Sally Field Was Like a ‘Mother Figure’ While Filming ‘Mrs. Doubtfire,’ Says Star Matthew Lawrence: ‘We Really Became a Family Unit’

Oct 11, 2026 12:26pm PT Sally Field Was Like a ‘Mother Figure’ While Filming ‘Mrs. Doubtfire,’ Says Star Matthew Lawrence: ‘We Really Became a Family Unit’

By Tanya Fedak

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Tanya Fedak

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Matthew Lawrence is reflecting on his experience filming “Mrs. Doubtfire,” where he played Sally Field and Robin Williams’ son.

The 1993 film followed Williams as Daniel, a father who disguises himself as the titular Scottish nanny for his three children — played by Lawrence, Lisa Jakub and Mara Wilson — to prove to his estranged wife, Miranda (Field), that he has matured.

“We really became a family unit on that set,” Lawrence told Entertainment Weekly about working with his on-screen parents and Pierce Brosnan, who played the boyfriend of Field’s character.

Lawrence shared that, even before rehearsals began, the cast dedicated time to getting to know each other, “so [Field] kind of really became another mother figure.”

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The actor was just 12 when filming the movie and recalled that Field was “so sweet” during the experience, and “she was so caring, so kind. I don’t know how anybody could have anything bad to say about the lady… She was great.”

As a child actor, Lawrence revealed Field, Williams and Brosnan “neither treated me and talked down to me as a child, nor did they overexpose me to the adult world.”

The trio of adult actors “walked a line” that was “absolutely wonderful,” making it “one of those incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experiences,” Lawrence recalled, adding that “Sally in particular… she was amazing.”

Lawrence has continued to occasionally run into Field over the past three decades since “Mrs. Doubtfire” premiered. “She’s always great,” he said. Earlier this year, the actor published a graphic novel, “The Lawrence Brothers Detective Agency,” with his real-life brothers, which included a tribute to Field and Williams.

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