Matthew Lawrence is hoping he has found a way to bring the beloved comedian Robin Williams back to life.
“Obviously, with the respect and with the okay from his family, I would love to do something really special with his voice, because I know for a generation, that voice is just so iconic,” Lawrence, 45, told Entertainment Weekly while attending San Diego Comic-Con on Friday, July 25.
“It’s not just the fact that I knew him and worked with him,” he continued. “It’s in my head, it’s in everybody’s head, and it would be so cool.”
Williams and Lawrence starred in the iconic 1993 film Mrs. Doubtfire alongside Sally Field, Mara Wilson and Pierce Brosnan. While speaking at 90s Con in September 2024, Lawrence recalled what it was like to star alongside the comedian.
“Getting to work with Robin Williams and Sally Field, I almost didn’t realize it at the time when I was there, but it has carried over in my entire life,” he told attendees in Daytona Beach, Florida. He added that Williams “could do both: he could make you cry and he could make you laugh equally.”
Williams, who was beloved by generations of filmgoers, died by suicide in August 2014. He was 63.
“Robin Williams passed away this morning,” a statement from his publicist Mara Buxbaum read at the time. “He has been battling severe depression of late. This is a tragic and sudden loss. The family respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time.”
In the wake of his untimely death, William’s surviving wife Susan Schneider shared a statement with Us Weekly.
“This morning, I lost my husband and my best friend, while the world lost one of its most beloved artists and beautiful human beings. I am utterly heartbroken,” she said at the time. “On behalf of Robin’s family, we are asking for privacy during our time of profound grief. As he is remembered, it is our hope the focus will not be on Robin’s death, but on the countless moments of joy and laughter he gave to millions.”
Throughout his career, Williams was open about his battles against addiction and depression. In a 2021 interview on the “Genius Life” podcast, his son Zak also spoke about his father’s final weeks.
“There was a focus issue, that frustrated him. There were issues associated with how he felt. And also from a neurological perspective, he didn’t he feel great,” Zak revealed. “There was just more anxiety and depression and just things he was experiencing and talking to me about that made me realize he was very uncomfortable.”
Williams was diagnosed with Parkinson’s before his death, though his autopsy later revealed he had Lewy body disease. “What he was going through didn’t match one to one [with] many Parkinson’s patients’…experience,” Zak explained. “He felt frustrated.”
The disease took a toll on Williams creatively, too. “At least from my lens, what I found was someone who was having challenges performing his craft. And that was really irritating for him,” Zak said.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health and/or substance use, you are not alone. Seek immediate intervention — call 911 for medical attention; 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline; or 1-800-662-HELP for the SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) National Helpline. Carrying naloxone (Narcan) can help reverse an opioid overdose.
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