A movie like Matilda is a movie you don’t forget. For an entire generation, the bildungsroman film will forever be part of their formative years.

Based on one of Roald Dahl’s children’s books and released 23 years ago, the film follows a young genius named Matilda (Mara Wilson) who navigates her upbringing with parents who despise kids, almost as much as they hate education.

But Matilda harnesses the power of telekinesis to protect herself and others as she discovers her true intelligence.

So, over 20 years later, where are the main actors now?

Mara Wilson (Matilda)

Mara Wilson, who also starred in Mrs. Doubtfire, played protagonist Matilda Wormwood.

Wilson went on to act in a few more films and TV shows following the 1996 film, but despite her great success as a child star, Wilson quit acting in 2000.

On her blog, she explained "film acting is not very fun", citing the lack of creative freedom for an actor as a main reason she found it boring.

Wilson added that acting "is not my 'thing' anymore, if it ever was."

Now, Wilson is a writer. In 2016, she released a memoir, Where Am I Now?: True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame which details her childhood stardom and her years growing up as she takes an unfiltered, honest approach.

Danny DeVito (Harry Wormwood)

Many people don't know that not only did Danny DeVito star as the villainous father and car dealer in Matilda, but he also directed the iconic classic.

And he's continued to enjoy great success since, appearing in a slew of films and TV shows, most recently in the remake of Disney's Dumbo.

Since 2006 and still today, DeVito has also played Frank Reynolds on the sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

The actor and director was married in real life to his on-screen wife in Matilda, Rhea Perlman. They married in 1982, however separated 35 years later in 2017.

Pam Ferris (Miss Trunchbull)

Ferris played perhaps one of the most unforgettable characters of the film, the terrifying Miss Trunchbull.

Since Matilda, Ferris has played in other iconic films including as Aunt Marge in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. 

More recently, in 2019, Ferris played Mrs. Faulker in the 2019 biopic Tolkien.

Rhea Perlman (Zinnia Wormwood)

Critically acclaimed actress Rhea Perlman has continued her career in film and TV post Matilda, notably in Beethoven's Big Break. More recently she appeared in the 2019 film, Poms.

As before, she was married to Danny DeVito for 35 years until the two split two years ago.

Embeth Davidtz (Miss Honey)

Oh. Miss Honey was the antithesis of Miss Trunchbull and for that we were all eternally grateful.

The actress, Embeth Davidtz, went on to star in a number of television shows including as Rebecca Pryce in Mad Men and in 2014 she was in The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Unfortunately in 2013, Davidtz was diagnosed with breast cancer which she underwent a mastectomy for. The cancer was successfully removed.

This year, she appeared in Apple TV's new show Morning Wars, where she played Paige Kessler in a guest appearance for one episode.

Jimmy Karz (Bruce Bogtrotter)

Jimmy Karz was at the centre of one of the most iconic scenes of Matilda, when Miss Trunchbull forced him to eat an entire chocolate cake in front of his peers.

In an interview with The Do, Karz revealed that the chocolate scene took three weeks to film, adding he "despised the smell of chocolate for a few weeks after that".

Kraz was a child actor but has since studied biochemistry at University, which led him to a career in medicine.

He was an osteopathic medical student before graduating as a doctor in 2017.

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