Summary
- The talented Matilda cast, including Mara Wilson, Embeth Davidtz, and Pam Ferris, have gone on to have successful acting careers after the 1996 movie.
- Danny DeVito not only starred in Matilda but directed it too.
- Several other cast members, such as Brian Levinson and Jimmy Karz, have retired from acting.
The incredibly talented Matilda cast is a big reason why the 1996 children's fantasy movie has become an enduring fan favorite. Adapted from the 1988 beloved novel of the same by Roald Dahl and directed by Danny DeVito, Matilda chronicles the life of Matilda Wormwood (Mara Wilson), a brilliant young girl with telekinetic powers who has to endure indifference and mistreatment from her family. When her father reluctantly enrolls her into Crunchem Hall Elementary School, Matilda, with the help of her teacher, Miss Honey uses her intelligence and powers to stand up to her family and her sadistic principal.
Over two decades after its release, Matilda is an iconic '90s comfort movie. The classic film has inspired other adaptions of Dahl's bestseller, including the Tony Award-winning 2011 Broadway show Matilda the Musical, which itself spawned and the successful 2022 Netflix screen adaption, Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical. But the 1996 movie is the most treasured of all the adaptations, and several Matilda cast members have gone on to have even more successful acting careers, while others have decided to live their lives outside the spotlight.
Mara Wilson As Matilda Wormwood
Mara Wilson played the titular protagonist Matilda Wormwood, an intelligent girl who loves books and used her telekinetic powers to stand up to her evil headmistress. After Wilson played Matilda, the young star added a few more acting credits to her filmography, including Anabel Greening in A Simple Wish, Willow Johnson in Balloon Farm, and Lily Stone in Thomas and The Magic Railroad, her final movie as a child actor. Wilson retired from film acting in 2000, but she has been appearing in a few projects since 2011, including the short film Missed Connection as Bitty and the TV show Broad City as a waitress.
Embeth Davidtz As Jennifer Honey
South African actress Embeth Davidtz played the kind and gentle teacher Jennifer Honey, who inspired Matilda. Davidtz has had a successful career after her Matilda role, as she has appeared in multiple movies, including Bridget Jones's Diary as Natasha, Annika in The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, and Spiderman's aunt Mary Parker in The Amazing Spiderman movies. Recently, Davidtz played Heather Turner alongside Liam Neeson in the 2023 action movie Retribution. In addition to her movie credits, Davidtz has had notable TV show roles, including Nancy Sheperd in the long-running medical drama Grey's Anatomy, Felicia Koons in Californication, and Rebecca Pryce in Mad Men.
Pam Ferris As Agatha Trunchbull
The formidable, award-winning actress Pam Ferris played Miss Trunchbull in Matilda. Ferris' acting career soared after the 1996 movie, and her most notable post-Matilda film roles include Harry Potter's mean aunt, Marge Dursley, in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Mrs. Faulkner in Tolkien. Also a successful stage actor, Ferris played Phoebe Rice in The Entertainer, a role which won her the Best Female in a Supporting Role award at the Clarance Derwent Awards. On the TV side, Ferris has starred in Where the Heart Is as Peggy Snow, Laura Thyme in Rosemary and Thyme, and Sister Evangelina in the BBC period drama Call the Midwife.
Danny Devito As Harry Wormwood
The legendary Danny DeVito, who also directed Matilda, played Harry Wormwood, Matilda's crooked and unkind father. The celebrated actor has 45 award nominations to his name and has won 15 of them. Following his role in Matilda, DeVito had a long and successful career. Most notably, he played George Shapiro in Man on the Moon, Sid Hudgens in L.A. Confidential, Max Medici in Dumbo, Deck Shiflet in The Rainmaker, and Amos Calloway in Big Fish.
On TV, DeVito is best known for playing Louie De Palma in the sitcom Taxi. However, he hasn't slowed down, and younger audiences best know him for playing Frank Reynolds in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. De Vito has also appeared in several other TV roles, including Roy the Stripper in Friends, Herb Powell in The Simpsons, Danny DeVito in Bette, and Dr. Wexler in The Kominsky Method. And not only is De Vito an actor but a director and producer as well. In addition to Matilda, his director credits include Death to Smoochy and Duplex.
Rhea Perlman As Zinnia Wormwood
Rhea Perlman is best known for playing waitress Carla Tortelli on the sitcom Cheers, a role which won her four Emmys. In Matilda, Perlman plays Matilda's mother, Zinnia Wormwood, who finds it hard to relate to her daughter. The actress has had numerous successful movies and TV shows after her role in the 1996 classic movie. Perlman's post-Matilda film credits include playing the role of Mrs. D in 10 Items or Less, Sally in I'll See You in My Dreams, Grandma Ruth in Netlflix's 13: The Musical, and more recently as Spirit of Ruth Handler in the cast of Barbie.
After Matilda, Perlman appeared in many more great TV shows, such as Mad About You as Ramona, Kirstie as Thelma, The Mindy Project as Annette, and she reunited with Danny DeVito in It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, where she played Bertha Fussy.
Paul Reubens As FBI Agent Bob
Famous for portraying Pee-wee Herman, Paul Reubens has a cameo in Matilda as an undercover FBI agent investigating Matilda's father's illegal business. After starring in Matilda, Reubens has appeared in a few other movies. He played Professor Spatz in Buddy, The Spleen in Mystery Men, and he reprised his role of Pee-wee Herman in the 2016 movie Pee-wee's Big Holiday. Herman also had several minor roles in TV shows, including Andrew J. Lansing III in Murphy Brown, Troy Stevens in You Don't Know Jack, and Mr Vargas in The Blacklist. Reubens passed away July 30, 2023.
Tracey Walter As FBI Agent Bill
Tracey Walter appeared briefly in Matilda as FBI Agent Bill. The retired actor, who has appeared in over 170 films and TV shows, went on to have multiple acting roles after Matilda. He was in the award-winning Erin Brockovich as Charles Embry, Professor Wood in How High, and Father Ricky/ Lil J in the 2016 movie Middle Man. The award-winning actor went on to work on several TV shows, and the most notable include Peter Spielman/Angel in Nash Bridges, Sheriff Walter Chechekivitch in Reno 911, and Bum in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
Brian Levinson As Michael Wormwood
Brian Levinson is best known for playing Matilda's mean older brother, Michael Wormwood. After Matilda, Levinson had a short career in acting. After Matilda, the actor's last acting credit was on Seinfeld as Andy. Prior to Matilda, Levinson played Young Joey in Baby Face Nelson, Michael in The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Brent in Father and Scout, Jimmy Dean in Shoot First: A Cop's Vengeance, and Brian in Predator 2. Levinson has since retired from acting.
Kiami Davael As Lavender
Unlike some of the actors in Matilda, Kiami Davael's role as Matilda's lovable best friend, Lavender, was her onscreen debut. Since Matilda, Davael has appeared in multiple movie and TV projects. Most notably, she played the role of Shawniqua in Bruno, Simone Bien Aime in The Pretender, Anna in Moesha, Christina in The Steve Harvey Show, and Tiffany in the television show Grown Ups. Davael has been focused on her singing career but is set to appear in the 2023 thriller The Forfeiture Clause as Celestine Light/Seitanella Macabre and the 2024 movie, Wealthy and Wise as Paisley Campbell.
Jacqueline Steiger As Amanda Thripp
Jacqueline Steiger played the role of the adorable pigtailed girl, Amanda Thripp, who was thrown over the fence by Miss Trunchbull. Following her role in Matilda, Steiger has starred in movies and TV shows and has also been a voice actor. She played Margaret in Dennis the Menace Strikes Again!, Ruby in Beautiful, and Betty in An American Rhapsody. Her most notable TV show roles include playing Tiffany in Dharma and Greg, Suzy Williams in Judging Amy, and Leila in Force Push. She also voiced Microwave in the 2014 short film Kitchen Appliances, which was her last acting credit.
Jimmy Karz As Bruce Borgtrotter
Miss Trunchbull's bullying was not just limited to Amanda and Matilda but extended to the whole school. Jimmy Karz took on the role of Bruce Borgtrotter, the boy Miss Trunchbull famously forced to eat an 18-inch chocolate cake. Matilda was Karz's first film, after which he starred in The Wedding Singer as the Studliest Kid at Bat Mitzvah, and played a role in the TV show ER as Alfred Clark. Karz was also in a documentary with his Matilda co-stars, Afternoon Tea and A Matilda Reunion. Jimmy Karz has quit acting and is now a doctor (via The New Zealand Herald).
Kira Spencer Cook As Hortensia
Kira Spencer Cook played the role of Hortensia, the brave girl who warned Matilda about the villainous Miss Trunchbull. After Matilda, Spencer has had a successful career as an actor, writer, and producer. She's appeared in several movies, including Ever as Olivia, Officer Anne Lewis in Our RoboCop Remake, and Lady Capulet in the 2023 movie The Try Guys Present Romeo and Juliet: Choose Your Shakespeare. Spencer has also starred in TV shows, the most notable of which is Preacher, where she played a French translation device, and Ollie in RagDolls: Webseries. Spencer has also written shorts and TV shows, including Immobile Home and Character Actors.
Jean Speegle Howard As Mrs Phelps
Even before taking on the role of Mrs. Phelps, the librarian in Matilda, Jean Speegle Howard was a successful actress. After the 1996 movie, Howard continued to act, playing film roles like Bokky's grandmother in Traveller and Olivia in The Night Caller. Her most notable TV show appearances include roles as Mrs. Morton in Fired Up, the real Natalie French in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Melanie Hannon in Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction. Her last on-screen appearance was in the 2000 movie The Hiding Place. Jean Speegle Howard died on September 2, 2000.
Marion Dugan As Cookie
Marion Dugan played the role of Cookie, the woman who baked the famous 18-inch chocolate cake in Matilda. Before Matilda, Dugan played Mrs. Trodgen in Get a Life, Lila Pierce in Quantum Leap, and Robin's Neighbor in The Cable Guy. Following her brief role in Matilda, Dugan appeared in the TV show called Shasta McNasty as Contest #1, her last appearance onscreen. Marion Dugan died on March 31, 2015.
Jon Lovitz As Mickey
Jon Lovitz, a Saturday Night Live alum, briefly appeared in Matilda as the host of the TV show The Million Dollar Sticky. Lovitz, who was already well-established before starring in the 1996 film, went on to work on many projects. He played Richard Clark in High School High, Uncle Harry in Lost & Found, and Squats Fitness Janitor in the comedy Grown Ups 2. He's also added some notable roles in TV to his name, such as Hot in Cleveland, where he played Homeless Man/Artie, Archie Baldwin in Two and a Half Men, and Jimmy Moore in The Goldbergs.