Matthew Lawrence recently shared a moving tribute to the late Robin Williams, reflecting on the profound impact the legendary actor had on his life and career. Best known for playing Williams’ on-screen son in Mrs. Doubtfire, Lawrence opened up to Page Six about the advice from Williams that still guides him to this day—especially during moments of personal challenge, like his time on The Masked Singer.
Lawrence described Williams as not only a comedic genius but also “the most compassionate, humble, good human being” he’s ever worked with. One piece of wisdom that stuck with him? “Don’t act in fear.” According to Lawrence, this phrase became a grounding mantra—particularly during an earlier, traumatic Broadway audition.
Years ago, Lawrence was flown to New York for a high-pressure stage audition, where an unexpected switch from a background track to a live pianist completely threw him off. To make matters worse, David Letterman was filming nearby and brought over his guests—turning the audition into an impromptu performance in front of a full crowd. Overcome with anxiety and confusion about the timing of the music, Lawrence froze and fled the stage. The experience haunted him for years.
So, when The Masked Singer invited him to perform, Lawrence was understandably hesitant. But his brothers, Joey and Andy Lawrence, encouraged him to face his fears. As Paparazzo, he delivered a standout performance of Hallelujah—a tribute to Robin Williams that he described as a deeply spiritual experience. “It was like lightning in a bottle,” he said, calling it a moment that helped him rise above his limitations.
Lawrence’s heartfelt performance reminded him—and his audience—of the healing power of art and the lasting influence of mentors like Robin Williams.
