Mara Wilson
Encyclopedia
Mara Elizabeth Wilson is an American
former child actress best known for her roles as a child star, particularly in Mrs. Doubtfire
(1993), Miracle on 34th Street
(1994), and Matilda (1996). She was 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. Her mother Suzie died from breast cancer in 1996 during the filming of Matilda.
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, although she did add that she was considering doing a small film, just not mainstream films.
, 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 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.
Mara Wilson sang "Make 'Em Laugh
" at the 67th Academy Awards
telecast on March 27, 1995, with Tim Curry
and Kathy Najimy
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
former child actress best known for her roles as a child star, particularly in Mrs. Doubtfire
Mrs. Doubtfire
Mrs. Doubtfire is a 1993 American comedy film starring Robin Williams and Sally Field and based on the novel Madame Doubtfire by Anne Fine. It was directed by Chris Columbus and distributed by 20th Century Fox. It won the Academy Award for Best Makeup...
(1993), Miracle on 34th Street
Miracle on 34th Street (1994 film)
Miracle on 34th Street is a 1994 American fantasy film directed by Les Mayfield. It is the fourth remake of the original 1947 film. Like the original, this film was released by 20th Century Fox...
(1994), and Matilda (1996). She was born in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, to Michael and Suzie Wilson (née Shapiro). She has three older brothers, Danny, Jon, and Joel, and a younger sister, Anna. Her mother Suzie died from breast cancer in 1996 during the filming of Matilda.
She is a 2009 graduate of New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
's Tisch School of the Arts
Tisch School of the Arts
Tisch School of the Arts is one of the 15 schools that make up New York University ....
. In an interview she stated that she does not want to be a celebrity, although she did add that she was considering doing a small film, just not mainstream films.
Career
Wilson first became interested in acting when she was four years old. Wilson's film debut was in the 1993 hit Mrs. DoubtfireMrs. Doubtfire
Mrs. Doubtfire is a 1993 American comedy film starring Robin Williams and Sally Field and based on the novel Madame Doubtfire by Anne Fine. It was directed by Chris Columbus and distributed by 20th Century Fox. It won the Academy Award for Best Makeup...
, followed by the 1994 remake of Miracle on 34th Street
Miracle on 34th Street
Miracle on 34th Street is a 1947 Christmas film written by George Seaton from a story by Valentine Davies, directed by George Seaton and starring Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Natalie Wood and Edmund Gwenn...
. In 1995, she won the ShoWest Award
National Association of Theatre Owners
The National Association of Theatre Owners is a trade organization based in the United States whose members are the owners of movie theaters. Most major theater chains are members, as are many independent theatre operators; collectively, they account for the operation of over 26,000 motion...
for "Young Star of the Year." Her performances in those films caught the attention of Danny DeVito
Danny DeVito
Daniel Michael DeVito, Jr. , better known as Danny DeVito, is an American actor, comedian, director and producer. He first gained prominence for his portrayal of Louie De Palma on the ABC and NBC television series Taxi , for which he won a Golden Globe and an Emmy.DeVito and his wife, Rhea Perlman,...
and led to her being cast as the title character in Matilda, adapted from the popular children's book by author Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl was a British novelist, short story writer, fighter pilot and screenwriter.Born in Wales to Norwegian parents, he served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, in which he became a flying ace and intelligence agent, rising to the rank of Wing Commander...
. Wilson won a Young Artist Award
Young Artist Award
The Young Artist Award is an accolade bestowed by the Young Artist Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 1978 to recognize and award excellence of youth performers, and to provide scholarships for young artists who may be physically and/or financially challenged.The Young Artist...
for her role in A Simple Wish
A Simple Wish
A Simple Wish is a 1997 fantasy-comedy film directed by Michael Ritchie, and starring Martin Short, Mara Wilson, and Kathleen Turner. The film about a bumbling male fairy godmother named Murray , who tries to help eight-year-old Annabel fulfill her wish that her father, a carriage driver, wins the...
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
Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor
The following are a list of Saturn Award winners for Best Performance by a Younger Actor:- References :* , Saturn Awards...
for both Matilda and A Simple Wish. Her appearance in Thomas and the Magic Railroad
Thomas and the Magic Railroad
Thomas and the Magic Railroad is a 2000 British/American film based on the well-known TV series Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends and the United States TV series Shining Time Station. The film was co-produced by Gullane Entertainment and the Isle of Man Film Commission. It was written, produced...
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
A Time to Heal (film)
A Time to Heal is a 1994 TV movie starring Nicollette Sheridan, Gary Cole and Mara Wilson....
; and Willow Johnson in the 1999 television film, Balloon Farm.
Mara Wilson sang "Make 'Em Laugh
Make 'Em Laugh
"Make 'Em Laugh" is a song first featured in the 1952 film Singin' in the Rain, frenetically performed by Donald O'Connor. Written by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed, the song is closely based on Cole Porter's "Be a Clown"....
" at the 67th Academy Awards
67th Academy Awards
The 67th Academy Awards, honoring the best films of 1994, were held on March 27, 1995 at the Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California. They were hosted by well-known comedian and talk show host David Letterman....
telecast on March 27, 1995, with Tim Curry
Tim Curry
Timothy James "Tim" Curry is a British actor, singer, composer and voice actor, known for his work in a diverse range of theatre, film and television productions. He currently resides in Los Angeles, California....
and Kathy Najimy
Kathy Najimy
Kathy Ann Najimy is an American actress, most notable as Olive Massery on the television series Veronica's Closet, Sister Mary Patrick in Sister Act and the voice of Peggy Hill on the animated television series King of the Hill. Prior to her film work, she was best known for two Off Broadway shows...
.
Work
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Mrs. Doubtfire Mrs. Doubtfire Mrs. Doubtfire is a 1993 American comedy film starring Robin Williams and Sally Field and based on the novel Madame Doubtfire by Anne Fine. It was directed by Chris Columbus and distributed by 20th Century Fox. It won the Academy Award for Best Makeup... |
Nattie Hillard | Supporting role (Grossed: $441,000,000+) |
| 1994 | Miracle on 34th Street Miracle on 34th Street (1994 film) Miracle on 34th Street is a 1994 American fantasy film directed by Les Mayfield. It is the fourth remake of the original 1947 film. Like the original, this film was released by 20th Century Fox... |
Susan Walker | Main role |
| 1996 | Matilda | Matilda Wormwood-Honey Matilda Wormwood Matilda Wormwood is a fictional character in the children's novel Matilda by Roald Dahl. She is a highly precocious six-year old girl who has a passion for reading books. Matilda's parents do not recognise their daughter's great intelligence and show little interest in her, particularly her father,... |
Main role (Grossed: $40,000,000+) |
| 1997 | A Simple Wish A Simple Wish A Simple Wish is a 1997 fantasy-comedy film directed by Michael Ritchie, and starring Martin Short, Mara Wilson, and Kathleen Turner. The film about a bumbling male fairy godmother named Murray , who tries to help eight-year-old Annabel fulfill her wish that her father, a carriage driver, wins the... |
Anabel Greening 000,000+) | |
| 1999 | Balloon Farm | Willow Johnson | Made for Television |
| 2000 | Thomas and the Magic Railroad Thomas and the Magic Railroad Thomas and the Magic Railroad is a 2000 British/American film based on the well-known TV series Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends and the United States TV series Shining Time Station. The film was co-produced by Gullane Entertainment and the Isle of Man Film Commission. It was written, produced... |
Lily Stone | Main role (Grossed: $19,000,000+) |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Melrose Place | Nikki Petrova | 5 episodes |
| 1996 | Pearl Pearl A pearl is a hard object produced within the soft tissue of a living shelled mollusk. Just like the shell of a mollusk, a pearl is made up of calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form, which has been deposited in concentric layers. The ideal pearl is perfectly round and smooth, but many other... |
Samantha Stein | Episode: "The Tutor" (season 1 episode 11) |
| 1999 | Batman Beyond Batman Beyond Batman Beyond is an American animated television series created by Warner Bros. Animation in collaboration with DC Comics as a continuation of the Batman legacy... |
Tamara (voice) | Episode: Mind Games (season 2 episode 10) |
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|
Awards
Won- 1995 – ShoWest AwardNational Association of Theatre OwnersThe National Association of Theatre Owners is a trade organization based in the United States whose members are the owners of movie theaters. Most major theater chains are members, as are many independent theatre operators; collectively, they account for the operation of over 26,000 motion...
– Young Star of the Year - 1997 – Saturn AwardSaturn AwardThe Saturn Award is an award presented annually by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films to honor the top works in science fiction, fantasy, and horror in film, television, and home video. The Saturn Awards were devised by Dr. Donald A. Reed in 1972, who felt that films within...
– Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger ActorSaturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger ActorThe following are a list of Saturn Award winners for Best Performance by a Younger Actor:- References :* , Saturn Awards...
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 MatildaMatilda-People:* Empress Matilda, daughter of Henry I of England* Matilda , list of people named Matilda* Matilda of Flanders, wife of William the Conqueror* Matilda of Tuscany-Media and entertainment:* Matilda , by Roald Dahl...
Mariam Was here - 1998 – Young Artist AwardYoung Artist AwardThe Young Artist Award is an accolade bestowed by the Young Artist Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 1978 to recognize and award excellence of youth performers, and to provide scholarships for young artists who may be physically and/or financially challenged.The Young Artist...
– Best Performance in a Feature Film, Leading Young Actress for A Simple WishA Simple WishA Simple Wish is a 1997 fantasy-comedy film directed by Michael Ritchie, and starring Martin Short, Mara Wilson, and Kathleen Turner. The film about a bumbling male fairy godmother named Murray , who tries to help eight-year-old Annabel fulfill her wish that her father, a carriage driver, wins the... - 1998 – Saturn Award – Best Performance by a Younger Actor/ActressSaturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger ActorThe following are a list of Saturn Award winners for Best Performance by a Younger Actor:- References :* , Saturn Awards...
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 RailroadThomas and the Magic RailroadThomas and the Magic Railroad is a 2000 British/American film based on the well-known TV series Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends and the United States TV series Shining Time Station. The film was co-produced by Gullane Entertainment and the Isle of Man Film Commission. It was written, produced...
- 2001 – Young Artist Award – Best Performance in a Feature Film – Leading Young Actress for Thomas and the Magic Railroad