Owen Wilson biography
Owen Cunningham Wilson (born November 18, 1968) is an Academy Award for Writing Original Screenplay-nominated United States actor and writer. Wilson is perhaps best known for his successful comedic roles such as John Beckwith in
Wedding Crashers and as Hansel in
Zoolander as well as for his distinctively shaped nose. Wilson is considered a member of the Frat Pack.
Early life
Wilson was born in Dallas, Texas, the son of photographer Laura Wilson (photographer) (married and maiden names Cunningham) and Robert Andrew Wilson, an advertising executive and operator of a public television station. His family is Irish American and Roman Catholic. While living in Dallas, Wilson attended The Lamplighter School, which he revisited in 2005, and St. Mark's School of Texas, from which he was expelled when, in the tenth grade, he stole his teacher's textbook in an attempt to help him finish his math homework quicker. Wilson also attended his senior year in high school at the New Mexico Military Institute.
In 1991, Wilson moved to Los Angeles with brothers Luke Wilson and Andrew Wilson (actor) to pursue acting careers.
Career
Initial success
While Wilson found some initial success as a film actor after his turn as Dignan in
Bottle Rocket, he also remained a key creative collaborator in Wes Anderson's next two directorial efforts.
Rushmore (film) was the two writers' second script collaboration. Although Wilson didn't appear in the film, he and Anderson acknowledged on the Criterion Collection DVD audio commentary that Wilson has a sort of quasi-cameo as Rosemary Cross's dead husband, Edward Appleby. When Max Fischer visits Miss Cross in Appleby's boyhood bedroom, photographs of a young Owen Wilson are incorporated in the set for the scene.
Wilson quickly landed roles in big-budget movies such as
The Cable Guy, directed by Ben Stiller, an early admirer of
Bottle Rocket. After minor appearances in action films like
Anaconda (film),
Armageddon (film) and
The Haunting (1999 film), Wilson appeared in two dramatic roles: supporting actor in
Permanent Midnight, which starred Stiller as a drug-addicted TV writer; and a role as a serial killer in
The Minus Man.
Movie star
Wilson got his big break with the 2000 comedy action hit
Shanghai Noon, starring opposite Hong Kong action star Jackie Chan. The film grossed nearly US$100 million worldwide. His fame continued to rise after starring alongside Ben Stiller and Will Ferrell in the 2001 film
Zoolander.
Gene Hackman took notice of Wilson's performance in
Shanghai Noon and recommended Wilson to play opposite himself in the 2001 action film
Behind Enemy Lines (film). Also in 2001, Wilson and Anderson collaborated on their third film,
The Royal Tenenbaums, which was a financial and critical success. The comedy featured an all-star cast, including Gene Hackman, Ben Stiller, Bill Murray, Anjelica Huston, Gwyneth Paltrow, Danny Glover, Seymour Cassel and brother Luke Wilson. Owen Wilson had a memorable supporting role in the film as Eli Cash, a drug-addled
bon vivant who becomes a literary celebrity. It earned the writing team an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay.
Wilson returned to the buddy comedy genre in 2002 with the action comedy
I Spy (film), co-starring Eddie Murphy. This big-screen remake of the television series flopped at the box office. He then reunited with Chan to make
Shanghai Knights (2003) and the movie remake of the television series
Starsky & Hutch (film) (2004). Due to his busy schedule as an actor and his ongoing sinus malady, Wilson was unable to collaborate on the script for Wes Anderson's fourth feature,
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. The 2004 film was ultimately co-written by filmmaker Noah Baumbach. However, Wilson did star in the film as Bill Murray's would-be son, Ned Plimpton—a role written specifically for Wilson.
Wilson partnered with Vince Vaughn in the 2005
Wedding Crashers which grossed over $200 million in the US alone. Also in 2005, Owen collaborated with his brothers by appearing in The Wendell Baker Story, written by brother Luke, directed by Luke and brother Andrew. In 2006, Wilson provided the voice of Lightning McQueen in the Disney/Pixar film
Cars (film), starred in
You, Me and Dupree with Kate Hudson, and appeared with Stiller in
Night at the Museum.
Wilson has appeared in seven movies with Stiller (a long-time friend) to date:
The Cable Guy (1996),
Permanent Midnight (1998),
Meet the Parents (2000),
Zoolander (2001),
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001),
Starsky & Hutch (film) (2004),
Meet the Fockers (2004) and
Night at the Museum (2006): he will also co-star with him in the sequel
Night at the Museum 2: Escape from the Smithsonian (2009).
Wilson recently appeared in another Wes Anderson film,
The Darjeeling Limited, which screened at the 45th annual New York Film Festival, the Venice Film Festival and opened September 30, 2007, co-starring Jason Schwartzman and Adrien Brody. Wilson next starred in the Judd Apatow comedy,
Drillbit Taylor, released in March 2008.
Upcoming projects
- Acted in Kyle Gulutzan and Sean George Casey's production of
Roundabout, scheduled for release December 2008.
- Film adaptation of John Grogan (journalist) best-selling memoir,
Marley & Me, co-starring Jennifer Aniston, currently in post-production.
Personal life
Relationships
Wilson was previously linked with actress Demi Moore, singer Sheryl Crow and, most recently, with the actress Kate Hudson. Their relationship ended in May 2007.
Suicide attempt
Wilson was taken to St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California on August 26, 2007, after a reported suicide attempt at his Santa Monica abode, where Wilson allegedly slashed his wrists and took an drug overdose. Once stabilized at St. John's, Wilson was transferred to Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles, California, where his condition was initially described as serious, then later upgraded to stable. His lawyer later confirmed that he had been undergoing treatment for Major depressive disorder at the time of his suicide attempt.
On August 27, 2007, Wilson issued a statement: "I respectfully ask that the media allow me to receive care and heal in private during this difficult time." On August 29, 2007, Wilson withdrew from filming in
Tropic Thunder, produced by and starring friend and frequent collaborator, Ben Stiller. He was later replaced by Matthew McConaughey.
On October 4, 2007, Wilson made a public appearance at the Los Angeles premiere of
The Darjeeling Limited. He also made an appearance at the 80th Academy Awards.
Owen Wilson in the news
Owen Wilson takes Kate Hudson look-alike on date to Sweetgreen - Ne...
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The Reliable Source: John Ensign, Owen Wilson; Reese Witherspoon ...Washington PostAfter a week of daily Owen Wilson sightings, Reese Witherspoon finally shows up to start filming that movie, on the Mall yesterday. ...and more »
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Screen WeeklyAWAITING DAWNScreen WeeklyTheir fate is unknown - that is, until Larry receives a distress call from the miniature cowboy Jedediah (Owen Wilson), who informs him of an impending ...and more »
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Just JaredRomcom starring Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd and Owen Wilson ...The Georgetown VoiceThe romcom staring Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd and Owen Wilson that's been shooting in DC for the past couple weeks will be filming in Georgetown tomorrow ...Reese Witherspoon and Jake Gyllenhaal show off their his and hers ...Daily MailReese Witherspoon Gets A Late Night VisitJust JaredDay off from filming, but not from sightingsWashington ExaminerExaminer.comall 46 news articles »
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'Moneyball' the movie falters when it counts — gee, who knew?San Jose Mercury NewsSony was already committed to a baseball-themed romantic comedy with Owen Wilson and Reese Witherspoon. At last, the real reason emerges: With Wilson ...and more »
read moreMarley & Me - Channel 4 News
Marley & MeChannel 4 NewsStarring Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson Marley & Me is an exceedingly dull film and there's no point pretending otherwise. But when that dullness is ...and more »
read moreThe Reliable Source: Michael Jackson's Saga, Celeb Sighting...
The Reliable Source: Michael Jackson's Saga, Celeb Sightings, MoreWashington PostC.) affair(s), saying bye bye to moviemakers Reese Witherspoon, Owen Wilson, Paul Rudd and Jack Nicholson, and Jodie Foster at the Newseum. ...and more »
read moreActor Luke Wilson talks golf, his brother and more - PGA Tour
Actor Luke Wilson talks golf, his brother and morePGA TourCOM: Alright, let's cut right to it, who's better, you or Owen? WILSON: Owen is a lefty, so growing up he didn't really play. He has his own putting green, ...and more »
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read moreMovie reviews - Concord Monitor
Movie reviewsConcord MonitorWith Ben Stiller, Amy Adams, Owen Wilson, Hank Azaria, Christopher Guest and Robin Williams. Written by Robert Ben Grant and Thomas Lennon. ...and more »
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