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Mara Wilson and Lisa Jakub shared fond memories of Robin Williams during a reunion. «Mrs. Doubtfire» in Los Angeles on Friday, May 29.
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Wilson recalled that people were often surprised by how introverted the actor was.
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Jakub recalled how Williams wrote a touching letter to her school after she was asked not to return.
Mara Wilson and Lisa Jakub fondly remember their time working with Robin Williams.
Wilson, 38, and Jakub, 47, joined their co-star Matthew Lawrence at a reunion for the film's cast. «Mrs. Doubtfire» in Los Angeles on Friday, May 29, where they discussed their favorite moments working on the 1993 comedy.
«"One of my favorite memories is from a scene at the petting zoo. We were outside, and I was riding a pony, and he took off his hat and poured oats in it for the pony to eat," Wilson said. "The pony ate them right out of the hat. Then he turned to me with the hat full of oats and pony drool and said, 'Want to wear this?' And that's just so Robin.".
«"I must have grimaced in disgust, because I remember them yelling 'Stop!' and everyone laughing after that. And he really knew how to make kids laugh. He'd make these little puppets, and they'd argue with each other," she added.
Matthew Lawrence, Lisa Jakub, Robin Williams, Mara Wilson, and Sally Field in Mrs. Doubtfire. Photo: Everett.
At the time of filming «Mrs. Doubtfire» Wilson was only 6 years old and played the youngest daughter, Natalie Hillard.
Williams, who committed suicide in 2014 at age 63, played her father, Daniel Hillard, who decides to disguise himself as a housekeeper to try to get his children back after a divorce.
Wilson recalled that the restaurant scene took "several weeks" to film.
At one point, she said, "He would make his duffel bag bark like a dog to make me laugh," adding that Williams "was really great when he had an audience. I think people are surprised that he was quite reserved at times. But with kids, he would become so funny and just come alive.".
Meanwhile, Yacoub, who played the eldest daughter, Lydia Hillard, explained that her Canadian high school was "not used to child actors" and sent her a letter asking her "not to go back to school" because it was "too much work for the teachers.".
«"It really upset me. Being expelled from school at 14 is a bit of a bummer," she said.
Lisa Jakub; Lisa Jakub in Mrs. Doubtfire. Photo: Getty; Everett
«"Robin was one of those people who, if he saw one of us upset or not doing well, would always check in on us. He asked me what was wrong," Jakub continued. "I explained what had happened, and he wrote a letter to the principal that I still have. It was an incredibly kind, touching letter that said, 'Lisa is just trying to balance her career and her education, so please support her in that.'".
Although the principal of Jakub's school eventually framed Williams' letter in his office, he did not ask her to "finish school.".
«But this isn’t a story about things not working out,» she said. “It’s a story about how kind Robin was. It’s a story about Robin seeing this guy he worked with who didn’t need to be taken care of, and he wrote this incredible letter. He really went out of his way for me, and 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 tell you that wasn’t the case on every set.”.
As for Lawrence, 46, who played middle son Chris, he said his favorite memory of the late actor was watching Williams try to portray Mrs. Doubtfire in public.
«"He'd pick someone, at the time it was me, and we'd go for a walk down the street, strike up conversations with people, and just see if he could pretend to be my nanny. It worked every time. He actually made them laugh and have a good time. They'd walk away thinking, 'Oh, what a wonderful woman,'" he said.
During the rest of the discussion, Yacoub spoke about how Williams had openly discussed her mental health issues with her.
Lisa Jakub; Robin Williams. Photo: Getty (2)
Jakub said he "talked to me because I was obviously being honest with him and we talked a lot about my problems with anxiety and depression and he also talked a lot about his difficulties in life.".
«"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.".
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Sally Field, who played Williams' wife, Miranda Hillard, in the film, previously spoke about how the actor supported her after the death of her father, Richard, from a second "massive" stroke.
«"Robin turned around," she recalled in an interview with PEOPLE. "Then he said to director Chris Columbus and the crew, 'That's all for today, guys! We're done. You can take a few more pictures of the kids and maybe Mrs. Doubtfire, but Ms. Field's going home.' And he walked me out. That's the kind of Robin he was.".
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 on the website 988lifeline.org 24/7, 7 days a week.
Read the original article on People.