What happened to the cast of Matilda? From a cancer battle to career changes and co-stars separating - the varied fates of the stars as they reunite for film's 30th anniversary

When Matilda first hit screens back in 1996 it became an instant hit.Three decades ago, Mara Wilson took on the iconic Roald Dahl character of Matilda Wormwood in the movie, which was directed by Danny DeVito.Many of the child stars have stepped away from Hollywood after the success, trading the spotlight for ordinary professions.But for DeVito, Pam Ferris, Embeth Davidtz and Rhea Perlman, it was just the start of their remarkable career.Nowadays the cast members are pursuing a mix of creative work and so-called normal jobs while others are enjoying retirement.This month, the cast reunited in a surprise appearance to celebrate the film's 30th anniversary at London's Royal Albert Hall.From a cancer battle to many career changes, the cast have had very varied lives since starring in the movie.Mara Wilson (Matilda Wormwood)Mara Wilson has barely aged a day since she starred as the lovable Matilda Wormwood aged just eight (pictured left this week, right in the movie) The cast reunited this month for the film's 30th anniversary (pictured L-R: Amanda Thripp (Jacqueline Steiger),Lavender (Kiami Davael), Pam Ferris (Miss TrunchBull) Danny, Matilda (Mara) and Hortensia (Kira Spencer Hesser)Mara Wilson has barely aged a day since she starred as the lovable Matilda Wormwood aged just eight.The talented child star has been seen in motion pictures such as 1996's Matilda, 1993's Mrs Doubtfire and 1994's Miracle on 34th Street.Mara, now 39, took on a couple of smaller roles but quickly decided acting was not the career she wanted to pursue.As she transitioned into her teens, Mara discovered that Hollywood started perceiving her differently.'At 13, being pretty mattered - and not just in the world of movies and TV,' the actress told The Guardian in 2016. 'The pretty girls at school had always had an air of superiority, but once we hit puberty, they seemed to matter more. 'My career was the only thing I had over them. Now that it was waning, I was just another weird, nerdy, loud girl with bad teeth and bad hair, whose bra strap was always showing.' After taking a brief hiatus from acting, Mara returned to the industry as a voice actress in BoJack Horseman, Big Hero 6: The Series and Helluva Boss. Danny DeVito (Harry Wormwood)Danny DeVito has had a number of impressive roles over the years, including Deck The Halls, It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia and The Simpsons (pictured left this week, right in the movie) The actor acted opposite his real-life estranged wife Rhea Perlman, who played his on-screen partner Zinnia Wormwood (pictured together in 2025)Danny DeVito, 81, directed and starred in the movie as the dodgy used-car salesman and Matilda's father, Harry Wormwood.The actor acted opposite his real-life wife Rhea Perlman, who played his on-screen partner Zinnia Wormwood.DeVito and Perlman endured an amicable split in 2017 following 35 years of marriage but maintained a remarkably close and loving friendship. They share three children.During an episode of Julia Louis-Dreyfus's podcast Wiser Than Me in 2023, Perlman said that despite their separation, she and her estranged husband are still married. He has had a number of impressive roles over the years, including Deck The Halls, It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia and The Simpsons.DeVito, who recently served as a producer alongside his children in Drag, shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon.He continues to work actively as an actor, producer and filmmaker.DeVito is set to appear as Grandpa Eddie in the upcoming Jumanji: Open World, marking his latest film credit. Rhea Perlman (Zinnia Wormwood)Rhea Perlman, 78, has had a remarkable on-screen career after starring in plenty of projects (pictured left in 2025, right in the movie)Rhea Perlman, 78, has had a remarkable on-screen career after starring in plenty of projects.The actress, who played Matilda's mum Zinnia Wormwood, most recently starred in the Barbie movie alongside Margot Robbie.Perlman has received an incredible four Emmy Awards and has been shortlisted for seven Golden Globes over the years.Perlman and DeVito have shared the screen together plenty of times, with scenes in classic sitcom Taxi and Matilda.They also founded production company Jersey Films in 1991 and produced several critically acclaimed films including Pulp Fiction, Erin Brockovich and Garden State.Perlman famously played head waitress Carla in iconic sitcom Cheers from 1982 to 1993 and though she created lifelong bonds with several of her castmates, it is her relationship with her children that is paramount for her.She said: 'Cheers might have been everything in the beginning of my career, but family is everything, everything.'If my relationships with my children were strained, I would be beside myself.'Embeth Davidtz (Miss Honey)Embeth Davidtz went on to have an illustrious Hollywood career, which took off in the 90s after she appeared as Helen Hirsch in Schindler's List (pictured left in 2025, right in the movie)Embeth Davidtz, 61, played Matilda's lovable, kind-hearted Miss Honey in the beloved movie.In 2025, Davidtz told The Independent about the character's lasting effect, 'I think we all have this idealized version of a mother, a teacher, a guardian or a friend when we’re young, and Miss Honey is just someone who would really protect you when the chips are down. 'If you’re neglected, she’d come and rescue you. If you’re realizing that you’re gay and can’t tell anybody just yet, she would see you and understand you and accept you. She just came to represent something so much bigger than what we knew at the time.'She went on to have an illustrious Hollywood career, which took off in the 90s after she appeared as Helen Hirsch in Schindler's List. Davidtz counts Denzel Washington as a co-star, with the two solving otherworldly crimes in the 1998 drama Fallen. And she's made two guest appearances in Grey's Anatomy. And she made her directorial debut with the 2024 film adaptation of Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight, which premiered at the Telluride Film Festival. In 2002, Davidtz married entertainment lawyer Jason Sloane, and she later converted to Judaism for him. They share two children – daughter Charlotte, 23, and son Dylan, 20.Davidtz endured a secret battle with breast cancer back in 2013 and underwent a mastectomy. Her fight became known three years later when she starred in Ray Donovan and displayed her reconstructed breast instead of a prosthetic in order to inspire others to feel 'beautiful'. Jacqueline Steiger (Amanda Thripp)The child star said goodbye to acting for good and now works in instructional design and runs her own business (pictured left this week, right in the movie)Jacqueline Steiger, now 39, was involved in the iconic scene where Miss Trunchbull swings schoolgirl Amanda Thripp round by her blonde pigtails.The child star said goodbye to acting for good and now works in instructional design and runs her own business.Like many stars, she also sells personalised videos on Cameo for fans.Following her appearance in Matilda, Steiger appeared in Dennis The Menace Strikes Again! and Beautiful.She also appeared in TV shows including Dharma & Greg and Judging Amy. Pam Ferris (Miss Trunchbull)Pam Ferris is arguably one of the most famous characters in Matilda, playing the horrible teacher Miss Trunchbull (pictured left this week, right in the movie) Fans may be shocked to learn she starred in BBC's Call The Midwife as the loveable Sister EvangelinaPam Ferris is arguably one of the most famous characters in Matilda, playing the horrible teacher Miss Trunchbull.Fans may be shocked to learn she starred in BBC's Call The Midwife as the lovable Sister Evangelina.The British actress, 78, has had a glittering career since her breakthrough role as the unforgettable Miss Trunchbull.With a career spanning over five decades, Pam is also recognised for playing the mean Aunt Marge in Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban. Other roles include Ma Larkin in Darling Buds Of May and a brief appearance in Gavin & Stacey.Kiami Davael (Lavender)Three decades after starring as Matilda's friend Lavender, Kiami Davael looks completely unrecognisable (pictured left this week, right in the movie)Three decades after starring as Matilda's friend Lavender, Kiami Davael looks completely unrecognisable.Davael, 40, briefly had stints in the TV shows Conan The Adventurer, Moesha, The House and Grown Ups, after Matilda. She took a 12-year break from acting after graduating with a psychology degree in 2008.Davael is still close friends with Matilda star Mara and spends her spare time singing and writing.Jimmy Karz (Bruce Bogtrotter) Jimmy Karz played the iconic Bruce Bogtrotter who created the legendary chocolate cake sceneJimmy Karz played the iconic Bruce Bogtrotter who created the legendary chocolate cake scene.His character was forced to devour an entire large chocolate cake in front of the school by Miss Trunchbull.Now, Jimmy looks worlds away from his chubby, chocolate-smeared character.Jimmy left his acting career behind him after Matilda and chose to focus on his education.He graduated as a doctor in 2017 after studying at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.