Mara Wilson, who turned 38 on July 24, remains best known for her childhood roles in Mrs. Doubtfire, Miracle on 34th Street, and Matilda. Behind her early fame, however, were struggles with Hollywood’s harsh treatment of young performers.
Wilson credits her parents with keeping her grounded, but by the age of 11, acting no longer brought joy. Instead, it became a source of stress. The pressure intensified after her mother’s death from breast cancer in 1996, a devastating loss that left her navigating grief in the spotlight.
Looking back, she admits fame didn’t equal happiness. “When I was very famous, I was the most unhappy,” Wilson has said. The constant attention and high expectations often clashed with her need for a normal childhood.
Her last major film role came in Thomas and the Magic Railroad (2000). Afterward, casting offers slowed to a halt. Hollywood, she explained, quickly lost interest. “If you’re not cute anymore, you’re worthless,” she recalled of that difficult transition.