Matilda Turns 25! Mara Wilson Shares Behind-the-Scenes Secrets

ET’s Lauren Zima sits down with ‘Matilda’ star Mara Wilson 25 years after the film’s release. The now 34-year-old actress dishes on her favorite moments from filming, some behind-the-scenes secrets and her special bond with Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman.

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[MiguelGarcia-hljo]

Movies like Matilda go thru stages where they don’t make a lot of money when they first come out but generally becomes an iconic movie because kids from the next generation will still love it.

[DoctorFashion]

She did so good in this movie !! This is such a CLASSIC !!!!

[shawnafairchild]

The fact that she had so much fun on set as a child, and had so many amazing adult actors to protect and guide her is so amazing! Nowadays all you hear about are the children mistreated on set and abused by their managers, etc. I'm glad she had a good experience.

[wyco]

I love that she mentioned that abuse survivors/neglected children found solace with her character. I thought I was alone with that.. To this day, the movie chokes me up because it's the only film that hits close to home.. literally.

[TheJayair]

I highly respect this interviewer, she let Mara talk.

[marilynwebber]

It’s so heartbreaking to know that her mom was battling breast cancer during the filming of the movie & passed before the release of the film. Danny Devito showed her the final edit of the film so she could watch her daughter before she died.

[valerieosei]

I love listening to her. She is the result of what happens when child actors get to be kids and just enjoy it ❤️

[genesiscda]

I love that the cast took care of her while her mother was sick. This movie will always be so special to me.

[_simangele_]

Me: 24 years old, born in '97. Struggles with severe anxiety and depression. Watches Matilda a few times a month for the past 6 years, because it is my comfort movie, and it always helps me reel myself back in when things go a little haywire.

[cameronpoole]

I wanted Miss Honey to be my teacher so bad she was beautiful inside and out

[kita]

I wanted miss honey to adopt me when I was little. This movie helped me realize that my child abuse I was going through was not ok. I realized it was abuse. And I felt like Matilda understood me. And I loved her happy ending. I wish mine would of been happy too.

[milanimoreno]

the fact the cast did so much for her while her mom was going through something very hard makes the whole movie even more special

[QueenCityFilmsComm]

What a very humble woman! Matilda is definitely a 90s classic. I wish her and her family nothing but the best.

[cameroncalzone]

i know that she’s not interested in getting back into acting but it would be cool to see her be a voice actor, she has a nice voice

[pinkystichy]

I'm so glad she had such a positive experience filming, given the horrific experiences a lot of child stars seem to face. It makes me love the film even more, knowing how much support & love she was given, especially as she lost her mother.

[nomdeplume]

Aww hearing that Danny & Rea stepped up and basically took her under their wing in order to help her have a stable, happy, "normal" time during her moms cancer is 😭😭😭 what amazing humans...

[captainmw]

I have nothing but the utmost respect for Danny and Rhea for their kindness towards Mara! It was such a great display of compassion of them to do that for Mara!

[MJPamuru]

Mrs. Doubtfire, Matilda and Miracle on 34th street, regardless of who you are you loved AT LEAST one of these movies! Enough to send a child actor down an unfortunate spiral. I’m so happy to see that she has remained beautiful, sweet and so humbly grounded! I wish her all the happiness in life! What a beautiful woman she became both inside and out!

[dicedrice]

Her mother died while she was filming Matilda. And Mara insisted on continuing to film.

Even at a young age she was strong and resilient.

[GreenBananaz]

As a 90’s kid MATILDA Is literally so nostalgic! It definitely promotes happiness In us all 🥰