Mara Wilson
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2012) |
Mara Wilson | |
|---|---|
| File:Mara wilson actual.jpg Mara Wilson in 2011 | |
| Born | Mara Elizabeth Wilson July 24, 1987 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Actress (1993–2000) Playwright |
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Website | www |
Mara Elizabeth Wilson (born July 24, 1987) is an American former child actress and playwright, known for her roles as a child star, particularly in Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), Miracle on 34th Street (1994), Matilda (1996), and Thomas and the Magic Railroad (2000). She is currently a stage actress.
Personal life
Mara Wilson was born in Los Angeles, California, into a Jewish family. Her parents are Michael Wilson and the late Suzie Shapiro Wilson . She has three older brothers, Danny, Jon, and Joel, and a younger sister, Anna.[1] Suzie died from breast cancer in 1996 during the filming of Matilda and Michael remarried. "Matilda" was dedicated to Suzie's memory.
In 2005, Wilson graduated from Idyllwild Arts Academy.[2] She is a 2009 graduate of New York University's[3] Tisch School of the Arts. In an interview she stated that she does not want to be a celebrity,[4] although she did add that she was considering doing a small film, just not mainstream films. Wilson explained that she quit film acting because she did not find it enjoyable, and prefers stage acting.[5]
Career
Wilson had interest in acting at the age of 5. Wilson's film debut was in the 1993 hit Mrs. Doubtfire - based on the Anne Fine novel Madame Doubtfire, a sequel after Mrs. Doubtfire 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 the 2000 film 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.
Wilson sang "Make 'Em Laugh" at the 67th Academy Awards telecast on March 27, 1995, with Tim Curry and Kathy Najimy.[6]
In January 2012, Wilson appeared briefly in one episode of a web series called Missed Connection in the role of Bitty.[7]
In March 2012, Wilson addressed recurrent fan questions regarding her acting career via her blog.[8] Wilson stated that film acting was the talent she had as a child, but does not plan on pursuing it in the future. She said that film acting was not very fun for her and has no regrets about abandoning this career. She will continue to appear in theater.
On May 1, 2012, Wilson made a special appearance in the Nostalgia Critic review of A Simple Wish. As payback, she showed criticism back to the Critic by playing footage of him in his younger years making short films.[9] (Note the entire event was satirical.) She was later referenced in the review of Scooby Doo. She was also referenced in Linkara's review of Psychoman #1.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Mrs. Doubtfire | Natalie Hillard | |
| 1994 | Miracle on 34th Street | Susan Walker | |
| 1996 | Matilda | Matilda Wormwood | Nominated—Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor Nominated—Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film Nominated—Young Star Award for Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Comedy Film |
| 1997 | A Simple Wish | Anabel Greening | Nominated—Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor Nominated—Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film Nominated—Young Star Award for Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Comedy Film |
| 1999 | Balloon Farm | Willow Johnson | |
| 2000 | Thomas & the Magic Railroad | Lily Stone | Nominated—Young Star Award for Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Comedy Film Nominated—Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Pearl | Samantha Stein | Episode: "The Tutor" (season 1 episode 11) |
| 1994 | Melrose Place | Nicki Petrova | |
| 1999 | Batman Beyond | Tamara (voice) | Episode: Mind Games (season 2 episode 10) |
Internet
| Year | Series | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | The Nostalgia Critic | Herself | Episode: "A Simple Wish" |
Other Awards
- 1995 – ShoWest Award – Young Star of the Year
References
- ^ Mara Wilson at the Internet Movie Database
- ^ "Theatre Alumni". Idyllwild Arts Academy. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
- ^ "What happened to the original Matilda? As the hit musical dominates Olivier awards, former child star Mara Wilson". Daily Mail. 17 April 2012. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
- ^ Grudnikov, Karina (January 19, 2009). Mara Wilson On Child Stardom, Morons Wanting to “Party With Matilda”. NYULocal.
- ^ Child Star Mara Wilson: Why I Quit Film Acting
- ^ Archerd, Army (March 14, 1995). Oscars plan to 'Make 'em Laugh'. Variety.
- ^ "Episode 5: Bad Dates". Missed Connection the Web Series. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
- ^ "Are You Still Acting?". MaraWilsonWritesStuff.com. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
- ^ "Nostalgia Critic - A Simple Wish". That Guy With The Glasses. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
External links
- 1987 births
- Living people
- American bloggers
- American child actors
- American child singers
- American female singers
- American film actors
- American musical theatre actors
- American soap opera actors
- American television actors
- American voice actors
- Actors from Los Angeles, California
- Jewish actors
- New York University alumni
- People from Burbank, California
- Young Artist Award winners
- Writers from Los Angeles, California