Celebrity Info
You know, things in show business can shift so quickly—it’s almost unpredictable. Take Mara Hobel, for instance. Back in 1981, when she was just 10 years old, Mara Hobel was being hailed as a breakout child star thanks to her powerful performance as Christina Crawford in Frank Perry’s intense and dramatic film Mommie Dearest. Critics at the time praised her work, often calling it the standout element of the movie, which delved into the dark side of Joan Crawford’s parenting. At that moment, Mara Hobel seemed poised for a bright future.
But then, just two years later, Mara Hobel found herself in a very different kind of spotlight—though not quite in the way anyone expected. She took on the role of Gay, the tap-dancing daughter in Arthur Bicknell’s infamous play Moose Murders. The production became a legendary Broadway flop, opening—and closing—on the same night: February 22, 1983, at the Eugene O’Neill Theater. It was a sharp contrast to the acclaim she had received just a short time before.
Still, Mara Hobel had already built up some solid early credits. She made her screen debut at age eight, appearing opposite Sigourney Weaver in the 1979 TV movie 3 By Cheever: The Sorrows of Gin. Then came roles in notable projects like Oliver Stone’s 1981 body horror film The Hand, where she played Michael Caine’s daughter, further establishing her presence before the big break in Mommie Dearest.
After that high point, though, things slowed down. Mara Hobel spent some years taking on smaller roles—here and there in Afterschool Specials and TV movies like Doing Life—until she landed a more consistent gig as Charlotte Tilden, the quirky neighbor, on the popular sitcom Roseanne. Fans may remember Mara Hobel in that recurring role, which brought her back into living rooms across America.
As she entered her twenties, Mara Hobel embraced her changing appearance with humor and confidence. She used her persona to great effect in films like the 1997 gay romantic comedy Broadway Damage, where she played a matchmaker estranged from her wealthy family. Then in 1999, she starred in the short film Claire Makes It Big, portraying an aspiring actress who keeps getting passed over for roles because of her size—a poignant and relatable story told with wit and heart.
In the years that followed, Mara Hobel continued working steadily, even if not always in the mainstream. She appeared in the 2002 indie drama Personal Velocity, contributed to the 2004 biopic Kinsey about the famed sex researcher, and even stepped into the world of sci-fi with a role in the 2008 thriller The Happening. Throughout it all, Mara Hobel has remained a resilient and versatile figure in the industry—proof that a career in Hollywood doesn’t have to follow a straight path to be meaningful.
So, when it comes to Mara Hobel’s career highlights, there’s definitely a standout in terms of critical reception. Mara Hobel’s highest rated film to date is Faye (2024), which has received quite a bit of praise and really seems to mark a strong point in her body of work. On the other hand, looking back at earlier projects, Mara Hobel’s lowest rated movie remains Broadway Damage (1997), which didn’t resonate as well with audiences or critics. It’s interesting to see how Mara Hobel’s journey in film has evolved over the years, with clear peaks and valleys—like many artists do. Still, Mara Hobel continues to be a notable presence, especially with recent successes like Faye boosting her profile.
27
Thailand
