Early Life
Owen Cunningham Wilson was born on November 18, 1968, in Dallas, Texas. He is the middle child of three sons, with his parents being Laura Cunningham Wilson and Robert Andrew Wilson, an advertising executive.
Wilson's family has Irish descent, and he grew up surrounded by a creative environment. His brothers, Andrew and Luke, are also actors, which likely influenced Owen's decision to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.
Career
Wilson made his film debut in the Wes Anderson short film Bottle Rocket (1994), which was later expanded into the feature-length film of the same name. He co-wrote the screenplay with Anderson and acted opposite his brother Luke.
In 1996, Wilson had a supporting role in the black comedy The Cable Guy, starring Jim Carrey and directed by Ben Stiller.
Breakthrough and Stardom
Wilson's breakthrough role came with the film Rushmore (1998), which he co-wrote with Anderson. He also reunited with Anderson to write the script for The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), earning an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay.
Wilson's fame continued to rise after starring in films such as Zoolander (2001) and Shanghai Noon (2000), alongside Jackie Chan.
Established Career
In the early 2000s, Wilson appeared in a string of successful films, including The Darjeeling Limited (2007) and Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009), which he voiced.
Wilson's collaborations with Wes Anderson continued with The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) and The French Dispatch (2021).
Personal Life
In August 2007, Wilson attempted suicide and was subsequently treated for depression at St. John's Health Center and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Wilson has been open about his struggles with mental health and has used his platform to raise awareness and reduce stigma around the topic.
Awards and Nominations
Owen Wilson has received numerous awards and nominations throughout his career, including an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay for The Royal Tenenbaums (2001).
He has also been nominated for several Golden Globe Awards and has won a few Independent Spirit Awards.
Filmography
Owen Wilson's filmography is extensive, with over 50 films to his name. Some of his notable roles include Bottle Rocket (1994), Rushmore (1998), The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), and The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014).
He has also lent his voice to several animated films, including Cars (2006) and Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009).