Owen Wilson
Owen Cunningham Wilson is an American actor and screenwriter. He has frequently worked with filmmaker Wes Anderson, with whom he has shared writing and acting credits on the films Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, and The Royal Tenenbaums —the latter received a nomination for the Academy Award and BAFTA Award for Best Screenplay. He has also appeared in Anderson's The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, The Darjeeling Limited, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Grand Budapest Hotel, and The French Dispatch.
Wilson also starred in the Woody Allen romantic comedy Midnight in Paris as disenchanted screenwriter Gil Pender, for which he received a Golden Globe [Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical|Golden Globe Award] nomination. In 2014, he appeared in Paul Thomas Anderson's Inherent Vice and Peter Bogdanovich's She's Funny That Way. He made his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in the Disney+ series [Loki |Loki] as Mobius M. Mobius.
Wilson is also known as part of the Frat Pack, with whom he has starred in comedic films Meet the Parents, Zoolander, Starsky & Hutch, Wedding Crashers, You, Me and Dupree, Night at the Museum, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, How Do You Know, The Internship, and Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb. He has collaborated with Jackie Chan on three action comedy films: Shanghai Noon, Shanghai Knights, and Around the World in 80 Days. He is also known for appearing in the family films Marley and Me and Haunted Mansion. His non-comedic films include Anaconda, Armageddon, The Haunting, Behind Enemy Lines and No Escape. His voice acting roles include Lightning McQueen in the [Cars |Cars] film series, the titular character in Marmaduke, and Reggie in Free Birds.
Wilson's accolades include an Academy Award nomination and a BAFTA nomination for Best Original Screenplay, a Golden Globe and two SAG acting nominations and an Independent Spirit Award.
Early life
Wilson was born in Dallas, the middle child of three sons of photographer Laura Cunningham Wilson and Robert Andrew Wilson, an advertising executive and operator of a public television station. His brothers Andrew and Luke are also actors. Wilson's parents are of Irish descent. As a teenager, Wilson broke his nose twice: the first time in a high school fight, and the second time playing football with friends. “You know, probably my nose wouldn’t have been that great even if it hadn’t been broken," Wilson told The [Los Angeles Times].After getting expelled for cheating in geometry, he attended New Mexico Military Institute. He later attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, but did not graduate. While in college, he met and was roommates with Wes Anderson, who became a director and frequent collaborator.
Career
1994–1999: Early films and breakthrough
Wilson made his film debut acting in the Wes Anderson short film Bottle Rocket, which was later expanded into the feature-length film Bottle Rocket. Wilson co-wrote the screenplay with Anderson, and acted opposite his brother Luke Wilson. David Hunter of The Hollywood Reporter praised the film, saying, "A marvelous debut film for its director, writer and lead actors, Bottle Rocket is propelled by a fresh approach to the caper genre". That same year, he had a supporting role in the black comedy The Cable Guy, starring Jim Carrey and directed by Ben Stiller, an early admirer of Bottle Rocket. Wilson played Leslie Mann's date in the film. In 1997, he had a role in the adventure thriller Anaconda and executive produced the James L. Brooks comedy As Good as It Gets.In 1998, Wilson had roles in the science fiction disaster film Armageddon and the independent drama film Permanent Midnight.
He also reunited with Anderson, co-writing the script for his next two films, Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums, which Anderson directed. The pair garnered an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay for 'Tenenbaums'. Wilson did not act in Rushmore, but was shown briefly in a photograph in the film. After appearing in supporting roles in 1999, he acted in horror film The Haunting, and The Minus Man. His future girlfriend, singer Sheryl Crow, was a co-star in the latter film.
2000–2006: Film stardom
Wilson starred in the 2000 comedy action film Shanghai Noon alongside Jackie Chan. The film grossed nearly $100 million worldwide. His fame continued to rise after starring alongside Ben Stiller and Will Ferrell in the 2001 film Zoolander. Gene Hackman reportedly took notice of Wilson's performance in Shanghai Noon and recommended the actor to co-star in the 2001 action film Behind Enemy Lines. Also in 2001, Wilson and Anderson collaborated on their third film, The Royal Tenenbaums, a financial and critical success. The film 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, co-starring Eddie Murphy. The big-screen remake of the same-named television series did not perform well at the box office. He made a cameo appearance in the Girl Skateboards video Yeah Right! in 2003. He then reunited with Chan to make Shanghai Knights, and co-starred in the film remake of the 1970s television series Starsky & Hutch. Due to his busy schedule as an actor and an ongoing sinus condition, Wilson was unavailable to collaborate on the script for Wes Anderson's fourth feature film, 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; it was a role written specifically for him. In 2004, he and his brother Luke played the Wright brothers in the 2004 film Around the World in 80 Days. Wilson is said to be attached to a sequel to Shanghai Knights, marking his third collaboration with Jackie Chan.
Wilson partnered with Vince Vaughn in the 2005 comedy film Wedding Crashers, which grossed over $200 million in the United States alone. Also in 2005, Owen collaborated with his brothers in The Wendell Baker Story, written by Luke and directed by Luke and Andrew. In 2006, Wilson voiced Lightning McQueen in the Disney/Pixar film Cars, starred in You, Me and Dupree with Kate Hudson, and appeared with Stiller in Night at the Museum as cowboy Jedediah.
During this time, Wilson gained a reputation for frequently exclaiming "Wow!" in his roles, becoming something of a meme, as well as his trademark.
2007–2015: Established career
Wilson 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. It co-stars Jason Schwartzman and Adrien Brody. The Darjeeling Limited was selected for a DVD and Blu-ray release by The Criterion Collection in October 2010. Wilson next starred in the Judd Apatow comedy, Drillbit Taylor which was released in March 2008. He appeared in a film adaptation of John Grogan's best-selling memoir, Marley & Me, co-starring Jennifer Aniston. He provided the voice for the Whackbat Coach Skip in Wes Anderson's stop motion animated film Fantastic Mr. Fox. Wilson is a member of the comedic acting brotherhood colloquially known as the Frat Pack. Wilson made a guest appearance on the NBC comedy Community with fellow Frat Pack member Jack Black.File:Owen Wilson Woody Allen Cannes 2011.jpg|thumb|upright|Wilson with Woody Allen at the Cannes Film Festival premiere of Midnight in Paris in 2011
In 2011, Wilson starred as a nostalgia-seized writer in the romantic comedy Midnight in Paris, written and directed by Woody Allen. The film premiered at the 64th Cannes Film Festival to critical acclaim. The film became Allen's highest grossing thus far, and was also well received by critics. Roger Ebert wrote of Wilson's performance, " is a key to the movie's appeal". Peter Debruge of Variety also praised Wilson, writing "Wilson makes the role endearingly his own". For his performance, Wilson earned a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.
That same year, he starred in the film The Big Year an adaptation of Mark Obmascik's book The Big Year: A Tale of Man, Nature and Fowl Obsession. The film was released in October 2011 by 20th Century Fox, and co-starred Jack Black, JoBeth Williams, Steve Martin and Rashida Jones. The same year, Wilson returned to voice McQueen in Cars 2. In March 2012, Wilson was signed to star in the John Erick Dowdle thriller The Coup, later renamed "No Escape", in which he played the role of the father of an American family that moves to Southeast Asia, only to find itself swept up in a wave of rebel violence that is overwhelming the city. The film was not released until 2015, and was Wilson's return to the action genre for the first time since Behind Enemy Lines in 2001. He also voiced turkey Reggie in Reel FX's first animated film, Free Birds.
In 2014, Wilson appeared in Wes Anderson's acclaimed ensemble comedy The Grand Budapest Hotel and in Paul Thomas Anderson's book adaptation of Inherent Vice. In 2015, he starred with Jennifer Aniston in Peter Bogdanovich's film She's Funny That Way, and in the action thriller film No Escape alongside Lake Bell and Pierce Brosnan. Wilson's films have grossed more than 2.25 billion domestically, with an average of 75 million per film.
2017–present
In 2017, Wilson again voiced Lightning McQueen in Cars 3, played a suburban father in the drama Wonder, and co-starred with Ed Helms in the comedy Father Figures. In November 2017, Wilson became the face of a new £20 million advertising campaign for the UK sofa retailer Sofology. He returned to work with Sofology in 2019 for a second advertising campaign.In 2021, Wilson starred in the comedy film Bliss, directed by Mike Cahill opposite Salma Hayek for Amazon Studios. In 2021, Wilson also reunited with Wes Anderson for The French Dispatch, which premiered at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival. and Marry Me alongside Jennifer Lopez and directed by Kat Coiro for Universal Pictures.
From 2021 to 2023, Wilson starred in the Marvel Cinematic Universe series Loki opposite Tom Hiddleston on Disney+ as Mobius M. Mobius, a role he reprised in the 2023 film Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. He also signed on to star in a new film adaptation of The Haunted Mansion.
Wilson currently stars in Stick, an Apple TV+ comedy-drama series that premiered in June 2025.
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. A few days after his hospitalization, Wilson withdrew from his role in Tropic Thunder. The incident resulted in much unwanted publicity for Wilson, and he became reluctant to do interviews. In a 2021 interview with Esquire, Wilson described how his brothers supported him during his recovery.In January 2011, Wilson and his then-girlfriend Jade Duell had a son. Wilson and Duell ended their relationship later that year. In January 2014, he had a son with Caroline Lindqvist. He had a third child, a daughter, in October 2018 with ex-girlfriend Varunie Vongsvirates.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1994 | Bottle Rocket | Dignan | Short |
| 1996 | Bottle Rocket | Dignan | Also writer |
| 1996 | The Cable Guy | Robin's Date | |
| 1997 | Anaconda | Gary Dixon | |
| 1997 | As Good as It Gets | Associate producer | |
| 1998 | Armageddon | Oscar Choice | |
| 1998 | Permanent Midnight | Nicky | |
| 1998 | Rushmore | Writer | |
| 1999 | The Haunting | Luke Sanderson | |
| 1999 | Breakfast of Champions | Monte Rapid | |
| 1999 | The Minus Man | Vann Siegert | |
| 2000 | Shanghai Noon | Roy O'Bannon | |
| 2000 | Meet the Parents | Kevin Rawley | |
| 2001 | Zoolander | Hansel McDonald | |
| 2001 | The Royal Tenenbaums | Eli Cash | Also writer |
| 2001 | Behind Enemy Lines | Lt. Chris Burnett | |
| 2002 | I Spy | Alex Scott | |
| 2002 | The Sweatbox | Himself | Archive footage; haven't been released to the public |
| 2003 | Shanghai Knights | Roy O'Bannon | |
| 2003 | Yeah Right! | Himself | Cameo appearance |
| 2004 | The Big Bounce | Jack Ryan | |
| 2004 | Starsky & Hutch | Ken Hutchinson | |
| 2004 | Around the World in 80 Days | Wilbur Wright | |
| 2004 | The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou | Ned Plimpton | |
| 2004 | Meet the Fockers | Kevin Rawley | |
| 2005 | The Wendell Baker Story | Neil King | |
| 2005 | Wedding Crashers | John Beckwith | |
| 2006 | Cars | Lightning McQueen | Voice role |
| 2006 | Mater and the Ghostlight | Lightning McQueen | Voice role; Short film |
| 2006 | You, Me and Dupree | Randolph Dupree | Also producer |
| 2006 | Night at the Museum | Jedediah | Uncredited |
| 2007 | The Darjeeling Limited | Francis Whitman | |
| 2008 | Drillbit Taylor | Drillbit Taylor | |
| 2008 | Marley & Me | John Grogan | |
| 2009 | Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian | Jedediah | |
| 2009 | Fantastic Mr. Fox | Coach Skip | Voice role |
| 2010 | Marmaduke | Marmaduke | Voice role |
| 2010 | How Do You Know | Matty Reynolds | |
| 2010 | Little Fockers | Kevin Rawley | |
| 2011 | Hall Pass | Richard "Rick" Mills | |
| 2011 | Midnight in Paris | Gil Pender | |
| 2011 | Cars 2 | Lightning McQueen | Voice role |
| 2011 | The Big Year | Kenny Bostick | |
| 2013 | The Internship | Nick Campbell | |
| 2013 | Free Birds | Reggie | Voice role |
| 2013 | Are You Here | Steve Dallas | |
| 2014 | The Grand Budapest Hotel | M. Chuck | |
| 2014 | The Hero of Color City | Ricky The Dragon | Voice role |
| 2014 | Inherent Vice | Coy Harlingen | |
| 2014 | Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb | Jedediah | |
| 2015 | She's Funny That Way | Arnold Albertson | |
| 2015 | No Escape | Jack Dwyer | |
| 2016 | Zoolander 2 | Hansel McDonald | |
| 2016 | Masterminds | Steve Chambers | |
| 2017 | Lost in London | Himself | |
| 2017 | Cars 3 | Lightning McQueen | Voice role |
| 2017 | Wonder | Nate Pullman | |
| 2017 | Father Figures | Kyle Reynolds | |
| 2021 | Bliss | Greg Wittle | |
| 2021 | The French Dispatch | Herbsaint Sazerac | |
| 2022 | Marry Me | Charlie Gilbert | |
| 2022 | Secret Headquarters | Jack Kincaid / The Guard | |
| 2023 | Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania | Mobius M. Mobius | Uncredited cameo; post-credits scene |
| 2023 | Paint | Carl Nargle | |
| 2023 | Haunted Mansion | Kent | |
| 2026 | Charlie the Wonderdog | Charlie | Voice role |
| 2026 | Rolling Loud | Post-production | |
| 2026 | Focker In-Law | Kevin Rawley | Post-production |
| TBA | Runner | Ben Bishop | Post-production |