Robin Williams in 1993’s Mrs. Doubtfire.Photo: 20th Century Fox/Blue Wolf/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock
She’s a hip ol' granny who can hip-hop, be-bop, dance till you drop and yo-yo — make a wicked cup of cocoa.
Mrs. Doubtfirewas a box office success and garnered critical acclaim, earning aGolden Globefor best motion picture — musical or comedy and anAcademy Awardfor Best Makeup in 1994. Williams also took home a Golden Globe for best actor in a musical or comedy. In October 2018, the castreunited for the film’s 25th anniversary, and actorPierce Brosnan— who plays the new boyfriend of Daniel’s ex-wife (Sally Field) — discussed the movie’s impact during anappearance on theTodayshowin November of that year.
“I think it’s really ingrained in my heart as a piece of beautiful cinema — and cinema that touched the world and has gone on so for 25 years because of the healing power of laughter — but also because [of] the nature of the story, which is very empowering for young men and women or families that are divorced,” Brosnan said. “I think it’s a very healing filmin many ways.”
Though Columbusrejected the idea of a sequel, particularly after Williams' death in 2014, the ’90s classicfound a new life on Broadwayin December 2021 (and later hit the road on aNorth American tourin September 2023).
Help is on the way, dear. Here’s what the cast ofMrs. Doubtfirehas been up to since its 1993 premiere.
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Robin Williams as Daniel Hillard/Mrs. Doubtfire
In the dual role of Daniel Hillard and Mrs. Doubtfire, Williams felt complete freedom when exploring the character.
“I started to play with the voice. It was so freeing to be able to be someone totally different,” he reportedly said in an interview about the film.
Williams continued to grace the silver screen with iconic roles inJumanji(1995),The Birdcage(1996),Good Will Hunting(1997) — for which he won an Oscar for Best Actor —Patch Adams(1998),One Hour Photo(2002),Insomnia(2002) and theNight at the Museumfranchise.
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Sally Field as Miranda Hillard
Sally Field as Miranda Hillard and now.Phil Bray/20th Century Fox/Blue Wolf/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock; Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Field portrayed Miranda Hillard, Daniel’s ex-wife, who pursues a romantic relationship with her co-worker, Stu (Brosnan).
The Emmy-winning actress is also known for her roles onER,Brothers & Sisters,Maniac,Dispatches from ElsewhereandWinning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty.In 2018, shepublished the memoirIn Pieces. She has been a spokesperson for bone health sincerevealing her diagnosis with osteoporosisin 2005 and has continued to advocate for the LGBTQ community.
Field shares two sons, Peter and Eli, with ex-husband Steven Craig. She welcomed son Sam,who is openly gay, during her second marriage with Alan Greisman.
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Mara Wilson as Natalie Hillard
Mara Wilson’s first film role wasMrs. Doubtfire, where she played Natalie, the Hillards' youngest child. The actress quickly followed it up as the lead in another children’s classic,Matilda,in 1996.
Taking a 12-year hiatus, Wilson returned to acting in 2012 and has racked up a list of credits since then, including roles onBroad City,BoJack HorsemanandBig Hero 6: The Series.
Wilson, a skilled writer, penned the 2016 memoirWhere Am I Now?: True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame. She alsowrote a powerful essayin 2017 forElleand a 2021 op-ed forTheNew York Timeson thesexualization of child stars in Hollywood.
04of 08Lisa Jakub as Lydia HillardLisa Jakub as Lydia Hillard and now.20th Century Fox Film Corp./Everett Collection; Lisa Jakub/InstagramLisa Jakubplayed the oldest of the Hillard children, Lydia, and steadily worked until 2000, when she made her last film,Double Frame.In 2018, the actressshared a sweet photographwith Brosnan, Wilson andMatthew Lawrencefor the film’s 25th reunion special.Besides acting, Jakub is also a writer and yoga instructor. In 2021, she created the mental wellness websiteBlue Mala.
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Lisa Jakub as Lydia Hillard
Lisa Jakub as Lydia Hillard and now.20th Century Fox Film Corp./Everett Collection; Lisa Jakub/Instagram
Lisa Jakubplayed the oldest of the Hillard children, Lydia, and steadily worked until 2000, when she made her last film,Double Frame.
In 2018, the actressshared a sweet photographwith Brosnan, Wilson andMatthew Lawrencefor the film’s 25th reunion special.
Besides acting, Jakub is also a writer and yoga instructor. In 2021, she created the mental wellness websiteBlue Mala.
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Matthew Lawrence as Chris Hillard
Matthew Lawrence as Chris Hillard and now.20th Century Fox Film Corp./Everett Collection; Barry King/WireImage/Getty Images
Lawrence played the middle Hillard child, Chris, and continued acting on the popular seriesBlossomand, more notably, with hisbrothers Joey and Andrew LawrenceonBrotherly Love. He also played Jack Hunter onBoy Meets World— reprising his role on Disney Channel’sGirl Meets Worldin 2015 — and starred oppositeRob SchneiderinTheHot Chick(2002).
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Pierce Brosnan as Stu Dunmeyer
Pierce Brosnan as Stu Dunmeyer and now.20th Century Fox/Blue Wolf/Kobal/Rex/Shutterstock; Daniel Reinhardt/picture alliance/Getty Images
Brosnan portrayed the charismatic Stu, who begins a romantic relationship with Field’s Miranda.
Outside of acting,Brosnan is an artistwho spends his free timeselling prints of his paintings to charity. He is equallypassionate about the environmentand philanthropy.
After losing his first wife,Cassandra Harris, to ovarian cancer in 1991, Brosnan married journalistKeely Shaye Smithin 2001. The Golden Globe-nominatedactor has five childrenfrom both marriages; however, his daughter Charlottedied from ovarian cancerin 2013.
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Harvey Fierstein as Frank Hillard
Harvey Fierstein as Frank Hillard and now.20th Century Fox Film Corp./Everett Collection; Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images
Harvey Fiersteinplayed Frank, Daniel’s brother and a makeup artist who helps him to transform into Mrs. Doubtfire. Since then, he has appeared inIndependence Day(1996),Duplex(2003),Hairspray Live!(2016) andBros(2022). In addition to voicing the character Yao in Disney’s 1998 filmMulan, Fierstein has lent his voice to several animated shows likeFamily GuyandBig Mouth.
A four-timeTony Awardwinner, the theater star has written the books for the stage musicalsNewsies,Kinky BootsandA Catered Affair —and revised the book forFunny Girl, which was used for the 2022 Broadway revival starringBeanie Feldstein(and laterLea Michele).Additionally, the playwright has penned several op-eds and released his memoir,I Was Better Last Night: A Memoir,in 2022, instantly becoming aNew York Timesbest seller.
In February 2022, Fierstein opened up to PEOPLE about his gender identity.
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Robert Prosky as Jonathan Lundy
Robert Prosky as Jonathan Lundy and in the 2000s.20th Century Fox Film Corp./Everett Collection; Berliner Studio/BEI/REX/Shutterstock
Prosky died in 2008 at the age of 77, but he left a lasting legacy with roles inChristine(1983),The Natural(1984),Gremlins 2: The New Batch(1990),Miracle on 34th Street(1994) andDead Man Walking(1995).
source: people.com
