Mara Wilson, 'Matilda' Star, on Why She Quit Acting
Mara Wilson was a promising child actor; she starred as the title character in "Matilda" and won over hearts with her innocence in "Mrs. Doubtfire," but an acting career was not something she wanted to pursue. For the first time in 12 years, Wilson has explained her absence and why she gave up on acting.
Wilson holds a degree from New York University and is an accomplished playwright. She is also the author of the blog Mara Wilson Writes Stuff, in which she shares her thoughts and ideas with audiences. In her latest post "Are You Still Acting?!" she describes her feelings toward the entertainment industry and reveals that she wasn't crazy about the work she did when still a young girl.
"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. The best times I had on film sets were the times the director let me express myself, but those were rare," Wilson writes.
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Instead, Wilson has taken to writing for live theater, something she says is "about connection with an audience, being in on the moment, and living a live moment onstage."
What does Wilson think about today's younger celebrities?
"To paraphrase the show tune, anything I can do, Anna Kendrick or Ellen Page or Jennifer Lawrence (or any actress from the plethora of actresses waiting to be 'discovered') can do better. I think that there are many much more talented, much more conventionally attractive actresses out there who are taking the roles I would have been offered."
Wilson fans should not expect to see her onscreen anytime soon, either.
"The short answer is no, I don't have any plans to pursue film acting. It's not my 'thing' anymore, if it ever was…pursuing a full-time, live-action film career does not appeal to me. And no, you will not ever see me on 'Dancing With the Stars.' Sorry," she added.
SEE VIDEO OF MARA WILSON AS A CHILD STAR IN THIS BEHIND THE SCENES FOOTAGE OF HER HIT MOVIE MATILDA
