The Sweet Thing Danny DeVito Did For Mara Wilson While Filming Matilda

Danny DeVito and Mara Wilson (along with the rest of the wonderful cast) gifted us with "Matilda," the 1996 film adaption of Roald Dahl's popular novel that made almost every '90s child's life a bit more whimsical. DeVito was the hero of the film — behind the scenes, of course, as his character, Matilda's father Harry Wormwood, was just plain awful — acting also as its director and co-producer.

DeVito also proved to be a great influence on the young actors working on the film. "Danny and I just kind of understood each other. I don't know what it was, but I immediately felt a connection with him," Wilson told Entertainment Tonight in August 2021, when "Matilda" celebrated the 25th anniversary of its release. Even though Wilson was only 8 years old when she filmed "Matilda," she was already able to articulate her affection for DeVito, who acted like a stand-in uncle for her. "Danny is really funny and he's really nice. We tell jokes and riddles ... when I come onto the set, every day he gives me a hug," she told ET in a 1995 interview featured in the special. 

The role DeVito and his wife Rhea Perlman, who portrayed Matilda's mother in the film, played in Wilson's life took on special significance because Wilson was going through a difficult time when the film was being produced. Wilson's mother was dealing with serious illness during filming, according to People, and DeVito and Perlman were quick to step in and help.

Mara Wilson's mother Suzie Wilson was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 1995, only a month after Mara was tapped to bring Matilda to life, People reported in April 1996. Despite her cancer, Suzie was always on set guiding her young daughter, the report detailed. But, throughout Mara's work on the film, Suzie underwent intensive treatment, including chemotherapy, a mastectomy, and radiation, which put considerable pressure on the family. 

That's when Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman stepped in. When Suzie needed extra help, the couple took care of Mara. "Danny and Rhea would take me to the theater to see a play or to the movies or to just hang out at their house, things like that. And that was all usually done when my mother was in the hospital," Mara told Entertainment Tonight in August 2021. In fact, when Suzie had her mastectomy, Mara spent the previous night at DeVito and Perlman's home, according to People. "It really did keep me distracted and it really did keep me happy," she told ET. DeVito and Perlman became Mara's "favorite aunt and uncle," she told Parade in 2013.

Filming "Matilda" during that difficult period was "the best thing that could have happened to" Mara, she told ET. The extended support system it provided proved crucial. "I definitely feel like having that family there, and having people willing to take care of us and help us out, made it easier," she told Parade.

Suzie Wilson died in April 1996, before "Matilda" was released that August. Mara Wilson was heartbroken that Suzie wouldn't get to see in the movie based on the Roald Dahl book she knew her mother loved, Mara detailed in her 2016 book, "Where Am I Now? True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame" (via Little Things). But Suzie did catch a glimpse of her little girl portraying Matilda. Years had passed before DeVito told her that he had paid Suzie at visit at the hospital and showed a cut of the movie, she wrote in the book she dedicated to her mother. 

DeVito and his team also dedicated "Matilda" to Suzie's memory. "My mother worked so hard and she loved that movie so much and she loved 'Matilda' so much, so I really loved that they did that. I felt so glad when I saw that in the credits, and I still feel happy when I see that now," Mara told Entertainment Tonight. 

Wilson has mainly put her acting career aside, a decision she says was partly influenced by Suzie's death. "I can barely even remember 'Matilda' coming out ... it was really hard for me. So I think that I definitely became kind of disenchanted with acting," she told NPR. But Wilson told ET she would consider working on a "Matilda" sequel if it meant working with DeVito. "I would not turn down the chance to work with him again."