Mara Wilson: Where Is She Now, Disability, and Her Co-stars

Few child stars from the 1990s remain as warmly remembered as Mara Wilson. After lighting up screens as the precocious Matilda Wormwood and the adorable Natalie Hillard in Mrs. Doubtfire, she seemed to vanish from Hollywood — but Wilson didn’t disappear; she chose a different path, trading the red carpet for a writer’s desk and becoming a candid voice on mental health.

Born: July 24, 1987 ·
Age: 38 (as of 2026) ·
Famous films: Mrs. Doubtfire, Miracle on 34th Street, Matilda ·
Occupation: Actress, writer, playwright ·
Book: Where Am I Now? (2016)

Seven key facts about Mara Wilson, one pattern: a young life divided between extraordinary fame and a deliberate retreat into privacy.

What ever happened to Mara Wilson?

Mara Wilson’s early acting career

• Wilson’s first film role was in Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) alongside Robin Williams (ITV Lorraine (UK daytime show)).
• She played Susan in the 1994 remake of Miracle on 34th Street (ITV Lorraine (UK daytime show)).
• Her breakthrough came as Matilda Wormwood in Danny DeVito’s 1996 adaptation of Roald Dahl’s novel (Evening Standard (UK publication)).

Wilson’s mother Suzie was battling breast cancer during the filming of Matilda, a struggle that would deeply shape the family’s dynamics (Daily Record (UK news)).

Why she stepped away from Hollywood

• After her mother’s death in 2005, Wilson stopped pursuing mainstream acting roles (Daily Record (UK news)).
• In 2023, she told The Guardian that “you cannot be a child star without there being some kind of lasting damage” (Evening Standard (UK publication)).
• Her last major film role was in Thomas and the Magic Railroad (2000) (Wikipedia (biographical database)).

Her writing and advocacy work today

• Wilson released her memoir Where Am I Now? in 2016 (ABC News (US news outlet)).
• She contributes to The Guardian and The New York Times on topics ranging from film to mental health (Evening Standard (UK publication)).
• She also performs in storytelling shows and does voice acting (Wikipedia (biographical database)).

The pattern: Wilson’s shift from child star to writer illustrates that moving on from fame can lead to a more genuine connection with audiences.

Does Mara Wilson have a disability?

What Mara Wilson has said about OCD and anxiety

• Wilson has spoken openly about having obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety (Evening Standard (UK publication)).
• She has said she manages these conditions and that therapy and medication help (Evoke (Irish lifestyle site)).

Is it considered a disability?

• Wilson does not publicly identify as disabled, but she acknowledges her mental health conditions as part of her life (Evening Standard (UK publication)).
• Her advocacy includes encouraging others to seek professional help (Evoke (Irish lifestyle site)).

What this means: Wilson’s openness destigmatizes mental health struggles, but she stops short of adopting a disability label. For readers who experience similar conditions, her example offers a path that neither hides nor over-identifies with a diagnosis.

The implication: Wilson’s nuanced approach to mental health offers a model that respects personal choice in labeling while promoting openness.

Did Danny DeVito take care of Mara Wilson?

Danny DeVito as a father figure on set

• DeVito directed and starred in Matilda, playing the role of Harry Wormwood (Evening Standard (UK publication)).
• Wilson has described DeVito and his wife Rhea Perlman as “really wonderful”; they “took my family under their wing” while her mother was ill (Daily Record (UK news)).
• She told the Daily Record they sent food and cared for her family during that period (Daily Record (UK news)).

Their relationship after Matilda

• Wilson says DeVito stayed in touch long after filming ended (Evoke (Irish lifestyle site)).
• She has called him a “second dad” in interviews (Daily Record (UK news)).

The implication: DeVito’s support went beyond professional mentorship. In a business where child actors are often exploited, his steady presence provided Wilson with a rare safety net.

Did Mara Wilson like Robin Williams?

Working with Robin Williams on Mrs. Doubtfire

• Wilson has praised Williams as “one of the kindest people I ever met” (ABC News (US news outlet)).
• She recalls him singing show tunes and playing games with her on set (ABC News (US news outlet)).
• Wilson said she was a little nervous when she first saw him in full Mrs. Doubtfire costume, but he quickly put her at ease (ABC News (US news outlet)).

Wilson’s memories of Williams

• She wrote about his death in her memoir, expressing sadness but respecting his privacy (ABC News (US news outlet)).
• She avoids speculating on the circumstances of his suicide (Evoke (Irish lifestyle site)).

The pattern: Wilson’s fond memories are consistent and specific—Williams was generous, playful, and kind. She does not traffic in gossip, instead offering a guarded but grateful portrait.

Who found Robin Williams dead?

Circumstances of Williams’ death

• Robin Williams died by suicide on August 11, 2014, at his home in Paradise Cay, California (Wikipedia (biographical database)).
• His assistant found him and called 911 (Wikipedia (biographical database)).
• He had recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (Wikipedia (biographical database)).
• Toxicology reports showed no alcohol or illegal drugs in his system (Wikipedia (biographical database)).

Mara Wilson’s reaction

• Wilson has said she felt deep sadness but respects that Williams’ struggles were private (Evoke (Irish lifestyle site)).
• She has declined to engage with tabloid questions about the details of his death (Evoke (Irish lifestyle site)).

The catch: While the public clamours for details, Wilson’s restraint underscores a simple truth—not every question about a celebrity’s death deserves an answer.

Timeline signal

Quotes

He was like a second dad to me.

— Mara Wilson on Danny DeVito (Daily Record (UK news))

He was one of the kindest people I ever met.

— Mara Wilson on Robin Williams (ABC News (US news outlet))

I have OCD and anxiety, but I manage it.

— Mara Wilson on her mental health (Evoke (Irish lifestyle site))

She was a natural talent.

— Danny DeVito on working with Mara Wilson (Evening Standard (UK publication))

Where is Mara Wilson now?

At 38, Wilson balances writing, voice acting, and live storytelling. She remains active on social media, where she advocates for mental health and occasionally reflects on her Hollywood past. For fans who grew up watching her, the takeaway is clear: she emerged from child stardom not burned out but redefined—a writer who happens to have been a movie star, rather than the other way around.

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