“Mrs. Doubtfire” star Matthew Lawrence proposes AI revival of Robin Williams’ voice

Matthew Lawrence, who starred as a child in “Mrs. Doubtfire” alongside Robin Williams, has expressed interest in using artificial intelligence to resurrect the late comedian’s voice for modern applications. Lawrence shared his vision at Comic-Con, emphasizing that any such project would require approval from Williams’ family and would honor the actor’s iconic legacy.

What he’s proposing: Lawrence envisions multiple ways AI could bring Williams’ distinctive voice back to life for contemporary uses.

• He suggested Williams could provide driving directions on phones, saying “It would be Robin! It would be so cool. I’m telling you.”
• The idea was sparked by an old television commercial featuring Williams doing computerized voiceover work, which Lawrence described as “very contemporary, modern, almost sort of foreshadowing of what’s going on.”

What they’re saying: Lawrence emphasized the cultural impact of Williams’ voice and his desire to create something meaningful.

• “I would love — now, obviously, with the respect and with the OK from his family — but I would love to do something really special with his voice because I know for a generation, that voice is just so iconic,” Lawrence told Entertainment Weekly.
• “It’s not just the fact that I knew him and worked with him and so it’s in my head — it’s in everybody’s head. And it would be so cool.”
• Reflecting on AI’s emergence after Williams’ 2014 death, Lawrence said: “Man, he’s gotta be the voice of AI. He’s gotta be the voice in something.”

Their personal connection: Lawrence shared intimate details about his relationship with Williams during the filming of “Mrs. Doubtfire.”

• Williams gave Lawrence crucial life advice about avoiding drugs, telling him: “Don’t ever do drugs. Especially cocaine.”
• “He was very serious,” Lawrence recalled. “He was like, ‘You know when you come to my trailer and you see me like that?’ He’s like, ‘That’s the reason why. And now I’m fighting for the rest of my life because I spent 10 years doing something very stupid every day. Do not do it.'”
• Williams also helped Lawrence secure the role through a strategic prank during auditions, secretly pinching the young actor to elicit an authentic reaction that impressed studio executives.

Why this matters: The proposal highlights the growing intersection of AI technology with celebrity legacy preservation, while raising questions about consent and the ethical use of deceased performers’ voices. “Mrs. Doubtfire” earned over $440 million worldwide and remains one of Williams’ most beloved comedic performances, making his voice particularly recognizable to multiple generations of fans.