The child stars of Mrs Doubtfire look unrecognisable 30 years on from the film’s 1993 release.
Mara Wilson, 35, Matthew Lawrence, 42, and Lisa Jakub, 44, were aged six, thirteen and fifteen, respectively, when the blockbuster was first shown on the big screen.
The family comedy follows divorced actor Daniel Hillard (Robin Williams), who disguises himself as a female housekeeper to spend time with his children, when his ex-wife Miranda Hillard gets custody of them as part of their split.
It went on to become the number two earning movie of the year as Rated PG-13, which means there may be some material inappropriate for children under 13.
Matilda star Mara played Natalie Hillard while Matthew took on the role of her brother Chris and Lisa was eldest child Lydia.
Now, three decades after box office sensation became a firm family staple, MailOnline takes a look at what the leading children have been getting up to since.
Throwback: The child stars of Mrs Doubtfire look unrecognisable 30 years on from the film’s 1993 release (L-R: Lisa Jakoub, Robin Williams, Mara Wilson and Matthew Lawrence)
Mara Wilson
Mara, who enjoyed her first movie role in Mrs. Doubtfire, went on to star in Miracle On 34th Street as well as Matilda in the following years.
However, after the untimely death of her mother Suzie from breast cancer, aged 43, she only took on a few more roles before taking a 12 year hiatus.
She avoided the spotlight following a successful career as a playwright, although she has recently taken several acting jobs, including in the 2018 series Big Hero 6 and as a waitress in 2016’s Broad City.
She has also lent her voice to a character named Jill Pill in BoJack Horseman and published a memoir titled, Where Am I Now?
Mara came out as bisexual following the 2016 Orlando killings in which gay men were targeted at a nightclub. Her net worth is thought to be $500k.
Adorable: Mara, who enjoyed her first movie role in Mrs. Doubtfire, went on to star in Miracle On 34th Street as well as Matilda in the following years
Lisa Jakub
At the time of landing the role, Lisa was controversially expelled from school.
She went on to have a successful adolescent acting career, appearing in Independence Day two years later.
She did, however, give up acting when she was 22 years-old and went to Virginia in 2005 to wed Hollywood theatre manager Jeremy Jones.
Lisa currently works as a yoga instructor, public speaker, and author, having written an autobiography titled You Look Like That Girl.
She founded the health website Blue Mala last year as a tool she wishes she’d had in her lowest points. Her net worth is thought to be $300k.
Uh-oh: At the time of landing the role, Lisa was controversially expelled from school
Matthew Lawrence
Following his success in Mrs. Doubtfire, Matthew and his real-life brothers featured in the 90s TV series Brotherly Love.
Then, from 1997 and 2000, he was cast as Jack Hunter on Boy Meets World.
Most recently, between 2011 and 2014, Matthew had cameos on his brother’s sitcom Melissa & Joey. Matthew also acted in the 2002 film The Hot Chick.
He married Dancing With The Stars pro Cheryl Burke in 2019, however she filed for divorce in January 2022.
Now, he is reportedly dating TLC star Rozonda ‘Chilli’ Thomas.
Talented: Following his success in Mrs. Doubtfire, Matthew and his real-life brothers featured in the 90s TV series Brotherly Love
In recent times, there has been recent chatter on social media about four versions of Mrs. Doubtfire existing, including PG, PG-13, R, and the explicit, NC-17.
People had mixed thoughts about the idea of a Rated NC-17 (No children under 17) version, since the original PG-13 was so successful.
Director Chris Columbus soon set the record straight about the possibility of there being alternative edits of Mrs. Doubtfire.
A viral tweet referenced an old 2015 interview where Chris talked about having four cuts of the movie due to Robin’s penchant for improv on the set.
Over: He married Dancing With The Stars pro Cheryl Burke in 2019, however she filed for divorce in January 2022 (pictured in 2018)
It turns out the legendary actor and comedian did numerous takes of a scene after doing the scripted version.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the filmmaker shot down any talk of an NC-17 rated version, but he did confirm there’s enough footage to work with for three separate cuts, including one that is R-rated.
‘The reality is that there was a deal between Robin and myself, which was, he’ll do one or two, three scripted takes. And then he would say, “Then let me play,”‘ the famed director explained.
‘And we would basically go on anywhere between 15 to 22 takes; I think 22 being the most I remember.’
Reunited: NBC’s Today Show caught up with the three-piece during a 2018 segment
Chris recalled in wonder over how Robin would create new lines and versions for every take, which sometimes would involve vulgarity.
‘He would sometimes go into territory that wouldn’t be appropriate for a PG-13 movie, but certainly appropriate and hilariously funny for an R-rated film. I only [previously] used the phrase NC-17 as a joke. There could be no NC-17 version of the movie,’ the Pennsylvania native made clear.
The director also added that while Robin’s improvisational skills led to enough footage to make ‘three or four’ versions of the film, he doesn’t have any plans to make them, with the exception of one potential project.
‘I would be open to maybe doing a documentary about the making of the film, and enabling people to see certain scenes re-edited in an R-rated version,’ he revealed before sharing a big disclaimer.
‘The problem is, I don’t recall most of it. I only know what’s in the movie at this point because it’s been a long time. But I do remember it was outrageously funny material.’
Earning $441.3 million at the worldwide box office on a $25 million budget, Mrs. Doubtfire was the second-highest-grossing film of 1993, just behind Jurassic Park, which raked-in $914,691,118.
The comedy, which also stars Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan and Harvey Fierstein, also has the distinction of being the highest-grossing cross-dressing film of all time.
What now: In recent times, there has been recent chatter on social media about four versions of Mrs. Doubtfire existing, including PG, PG-13, R, and the explicit, NC-17 (L-R: Pierce Brosnan, Matthew, Sally Field, Mara, Lisa, Robin)
