Mara Wilson
| Mara Wilson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Mara Elizabeth Wilson July 24, 1987 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1993–2005 |
Mara Elizabeth Wilson (born July 24, 1987) is an American former actress best known for her roles as a child star, particularly in Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), Miracle on 34th Street (1994), and Matilda (1996).
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[edit] Early life
Born in Los Angeles, California, to Michael and Suzie Wilson (née Shapiro). She has three older brothers, Danny, Jon, and Joel, and a younger sister, Anna.[1] Her mother Suzie died from breast cancer in 1996 during the filming of Matilda, and her father Michael has since remarried.
In 2005, Wilson graduated from Idyllwild Arts Academy.[2] She is a 2009 graduate of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. In an interview she stated that she does not want to be a celebrity,[3] although she did add that she was considering doing a small film, just not mainstream films.
[edit] Career
Wilson first became interested in acting when she was four years old. Wilson's film debut was in the 1993 hit Mrs. Doubtfire - based on the Anne Fine novel Madame Doubtfire, followed by the 1994 remake of Miracle on 34th Street. In 1995, she won the ShoWest Award for "Young Star of the Year." Her performances in those films caught the attention of Danny DeVito and led to her being cast as the title character in Matilda, adapted from the popular children's book by author Roald Dahl. Wilson won a Young Artist Award for her role in A Simple Wish in "Best Performance in a Feature Film Leading Young Actress" and a YoungStar Award for Matilda in "Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Comedy Film." She was twice nominated for a Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor for both Matilda and A Simple Wish. Her appearance in the 2000 film Thomas and the Magic Railroad was her last major film role to date.
In 1993, Wilson had a recurring role as Nikkie Petrova on the primetime soap opera Melrose Place. She also played Barbara Barton in the 1994 television film, A Time to Heal; and Willow Johnson in the 1999 television film, Balloon Farm.
Wilson sang "Make 'Em Laugh" at the 67th Academy Awards telecast on March 27, 1995, with Tim Curry and Kathy Najimy.[4]
In January 2012, Wilson appeared briefly in one episode of a web series called Missed Connection in the role of Bitty.[5]
[edit] Work
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Mrs. Doubtfire | Nattie Hillard | Supporting role (Grossed: $441,000,000+) |
| 1994 | Miracle on 34th Street | Susan Walker | Main role |
| 1996 | Matilda | Matilda Wormwood | Main role (Grossed: $40,000,000+) |
| 1997 | A Simple Wish | Anabel Greening | Main role (Grossed: $9,000,000+) |
| 1999 | Balloon Farm | Willow Johnson | Made for Television |
| 2000 | Thomas and the Magic Railroad | Lily | Main role (Grossed: $19,000,000+) |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Pearl | Samantha Stein | Episode: "The Tutor" (season 1 episode 11) |
| 1999 | Batman Beyond | Tamara (voice) | Episode: Mind Games (season 2 episode 10) |
| 2012 | Missed Connection | Bitty | Episode 5 - Bad Dates |
[edit] Awards
- 1995 – ShoWest Award – Young Star of the Year
- 1997 – Saturn Award – Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor for Matilda
- 1997 – Young Artist Award – Best Performance in a Feature Film – Leading Young Actress for Matilda
- 1997 – Young Star Award – Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Comedy Film for Matilda
- 1998 – Young Artist Award – Best Performance in a Feature Film, Leading Young Actress for A Simple Wish
- 1998 – Saturn Award – Best Performance by a Younger Actor/Actress for A Simple Wish
- 1998 – YoungStar Award – Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Comedy Film for A Simple Wish
- 2000 – YoungStar Award – Best Young Actress/Performance in a Motion Picture Comedy for Thomas and the Magic Railroad
- 2001 – Young Artist Award – Best Performance in a Feature Film – Leading Young Actress for Thomas and the Magic Railroad
[edit] References
- ^ Mara Wilson at the Internet Movie Database
- ^ "Theatre Alumni". Idyllwild Arts Academy. http://www.idyllwildarts.org/arts-q10276-c10245-Alumni.aspx. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
- ^ Grudnikov, Karina (January 19, 2009). Mara Wilson On Child Stardom, Morons Wanting to “Party With Matilda”. NYULocal.
- ^ Archerd, Army (March 14, 1995). Oscars plan to 'Make 'em Laugh'. Variety.
- ^ "Episode 5: Bad Dates". Missed Connection the Web Series. http://www.missedconnectiontheseries.com/. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
[edit] External links
- 1987 births
- Living people
- American child actors
- American child singers
- American female singers
- American film actors
- American musical theatre actors
- American soap opera actors
- American television actors
- American voice actors
- Actors from California
- New York University alumni
- People from Burbank, California
- Young Artist Award winners
