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Children's film star «Mrs. Doubtfire» Lisa Jakub recently claimed that Robin Williams openly discussed his mental health issues while filming the 1993 comedy.
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«"It was really the first time someone was so open and taught me not to be ashamed of these things," Jakub, 47, said of working with the late comedian.
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Jakub also shared a story about Williams' kindness, which came after the film star «Mrs. Doubtfire» Sally Field told a similar story.
In between scenes where he cooks and cleans, Robin Williams taught Lisa Jakub some valuable lessons about mental health on the set of the film «Mrs. Doubtfire» .
At a meeting of the film's actors «Mrs. Doubtfire, Held in Los Angeles on Friday, May 29, alongside Matthew Lawrence and Mara Wilson, who played her Hillard siblings in the 1993 comedy, Jakub, 47, recalled how Williams' openness about his mental health struggles affected her.
When filming a movie starring Sally Field and Williams, who committed suicide in 2014 at the age of 63, Jakub revealed that the Oscar winner for the film «Good Will Hunting »" Lawrence, 46, also spoke to her about mental health. Wilson, 38, "was too young and naive," she remarked at an event held at the Burbank Marriott Airport.
Williams, who has struggled with addiction and depression for much of his life, "talked to me because I was obviously being honest with him, and we talked a lot about my issues with anxiety and depression, and he talked a lot about his struggles in life, too," Yacoub said.
Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) Source: 20th Century Fox/Blue Wolf/Kobal/Shutterstock
«"And it was really the first time that someone was so open and taught me not to be ashamed of these things," she continued, "and that I could get help and support and not feel like I was some weirdo or abnormal person for what I was struggling with.".
The actress added that she was "so touched by the fact that [Williams] was so understanding, loving, and open with me about what he was going through.".
Yakub also recalled how the actor from film "Night at the Museum"« supported her when she learned that her teachers in Canada would not let her back because they were "not used to child actors" and thought teaching her was "too much work.".
«"It really upset me. When you get kicked out of school at 14, it's a bit of a bummer," she said at a reunion of the actors who played Mrs. Doubtfire .
«"Robin was the kind of person who, if he saw one of us upset or not doing well, would always check in," she continued. "He asked me what was wrong. I explained it, and he wrote a letter to the principal that I still have. It was an incredibly kind, beautiful letter that said, 'Lisa is just trying to balance her career and her education, so please support her in that.'".
The principal "didn't ask me to come back and finish school, so it didn't work out," Jakub said, but clarified that "the story isn't about it not working out. It's about how kind Robin was.".
Left to right: Matthew Lawrence, Lisa Jakub, Robin Williams, Mara Wilson, and Sally Field in Mrs. Doubtfire (1993). Source: Snap/Shutterstock
«"It's a story about how Robin saw this guy he worked with who he didn't want to give enough attention to, and he wrote this incredible letter," she continued. "He really went out of his way for me, as he did for all of us in different ways. We all had different relationships with him. And he made an effort to connect with each of us as individuals.".
«I can say that this did not happen on every set,» Jakub added.
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Jakub's account of Williams' support on set comes after the film's 79-year-old star «Mrs. Doubtfire» Field told PEOPLE how the late comedian came to her aid when she learned her father, Richard, had suffered a second "massive" stroke, after which he died.
Field learned of her stroke over the phone while filming a scene. After she resumed shooting, Williams immediately sensed something was wrong and pulled her aside, where she explained what had happened. Without a word, he intervened.
«"Robin turned around," Field said, "and said to director Chris Columbus and the crew, 'That's all for today, guys! We're done. You can take a few more shots of the kids and maybe Mrs. Doubtfire, but Ms. Field's going home.' And he walked me out. That's the kind of guy he is, Robin.".
If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health issues, emotional stress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.
Read the original article on People.