Mara Wilson, who shot to fame as a child actor in 1990s blockbusters including Matilda and Mrs Doubtfire, has opened up about the dark side of early stardom. In a new memoir, Good Girls Don’t, the now 35-year-old reflects on the pressure to be a “good girl” and the anger that followed.
Wilson writes that the stereotype of a spoilt child actor is misleading: “A bratty child is one who won’t do what they’re told; child actors only do what they’re told.” She describes a teen cruise where she felt forced to dance with a male fan, fearing the label “Matilda’s a slut!” if she refused. The experience left her feeling that her own wants did not matter.
The actor’s mother, Suzie, a people-pleaser herself, instilled in Wilson a sense of modesty that bordered on self-denial. “I took confidence to mean conceitedness, and modesty to mean self-denial and self-loathing,” Wilson says. This mindset, she believes, helped her land roles, as casting directors saw her earnestness.
After her mother’s death, Wilson struggled with grief and the demands of fame. She became angry and “a bitch”, rebelling against years of people-pleasing. Now, at 38, she says she is reflecting on her past with regret, wishing she could apologise for her behaviour.
Wilson’s family lived in Burbank, California, a “company town” for the entertainment industry. Her father worked for NBC, and acting was seen as a way to save for college rather than a path to stardom. She began with commercials before landing her first film role in Mrs Doubtfire.
