Matthew Lawrence Unmasked: A Rare Sight Post-Mrs. Doubtfire
EXCLUSIVE: Matthew Lawrence Spotted Out and About in LA, Still Holding onto Memories of Robin Williams
It's been over two decades since the beloved comedy classic Mrs. Doubtfire stole our hearts with its hilarious antics and heartwarming moments. And for one of its former child stars, it seems like those memories are still as fresh as ever! Matthew Lawrence, who played the lovable pre-teen Chris in the 1993 film, was spotted out and about in Los Angeles on Tuesday, running errands and looking every bit the relaxed celebrity.
But what caught our attention wasn't just his casual outfit – a white T-shirt, gray pants, and flip-flops combo that screamed "low-key celeb" – but the fact that he's still clearly grieving the loss of Robin Williams. The late actor, who tragically passed away in 2014 at the age of 63, left an indelible mark on Matthew's life, and it seems like his legacy is still very much alive.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Lawrence opened up about his hopes to honor Williams' memory in a modern way. He shared that he'd love to see the late actor's voice brought back through artificial intelligence (AI) technology for a future project – a sentiment that sparked controversy when Zelda Williams, Robin's daughter, publicly opposed the idea.
"I would love – now, obviously, with the respect and with the okay from his family – but I would love to do something really special with his voice because I know for a generation, that voice is just so iconic," Lawrence said. "It's not just the fact that I knew him and worked with him and so it's in my head – it's in everybody's head. And it would be so cool."
But what sparked this idea? According to Matthew, it was an old commercial featuring Williams using a computerized voiceover that caught his attention. The concept seemed eerily ahead of its time, and he couldn't help but think that Williams was somehow predicting the future with his use of AI.
"It's kinda like this very contemporary, modern, almost sort of foreshadowing of what's going on commercial that he did, where he did this computerized voiceover, and it always stuck with me," Lawrence explained. "And then, during his passing, with the AI coming out, I'm like, 'Man, he's gotta be the voice of A.I. He's gotta be the voice in something.' So yeah, I would love to do that."
As it turns out, Matthew's memories of working with Williams on the set of Mrs. Doubtfire are still very much intact. In fact, he credits his time on the film with teaching him valuable life lessons – especially compassion.
"He really quantified what it was to be a real artist for me in the sense that he was definitely... the most brilliant artist I've ever worked with," Lawrence reflected. "But on top of that, he had the compassion, he had the humility, and he also had these things that he struggled with."
However, not everyone is on board with the idea of using AI to replicate Williams' voice. In 2023, Zelda Williams publicly opposed the use of artificial intelligence to bring her late father's voice back, citing concerns about consent and the potential misuse of his image.
"I am not an impartial voice in SAG's fight against AI," she wrote on Instagram. "I've witnessed for YEARS how many people want to train these models to create/re-create actors who cannot consent, like Dad."
Zelda continued: "This isn't theoretical, it is very very real. I've already heard AI used to get his 'voice' to say whatever people want and while I find it personally disturbing, the ramifications go far beyond my own feelings."
As Matthew continues to navigate the complexities of using AI to honor Williams' memory, one thing is clear: the legacy of the late actor will live on in our hearts for generations to come.
