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Mara Elizabeth Wilson (born July 24, 1987) is a two time Saturn Award-nominated American actress who is perhaps best known as a child actress for starring in Miracle on 34th Street (1994) as Susan Walker, Matilda (1996) as Matilda Wormwood, and A Simple Wish (1997) as Anabel Greening; and for her supporting roles in Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) as Natalie Hillard and Thomas and the Magic Railroad (2000) as Lily. Although she was mainly a film actress, she has also appeared in television films, guest-starred in television series in the 1990s, and in 2005 has starred in a musical theater production of Cinderella.Wilson was born in Los Angeles, California. She has three older brothers: Danny (b. 1979), John (b. 1980), and Joel (b. 1982); and a younger sister, Anna (b. 1992). When she was nine, while filming Matilda, her mother Suzie died from breast cancer and so the film was dedicated to Suzie.[1]

Wilson attended Idyllwild Arts Academy and graduated in June 2005.[2] Prior to Idyllwild, she attended John Burroughs high school in Burbank, California for two years, where she participated in both the drama and show choir programs. She began attending Tisch School of the Arts at New York University in September 2005, majoring in theater. She talked to the New York Times and said the best movies she had played in were `Mrs. Doubtfire`, `Matilda`, and `Thomas and the Magic Railroad`.[
Wilson first became interested in acting when she was four, she saw her brother Danny in commercials, and decided to join him. In 1991, they did commercials for Texaco, Marshalls, Bank of America, and Oscar Mayer.

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 portrayal in the 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.

Wilson sang "Make `Em Laugh" at the 67th Academy Awards telecast on March 27, 1995, with Tim Curry and Kathy Najimy.[3]

In August 2005, she starred as the lead character in a production of Rodgers and Hammerstein`s Cinderella performed at the Ector Theater in Odessa, Texas.


[edit] Filmography

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