‘Matilda’ star Mara Wilson ‘never made enough’ money for SAG-AFTRA healthcare

July 15, 2023

Actress Mara Wilson, who starred as the titular character in the 1996 film ‘Matilda,’ said she’s “never made enough” money to qualify for Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Radio and Television Artists (SAG-AFTRA) healthcare in recent years.

Wilson has joined thousands of actors and entertainers striking in Hollywood with the Writers Guild of America (WGA) for the first time in over six decades.

“I haven’t acted much as an adult, but I WAS on a recurring character on one of the most critically acclaimed animated shows of all time, as well playing an actual Disney villain,” the 35-year-old tweeted Thursday.

“But thanks to streaming, I have never once made enough to qualify for SAG-AFTRA healthcare.”

Wilson became an established actress at a young age, landing the role of Natalie ‘Nattie’ Hillard in the film “Mrs. Doubtfire” in 1993.

Mara Wilson was only 6 years old when she stared in the hit family classic "Matilda" in 1996. — Wilson starred in the hit family classic film “Matilda” in 1996.

Danny Devito, Wilson, and Rhea Perlman in a scene from "Matilda." — Danny Devito, Wilson, and Rhea Perlman in a scene from “Matilda.”

The audition was her first ever one for a movie, and she was just 6 years old at the time.

She went on to play Susan Walker in “Miracle on 34th Street” the following year, before landing the role of her career as Matilda Wormwood in “Matilda.”

Wilson, in her adult career, dabbled in voiceover work for animated shows, including Netflix’s “BoJack Horseman” and Disney’s “Big Hero 6” series.

I haven’t acted much as an adult, but I WAS on a recurring character on one of the most critically acclaimed animated shows of all time, as well playing an actual Disney villain.

But thanks to streaming, I have never once made enough to qualify for SAG-AFTRA healthcare.

— Mara Wilson (@MaraWilson) July 13, 2023

Wilson attends The Secret Society Of The Sisterhood at The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever on January 31, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. — Wilson attending The Secret Society Of The Sisterhood at The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever on Jan. 31, 2018, in Los Angeles, California.

The union protecting Hollywood’s biggest A-listers on Thursday joined forces with screenwriters on the picket line after voting to shut down production across the entertainment industry — meaning there could be a drought of upcoming shows and movies in the near future.

The SAG-AFTRA unanimously voted to stop working after their contract expired and talks broke off with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents streamers Disney, Netflix, Amazon and others.

For the first time since 1960, both actors and writers went on strike in Hollywood.

The strike marks the first time the 160,000-member-strong SAG-AFTRA has walked out from film and television since 1980.

The actor-screenwriter strike is the first joint walkout in more than six decades — and has the potential to block dozens of upcoming projects — such as the “Avatar” and “Gladiator” sequels — until a new contract with studios and streaming services is reached.

Both SAG-AFTRA and the WGA are demanding a rise in pay and residuals in the streaming era.

They are also seeking assurances that their work will not be replaced by artificial intelligence in the near future.