Who Is Mara Wilson? Age, Career, and Life After Matilda
Quick Facts
Full Name: Mara Elizabeth WilsonAge: 38 Nationality: American
Occupation: Writer, mental health advocate, and former actress
Known For: Starring as Matilda Wormwood in Matilda (1996), Natalie Hillard in Mrs. Doubtfire, and her memoir Where Am I Now?
Early Life
Born in Burbank, California, Mara Wilson grew up in a creative household and began acting at age five after being inspired by her older brother’s commercial work. She is a cousin of conservative commentator Ben Shapiro, though the two have no contact and hold opposing political views.
Career and Achievements
Wilson rose to fame as a child actress in the 1990s. She made her film debut alongside Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), followed by a starring role in Miracle on 34th Street (1994). Her career-defining performance came in 1996 as the title character in Danny DeVito’s adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Matilda, earning her a YoungStar Award. During the making of Matilda, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and passed away shortly before the film’s release.
The loss led Wilson to gradually lose interest in acting; after appearing in Thomas and the Magic Railroad (2000), she stepped away from film. She later graduated from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and became a writer. Her 2016 memoir, Where Am I Now?, received critical acclaim, and her work has appeared in The New York Times and The Atlantic. While she no longer pursues film roles, she has done voice work for series such as BoJack Horseman.Personal Life and Net WorthWilson is single and has no children. She came out as bisexual in 2016 and has been open about her experiences with OCD, anxiety, and ADHD, using her platform to advocate for mental health awareness. Her estimated net worth is around $500,000, derived from acting residuals, book sales, and voice work.
Why She Is in the News?
Wilson recently made headlines after a nostalgic 90s-themed video went viral, with fans noting her resemblance to her Matilda character nearly three decades later. She has also drawn attention for her advocacy against AI exploitation; in early 2026, she revealed that her image was used to create abusive content when she was a minor and has since called for stronger regulations on generative AI to protect children.
