Lisa Jakub, Mara Wilson, and Matthew Lawrence – See How the Now-Grown Child Stars of 'Mrs. Doubtfire' Look Today – Photo & Details

For some, Hollywood fame became a distant memory; for others, life took unexpected turns involving personal struggles, new beginnings, and lasting lessons from a legendary costar.

More than 30 years have passed since three young actors captured audiences' hearts in a beloved family comedy. Their lives have changed dramatically since then, but one recent moment has brought their shared past back into the spotlight — and fans have plenty to say.

In 1993, "Mrs. Doubtfire" introduced audiences to a fictional family whose parents' separation led to one of Hollywood's most memorable disguises. At the center of the story were three children whose bond extended far beyond the movie set.

Lisa Jakub, Mara Wilson, and Matthew Lawrence played the children of Daniel Hillard, portrayed by the late Robin Williams, and his estranged wife, played by Sally Field.

Robin Williams spent up to five hours in makeup to transform into Mrs. Doubtfire, a process Director Chris Columbus described as physically demanding. His improvisations were so unpredictable that the script supervisor sometimes struggled to record everything he said. | Source: Getty Images

Williams famously transformed himself into Mrs. Doubtfire, an elderly British nanny, to remain close to his children despite the family's changing circumstances. Although the film became a beloved classic, the young actors' connection was just as meaningful behind the scenes.

In an October 2018 interview with TODAY, Jakub recalled the instant bond she felt with her onscreen siblings. "I felt like I met my siblings for the first time," she said. As an only child, Jakub was especially excited about the opportunity to have siblings, even fictional ones.

Lisa Jakub began acting at just four years old after a chance encounter at a farmers' market led to a commercial audition. By 22, she had accumulated more than 40 film and television credits but was beginning to question whether Hollywood was where she truly belonged. | Source: Getty Images

She explained that the casting team brought the three young performers together early in the audition process, and their chemistry quickly became apparent. "And we just felt like family. I feel like that chemistry was very obvious," she recalled.

Yet, while their onscreen childhood remains frozen in the early 1990s, the lives they built afterward could hardly have been more different.

Lisa Jakub Walked Away from Hollywood and Found a Different Purpose

For Jakub, acting was practically all she had ever known. According to her personal website, she spent 18 years working in the entertainment industry, appearing in everything from major Hollywood productions to television movies. Her credits include "Mrs. Doubtfire" and "Independence Day," but her success came with challenges that audiences never saw.

Jakub began acting at just four years old after a stranger approached her parents at a farmers' market and suggested she audition for a commercial. That unexpected encounter launched a career that would eventually include more than 40 film and television projects.

By 22, she had what many aspiring actors could only dream of: a successful career in Los Angeles, major movie credits, and a house she had purchased when she was just 15. But something was missing.

Despite her Hollywood success, Jakub privately struggled with severe anxiety and panic attacks. She eventually abandoned acting to pursue a more fulfilling life, later becoming an author, mental wellness advocate, and founder of Blue Mala. | Source: Getty Images

Despite her achievements, Jakub struggled with severe anxiety, panic attacks, and a growing realization that Hollywood's definition of success did not necessarily match her own. In her memoir, "You Look Like That Girl: A Child Actor Stops Pretending and Finally Grows Up," she reflected on the unusual experiences that shaped her childhood.

Among them were meeting Princess Diana and nearly falling on her while attempting to curtsy, being asked not to return to her high school, and an alarming experience she described as being "kind of kidnapped."

Eventually, Jakub decided she no longer wanted to continue living a life driven by expectations that were not her own. She retired from acting and left Los Angeles, determined to find a more meaningful direction.

Today, her professional life looks very different from the one she led as a child star. Jakub has become a mental wellness advocate, author, speaker, and founder of an online community dedicated to mindfulness.

Her second book, "Not Just Me: Anxiety, Depression, and Learning to Embrace Your Weird," combines personal experiences with an exploration of mental health. She also founded Blue Mala, an online wellness community offering yoga, meditation, and mindfulness resources.

The platform provides more than 100 on-demand yoga classes and over 100 meditation classes, alongside other tools designed to support daily mental wellness. Blue Mala operates on a pay-what-you-can membership model, allowing members to access its resources at a price they can afford.

The community also offers access to a private Facebook group and Jakub's writing, including her Substack newsletter, "Light in the World."

Beyond her online work, Jakub spent a decade supporting military veterans, establishing a nonprofit that provided mindfulness retreats for people living with post-traumatic stress. She has also spoken at organizations including Google, the University of Virginia, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Away from her professional commitments, Jakub lives in British Columbia, Canada, with her husband, Jeremy, and their rescue dog, Olive. Her journey has taken her far from the film sets that defined her childhood, but one particular lesson from "Mrs. Doubtfire" has stayed with her.

Robin Williams Left a Lasting Impression on His Young Co-Star

Jakub has spoken openly about how Williams influenced her understanding of mental health. During her 2018 interview, she revealed that the actor was remarkably honest with her about his personal struggles while they worked together. "Something that Robin taught me that was really, really important is that he was very open with me about his issues with addiction and depression," she explained.

Jakub, who was 14 while filming, said those conversations became especially meaningful because she also experienced anxiety and depression. "I have dealt with depression, and I have anxiety, and the fact that he was that open, that honest, that willing to talk to me about it was something that was really special," she shared.

Williams openly discussed his struggles with addiction and depression with Jakub when she was just 14 years old. The actress later credited his honesty with inspiring her to speak more openly about her own mental health challenges. | Source: Getty Images

His example inspired her to speak more openly about her own experiences and challenge the stigma surrounding mental health. Williams also taught her the importance of being present, both as a performer and as a person. But he wasn't the only adult on set who helped make the experience memorable.

Jakub recalled that Field regularly visited the young actors' trailers, bringing books and games and checking that they were managing the demands of schoolwork and filming. "She was a mom to all of us," Jakub said. And while Jakub eventually traded acting for advocacy, another member of the fictional Hillard family also stepped away from traditional Hollywood stardom.

Sally Field made a lasting impression on the young "Mrs. Doubtfire" cast by regularly checking on them and bringing books and games to their trailers. Jakub later recalled, "She was a mom to all of us." | Source: Getty Images

Mara Wilson Found a New Way to Tell Stories

Wilson became one of the most recognizable child actresses of the 1990s. Following "Mrs. Doubtfire" in 1993, she appeared in 1994's "Miracle on 34th Street" before starring in the 1996 film "Matilda." Her performances made her a familiar face to audiences, but life in the public eye came with experiences that would affect her long after childhood.

In an April 2026 interview with Channel 4 News, Wilson discussed the devastating impact of discovering online sexual exploitation involving fabricated images of her as a child. She recalled searching for herself on the internet when she was 12 and encountering disturbing claims involving images supposedly depicting her in sexually explicit situations.

Wilson explained that no genuine photographs of that nature existed, but images from her childhood film appearances had been misused.

Following "Mrs. Doubtfire," Mara Wilson became a household name through performances in "Miracle on 34th Street" and "Matilda." However, her early fame came with painful experiences that eventually contributed to her decision to step away from traditional Hollywood acting. | Source: Getty Images

"If they were using my image, they were using images of me as a prepubescent child," she said. The discovery was profoundly distressing. "I was incredibly devastated. I could not stop crying. I felt ashamed," Wilson recalled. She admitted that the experience may have contributed to her decision to retreat from the spotlight.

"And I think it may have been one of the factors that led me to not want to act anymore," she said. Wilson also warned that developments in artificial intelligence could expose others to similar exploitation. "With AI, what happened to me can happen to any child or any woman. It can happen to anybody." Her professional journey eventually took another direction.

As PEOPLE reported in May 2026, Wilson took a hiatus from acting following 2000's "Thomas and the Magic Railroad." When she returned in 2012, she increasingly focused on voiceover performances, web series, podcasts, and audiobooks.

The former child star has since narrated approximately 70 audiobooks, discovering a form of performance that offers opportunities far beyond traditional onscreen roles. "I love that you can be anything," Wilson said of audiobook narration. "I love that you get to play all the characters."

In 2026, she spoke with PEOPLE about narrating Katherine Applegate's "Wombat Waiting," a story about a dog named Wombat who survived wildfires. Although her career has changed significantly, Wilson's continued involvement in storytelling shows that leaving conventional Hollywood stardom did not mean abandoning creativity.

And while Wilson embraced a quieter form of performance, her former onscreen brother experienced another kind of personal transformation.

Matthew Lawrence's Life After 'Mrs. Doubtfire' Included a High-Profile Romance

Unlike his former co-stars, Lawrence has remained connected to entertainment, although his personal life has attracted considerable attention in recent years. One of the most widely discussed chapters involved his marriage to former "Dancing with the Stars" professional Cheryl Burke.

The couple married in May 2019, but Burke filed for divorce in February 2022, citing irreconcilable differences. Their divorce was finalized that September. In the years that followed, Burke spoke publicly about the emotional difficulties of their separation.

According to a January 2026 Daily Mail report, the dancer discussed her lingering grief during an October episode of the "I Do, Part 2" podcast. "To say that I haven't or still sometimes grieve would be a lie too. I think it can be both, you know?" she admitted.

Matthew Lawrence and Cheryl Burke married in May 2019, but their relationship ended when the dancer filed for divorce in February 2022, citing irreconcilable differences. Their divorce was finalized that September, marking the end of their three-year marriage. | Source: Getty Images

Burke also suggested that her career on "Dancing with the Stars" and her position as the relationship's primary breadwinner may have contributed to tensions. Lawrence, however, largely avoided discussing their divorce publicly. When he eventually addressed his silence, he explained that experiencing personal difficulties in the public eye was especially challenging.

"That's one of the interesting things about when you choose to be in a career like this is that your private life is public, so you have to live those things out on a public stage," he told the Daily Mail. "And I don't think that's really fun for anybody, you know?"

The actor also addressed his decision not to respond publicly to what he described as false narratives surrounding the split. Nevertheless, his romantic life eventually took a happier turn.

Burke later admitted she was still grieving the end of their marriage and suggested that career-related tensions may have contributed to their difficulties. Lawrence, meanwhile, explained that he had largely remained silent because navigating personal struggles in the public eye was challenging. | Source: Getty Images

Lawrence became romantically linked to TLC Singer Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas, with their relationship making headlines in early 2023. In a March 2023 interview reported by PEOPLE, Lawrence expressed his excitement about their relationship. "Life is always a surprise," he said.

"My life is in a complete bloom right now. I get to spend time with an amazing woman like Chilli." He added, "I've never gotten to be able to experience that kind of relationship before, so it's quite special. She's a really, really special human being. I wish more people on the planet were like her. We'd be much better off." Apart from his relationships, Lawrence has pursued interests outside acting.

Following his divorce, Lawrence found love with TLC Singer Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas, with their romance making headlines in early 2023. The actor described their connection as something he had never experienced before, declaring, "My life is in a complete bloom right now." | Source: Getty Images

His Instagram biography identifies him as a wildlife ambassador, reflecting his involvement with animals and wildlife. He is also a podcaster, participating in "BrotherlyLovePod." Just days ago, Lawrence shared a clip from a recent podcast episode, offering followers another glimpse into his work beyond traditional acting.

All three former child stars have clearly grown into lives that look considerably different from the world audiences first encountered in 1993. Yet their connection to "Mrs. Doubtfire" continues to hold a special place in the hearts of viewers.

The 'Mrs. Doubtfire' Legacy Still Holds a Few Surprises

Decades after the film's release, Director Chris Columbus has continued sharing memories of working with Williams. In November 2023, IndieWire reported that Columbus hoped to develop a documentary using previously unseen footage from the production.

He revealed that approximately two million feet of film, stored in hundreds of boxes, could offer a fascinating look at Williams' extraordinary improvisational abilities. Columbus also discussed a proposed sequel. As detailed in a 2023 Business Insider interview, the director and Williams had discussed a follow-up in 2014, shortly before the actor's death.

A script had already been written, but Williams had reservations about the physical demands of spending so much time in the elaborate Mrs. Doubtfire costume. Following his death, Columbus made clear that he did not want to pursue a sequel without him.

A sequel to "Mrs. Doubtfire" was discussed in 2014, but Williams expressed concerns about the physical demands of returning to his famous disguise. Following the actor's death that year, Director Chris Columbus made it clear that he would not want the beloved film to receive a sequel without him. | Source: Getty Images

Lisa Jakub, Mara Wilson, and Matthew Lawrence Reunite — See How They Look Today

More than 30 years after appearing together in "Mrs. Doubtfire," the three former child actors recently reunited at The Hollywood Show in Los Angeles. As seen in an Instagram post shared by OK! Magazine, Jakub, Wilson, and Lawrence came together for a moment that immediately transported fans back to the 1993 classic.

The trio posed together while holding a photograph of themselves alongside Williams from their childhood acting days. Jakub appeared with long, wavy brunette hair, Wilson sported dark hair and bangs, while Lawrence smiled in glasses and a baseball cap.

The reunion also offered an emotional opportunity to revisit their memories of Williams and the kindness he showed them when the cameras weren't rolling. For longtime fans, the sight of the actors together again was a striking reminder of just how much time had passed since they first played siblings.

Fans React to the Former Child Stars' Appearances

The reunion quickly sparked a wave of online commentary, with some viewers expressing surprise at how much the actors had changed and others celebrating how recognizable they remained. Among the reactions shared in an Instagram discussion, one admirer praised the trio's natural appearance.

"They are so human, it makes you wanna cry!! They did not have plastic surgery and [sic] you can see all their beauty!! ❤️❤️ Love it, love it, love it!!" the commenter wrote. Another person admitted, "I don't know why I expected them to look younger 😅." Others expressed their excitement more simply.

"this [sic] is unreal😍😍😍," one person marveled, while another praised, "They look great." Not everyone reacted in quite the same way, however. One commenter asked, "What happened to Mara Wilson [sic]." Another observed, "They look so different now."

Jakub received some particularly enthusiastic attention, with one person declaring, "Holy cow, Lisa Jakub is such a looker today." The reactions continued on Facebook, where fans shared similarly affectionate responses. "Awwww🥹🫶🥰look amazing," one viewer swooned. Another exclaimed, "Omg, they look the same!" Jakub once again attracted compliments, with one commenter gushing, "Lisa is beautiful."

The variety of reactions highlighted something familiar about celebrity reunions: viewers often remember childhood performers exactly as they appeared decades earlier. Seeing them as adults can be surprising, especially when their childhood roles remain such a prominent part of popular culture.

But for Jakub, Wilson, and Lawrence, the years since "Mrs. Doubtfire" have brought considerably more than changes in appearance. They have navigated career transitions, personal challenges, new relationships, and unexpected opportunities while maintaining a connection to the film that introduced them to millions.

Perhaps the most meaningful part of their reunion was the opportunity to remember the man who helped make their onscreen family unforgettable. As Jakub once explained, the movie's lasting message was not simply about a father's unconventional disguise; it was about recognizing that families can take different forms while remaining connected through love, compassion, and acceptance.

More than three decades later, the former Hillard children have grown up, but the memories they share — and the impact of Williams — remain very much alive.