Then & Now: What The Cast Of Matilda Looks Like 30 Years Later

The 1996 classic "Matilda" is one movie that's impossible to forget, even years after watching it. The story was emotionally immersive, the setting was solid, and as far as movie versions go, it did a decent job of bringing Roald Dahl's work to life. More importantly, the cast was impressively well-picked. Danny DeVito, who directed the movie and played Matilda's neglectful father, picked cast members who brought the story to life. Beyond their acting skills, they also looked the part in a way that did Dahl's story justice.

Matilda, played by Mara Wilson, with her hair in bangs styled with a red bow, was the perfect adorable neglected child. Her parents were dressed just as ridiculously as you'd expect, Ms. Trunchbull was every bit a visual nightmare, and Miss Honey was styled just as teacherly as the book version. Even minor characters like Bruce Bogtrotter, the chocolate cake kid, looked spot-on. Now, 30 years later, the cast of "Matilda" looks pretty different from what you might imagine.

Thirty years after "Matilda" was released, it's safe to say that Mara Wilson is one child star who looks absolutely stunning today. The red bow might be gone, but she's kept the bangs, albeit styled a little differently. Her eyes still hold the same charm, and we love her smile now as much as we did when she was a kid. What's more interesting about Wilson is what she currently does for work. Despite getting an early start in Hollywood, she doesn't really act that much anymore. She voices several characters in cartoons and audio-only podcasts, and is quite an accomplished writer.

Embeth Davidtz did a solid job as Miss Honey, the kindhearted teacher who was also bullied by Ms. Trunchbull. She kept her brunette locks in a lob with a side part and wore modest teacher-like outfits. Thirty years later, Davidtz is one of those famous older women who don't seem to age. She still has the features that made Miss Honey so beautiful, and although her hair is in a shorter bob, it's just as gorgeous. One thing we really like about the actor currently is her killer fashion sense. We're in love with the pink floral dress she posted on Instagram in September 2025, as well as the black Schiaparelli dress she wore to the Governor's Awards later that same year.

One of the show's most iconic main characters was Ms. Trunchbull, played by Pam Ferris. The character was truly grotesque, with an imposing build and yellowing teeth. She always wore a green blazer and skirt and carried a riding crop, which struck fear in everyone's hearts. However, Pam Ferris's real-life appearance is a testament to how good the show's stylists were. She's got wispy graying curls, soft features, and kind-looking eyes that are nothing like the character who terrorized children. 

As Mr. Wormwood, Danny DeVito played the sleazy, dishonest salesman to a T, and his short stature, along with his gruff and gravelly voice, really sold the role. He had wispy brown hair and a receding hairline that became quite the plot point when Matilda switched his hair care oil with hydrogen peroxide, effectively bleaching it. Three decades later, DeVito looks pretty much the same. However, his hair now lacks much color naturally, and his hairline has receded much more, though it only adds to the lovable grandpa personality he's done a solid job of cultivating.

As Mrs. Wormwood, Rhea Perlman had bleached-blond curls, eccentric makeup, and wore gaudy and tacky outfits. Her looks featured some of the things people actually found attractive in the '80s, but done to a ridiculous extent. In real life, Perlman does have curls, but they are a natural brown shade and frame her face beautifully. Similarly, her fashion tastes are quite the opposite of Mrs. Wormwood's. Most of her red carpet appearances and everyday outfits posted on Instagram show that she has regular, down-to-earth tastes that suit her features.

One of the most unforgettable side characters, who only had one major scene, was Bruce Bogtrotter. You may know him as the boy who was forced to eat Ms. Trunchbull's enormous chocolate cake. He was chubby, adorable, and had an expression that seemed a little bit oblivious. The character was played by Jimmy Karz, and although he's no longer an actor today, he attended the "Matilda" reunion in 2021 and reprised the role of Bruce Bogtrotter. It was fun to watch the reenactment, but what caught our attention was how different Karz was. Beyond shedding all of his adorable baby weight, Karz had shorter locks, and as one of the top comments on the video couldn't help but point out, "The boy grew up handsome."