Robin Williams’ Mrs Doubtfire: A Masterclass in Character Transformation

Robin Williams was never one to be confined by a single genre or style. Throughout his career, he demonstrated a remarkable ability to move seamlessly between comedic and dramatic roles, never allowing himself to be pigeonholed. While some may have speculated that he was drifting away from comedy in favour of more serious work, Williams himself insisted that his choices were always guided by the quality of the roles and the opportunities they presented to challenge and entertain both himself and his audiences.

It’s perhaps unsurprising, then, that when people reflect on Williams’ legacy, they often recall his comedic performances. Films such as Mrs Doubtfire, Flubber, and RV stand out as showcases for his extraordinary range, particularly his improvisational prowess and his knack for making every moment feel spontaneous and authentic. In Mrs Doubtfire, this talent was on full display, with much of the film’s charm hinging on the genuine reactions of those around him. The director, Chris Columbus, even arranged for several cameras to be positioned around Williams during filming, ensuring that every unscripted moment and the cast’s responses were captured from all angles. The sheer volume of material generated by Williams’ improvisation was so great that they eventually ran out of film, amassing a staggering two million feet of footage.

Finding the Voice

Williams’ approach to the role was meticulous even before filming began. The distinctive voice of Mrs Doubtfire was developed during preproduction, as he experimented with various options until he found the perfect fit. Columbus recalled, “Robin started playing around with the voice, but with him, it doesn’t take a long time to get the voice. He probably had it within ten minutes, and we all agreed that’s exactly how Mrs Doubtfire should sound.”

For Williams, nailing the voice was the key to unlocking the rest of the character. He once described the process as

[It was a] bit like demonic possession. Once in the right makeup and finding that voice, I was so freed up. You know, that very sweet voice.

He added,

Initially, she sounded like Margaret Thatcher. Scared the hell out of children. I went, no, no. Make her very soft, and very dear, and say horrible things in that soft voice. The idea of that film, which literally came from a divorce counsellor in my first marriage, was, ‘Don’t use your children as little hostages. Just treat them with love and respect and you can get through this.’

Improvisation and On-Set Magic

Once the voice was established, everything else seemed to fall into place. While certain elements evolved during filming, the core of the character remained consistent. Columbus noted that the final piece of the puzzle was the glasses; once Williams donned them, the transformation was complete, and the character truly came to life.

Williams’ ability to inhabit a role so completely, to the point where he likened it to being overtaken by another force, was a testament to his dedication and creative spirit. His improvisational skills not only kept his fellow actors on their toes but also brought a unique energy to the set, making each take unpredictable and fresh. The result was a performance that felt both effortless and deeply considered, a balance that few could achieve with such regularity.