Mara Wilson recalls Danny DeVito supporting her family during mother's cancer battle

Mara Wilson is looking back on her time filming Matilda, revealing how Danny DeVito and his wife, Rhea Perlman, supported her family during one of the most difficult periods of her childhood.

Speaking at the Fanboy Expo in Knoxville, Tennessee, on July 12, the 38-year-old actress reflected on making the beloved 1996 film while her mother, Suzie Wilson, was battling breast cancer.

"I call him my favorite uncle," Wilson said of DeVito, who directed Matilda and played her on-screen father.

The actress explained that taking on the title role at just seven years old came with significant responsibility, made even more challenging by her family's personal struggles.

"Matilda means the most to me because I had a lot to do. It was a big responsibility. I was the title character," she said. "It was difficult at times... Danny DeVito did not literally adopt me—that's a myth—but he did take very good care of my family."

Behind the scenes, Wilson's mother was undergoing treatment for breast cancer during production. Suzie died in April 1996, just three months before the film's release, and DeVito dedicated Matilda to her memory.

Wilson said the kindness shown by DeVito and Perlman left a lasting impact on her family.

"[DeVito] really helped me and my family when we were going through something terrible. And they were very loving and kind, and I made so many lifelong friends on that," she shared.

Despite the emotional challenges, Wilson also remembered the joy of working on the film, describing many days on set as feeling "like summer camp."

She recalled celebrating her birthday during filming, when the cast and crew surprised her with a cake shaped like Matilda's signature red hair ribbon.

Looking back, Wilson said she feels fortunate to have worked alongside such supportive people, adding that many of the friendships she formed during the production have lasted to this day.