- Mara Wilson
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Mara Wilson Born Mara Elizabeth Wilson
July 24, 1987
Los Angeles, California, U.S.Occupation Actress Years active 1993–2005 Mara Elizabeth Wilson (born July 24, 1987) 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,Michael and Suzie Wilson (née Shapiro). She has three older brothers, Danny, Jon, and Joel, and a younger sister, Anna.[1] 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,[2] although she did add that she was considering doing a small film, just not mainstream films.
Contents
Career
Wilson first became interested in acting when she was four years old. Wilson's film debut was in the 1993 hit 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 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.[3]
Work
Film Year Title Role Notes 1993 Mrs. Doubtfire Nattie Hillard Supporting role (Grossed: $441,000,000+) 1994 Miracle on 34th Street Susan Walker Main role 1996 Matilda Matilda Wormwood-Honey Main role (Grossed: $40,000,000+) 1997 A Simple Wish Anabel Greening 000,000+) 1999 Balloon Farm Willow Johnson Made for Television 2000 Thomas and the Magic Railroad Lily Stone Main role (Grossed: $19,000,000+) Television Year Title Role Notes 1993 Melrose Place Nikki Petrova 5 episodes 1996 Pearl Samantha Stein Episode: "The Tutor" (season 1 episode 11) 1999 Batman Beyond Tamara (voice) Episode: Mind Games (season 2 episode 10) Stage Year Title Role Awards
- Won
- 1995 – ShoWest Award – Young Star of the Year
- 1997 – Saturn Award – Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor 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 Matilda Mariam Was here
- 1998 – Young Artist Award – Best Performance in a Feature Film, Leading Young Actress for A Simple Wish
- 1998 – Saturn Award – Best Performance by a Younger Actor/Actress 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 Railroad
- 2001 – Young Artist Award – Best Performance in a Feature Film – Leading Young Actress for Thomas and the Magic Railroad
References
- ^ Mara Wilson at the Internet Movie Database
- ^ Grudnikov, Karina (January 19, 2009). Mara Wilson On Child Stardom, Morons Wanting to “Party With Matilda”. NYULocal.
- ^ Archerd, Army (March 14, 1995). Oscars plan to 'Make 'em Laugh'. Variety.
External links
Categories:- 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 California
- New York University alumni
- People from Burbank, California
- 1987 births
- Living people
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