Former Child Star Mara Wilson Reveals Why She Left Hollywood - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 04-17-2012, 09:38 PM

Former Child Star Mara Wilson on Why She Quit Acting
04/17/2012

Mara Wilson was a successful child actor, until she decided showbiz wasn't for her.

Wilson won our hearts playing Robin Williams' youngest daughter in the 1993 comedy Mrs. Doubtfire, and went on to star in the 1994 remake of Miracle on 34th Street and the film adaptation of beloved children's book Matilda in 1996.

It's been 12 years since Wilson had a role on screen, and in that time she's grown up, graduated from NYU and is now a playwright.

In a recent blog post, the 24-year-old explains why she gave up on stardom and why you'll never see her on "Dancing With the Stars".

"Here is something no real celebrity will ever tell you: film acting is not very fun. Doing the same thing over and over again until, in the director’s eyes, you “get it right” does not allow for very much creative freedom ... In terms of sheer adrenaline, film has absolutely nothing on theater."

Wilson says she has no plans to pursue film acting, because it's not her "thing" anymore. While she loves working in theater and has always loved voice-over work, pursuing a full-time career as a Hollywood actress simply doesn't appeal to her.

"The celebrity aspect is nothing short of ridiculous, and auditioning is brutal and dehumanizing. Every time I see a pretty young girl on the subway reading sides for an audition, my only thought is, 'Man, am I glad I’m not doing that anymore.' I never feel nostalgia, just relief."

And while Wilson was eager to leave Hollywood behind her, she's become keenly aware of how much her old movies mean to fans.

"I’ve only recently realized that what I did as a child means to people. I get messages on my Facebook and Twitter nearly every day from people telling me that I was in their favorite movie. 'Matilda' has been name-checked by librarians and feminist bloggers alike, and I’m flattered, though the compliment does not seem to be mine to receive. I didn’t write 'Matilda' or direct the movie, I just played the part.

Still, what I did was important to them. I can understand why they want me to continue acting. But interestingly enough, only about half of the people asking me 'Are you still acting?' seem to take what I want into consideration."

In 2008, while at NYU, Wilson wrote and performed a one woman play titled "Aren't You That Girl". The show ran for three days and detailed her life and how bizarrely people treat her because of her days as a child star.

In an interview with NYULocal, Wilson recalls crowds of freshman girls knocking on her dorm room door, eager to "party with Matilda."

"I would like people to know me for who I am, especially since I think people have a very skewed image of me," she told the college website. "I was playing a lot of cute characters, a lot of little girls, I was objectified. And I don’t want people to think of me as that because it’s not who I am, and because I’ve seen a lot of hostility towards that image. It’s a version of Mara Wilson that doesn’t exist.

And I’d rather be known for my accomplishments and for things that I really do take pride in, rather than known for this doll-like image I had when I was a child."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0..._1432158.html?

catlover79 · 04-17-2012, 09:59 PM

Thanks for posting this!! It's nice to see a former child star with her head on straight.

Tubehead · 04-27-2012, 02:13 AM

ialwas liked mrs doubt firei still got it on dvd

ShamelessFanGirl · 06-02-2012, 11:16 AM

I respect Mara's decision, every director is different some let you have fun with the character and do what you want while others are more strict and want you to play it to their vision and that is a lot of for a kid to deal with and so I can see where she eventually grew tired of it. She wanted to have a normal life without all the fame and cameras in her face. Some people don't mind that, but some people give it up because they can't deal with the pressure of that sort of lifestyle and Mara was just one of those people, which is cool. I hope she finds what is that she wants to do with her life and she is happy doing it.
I will always enjoy her films such as Mrs. Doubtfire, Miracle on 34th Street, Matilda and A Simple Wish.

04-17-2012, 09:38 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,136	Former Child Star Mara Wilson Reveals Why She Left Hollywood Former Child Star Mara Wilson on Why She Quit Acting 04/17/2012 Mara Wilson was a successful child actor, until she decided showbiz wasn't for her. Wilson won our hearts playing Robin Williams' youngest daughter in the 1993 comedy Mrs. Doubtfire, and went on to star in the 1994 remake of Miracle on 34th Street and the film adaptation of beloved children's book Matilda in 1996. It's been 12 years since Wilson had a role on screen, and in that time she's grown up, graduated from NYU and is now a playwright. In a recent blog post, the 24-year-old explains why she gave up on stardom and why you'll never see her on "Dancing With the Stars". "Here is something no real celebrity will ever tell you: film acting is not very fun. Doing the same thing over and over again until, in the director’s eyes, you “get it right” does not allow for very much creative freedom ... In terms of sheer adrenaline, film has absolutely nothing on theater." Wilson says she has no plans to pursue film acting, because it's not her "thing" anymore. While she loves working in theater and has always loved voice-over work, pursuing a full-time career as a Hollywood actress simply doesn't appeal to her. "The celebrity aspect is nothing short of ridiculous, and auditioning is brutal and dehumanizing. Every time I see a pretty young girl on the subway reading sides for an audition, my only thought is, 'Man, am I glad I’m not doing that anymore.' I never feel nostalgia, just relief." And while Wilson was eager to leave Hollywood behind her, she's become keenly aware of how much her old movies mean to fans. "I’ve only recently realized that what I did as a child means to people. I get messages on my Facebook and Twitter nearly every day from people telling me that I was in their favorite movie. 'Matilda' has been name-checked by librarians and feminist bloggers alike, and I’m flattered, though the compliment does not seem to be mine to receive. I didn’t write 'Matilda' or direct the movie, I just played the part. Still, what I did was important to them. I can understand why they want me to continue acting. But interestingly enough, only about half of the people asking me 'Are you still acting?' seem to take what I want into consideration." In 2008, while at NYU, Wilson wrote and performed a one woman play titled "Aren't You That Girl". The show ran for three days and detailed her life and how bizarrely people treat her because of her days as a child star. In an interview with NYULocal, Wilson recalls crowds of freshman girls knocking on her dorm room door, eager to "party with Matilda." "I would like people to know me for who I am, especially since I think people have a very skewed image of me," she told the college website. "I was playing a lot of cute characters, a lot of little girls, I was objectified. And I don’t want people to think of me as that because it’s not who I am, and because I’ve seen a lot of hostility towards that image. It’s a version of Mara Wilson that doesn’t exist. And I’d rather be known for my accomplishments and for things that I really do take pride in, rather than known for this doll-like image I had when I was a child." http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0..._1432158.html? Attached Images
	Last edited by JamesG; 04-17-2012 at 10:30 PM.

04-17-2012, 09:59 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Thanks for posting this!! It's nice to see a former child star with her head on straight.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

04-27-2012, 02:13 AM	#3
Tubehead Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 12, 2007 Location: chattanooga.tn Posts: 5,139	ialwas liked mrs doubt firei still got it on dvd

06-02-2012, 11:16 AM	#4
ShamelessFanGirl Great Power and Resposbility Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 16, 2011 Location: Kentucky, USA Posts: 581	I respect Mara's decision, every director is different some let you have fun with the character and do what you want while others are more strict and want you to play it to their vision and that is a lot of for a kid to deal with and so I can see where she eventually grew tired of it. She wanted to have a normal life without all the fame and cameras in her face. Some people don't mind that, but some people give it up because they can't deal with the pressure of that sort of lifestyle and Mara was just one of those people, which is cool. I hope she finds what is that she wants to do with her life and she is happy doing it. I will always enjoy her films such as Mrs. Doubtfire, Miracle on 34th Street, Matilda and A Simple Wish.