Mrs Doubtfire's tiniest star Mara Wilson is all grown-up on TODAY Extra: Watch

She's one of the most beloved child stars of the '90s, and Mara Wilson is reflecting on her breakout role as Natalie Hillard in Mrs Doubtfire alongside Robin Williams. 

Appearing on TODAY Extra via Hollywood satellite -- Mara, now 29 -- revealed to hosts Sonia Kruger and David Campbell that she auditioned for the 1993 Oscar-winning film on a whim.

"My family thought it would be a fun adventure -- something we'd put in scrapbooks," she explained.

According to Mara, acting was something she "stumbled into" -- and fame was never the intention.

"But then I went on to get cast in another movie, and another movie -- and I became accidentally semi famous," she continued. "It was never the intention, my parents weren't stage parents -- it just happened."

Asked whether she realised as a five-year-old that underneath Mrs Doubtfire's impressive hair and makeup was Robin, Mara said she was aware.  

"He was a wonderful guy. He was really, really kind," she recalled. "I loved being around him."  

Following the success of Mrs Doubtfire, Mara landed the lead as Susan Walker in Miracle on 34th Street, and then Matilda Wormwood in the film adaptation of Roald Dahl's Matilda.

However, her family would soon be faced with tragedy shortly after filming wrapped for Matilda, when her mother Suzie died from breast cancer in 1996.

Following her death, Mara, 8, and her father made the joint decision to focus on her schooling, rather than acting.

She soon discovered a passion for writing, and has since written a memoir called Where Am I Now? about her experience of Hollywood as a pint-sized star.