During filming for this ‘90s classic, Rhea and Danny took eight-year-old Mara Wilson, who played Matilda, under their wing after her mom was diagnosed with breast cancer.
In her memoir, Where Am I Now?, Mara recalled the way that her adult costars stepped up to support her during this difficult time in her life, and how she would regularly have sleepovers and playdates at their home while her mom received medical treatment.
Mara’s mom sadly died soon after filming wrapped, just over a year after she was first diagnosed, and Mara remembered feeling heartbroken that her mom — who Danny dedicated the movie to — hadn’t been able to watch the finished project before her death.
Years later, Danny told Mara that he had taken an early cut of Matilda to her mom in hospital without anybody knowing.
Danny and Rhea remained close with Mara long after they finished working together, and are still on incredibly good terms today.
