Mara Wilson was born on July 24, 1987, in Burbank, California, and she grew up as the oldest daughter in a family of six children. Her mother, Suzie, was a school volunteer, and her father, Mike, was a broadcast engineer.

Her interest in acting began at the age of five when she watched her older brother Danny appear in television commercials. Despite her parents' initial reluctance, her persistence led her to land her first role in the 1993 comedy film "Mrs. Doubtfire," where she played Natalie Hillard. This role marked the beginning of her successful career as a child actress.

In 1994, Mara Wilson starred as Susan Walker in the remake of "Miracle on 34th Street," and the following year, she took on the iconic role of Matilda Wormwood in the film adaptation of Roald Dahl's book "Matilda."

Her performance in "Matilda" earned her critical acclaim and several awards, including the YoungStar Award for Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Comedy Film. She continued her career with roles in "A Simple Wish" (1997) and "Thomas and the Magic Railroad" (2000), but the latter marked her last major film role as a child actress.

After a 12-year hiatus from acting, she returned to the entertainment industry in 2012, focusing on stage acting, voice acting, and writing. She has written a memoir titled "Where Am I Now?" and has been involved in various web series and stage productions. She currently lives a quiet life in New York City, where she continues to pursue her passion for writing and acting.

Her journey from a child star to a successful writer and actress is a testament to her resilience and talent. Despite the challenges she faced, including the loss of her mother to breast cancer during the filming of "Matilda," Mara has continued to thrive in her career and personal life.