Mara Wilson
A former Hollywood child star who deliberately stepped away from the spotlight to forge a candid, creative life as a writer and advocate.
Born 1987 (age 39)·American actress·Birthday: July 24·Millennials
Biography
Mara Wilson played Matilda Wormwood in Danny DeVito's 1996 film adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic. She had already charmed audiences as the daughter in 'Mrs. Doubtfire' and appeared in several other family films. During the shooting of 'Matilda,' her mother died of cancer. The combination of grief and the pressures of child stardom made Hollywood a difficult place. After her final child role in 2000, she quit acting. She enrolled at New York University and concentrated on writing. Wilson became a sharp essayist and storyteller, publishing pieces about mental health, the dangers of child stardom, and her own identity. She spoke openly about her experiences. Years later, she returned to performance on her own terms, taking voice work and roles in indie projects. She reclaimed her narrative and her career.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Mara was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Mara Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Mara's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Starred as the title character in the critically and commercially successful film adaptation of 'Matilda'.
- Authored the memoir 'Where Am I Now?: True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame', published in 2016.
- Has written essays and articles for publications like The New York Times, The Guardian, and Cracked.com.
- Returned to voice acting, notably playing the character of Sara in the podcast 'Welcome to Night Vale'.
Did You Know?
She is an outspoken advocate for mental health awareness and has been diagnosed with OCD.
She is the voice of the titular character in the animated series 'The Adventures of Thomasina' on YouTube.
She publicly came out as bisexual in 2016.
She and 'Matilda' co-star Danny DeVito remain close friends, and he wrote the foreword to her book.
“I’m not being modest when I say I was never that good of an actress. I was just a very believable child.”
