Matilda was released more than two decades ago, but the super-kid's story is still as
compelling today as it was back then.
Based on the Roald Dahl novel of the same name, Matilda was a bittersweet little story.
It became legendary with kids for its willingness to go there with its baddies of all brands.
So, after 20 years of fandom, let's take a look at what the cast of Matilda has been
up to lately.
Mara Wilson
The star of Matilda was Mara Wilson, who'd already made a name for herself in movies
like Mrs. Doubtfire and Miracle on 34th Street by the time she starred as the girl genius
in this flick.
After Matilda, Wilson went on to star in A Simple Wish and enjoyed a few more roles in
television and online series.
However, she officially retired from film acting after her role in Thomas and the Magic
Railroad in 2000.
She later described film acting as "not very fun," on her blog, and has instead turned
her focus to writing.
She maintains her website, Mara Wilson Writes Stuff, and released her book Where Am I Now?
in September 2016.
Pam Ferris
She may have been terrifying as Agatha Trunchbull, the abusive principal in Matilda, but Pam
Ferris has played a variety of roles.
Harry Potter movie fans might recognize Ferris as the woman who played Aunt Marge in Prisoner
of Azkaban.
And most recently, Ferris starred on the BBC TV series Call the Midwife, where she was
only slightly less terrifying than Trunchbull.
"You young girls do too much book learning, you sit for months in classrooms filling your
heads with loads of codswallop, when simple, practical tasks are beyond you."
Danny DeVito
Not only did Danny DeVito direct Matilda, but he also starred as Matilda's villainous
father Harry Wormwood and served as the film's narrator.
Wormwood was known in the movie for his illegal dealings and constant abuse of Matilda.
But in real life, DeVito's hardly that guy.
These days, most people probably recognize DeVito from his time starring on the TV series
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
DeVito has starred as Frank Reynolds on the show since 2006, and episodes are planned
through at least 2019.
Clearly, DeVito isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
"Ahhhh!"
Rhea Perlman
Daddy dearest wasn't the only terrible parent in the bunch.
Matilda's mother Zinnia, played by Rhea Perlman, also spent her days playing
Bingo rather than taking care of Matilda.
The real-life wife of DeVito for three decades, Perlman has earned prime placement on plenty
of shows — most recently, a recurring stint on The Mindy Project.
She can also be found in the YouTube series Me and My Grandma — and pretty much any
episode of Cheers, of course.
Embeth Davidtz
While Matilda was unlucky in the parental department originally, she lucks out with
her teacher Miss Jennifer Honey, played by Embeth Davidtz.
Miss Honey was the polar opposite of Matilda's birth mother, since she was kind, nurturing,
and attentive.
After Matilda, Davidtz went on to earn several roles in television shows including Amy in
the HBO series In Treatment and Rebecca Pryce in Mad Men.
While Davidtz took some time away from acting after being diagnosed with breast cancer in
2013, fans will recognize her recent work as Sonia in Ray Donovan.
Kiami Davael
Matilda's best friend Lavender was played by Kiami Davael, who couldn't help but draw
out major aws thanks to her large glasses and hilarious newt prank on the principal.
While she may be remembered for her role as Lavender, Davael is also a model, singer,
songwriter, and screenwriter.
Not one to shy from the spotlight, Davael is very active on Instagram.
There, she shares selfies, throwback photos, and fan-submitted content with her over 40,000
followers.
Jacqueline Steiger
Everyone who's ever had braids will remember the iconic scene in Matilda when the Trunchbull
throws Amanda Thripp through the air by her braided pigtails as punishment.
Played by Jacqueline Steiger, Amanda thankfully survives the toss.
But it's in this scene that Matilda first learns just how brutal Trunchbull can be.
Steiger went on to play many roles in television and movies before taking a break to attend
college at UCLA, where she graduated summa cum laude.
She's now on a mission to jump back into the industry, so keep your eyes peeled.
Kira Spencer Hesser
Speaking of the playground scene, that's also where Matilda and Lavender meet Hortensia,
played by Kira Spencer Hesser.
"You squirts better skedaddle.
I'm not kidding.
The Trunchbull likes to snap a whip in there to see who's trying to hide."
Hortensia is an expert on the Trunchbull, and is the person who tells Matilda and Lavender
all about the heinous things the principal has done.
Hesser is still very involved in the industry after a break to get her master's in modern
literature in London.
And she's done everything from stand-up comedy to voice-over work, television hosting, and
short film.
She also hosted Islands Without Cars on PBS.
Jimmy Karz
The character of Bruce Bogtrotter, played by Jimmy Karz, stars in another iconic Matilda
scene you aren't likely to forget.
When Bruce steals a slice of Trunchbull's chocolate cake, he's punished by being forced
to eat the entire thing in front of the whole school, which he does successfully after much
cheering from his classmates.
These days Karz, looks and behaves quite differently from his role as Bruce.
After a small role in The Wedding Singer, Karz set his sights on osteopathic medical
school.
He's come a long way from playing a chocolate-covered kid who steals cake, don't you think?
A class reunion
Twenty years after Matilda was released, the film's actors have gone on to pursue a variety
of paths.
Some are still acting, starring in television and movies.
Others have shifted their sights to modeling or writing, while a few have left the spotlight
completely.
But that doesn't mean they've forgotten the movie that brought them all together.
Mara Wilson shared a group shot of the gang all lined up in Matilda memory, and it's clear
that they all still have a lot of love for each other and they know how to have a good
time — maybe even with some chocolate cake, just for old time's sake.
"Bruce Bruce Bruce Bruce Bruce!"
"Yeah!"
"Silence!"
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