Highlights
- Mara Wilson trends online with 90s throwback video
- Fans note her resemblance to her childhood role in Matilda
- Actor reflects on early fame and life after stepping away from Hollywood
A nostalgic moment goes viral
Mara Wilson, best known for playing the title role in Matilda, has drawn renewed attention after taking part in a 90s-themed social media trend. The 38-year-old shared a video pairing her present-day look with childhood images, prompting a wave of reactions online.
Set to music by The Goo Goo Dolls, the clip moves from a current shot of Wilson to a throwback image from the mid-1990s, tapping into nostalgia around her early career.
Fans return to ‘Matilda’
Viewers quickly pointed out how closely Wilson resembles her younger self, with many referencing her role as Matilda Wormwood. The response underlined the lasting connection audiences have with the character decades after the film’s release.
Wilson responded to the attention, saying she chooses to take such comments as a sign she looks younger than her age, while also noting factors such as lifestyle and genetics.
Early fame shaped by personal loss
Wilson was eight when she starred in Matilda, directed by Danny DeVito and based on Roald Dahl’s book. Around the same time, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and died before the film’s release.
She has spoken about the support she received from DeVito and Rhea Perlman during filming, including being shown an early version of the film while in hospital.
From child star to writer
After stepping away from acting in the early 2000s, Wilson later reflected on the pressures of growing up in the spotlight. She described becoming more withdrawn, which made continuing in the industry difficult.
She now works as a writer and has contributed to books, essays and voice roles, including appearances in BoJack Horseman and Big Hero 6: The Series.
