Matilda star Mara Wilson says she ‘never made enough money’ for healthcare

Matilda star Mara Wilson has taken to Twitter to reveal how in the age of streaming, she’s never made enough money to qualify for Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Radio and Television Artists (SAG-AFTRA) healthcare.

The 35-year-old actress sent a tweet to her 564,000 followers that said: “I haven’t acted much as an adult, but I WAS on a recurring character on one of the most critically acclaimed animated shows of all time, as well playing an actual Disney villain.

“But thanks to streaming, I have never once made enough to qualify for SAG-AFTRA healthcare.” (Sic)

The tweet was sent just as the Hollywood actors union joined screenwriters on strike for the first time in more than 60 years on Thursday.

The union, which represents approximately 160,000 actors and entertainers, has joined forces with the Writers Guild of America (WGA) on the picket line.

The actress received plenty of support from fellow actors who were quick to respond with their experiences.

@Richardchui wrote: “I’ve been an actor for 20 years. I used to be able to build a comfortable living supporting my family and loved ones. When streaming and YouTube exploded I saw my residuals drop slowly. The AI issue is just another concern on top of a mountain of other issues.”

Whilst @Ogden_13 said: “As a former child actor myself, I’m worried what AI will do to young actors too. How can working kids afford healthcare through their union if they’re being replaced by AI?!? Forget ’18 to play younger,’ they will try to circumvent child labor laws by eliminating kids on set”

And @from_nook Tweeted: “Whenever I read about the death of an actor who ‘bravely continued to work and create’ as long as possible through terminal illness, I think that rather than commitment to their craft they probably needed the health insurance. Horrible thought.”

But not everyone was sympathetic. @Twitchy_Bugger asked the question: “But nobody buys movies anymore. If there isn’t streaming, what is there? Blockbuster isn’t coming back.”

Mara started off acting in commercials, but in 1993 she scored the role of Natalie ‘Nattie’ Hillard in the hit film Mrs Doubtfire.

She then went on to play Susan Walker in Miracle on 34th Street alongside Richard Attenborough, making her a household name.

But perhaps the role she’s most famous for is her 1996 performance of Matilda Wormwood in Matilda.

Despite her notoriety, she took a step back from acting, instead choosing to concentrate on voiceover work.

She’s lent her vocal talents to the animated series BoJack Horseman on Netflix and Disney’s Hero 6 TV series.

SAG-AFTRA currently state in order to be eligible for healthcare, actors “’must earn $26,470 in your Base Earnings Period to receive Earned Eligibility for Active Plan health coverage.”

The organisation has been criticised in the past for the way it treated actors. Earlier this year, Shannen Doherty, 51, slammed SAG-AFTRA for cancelling her union health insurance whilst she was battling stage four metastatic breast cancer.