Pierce Brosnan has shared fond memories of working with Robin Williams on the set of Mrs. Doubtfire, revealing that Williams’ off-the-cuff, X-rated jokes had him “falling around the floor with laughter.”
The two starred together in the beloved 1993 film, where Williams played Daniel Hillard, a father going to extreme lengths during his divorce to spend more time with his children. Brosnan played Stuart “Stu” Dunmeyer, a man who began dating Miranda, the mother of the children.
In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Brosnan, now 71, laughed as he recalled some of the behind-the-scenes moments, especially from the chaotic restaurant scene where the family celebrated Miranda’s birthday. Brosnan remembered how Williams, portraying the disguised nanny, made suggestive jokes about his character’s relationship with Miranda, which became increasingly “blue.”
“There’s reams of footage of me just falling around on the floor with laughter,” Brosnan said. “He went really blue. He was quite colorful, especially since the kids weren’t there, and it was just Robin and me. He knew he had me in the crosshairs with his humor. I loved the man.”
Brosnan also spoke about their first meeting, describing Williams as a dynamic performer who would jump between accents, including the one he used for the housekeeper role in the film. “He was such a kind-hearted man, such a beautiful soul. No one made me laugh quite like Robin Williams did,” Brosnan added. “The job was pure heaven, pure joy.”
Williams, who passed away in 2014 at the age of 63, left a lasting impact on Hollywood with his performances in Good Will Hunting, Dead Poets Society, Jumanji, and other films. However, Mrs. Doubtfire remains one of his most cherished roles.
The film’s casting director, Janet Hirshenson, previously revealed that Williams went above and beyond to help young actors during their auditions. “We took our favorite children from LA to San Francisco to test with Robin, and Robin was so… wonderful,” Hirshenson told Metro. “He improvised all the time, but these were little children, including five-year-olds, and it was their test. He was trying so hard to help the kids with their audition while staying on book.”
Williams’ legacy lives on through his many unforgettable performances, and his kindness and humor continue to be remembered by those who worked with him.
