Sally Field Was a 'Mother Figure' on Mrs. Doubtfire Set, Says Matthew Lawrence

Matthew Lawrence, who played the son of Sally Field and Robin Williams in the 1993 film "Mrs. Doubtfire," says Field became "another mother figure" to him during production.

Lawrence was 12 when he filmed the movie. In a new interview with Entertainment Weekly, he described a set culture built around the young cast.

"We really became a family unit on that set," Lawrence said. He appeared alongside Lisa Jakub and Mara Wilson as the three children of Daniel (Williams) and Miranda (Field).

What happened behind the scenes?

The film follows Williams as Daniel, a father who disguises himself as the titular Scottish nanny to prove to his estranged wife that he has matured. Pierce Brosnan played the boyfriend of Field's character.

Lawrence told Entertainment Weekly the cast spent time together even before rehearsals began, "so [Field] kind of really became another mother figure."

He recalled that Field was "so sweet" during the experience.

"She was so caring, so kind," Lawrence said. "I don't know how anybody could have anything bad to say about the lady… She was great."

How did the adult actors treat the child cast?

According to Lawrence, Field, Williams and Brosnan struck a careful balance with their young co-star. The three "neither treated me and talked down to me as a child, nor did they overexpose me to the adult world."

That trio "walked a line" that was "absolutely wonderful," Lawrence said, making the shoot "one of those incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experiences." He added: "Sally in particular… she was amazing."

Lawrence has occasionally run into Field in the three decades since "Mrs. Doubtfire" premiered. "She's always great," he said.

A lasting tribute

Earlier this year, Lawrence published a graphic novel, "The Lawrence Brothers Detective Agency," with his real-life brothers. The book includes a tribute to both Field and Robin Williams, who died in 2014 — though the source interview does not dwell on that loss, it makes clear the bonds formed on the 1993 set still shape how Lawrence remembers his childhood career.