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Mara Wilson

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Mara Wilson
Wilson in November 2017
Born
Mara Elizabeth Wilson

(1987-07-24) July 24, 1987 (age 37)
Burbank, California, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1993–present
RelativesBen Shapiro (cousin)
Websitemara.substack.com

Mara Elizabeth Wilson (born July 24, 1987) is an American actress. She rose to prominence as a child for playing Natalie Hillard in the film Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) and went on to play Susan Walker in Miracle on 34th Street (1994), the title character in Matilda (1996), Annabel Greening in A Simple Wish (1997), and Lily Stone in Thomas and the Magic Railroad (2000). She took a 12-year hiatus following the latter film to focus on writing. She returned to acting in 2012, and has predominantly worked in web series.

Early life

Mara Elizabeth Wilson was born in Burbank, California, on July 24, 1987,[1] the oldest daughter of Burbank PTA school volunteer Suzie Wilson (née Shapiro; 1953–1996) and KTLA 5 News broadcast engineer Mike Wilson.[2] Her mother was Jewish, while her father is half Irish.[3][4][5] She was raised Jewish[6] and became an atheist when she was 15.[7] She has three older brothers named Danny, Jon, and Joel, and a younger sister named Anna.[8] She is a cousin of political commentator and media host Ben Shapiro,[9][10] but she has disavowed him due to differences arising from his conservative views and her opposing progressive beliefs.[11] They have no contact with each other.[12]

Wilson's mother was diagnosed with breast cancer on March 10, 1995,[13] and died on April 26, 1996. The film Matilda was dedicated to her memory.[14] Wilson later recalled that this affected her passion for acting.[15] At age 12, Wilson was diagnosed with OCD.[16] She has also been diagnosed with ADHD.[17] She attended Idyllwild Arts Academy in Idyllwild, California. After graduation in 2005, she relocated to New York City to continue her studies at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, graduating in 2009.[18] She appeared in her own one-woman show called Weren't You That Girl? while at university.[19]

Career

Wilson in 2017

When Wilson was five, she became interested in acting after watching her older brother Danny appear in television commercials. Her parents were initially disinclined, but eventually agreed to allow her to act.[20] After appearing in several commercials for businesses like Lunchables, Bank of America, Texaco, and Marshalls, she was invited to audition for the 1993 comedy film Mrs. Doubtfire. Producers were impressed and awarded her the role of Natalie Hillard. The following year, she appeared in the remake of Miracle on 34th Street.[21]

In 1994, Wilson was cast in a recurring role as Nikki Petrova on Melrose Place and played Barbara Barton in the television film A Time to Heal.[citation needed] She sang "Make 'Em Laugh" at the 67th Academy Awards broadcast on March 27, 1995, with Tim Curry and Kathy Najimy.[22] In 1995, she won the ShoWest Award for Young Star of the Year.

Wilson's film work caught the attention of Danny DeVito, and she was cast as the main protagonist Matilda Wormwood in the 1996 film Matilda. She was nominated for three awards for her performance, winning the YoungStar Award for Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Comedy Film. In 1997, she starred in A Simple Wish alongside Martin Short.[23] Although Wilson was nominated for three awards, the film mostly received negative reviews by critics.

In 1997, Wilson went to a table reading for What Dreams May Come starring Robin Williams, but she did not get the part.[24] A year later, she unsuccessfully auditioned for the 1998 remake of Disney's The Parent Trap but the role was given to Lindsay Lohan after she was deemed too young.[25] In 1999, she portrayed Willow Johnson in the 1999 film for The Wonderful World of Disney titled Balloon Farm, based on a fiction book.[26]

In 2000, Wilson appeared in the fantasy film Thomas and the Magic Railroad, which was her last film. She retired from film work shortly afterward.[27] She received a script for the 2001 film Donnie Darko, but declined to audition for the film.[28] After retiring from film acting, she began stage acting. Her theater credits include A Midsummer Night's Dream and Cinderella. She also starred in her own live shows Weren't You That Girl? and What Are You Afraid Of?[29]

In 2012, Wilson appeared briefly in one episode of a web series called Missed Connection in the role of Bitty and made special appearances on internet review shows for That Guy with the Glasses—most notably a comedic turn playing an adult Matilda during a review of Matilda by The Nostalgia Chick, Lindsay Ellis. That year, she explained why she quit film acting: "Film acting is not very fun. Doing the same thing over and over again until, in the director's eyes, you 'get it right', does not allow for very much creative freedom. The best times I had on film sets were the times the director let me express myself, but those were rare."[30]

In May 2013, Wilson wrote an article for Cracked.com, offering her opinion of the delinquency of some former child stars.[31] As of 2013, she worked for Publicolor.[32] Her play Sheeple was produced in 2013 for the New York International Fringe Festival.[33] In an interview that December, Wilson stated that her film acting days are over,[34] and that she is instead focusing on writing.[35] Her book Where Am I Now?: True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame was published on September 13, 2016.[36] She is an associate editor at The Atlantic.

Wilson has a recurring role on the podcast Welcome to Night Vale as "The Faceless Old Woman Who Secretly Lives in Your Home", as well as her own storytelling show called What Are You Afraid Of?[37][38] In 2016, she made a brief return to television in a Mrs. Doubtfire-inspired episode of Broad City, in which she played a waitress where the comical Heimlich scene from the movie was re-enacted.[39][40] That same year, she also voiced Jill Pill, a writer/director anthropomorphic spider, in season 3 of BoJack Horseman.[41] She voiced Liv Amara/Diane "Di" Amara in Big Hero 6: The Series.[42]

In a 2017 NPR interview, The Simpsons voice actor Nancy Cartwright stated that a young Wilson was the inspiration for a character's voice on the episode "Bart Sells His Soul".[43]

Charity work

In 2015, Wilson collaborated with Project UROK, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to aid teens with mental illness.[44]

Personal life

As of 2013, Wilson resides in the Queens borough of New York City.[45] She is a lesbian.

Filmography

Screen roles

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1993 Mrs. Doubtfire Natalie "Nattie" Hillard
1994 Miracle on 34th Street Susan Walker
1994 A Time to Heal Barbara Barton TV film
1996 Matilda Matilda Wormwood
1997 A Simple Wish Anabel Greening
1999 Balloon Farm Willow Johnson TV film
2000 Thomas and the Magic Railroad Lily Stone
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1993 Melrose Place Nicole "Nikki" Petrova Recurring, 5 episodes
1996 Pearl Samantha Stein Episode: "The Tutor"
1999 Batman Beyond Tamara (voice) Episode: "Mind Games"
2016 Broad City Waitress Episode: "Burning Bridges"
2016 BoJack Horseman Jill Pill (voice) Recurring, 4 episodes, Season 3
2018–19 Big Hero 6: The Series Liv Amara/Diane "Di" Amara (voice) Recurring
Web series
Year Title Role Notes
2012 Nostalgia Critic Herself Episode: "A Simple Wish"[46]
2012 Nostalgia Chick Herself Episode: "Matilda",[47] also writer
2012 Demo Reel Donnie DuPre's wife (voice) Episode: "Lost in Translation (Bromance Version)"
2012 Shut Up and Talk Herself Episode: "Guest: Mara Wilson"
2012 Missed Connection Bitty Episode: "Bad Dates"[48]
2013 Welcome to Night Vale Faceless Old Woman (voice) 10 episodes
2014 Keith and The Girl Herself Episode: "2002: Boobs"[49]
2014 Nostalgia Chick Herself Episode: "Nostalgic Foods of Yore"
2014 Amy Poehler's Smart Girls Herself Episode: "The In Too Steep Tea Party"
2014 Maven of the Eventide Herself Pumpktoberfest Vlogs, Episodes 5 & 12
2014 I Don't Even Own a Television Herself Episode: "016 — Covert Conception (w/ Mara Wilson)"[50]
2015 Keith and The Girl Herself Episode: "2147: Gang Dick"[51]
2015 Gilmore Guys Herself Episode 4.21
2015 That's the Show with Danny Herself Episode: "117: The One with Mara Wilson"[52]
2015, 2017 I Don't Even Own a Television Herself Episodes: "026: Treacherous Love (w/ Mara Wilson)",[53] "081: I'm With the Band (w/ Mara Wilson)"[54]
2016 Mouth Time with Reductress Ruth Hrorgen Mouth Time LIVE! With Mara Wilson[55]
2019 Passenger List N/A Writer of "Cyberspace" (episode 5)
2020 Helluva Boss Mrs. Mayberry Episode: "Murder Family"[56]
2020 Our Popcorn Movie Dystopia - Some More News: The Movie Matilda Cody Web movie[57]
2020 The George Lucas Talk Show Herself May the AR Be LI$$ You Arli$$ marathon fundraiser;

The George Lucas Holiday Special

Stage roles

  • A Midsummer Night's Dream (2004)
  • Cinderella (2005)
  • Weren't You That Girl? (2009)
  • What Are You Afraid Of? (2014)

Bibliography

  • Sheeple (Play, 2013)
  • Where Am I Now?: True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame (2016)

Awards and nominations

Year Organization Award Work Result
1995 ShoWest Awards Young Star of the Year N/A Won[58]
1996 YoungStar Awards Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Comedy Film Matilda Won
Young Artist Awards Best Performance in a Feature Film — Leading Young Actress Nominated
Saturn Awards Best Performance by a Younger Actor Nominated
1997 YoungStar Awards Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Comedy Film A Simple Wish Nominated
Young Artist Awards Best Performance in a Feature Film — Leading Young Actress Won
Saturn Awards Best Performance by a Younger Actor Nominated
2000 YoungStar Awards Best Young Actress in a Comedy Film Thomas and the Magic Railroad Nominated
Young Artist Awards Best Performance in a Feature Film — Leading Young Actress Nominated

References

  1. ^ Kaufman, Amy (September 15, 2016). "Actress Mara Wilson has a memoir. She's not Matilda anymore". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  2. ^ "SUZIE WILSON, BURBANK SCHOOLS, PTA VOLUNTEER".
  3. ^ @MaraWritesStuff (May 27, 2012). "I'm half Jewish and a quarter Irish. I BURN. RT @Pixiebybirth Do you burn, tan or none of ze above?" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  4. ^ @MaraWritesStuff (February 2, 2012). "@rare_basement He is short, half-Jewish, dark-haired, acted in an adaptation of a British kids' book and has a nickel allergy. HE IS ME" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  5. ^ Mara Wilson Interview Pt. 2 — Running Late with Scott Rogowsky on YouTube
  6. ^ "She's His G–damn Kid Too: Mara Wilson On 'Mrs. Doubtfire' 20th Anniversary". MTV News.
  7. ^ Zachary Stewart (August 7, 2013). "Atheism, 9/11 Conspiracy Theories, and Sheeple with Mara Wilson and Max Reuben". TheaterMania.com.
  8. ^ Malham Jr., Howell (July 26, 1994). "To Her, It's Kids' Stuff : Movies: Mara Wilson, 7, is earning praise from her co-stars in the upcoming 'Miracle on 34th Street,' but acting is just something she says she likes--for now". Los Angeles Times.
  9. ^ McNamara, Neal (January 24, 2014). "Justin Bieber a symptom of a big problem". KTTH. Archived from the original on July 3, 2015. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  10. ^ "Ep. 411 - Another Day, Another Mass Shooting (at 44.22 minutes in)". Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  11. ^ Klion, David (August 28, 2020). "Q&A with Mara Wilson". Jewish Currents. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
  12. ^ Maxwell Yezpitelok (April 3, 2020). "Celebs With (Surprising) Famous Relatives". cracked.com. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  13. ^ Cerio, Gregory (April 29, 1996). "Lessons in Courage". People. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  14. ^ "Mara Wilson - Matilda Star: 'Danny Devito And Perlman Helped Me When Mum Lost Cancer Battle'". WENN. June 4, 2013.
  15. ^ "Why Hollywood didn't want the child star of Matilda, Mara Wilson". NewsComAu.
  16. ^ Linic, Claire (November 14, 2014). "What is Mara Wilson afraid of?". The Daily Dot. New York City: Complex Media, Inc. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
  17. ^ Wilson, Mara (May 19, 2015). "Kill Me Now with Judy Gold - Episode 3". Omny Studio (Interview). Interviewed by Judy Gold. Archived from the original on April 16, 2018. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
  18. ^ Ghert-Zand, Renee (April 18, 2012). "Mara Wilson Hated Being a Movie Star". The Forward.
  19. ^ "Mara Wilson On Child Stardom, Morons Wanting to "Party With Matilda"". NYU Local. November 16, 2016.
  20. ^ Wilson, Mara (April 22, 2013). "Being Matilda". Theater Mania. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
  21. ^ Orange County (Calif.) Register (July 27, 1997). "Mara Wilson's Role Is A Wish Come True". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on June 23, 2018. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
  22. ^ Archerd, Army (March 14, 1995). "Oscars plan to 'Make 'em Laugh'". Variety. Penske Business Media, LLC. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
  23. ^ Turan, Kenneth (July 11, 1997). "Short Works Magic in Uneven A Simple Wish". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
  24. ^ Messer, Lesley (August 18, 2014). "Mara Wilson Recalls Robin Williams 'Was Different With Grown-Ups'". ABC News. American Broadcasting Company. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
  25. ^ Setoodeh, Ramin (November 7, 2017). "'Matilda' Star Mara Wilson Reviews 'Matilda the Musical'". The Daily Beast. The Daily Beast Company LLC. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
  26. ^ Heffley, Lynne (March 27, 1999). "Rip Torn, Mara Wilson Help Keep Disney's 'Balloon Farm' Aloft". Los Angeles Times (archive).
  27. ^ "Mara Wilson Interview". contactmusic.com. January 7, 2009. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
  28. ^ Eakin, Marah (April 11, 2014). "Mara Wilson on the sickness-induced reason she hates Gary Jules' "Mad World"". The A.V. Club. Onion, Inc. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
  29. ^ Everything Mara Wilson Has Been Up To Since 'Matilda'
  30. ^ Johnson, Zach (April 17, 2012). "Child Star Mara Wilson: Why I Quit Film Acting". Us Weekly. American Media Inc. Archived from the original on August 28, 2018. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
  31. ^ Wilson, Mara (May 28, 2013). "7 Reasons Child Stars Go Crazy (An Insider's Perspective)". Cracked.com. Retrieved June 13, 2013.
  32. ^ Health, Paul (March 9, 2013). "Where Are They Now? #1: Mara Wilson". thehollywoodnews.com. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
  33. ^ "Sheeple". NYC Arts. Alliance for the Arts. August 10, 2013. Retrieved June 13, 2013.
  34. ^ Neumyer, Scott (December 2, 2013). "Mara Wilson Talks Matilda, the Loss of Her Mother, and Quitting Acting". Parade. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
  35. ^ Finn, Natalie (February 11, 2015). "Matilda Reunion! Mara Wilson and Kiami Davael Are Still Friends and Hanging Out 19 Years Later—See the Photo!". E! News. E!. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
  36. ^ Chavez, Danette (December 9, 2016). "Mara Wilson shines like a beacon in the witty and touching Where Am I Now?". The A.V. Club. Onion, Inc. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  37. ^ Deliso, Meredith (January 15, 2014). "Mara Wilson's 'What are you afraid of?' at Union Hall". The Brooklyn Paper. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  38. ^ Oliveira, Adele (November 26, 2014). "Interview: Former 'Matilda' Star Mara Wilson on Leaving Hollywood and Becoming a Writer". Longreads Blog. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
  39. ^ Fisher, Kendall (April 8, 2016). "How Broad City Convinced Mara Wilson to Get Back Into Acting". E!. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
  40. ^ Mizoguchi, Karen (April 8, 2016). "Mara Wilson on Her Return to Acting for Broad City's Homage to Mrs. Doubtfire: 'This Movie Did a Lot for Me'". People. Meredith Corporation. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  41. ^ Chappell, Les (July 22, 2016). "BoJack Horseman rides into season three atop the Secretariat Oscar campaign". The A.V. Club. Onion, Inc. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
  42. ^ Here's Why 'Matilda' Star Mara Wilson Retired From Acting
  43. ^ Prescott, Julia; Goertz, Allie (August 8, 2017). "Allie Goertz and Julia Prescott interview comics, writers, animators and show creators about their favorite episode of "The Simpsons."". Feral Audio. Archived from the original on August 8, 2017.
  44. ^ Holmes, Lindsay (October 9, 2015). "Mara Wilson On Dealing With Mental Illness In The Public Eye". HuffPost. New York City. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
  45. ^ Nelson, Jeff (August 24, 2016). "Mara Wilson: Why Mrs. Doubtfire Star Quit Hollywood over Scrutiny of Her Looks". People. New York City: Meredith Corporation. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
  46. ^ "A Simple Wish". Thatguywiththeglasses.com. May 1, 2012. Archived from the original on July 24, 2014. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
  47. ^ "Matilda". Thatguywiththeglasses.com. October 11, 2012. Archived from the original on August 16, 2014. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
  48. ^ "Missed Connection: "Bad Dates"". Comediva. January 30, 2012. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
  49. ^ "Boobs (Keith and The Girl) – Comedy Talk Show & Podcast". Keith and The Girl. June 25, 2014. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
  50. ^ "016 -- Covert Conception (w/ Mara Wilson)". i don't even own a television. August 8, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  51. ^ "Gang Dick (Keith and The Girl)". Keith and The Girl. March 16, 2015. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  52. ^ "The One with Mara Wilson (That's the Show with Danny)". That's the Show with Danny. March 19, 2015. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  53. ^ "026 — Treacherous Love (w/ Mara Wilson)". i don't even own a television. February 25, 2015. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
  54. ^ "081 — I'm with the Band (w/ Mara Wilson)". i don't even own a television. May 14, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  55. ^ "Episode: "Mouth Time LIVE! With Mara Wilson"". Mouth Time with Reductress. June 1, 2016. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  56. ^ "Matilda: así se ve Mara Wilson a 25 años del estreno de la película". IGN Latin America. August 2, 2021. Archived from the original on August 3, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  57. ^ Our Popcorn Movie Dystopia - SOME MORE NEWS: THE MOVIE, archived from the original on November 13, 2021, retrieved April 16, 2021
  58. ^ Joshua L. Weinstein (March 14, 2006). "Unconventional kudos nab stars". Variety.

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