Danny DeVito gave incredible gift to Matilda star's dying mum

We can now add 'actual hero' to Danny DeVito's long CV after hearing about the incredible gift he gave Mara Wilson’s dying mum.

The 1996 film adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic children’s book Matilda was directed by DeVito and he also starred as the titular character’s shady car salesman dad, Harry Wormwood.

The former child star was only eight years old when Matilda was filmed. The finished movie was dedicated to Suzie, which viewers might have noticed in the end credits.

In her 2016 memoir Where Am I Now?, Wilson said her mum – who was a big fan of the character Matilda and Roald Dahl’s book – was able to see an early cut of the film before she passed away.

Wilson's mum even urged her to go after the role of Matilda.

DeVito eventually revealed to Wilson years later about the time he showed Wilson’s mum the film in hospital before she died.

Don’t worry, you’re not the only one with tears in their eyes.

Wilson, who is now 35, opened up about admiration for DeVito and his wife Rhea Perlman, who played Zinni, in 2021 for Matilda’s 25^th anniversary.

"It really did keep me distracted, and it really did keep me happy."

Wilson, who is now a full-time writer, said she ‘loved’ the dedication to her mum. "They dedicated the movie to my mother, and I'm so glad that they did that, because my mother worked so hard and she loved that movie so much,and she loved Matilda so much, so I really loved that they did that," she said.

“I felt so glad when I saw that in the credits, and I still feel happy when I see that now."