Mara Wilson, the beloved child star of Mrs. Doubtfire and Miracle on 34th Street, became a household name in the early 1990s. But as she grew up, her career in Hollywood came to an unexpected end.
Now 37, Wilson reflects on her time in the spotlight: “Hollywood was done with me. Once you’re no longer cute, you’re seen as worthless.”
So, what exactly happened to Mara Wilson?
At just five years old in 1993, she won hearts as Robin Williams’ youngest child in Mrs. Doubtfire. Before landing this iconic role, the California native had appeared in commercials, but her performance in the comedy blockbuster launched her into fame.
Despite her early success, Wilson’s parents made sure she stayed grounded. “They were proud of me, but they didn’t let it go to my head. If I ever said, ‘I’m the best!’ my mom would remind me, ‘You’re just an actor. You’re just a kid,’” she remembers.
Her career continued to flourish, and she soon starred as Susan Walker in the 1994 remake of Miracle on 34th Street, a role originally played by Natalie Wood. In an interview with The Guardian, Wilson recalled that during the audition, she won over the producers by delivering her lines confidently and admitting that she didn’t believe in Santa Claus—though she did believe in the Tooth Fairy, whom she’d named after her Mrs. Doubtfire co-star Sally Field.
Her biggest role came in 1996 when she portrayed the title character in Matilda, alongside Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman. However, the same year marked a turning point in her life. Her mother, Suzie, tragically passed away from breast cancer.
Wilson describes this loss as a pivotal moment. “It felt like my life was divided into two parts: before and after. She was such a huge presence in my life, and without her, everything became overwhelming. After her death, I just wanted to be a regular kid.”
Despite her continued fame, Wilson grew disillusioned with acting. By age 11, she had taken on her final major role in Thomas and the Magic Railroad (2000), but felt disconnected from the material. “I remember thinking, ‘Ugh, this is too cute,’” she said.
As she entered adolescence, Hollywood stopped calling. The industry, which once adored her for being “cute,” no longer had roles for a teenager. “I became just another awkward, nerdy girl with bad teeth and bad hair,” she recalls. “At 13, no one had commented on my looks in years, at least not in a positive way.”
The transition from childhood to adolescence under the public eye was difficult for Wilson. “I internalized this idea that if you’re not cute or beautiful, you don’t matter,” she admits. “I connected that to why my career ended. Even though I was burnt out, the rejection still hurt.”
In 2016, Wilson shared her experiences in her memoir Where Am I Now? True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame. The book offers insights into her journey from being a child star to finding peace in a quieter, more private life. She reflects on lessons learned on set and coming to terms with no longer fitting Hollywood’s image of “cute.”
Looking back, Wilson acknowledges the pressure of being seen as cute only caused her unhappiness. “I always thought I would be the one to quit acting—not the other way around,” she wrote in The Guardian.
What do you think of Mara Wilson’s story? Share your thoughts and pass this along to hear from others!
