Believe it or not, the Hollywood blockbuster Matilda was released in the summer of 1996 – that’s 25 years ago!
The feature film adaptation of Roald Dahl’s book graced the cinema screens more than two whole decades ago.
Based on the the children’s novel of the same name, Matilda follows the title character as she uses her ‘powers’ also known as telekinesis.
The schoolgirl educated herself to become a genius, with a great deal of intellect and because of this she was able to manage life with her careless family and bully school principal.
Along the way Matilda makes friends and foes, eventually moving in with the sweetest lady and becoming her ‘adoptive’ daughter.
This heartwarming film will forever be a big hit – but where are the cast now?
Mara Wilson (Matilda)
(Image: Tristar Pictures)
Before being cast as the lead role in Matilda, Mara Wilson had already starred in several blockbuster hits.
In 1993, Mara starred in Mrs. Doubtfire as Natalie Hillard, and in 1994 she played Susan Walker in Miracle on 34th Street.
After Matilda, Mrs. Doubtfire, and Miracle on 34th Street, Mara Wilson was set to have a long and fruitful acting career.
The child star actually took a 12+ year break from acting.
During her break from Hollywood, Mara attended New York University, where she had a one-woman show titled “Weren’t You That Girl?”.
(Image: Nine)
Wilson has a recurring role on the podcast Welcome to Night Vale as “The Faceless Old Woman Who Secretly Lives in Your Home”, as well as her own storytelling show called What Are You Afraid Of?
In 2016, Wilson made a brief return to television in a Mrs. Doubtfire-inspired episode of Broad City; she played a waitress where the comical Heimlich scene from the movie was reenacted.
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Also in 2016, she also voiced Jill Pill, a writer/director anthropomorphic spider, in season 3 of BoJack Horseman.
In an interview in December 2013, the Matilda-star stated that her film acting days are over, and that she is instead focusing on writing.
Her book Where Am I Now?: True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame was published on September 13, 2016
Danny DeVito (Mr. Wormwood)
Danny DeVito hasn’t stopped acting and is a Hollywood force to be reckoned with!
Most popularly known for his older work, like playing the Penguin in Batman Returns and Louie in Taxi – Danny was a bit hit when he played Matilda’s dad in feature film.
One of the most memorable scenes from Matilda is when his daughter put glue in his hat, which then got stuck on his head! The scene is hilarious and leaves viewers roaring in hysterics.
In 2011 he received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work in film and television.
He also directed One Direction’s music video for Steal My Girl in 2014.
Rhea Perlman (Mrs. Wormwood)
Rhea, who played Matilda’s mum, starred in a recurring role on The Mindy Project as Danny’s mother, Annette Castellano from 2014 to 2017.
Turning her hand to writing, Matilda’s careless mother has become a successful children’s author – which is rather ironic considering she detested Matilda’s love for reading!
She’s written six illustrated books in the Otto Undercover series.
Rhea was married to her on-screen husband Danny DeVito from until 1982 until 2017.
Embeth Davidtz (Miss Honey)
(Image: INSTAGRAM / EMBETH DAVIDTZ)
From 2009 to 2012, Embeth (or our beloved Miss Honey as we all know her) played the role of Rebecca Pryce in the hit AMC television show Mad Men.
The sweet teacher also starred in the smash-hit The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, as well as appearing in The Amazing Spider-Man as Mary Parker, Peter Parker’s mother who vanished under mysterious circumstances along with Richard Parker.
Embeth was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013, which had caused her to stop working.
She underwent a mastectomy and is now well.
Pam Ferris (Agatha Trunchbull)
(Image: GETTY)
Pam Harris played the no-nonsense headmistress in Matilda. Famous for locking kids in the ‘chokey’, she reprised anything evil role when she played Aunt Marge in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in 2004.
The British actress. She has starred in numerous television series, including Connie, The Darling Buds of May, Where the Heart Is and Rosemary & Thyme.
Since 2012 she’s played Sister Evangelina in the very famous BBC drama series, Call the Midwife.
She’s now 72 years old and married to actor Roger Frost. They both live in Elham, Kent.
Kiami Davael (Lavender)
(Image: INSTAGRAM / KIAMI DAVAEL)
Remember Matilda’s sweet school friend Lavender? Well, she’s now in her mid-thirties! How crazy is that?
Kiami Davael went on to attend the University of Kentucky, where she graduated from in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
Nearing her forties, the child star now mainly focuses on her singing and writing career.
Kiami still reminisces about her time as Lavender in the smash-hit film.
She has the words “Lavender” from the film “Matilda”. in her Instagram bio and she still hangs out with her Matilda cast mates, often meeting with Mara Wilson for lunch.
Jimmy Karz (Bruce Bogtrotter)
The famous scene that depicted Bruce Bogtrotter devouring that humongous chocolate cake stuck in the minds of many for years to come.
Set to have a long career in acting, Jimmy’s last acting gig was on ER in 1998!
As of 2014, he attended Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Jimmy actually reenacted the amazing chocolate cake scene though in 2013!
The now 37-year old from California became a hot topic recently when images of him began circulating on TikTok.
Fans began swooning over the hunk, which we are sure he’s rather chuffed about!
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
