It has now been ten years since the late, great Robin Williams tragically passed away, and in remembrance on the 10th anniversary of his death, Vanity Fair has turned to Williams' friends, colleagues, and co-stars, asking them to reflect on working with the beloved actor and comedian. This includes several stars from the treasured 1993 family comedy Mrs. Doubtfire, with Sally Field, who starred as Miranda Hillard, the ex-wife of Williams' character Daniel in the film, sharing a story about how he went out of his way to help her through a particularly trying time.
"I never shared this story before. I was in the camper outside of the courtroom where we were shooting the divorce scene. My father had a stroke a couple of years before, and was in a nursing facility. I got a phone call from the doctor saying my father had passed, a massive stroke. He asked if I wanted them to put him on the resuscitator. I said 'No, he did not want that. Just let him go. And please lean down and say, 'Sally says goodbye.' I was, of course, beside myself."
Mrs. Doubtfire PG-13ComedyDocumentaryDramaFamily Where to Watch streamrentbuy
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*Availability in US Release Date November 24, 1993 Director Chris Columbus Cast Robin Williams , Sally Field , Pierce Brosnan , Harvey Fierstein , Polly Holliday , Lisa Jakub Runtime 125 Main Genre Comedy Writers Anne Fine , Randi Mayem Singer , Leslie Dixon Tagline She makes dinner. She does windows. She reads bedtime stories. She's a blessing... in disguise. Expand
Field continued, offering some insight into Robin Williams' sensitive soul and empathetic nature, with the actor doing everything he could to make sure she was okay and could take the time she needed.
"I came on the set trying with all my might to act. I wasn't crying. Robin came over, pulled me out of the set, and asked, 'Are you okay?' 'Yes, why?' 'I don't know, just thought [I'd ask] that.' 'No, I'm not, Robin. My father just passed.' 'Oh my God, we need to get you out here right now.' And he made it happen -- they shot around me the rest of the day. I could go back to my house, call my brother, and make arrangements. It's a side of Robin that people rarely knew: He was very sensitive and intuitive."
Not only did Field share this touching story, which will no doubt remind us all why Williams remains so beloved, she also revealed what it was like to work opposite the master of improv, crediting him with Mrs. Doubtfire's success.
"It was my task to simply respond to whatever he did, as a real person would. I completely loved that stay-on-your-toes feeling. You couldn't really see what Mrs. Doubtfire was on the page. It became its own life form primarily because of him."
Mrs. Doubtfire Star Mara Wilson Praises Robin Williams' Deeply Caring Nature Close
Mrs. Doubtfire star Mara Wilson, who starred alongside Williams as youngest child Natalie, also reflected on working with the actor, revealing that he could be "very quiet" while offering another example of his deeply caring nature.
"People are always surprised when I tell them that Robin could be very quiet. When I was nine, we did a table read of What Dreams May Come, shortly after my mother had died. He came up to me and very gently asked how I was, and how my family was, but didn't bring up anything that could have been painful. He was just very sweet."
Related Mrs. Doubtfire Star Remembers Robin Williams' Openness About Mental Health
Lisa Jakub reminisces about Robin Williams' influence off-screen, especially his open discussions about mental health challenges.
Of course, as well as being sweet, Williams was also deliriously funny, with Wilson sharing a story about how he could connect with children, and how this worked so well when he voiced the Genie in the 1992 Disney classic Aladdin.
"He used to make his hands talk and argue with each other: "I don't like you! You smell like poop!" "Hey, there's no toilet paper at my house!" Which is the funniest thing ever to a five-year-old. There's actually a bit in "Friend Like Me" [from Aladdin] where The Genie's hands do a little backup singing and scatting behind him. The animators must have gotten that idea from him -- they looked and sounded exactly like the talking hands he'd use to make me laugh. I think he just got kids."
Robin Wiliams sadly passed away on August 11, 2014. The actor continues to be one of the most adored Hollywood talents of all time and is sorely missed by friends, colleagues, and fans all over the world.
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