The child actor who once played Bruce Bogtrotter in Matilda — the boy forced to eat a giant chocolate cake in front of his entire school — has dramatically changed over the years. According to a new feature, almost three decades after the film’s release, the former child star no longer resembles the portly schoolkid many remember, and has long since left the spotlight.
From Cake-Eating Kid to Medical Career
Back in 1996, Bruce Bogtrotter was brought to life on screen by Jimmy Karz — a performance that became one of the most iconic scenes in the beloved movie.
After that standout role, Karz had a few more minor acting credits (including a small appearance in a TV drama), but within a few years he decided to step away from Hollywood. Instead of continuing as an actor, he refocused his life entirely. Encouraged by his growing interest in science and community work, he enrolled at medical school — ultimately training in osteopathy.
Today, he practices as a doctor, far removed from the glitz of film sets.
Friends and fans who recently rediscovered him online were struck by how different he looks — no longer the chubby boy from the cake scene, but a well-groomed adult with a professional medical career.
Reflections on the Iconic Cake Scene
The cake-eating moment in “Matilda” is still among the most memorable in the film: in front of the entire school, Bruce was ordered to devour a massive chocolate cake as punishment — and he stubbornly finished it. This made him a kid-movie legend. Yet behind the scenes, the movie’s production reportedly made filming that scene challenging: the actor allegedly had to endure multiple takes, with cake and chocolate effects, which “haunted” him for a while. Despite the discomfort, that scene cemented Bruce’s — and Jimmy Karz’s — place in pop-culture history. What was once a childhood embarrassment to some has now become a cherished nostalgic memory for many who grew up watching “Matilda.”
Life After Fame: A Different Path
Many former child actors struggle with the shift into adulthood — but in this case, Jimmy Karz seems to have found his calling outside of show business. Rather than chasing fame, he chose a path of education, community engagement (early on teaching gardening and self-sufficiency) and eventually medicine. He reportedly said that his exposure to biology and chemistry — partly through community gardening efforts — sparked his desire to study medicine. That academic path eventually led him to graduate from a medical college and begin a new, meaningful career. For many fans it’s a pleasant surprise: the boy who was forced to eat cake for the amusement of others now helps real people as a doctor. Rather than fading into obscurity, he quietly built a fulfilling profession — something not always guaranteed for former child actors.
A “Glow-Up” That Resonated With Fans
Over the years, photos of Jimmy Karz resurfaced online — showing a mature, healthy adult who looks nothing like the schoolboy from 1996. The contrast was jarring to some and delightful to others. One fan’s reaction captured what many felt:
“Bruce Bogtrotter from Matilda looks so different now 😱”
For those who grew up with the movie, seeing him as a successful professional rather than a caricatured “fat kid forced to eat cake” feels like a bittersweet nod to the passage of time.
When you think about it — the very strength Bruce showed on screen, finishing that monstrous cake under pressure — in a strange way foreshadowed the resilience and determination that would later guide Karz’s life choices.
Conclusion — Growing Up Doesn’t Mean Fading Away
The story of Bruce Bogtrotter — and Jimmy Karz behind him — shows that childhood fame doesn’t have to define your entire life. That once-iconic cake scene might forever remain a part of cinematic history, but the actor behind it has quietly transformed his life. He went from chocolate-smeared schoolboy to a respected medical professional. For fans of “Matilda,” it’s a reminder that people change, grow, and can reinvent themselves entirely. And sometimes — much like a good story — the most compelling transformations happen out of the spotlight.
