, and everybody started dying with laughter.” He also said that Williams provided him excellent advise, which he recalls.
In the 1984 cult classic “Gremlins,” which Joe Dante directed and Chris Columbus, who would later run “Mrs. Doubtfire,” wrote, Holliday displayed her versatility by playing the delightfully wicked Mrs. Deagle.
This role remains one of her most recognized outside of her portrayal of Flo. Following “Mrs. Doubtfire,” Holliday continued to star in notable films, including the 1990 adaptation of “The Parent Trap,” as well as appearing as a series regular in the popular comedy “Home Improvement.”
Having significantly impacted her career, Holliday has since retired from theater and cinema.
