Pierce Brosnan reveals Robin Williams improvised iconic 'Mrs Doubtfire' line as he recounts first encounter

Pirece Brosnan first met Robin Williams in the makeup trailer when he was in the process of putting on his makeup for the role
UPDATED SEP 29, 2022
Pierce Brosnan worked with Robin Williams in 'Mrs Doubtfire' (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images and IMDb)
Pierce Brosnan worked with Robin Williams in 'Mrs Doubtfire' (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images and IMDb)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Pierce Brosnan has recounted his first encounter with legendary actor Robin Williams while working on iconic movie 'Mrs Doubtfire' in a recent interview with GQ. Pierce stated that Williams improvised one of the most famous 'Mrs Doubtfire' lines, while reminiscing about filming the movie with the late actor.

In the famous scene, Pierce's character is hit by a lime on the back of his head by Williams as Mrs Doubtfire. Robin attempted to shift the blame by claiming that it was a "run-by fruiting" committed by someone who ran away.

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Pierce stated that ‘run-by fruiting' was "not in the script". "I get the beers, I'm walking back and thinking, 'This is going to take forever to hit me on the head.' The first one missed. And the second one — is history," he said.

Comedian/actor Robin Williams appears on
Comedian/actor Robin Williams  (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

He spoke highly of his former co-star but was mostly excited to work with him. He recalled being excited about landing the role because he was a single father and needed a job, but mostly because "he was a single father working with Robin Williams". In addition to recollecting his first meeting with Robin, the 'Mamma Mia' actor also noted the first time they met in the makeup trailer on Pierce's first day on sets, Williams was in the process of putting on his makeup for the role.

"Chris Columbus, the director, he created such a warm environment for us all to be free in and create in," Pierce said. "Robin, of course, had full realm of creativity and spontaneity and humanity and passion for all of us as actors. His commitment to that role was phenomenal. He would be there from four o’clock in the morning."

"I remember going up to San Francisco the first day. I went into the makeup trailer, and Robin was in there with a Hawaiian shirt on, big hairy arms and cargo shorts with hairy legs, but he had the head of Mrs Doubtfire," he said.

As he remembered, Robin first greeted him as Mrs Doubtfire, complimented him on his appearance in the character's voice, and motioned for him to kiss her, before changing to his normal voice and addressing him as himself.

"I went to work every day on that movie, and I was always working with Mrs Doubtfire. It wasn’t until the end of the movie that I met Robin," Pierce said.

He had an extremely positive experience on set with Williams. According to Pierce, Williams was one of the great clowns, comedians, actors, and humanitarians who always "led with his heart and his soul." He could not have been more happy "to be working with him (and) Sally Field." said the actor.

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