Three decades on, the story of the gifted little girl with a love of books and special powers still resonates, as does the performance that brought her to life.<\/p>\n
A childhood in the spotlight <\/p>\n
Born on July 24, 1987, Wilson became interested in acting at just five years old after watching her older brother appear in TV commercials.<\/p>\n
Her parents were initially hesitant, but after appearing in several ads for businesses, Wilson was invited to audition for the 1993 comedy film Mrs Doubtfire.<\/p>\n
![\"Mara](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/61402c0b42de597b0cca2b29ea902d112b8fbad2.png\")
Mara Wilson and Robin Williams in Mrs Doubtfire. Credit: 20th Century Fox<\/p>\n
At just six, she landed the role of Natalie Hillard, holding her own alongside the late Robin Williams.<\/p>\n
She followed it up with another major role in Miracle on 34th Street, cementing her status as one of Hollywood\u2019s most in-demand child actors.<\/p>\n
![\"Mara](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/bbe3e860242b3831c1249728cb6a077723ef60fa.png\")
Mara Wilson in Miracle on 34th Street. Credit: 20th Century Fox<\/p>\n
But it was Matilda that made Wilson truly unforgettable.<\/p>\n
On The Morning Show on Friday, Wilson reflected on how her relationship with Matilda has evolved over the past 30 years.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s funny, for a while, Matilda was a bit like having an older sister who I felt like I was a bit in the shadow of. I loved the character so much. I loved the character as a child, and I love the character now,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I was a child, it didn\u2019t really connect to me what this character meant to people, and now I consider myself so incredibly lucky to have brought her to life\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t believe I had that privilege\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople grew up with it and people are now showing it to their kids and naming their daughters Matilda and it blows my mind every time,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Quiet heartbreak behind the magic<\/p>\n
Behind the scenes of Matilda, life was far from magical.<\/p>\n
While filming, Wilson\u2019s mother Suzie was battling terminal breast cancer. Wilson was just eight years old when her mother passed away.<\/p>\n
Director and co-star Danny DeVito made sure Suzie was able to see her daughter\u2019s work, showing her a near-complete cut of the film in the hospital shortly before she died.<\/p>\n
![\"Mara](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2323bbb2608f94c12e59228e0c7944b183a61fff.png\")
Mara Wilson and Danny DeVito on set of Matilda. Credit: Columbia TriStar<\/p>\n
Wilson spoke openly on The Morning Show about how much DeVito meant to her during that time, describing him as a \u201cfun uncle\u201d who supported her through an incredibly difficult period.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt made me so happy to know that she got to see what we\u2019d been working on,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI consider myself very lucky to have had him in my life\u201d.<\/p>\n
Wilson also reflected on Danny DeVito\u2019s role in shaping the atmosphere on set, including a moment that would become a fan favourite.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe dancing scene was the most fun scene to film,\u201d she said, explaining she was nervous to dance until DeVito insisted the cast and crew dance alongside her, turning the set into a full-blown party.<\/p>\n
Stepping away from Hollywood<\/p>\n
After starring in A Simple Wish and later Thomas and the Magic Railroad, Wilson stepped away from acting in the early 2000s, taking a 12-year hiatus to focus on writing.<\/p>\n
She returned to acting in 2012, largely through web series, but never returned to the traditional Hollywood path many expected.<\/p>\n
She has since been open about her mental health issues, revealing diagnoses of OCD, depression, anxiety and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), and has become an advocate for mental health awareness.<\/p>\n
![\"Mara](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/a527ef7508cef769d903ed081fac1e9e10faaa45.png\")
Mara Wilson is celebrating 30 years of Matilda Credit: Columbia TriStar, The Morning Show<\/p>\n
Today, Wilson works primarily as a writer, voice actress and audiobook narrator, a role she says suits her perfectly.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always loved doing voiceover work, it\u2019s my absolute favourite. I love it because I can play anybody of any age and with audiobooks, I get to play all of the characters,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love writing, I love telling stories\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cI write plays, I write articles, I\u2019ve written a book. Maybe I\u2019ll write another one\u201d.<\/p>\n
Her 2016 memoir Where Am I Now? marked a clear turning point, as she largely left Hollywood behind in favour of creative freedom, podcasts and storytelling on her own terms.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve gotten to travel internationally, and I still meet Matilda fans everywhere,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cDoing writing and voice acting is much more rewarding and working with Children too … I love it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Thirty years on, Mara Wilson may have grown beyond Matilda, but she continues to honour the character that inspired generations.<\/p>\n