Net Worth Ranker
What Is Mara Wilson’s Net Worth?
Mara Wilson, an American actress and writer, has accumulated a net worth of $500,000. This figure reflects her earnings from a career that began in childhood, with prominent roles in films such as “Mrs. Doubtfire,” “Miracle on 34th Street,” and “Matilda,” as well as her subsequent endeavors in writing and podcasting. While specific breakdowns of her income from each project are not publicly available, this overall net worth provides an estimate of her financial standing.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Mara Wilson was born on July 24, 1987, in Burbank, California. Her parents were Suzie Wilson and Mike Wilson, who worked as a broadcast engineer. Mara’s initial foray into the entertainment industry began after witnessing her older brother’s appearance in a television commercial when she was five years old. Though her parents were initially hesitant, they eventually supported her aspirations. She started with commercials for well-known brands like Bank of America, Texaco, Marshalls, and Lunchables. The exact earnings from these commercials are not publicly documented, but such early exposure paved the way for her subsequent film roles.
Film Roles and Recognition
Wilson’s breakthrough role came in 1993 when she was cast in the comedy “Mrs. Doubtfire” alongside Robin Williams. Following this success, she appeared in “Miracle on 34th Street” in 1994. While the specific salary figures for these films are not publicly accessible, it is common for child actors in prominent roles to receive substantial compensation. In 1994, she also secured a recurring role on “Melrose Place” as Nikki Petrova and appeared in the television film “A Time to Heal.” In 1995, she performed “Make ‘Em Laugh” at the 67th Academy Awards alongside Tim Curry and Kathy Najimy. The same year, she received the ShoWest Award for Young Star of the Year, an honorary award recognizing her rising prominence in the industry.
“Matilda” and Subsequent Projects
In 1996, Wilson gained further recognition when Danny DeVito cast her as the main character in the film “Matilda.” This role is considered her most significant and earned her the YoungStar Award for Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Comedy Film. The following year, she starred alongside Martin Short in “A Simple Wish.” Although Wilson’s performance was well-received, the film did not achieve commercial success. In 1999, she appeared in the Disney film “Balloon Farm,” and in 2000, she starred in “Thomas and the Magic Railroad,” which marked her final film appearance before taking a hiatus from acting. The financial details, including her salary for “Matilda” and other projects, are not publicly available.
Transition to Writing and Other Ventures
Following her departure from film acting, Wilson pursued academic endeavors, attending the Idyllwild Arts Academy in Idyllwild, California, and graduating in 2005. She then enrolled at the New York University Tisch School of the Arts, earning her bachelor’s degree in 2009. In 2012, she briefly returned to the screen with a web series episode called “Missed Connection.” In 2013, she wrote an article about child acting that was published on Cracked.com. She also developed her own play, “Sheeple,” which was produced in 2013 for the New York International Fringe Festival. Around this time, she expressed her preference for writing over acting. In 2016, she published a book titled “Where Am I Now?: True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame.” Additionally, she has worked as an associate editor at The Atlantic. The income derived from her writing and editorial roles contributes to her overall net worth, although specific financial details are not disclosed.
Podcast Appearances and Voice Acting
Wilson has engaged in various professional ventures, including a recurring role on the podcast “Welcome to Night Vale.” She also hosts her own storytelling show titled “What Are You Afraid Of?” She made a cameo appearance in an episode of “Broad City,” which was inspired by the film “Mrs. Doubtfire.” Additionally, she provided voice acting for a character in the third season of “BoJack Horseman” and for a character in “Big Hero 6: The Series.” The income from these podcast appearances and voice acting roles contributes to her overall earnings. Although the exact compensation for each project is not publicly known, these activities represent additional sources of revenue that contribute to her $500,000 net worth.
Op-Eds and Advocacy
In 2021, Wilson wrote an op-ed for the New York Times reflecting on the experiences of child stars in light of the “Framing Britney Spears” documentary. In 2015, she appeared in a video by the mental health charity Project UROK, discussing her experiences with anxiety, depression, and OCD. She has also publicly defended child actress Millie Bobby Brown against media scrutiny. While these advocacy and writing activities do not directly translate into substantial income, they contribute to her public persona and can indirectly impact her earning potential. The exact compensation for these activities is not publicly disclosed.
