EntertainmentMara Wilson's journey: From 'Matilda' star to mental health advocate

Mara Wilson's journey: From 'Matilda' star to mental health advocate

Mara Wilson gained fame as a child star with her role in the movie "Matilda." Privately, the actress struggled with illness and the death of her mother. She also stepped away from show business for a period. What is she up to today?

Mara Wilson (20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett)
Mara Wilson (20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett)
Images source: © East News
Ignacy Węgrzyn

10:44 AM EDT, September 12, 2024

Show business is replete with stars who started their careers as children. Unfortunately, this world isn't always rosy. Mara Wilson, known from productions such as "Mrs. Doubtfire" and "Miracle on 34th Street," experienced this firsthand a few years ago.

The actress achieved her greatest popularity with her role in Matilda, which premiered in 1996. Mara Wilson, who played the titular character, was only 9 years old at the time. During filming, her mother lost her battle with cancer. However, this was not the only traumatic experience in Mara's life, who celebrated her 37th birthday just a few weeks ago.

Mara Wilson was a child star. her life was not a bed of roses

The dark side of fame and the brutal realities of show business affected Wilson despite her young age. However, the actress doesn't paint everyone with the same brush. While she admitted that she mainly worked with directors who knew how to handle children on set, she also faced inappropriate comments from journalists and fans.

The actress did not hide that show business also took a toll on her during adolescence when she unsuccessfully auditioned for roles in several major productions. During this time, Mara Wilson felt her popularity had dramatically declined, which ultimately led her to end her acting career. Years later, she was grateful for this decision, as it protected her from many dangers inherent in the media world.

What's up with Mara Wilson?

Recently, Mara Wilson has mainly been involved in writing, a dream she had since childhood. However, she hasn’t completely given up acting. She still occasionally appears in various productions, which she shares on social media. Not long ago, an audio series about vampires featuring her premiered, and she noted this on her Instagram profile.

The actress is also dedicated to supporting children and teenagers with psychological problems, a struggle she knows well. Mara Wilson battled deep depression for years and was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder at just 12 years old. Today, she speaks openly about her experiences and challenges.

Do you remember Mara Wilson from her role as Matilda? See how she looks today.

Mara Wilson
Mara Wilson© Instagram
Mara Wilson
Mara Wilson© Instagram
Mara Wilson
Mara Wilson© Instagram
Mara Wilson
Mara Wilson© Instagram
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