Roald Dahl, a British novelist, released Matilda in 1988. The novel presented the story of a clever little girl who is mistreated and neglected by her family. Matilda begins playing pranks on her family after years of mistreatment.
She finally finds that she possesses powers that border on magic.
Matilda’s narrative was beloved by kids and parents alike because it demonstrated that no matter how young or old you are, you can have an impact in your own and others’ lives.
Danny DeVito turned the novel into a feature picture in 1996, featuring 9-year-old Mara Wilson as Matilda.
Mara rose to prominence with roles in Mrs. Doubtfire and Miracle on 34th Street. For years, when people saw her, they instantly thought of Matilda.
But Mara’s personal life was far from flawless. Mara’s mother died of cancer shortly after Matilda ended production.
Mara had always enjoyed reading as a child, and her mother had read Matilda to her before she was cast.
Mara’s mother urged her to take the role since she believed Matilda was a fantastic character. Mara had no idea how crucial Danny DeVito would become in her life when he offered her the part.
He and his then-wife, Rhea Perlman, welcomed Mara to pool parties and gatherings, and Mara recalls having a great time working with the experienced performers.
However, while filming Matilda on March 10, 1995, Mara’s mother, Suzie, was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Danny and Rhea volunteered to watch Mara whenever her parents needed to go to the hospital.
Suzie’s health worsened after shooting ended. On April 26, 1996, she died.
Mara and her siblings were distraught, as she describes in her novel, Where Am I Now?
The novel, devoted to her mom, portrays a conversation between Suzie and Danny for which Mara will be always thankful.
Suzie was never able to view the finished film since she died before post-production was done.
So Mara reasoned.
She was always disappointed that her mother, who adored the Matilda narrative, never got to watch the finished film, but this was not the truth.
Danny informed Mara years later that he had visited Suzie in the hospital with the almost-completed video and enabled her to view it.
This one deed gave Mara peace of mind, knowing that her mom had seen a project of hers that she had been so proud of.
Although Danny DeVito played a nasty dad in Matilda, he has often demonstrated that he is a kindhearted man.
