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‘Don’t Act in Fear’: Robin Williams’ Powerful Message to Matthew Lawrence
“Robin Williams was the landmark figure in my young career,” The Masked Singer’s Matthew Lawrence told Page Six on Thursday.
Remembering Williams’ Advice Helped Him on ‘Masked Singer’
Lawrence was just 12-years-old when he starred in Mrs. Doubtfire with Robin Williams. He’s still feeling the impact of that connection today. “Not only was he the most brilliant artist, but he was just the most compassionate, humble, good human being I’ve yet to work with in this business.
“‘Don’t act in fear,’” the actor said, recalling the powerful message his longtime friend once shared with him. “He would say that all the time and it’s so special.”
When Lawrence was asked to perform on The Masked Singer, it was Williams’ words that kept repeating in his head. Remembering his advice helped Lawrence overcome the stage fright that had plagued him for most of his life.
Lawrence Gets Candid About ‘Stage Fright Moment’ That Haunted Him: ‘I Ran Off Stage’
It was an audition in front of a packed house that instilled a fear of performing in front of people. Casting director Bernard Telsey flew Lawrence to New York for an audition. Upon arriving, he discovered that he would have a pianist accompany him instead of a pre-recorded background track.
“It threw me off a little bit, because I didn’t know exactly in the song where he was, and that turned into a stage fright moment, where I went to go sing — and my throat closed up,” he shared. “There [were] murmurs in the crowd, and I, like, ran off stage.”
However, because of Williams’ life lessons — and some encouragement from loved ones, including brother Joey Lawrence and Andy Lawrence — Matt finally faced his fears for “The Masked Singer.”
“When they called to ask if I’d be on the show, I was honored, but … because of this fear, I was like, ‘I don’t know’ … and then I’m so glad my family pushed me, you know, to do it,” he said.
