90s star looks unrecognisable after quitting limelight to become a doctor

It was one of the most iconic children’s films of the 1990s. Danny DeVito’s 1996 adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic novel Matilda is memorable for many reasons: Pam Ferris’ terrifying portrayal of Miss Trunchball, Mara Wilson’s endearing turn as book-loving genius Matilda, and, of course, Bruce Bogtrotter’s legendary chocolate cake-eating challenge.

But while some of the cast, including DeVito and Ferris remain global stars, whatever happened to the actor who played Bruce Bogtrotter, Jimmy Karz?

Jimmy, who left Hollywood to pursue a career in the medical field, looks almost unrecognisable 30 years after his role in Matilda. Find out all about his life after fame below…

Jimmy’s acting career

Jimmy, now 42, was born in July 1984 in California. He was just 12 years old when Matilda hit the big screen, making him an instant icon. 

© Sony Pictures Entertainment

In an interview with the American Osteopathic Association in 2015, Jimmy revealed that the cake-eating scene that made him famous took roughly three weeks to film, and put him off chocolate for some time. 

© Sony Pictures

“I had to be on set all day, and I had to wear the same outfit every day,” he shared. “The chocolate was already encrusted on this shirt I was wearing. For continuity’s sake, every day I had to have the chocolate painted on my face the way it was painted on the day before. I despised the smell of chocolate for a few weeks after that.”

Two years later in 1998, he landed a role in the rom-com film, The Wedding Singer, sharing the screen with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. He also appeared in the hit medical drama ER, starring George Clooney and Alex Kingston.

© Alamy Stock Photo

Jimmy’s new career

Jimmy, who is now an osteopath, first worked as a production associate for MTV News for two years before finding his passion for “service-oriented work”. 

He began working at a community garden, volunteering to teach people from low-income communities how to grow their own food – an experience that sparked his passion for science. 

Jimmy went on to study biochemistry, before going into medicine. 

According to The Sun, he graduated as a doctor at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2017.