Owen Wilson Bio
Owen Cunningham Wilson (born November 18, 1968) is an American actor and screenwriter. He has frequently worked with filmmaker Wes Anderson, sharing writing and acting credits on films such as Bottle Rocket (1996), Rushmore (1998), and The Royal Tenenbaums (2001). The Royal Tenenbaums received nominations for both the Academy Award and BAFTA Award for Best Screenplay. Wilson has also appeared in several other Anderson films, including The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004), The Darjeeling Limited (2007), Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), and The French Dispatch (2021). Additionally, he starred in Woody Allen’s romantic comedy Midnight in Paris (2011), earning a Golden Globe Award nomination for his role as Gil Pender. Wilson made his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in the Disney+ series Loki (2021–2023) as Mobius M. Mobius.
Early Life and Background
Owen Wilson was born in Dallas, Texas, the middle child of three sons to photographer Laura Cunningham Wilson and advertising executive Robert Andrew Wilson. He has two brothers, Andrew and Luke, who are also actors. Wilson’s family has Irish roots. As a teenager, he broke his nose twice, once in a fight and again while playing football. He was expelled from high school for cheating in geometry, which led him to attend the New Mexico Military Institute. He later enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, where he met Wes Anderson, who would become a significant collaborator in his career.
Path to Hollywood
Owen Wilson made his film debut in the Wes Anderson short film Bottle Rocket (1994), which was later expanded into a feature film in 1996. He co-wrote the screenplay with Anderson and starred alongside his brother Luke Wilson. The film received positive reviews, marking a promising start for Wilson’s career. In 1996, he appeared in the black comedy The Cable Guy, starring Jim Carrey, and in 1997, he acted in the adventure thriller Anaconda. Wilson continued to collaborate with Anderson, co-writing the scripts for Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums, which solidified his reputation in the industry.
Owen Wilson Career
Early Career (1994–1999)
Wilson’s early career was marked by his collaboration with Wes Anderson. After the success of Bottle Rocket, he starred in various films, including Anaconda and Armageddon (1998). His writing partnership with Anderson culminated in The Royal Tenenbaums, which earned them an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay. This period established Wilson as a talented actor and screenwriter, paving the way for his future successes.
Breakthrough (2000–2006)
Wilson’s breakthrough came with the 2000 comedy action film Shanghai Noon, where he starred alongside Jackie Chan. The film was a commercial success, grossing nearly $100 million worldwide. He gained further recognition in the 2001 film Zoolander, which showcased his comedic talents. In 2005, Wilson starred in Wedding Crashers, which grossed over $200 million in the United States, further solidifying his status as a leading actor in Hollywood.
Notable Works and Milestones
Owen Wilson is known for his roles in films such as Marley and Me (2008) and the Cars franchise, where he voiced Lightning McQueen. His collaborations with Wes Anderson have been critically acclaimed, and he has received several award nominations throughout his career, including a Golden Globe nomination for Midnight in Paris.
Owen Wilson Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Owen Wilson has received multiple award nominations, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay for The Royal Tenenbaums and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor for his role in Midnight in Paris.
Owen Wilson Awards Won
Wilson’s accolades include an Independent Spirit Award for his work in Inherent Vice and several Screen Actors Guild nominations for his performances in Midnight in Paris and The Grand Budapest Hotel.
Owen Wilson Family
Owen Wilson is the middle child in his family, with two brothers, Andrew and Luke Wilson, who are also actors. His parents are Laura and Robert Wilson. He has three children: a son born in 2011, another son born in 2014, and a daughter born in 2018.
Personal Life
In August 2007, Owen Wilson faced a personal crisis and attempted suicide, leading to treatment for depression. He has since spoken about the support he received from his family during his recovery. Wilson has had relationships with several women and has three children from different partners. He continues to work actively in the film industry, with upcoming projects in development.
