You probably don’t remember Mara Hobel, but you definitely remember the wire hangers. Hobel was the unfortunate child actor who got hurled into cinematic infamy in 1981 when she played the young Christina Crawford in Mommie Dearest, a film that’s since become the gold standard for unintentionally campy biopics.
The film was ostensibly about the abusive relationship between actress Joan Crawford and her adopted daughter, but it’s better known for the scenes of Faye Dunaway’s unhinged portrayal of Crawford, screeching about hangers and slapping around a doll-like little girl. That doll was Mara Hobel.
But after the screams died down and the makeup came off, Mara Hobel all but disappeared from the cultural radar. While Dunaway went on to lament her role in the film, Hobel just seemed to fade into the background, as if the industry collectively decided one melodramatic horror show was enough for this kid.
What happened to her? Did she grow up to be a well-adjusted adult or did Mommie Dearest leave its psychological scars? And more importantly, why do we care? This is a deep dive into the life of a child actor who, for one strange moment in history, was part of something much bigger than herself—a moment that has outlived the memory of the person at its center.
Background Info
Born on June 18, 1971, in New York City, Hobel knew from an early age that she wanted to be an actress. At the age of 3, she was singing and dancing, and listening to vaudeville routines and when she turned 5, she announced to her parents that nothing would stop her from pursuing her passion.
She would eventually catch the eye of a talent agent, who arranged for her to audition and win her first national television commercial with Dick Van Dyke. Before the age of 8 she would appear in over 150 commercials, ranging from fast food to toy products.
At the age of 8 she would make her motion picture film debut and land her most notable role.
Mommie Dearest
In 1981, Mara Hobel landed the pivotal role of young Christina Crawford in “Mommie Dearest,” a biographical drama directed by Frank Perry, adapted from Christina Crawford’s memoir of the same name.
The film delves into Christina’s turbulent upbringing with her adoptive mother, the iconic Hollywood actress Joan Crawford, famous for her roles in classics like “Mildred Pierce” and “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?”
Starring Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford, Mara Hobel as young Christina, and Diana Scarwid as the adult Christina, the movie vividly portrays the alleged abuse inflicted by Joan on her children.
While “Mommie Dearest” gained notoriety for its melodramatic style and Faye Dunaway’s extravagant performance, Hobel’s portrayal earned her critical acclaim and industry recognition, including a Young Artist Award and a Razzie Award.
Post-“Mommie Dearest,” Mara Hobel’s career continued intermittently with appearances in television movies like “The Wilder Summer” and “Doing Life.” Despite her early success, Hobel emphasizes her normal upbringing in Putnam Valley, New York, albeit one punctuated by the unique challenges of balancing school and acting commitments.
Teaching the New Generation
At 25, Hobel briefly shifted gears, becoming a teacher and director at Rising Star Productions, where she mentored students in areas such as agent selection, audition preparation, and headshot photography.
During this time, she made occasional guest appearances in series like “Third Watch,” “The Jury,” and “Law and Order.” Following her role in the 2008 film “The Happening,” Hobel took a seven-year hiatus from acting.
What is Mara Hobel Doing Now?
Mara Hobel’s most recent foray into acting occurred in 2019 when she made an appearance in an episode of “Blue Bloods,” taking on the role of Heidi Voorhees. Prior to that, she portrayed a jail receptionist in the 2015 movie “True Story.”
However, her current activities remain shrouded in mystery, and it is unclear whether she continues to operate her Rising Star Productions business.
Her inactive website and the absence of any social media presence make it challenging to ascertain her current endeavors.
Hobel maintains a notably private life, with scarce recent interviews or public appearances. What we do know is that she is married to Mark Furrer, and the couple has two sons and a daughter.