Olivia Wilde facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Olivia Wilde
Wilde in 2021
Born	Olivia Jane Cockburn (1984-03-10) March 10, 1984 (age 41) New York City, U.S.
Citizenship	United States Ireland
Occupation	Actress director producer
Years active	2003–present
Works	Filmography
Spouse(s)	Tao Ruspoli ​ ​ (m. 2003; div. 2011)​
Partner(s)	Jason Sudeikis (2011–2020)
Children	2
Parents	Andrew Cockburn (father) Leslie Cockburn (mother)
Relatives	Claud Cockburn (grandfather) Sarah Caudwell (aunt) Alexander Cockburn (uncle) Patrick Cockburn (uncle)

Olivia Wilde (born Olivia Jane Cockburn; March 10, 1984) is an American and Irish actress, director, and producer. She is well-known for playing Remy "Thirteen" Hadley on the TV series House from 2007 to 2012. She also appeared in action movies like Tron: Legacy (2010) and Cowboys & Aliens (2011). Other films include the drama Her (2013), the comedy The Incredible Burt Wonderstone (2013), and the scary movie The Lazarus Effect (2015).

Olivia Wilde made her debut on Broadway in 2017. She played the character Julia in the play 1984. In 2019, she directed her first movie, the teen comedy Booksmart. This film was highly praised and won an award for Best First Feature. She also directed and starred in the movie Don't Worry Darling in 2022.

Early Life and Family

Olivia Jane Cockburn was born in New York City on March 10, 1984. She grew up in Washington, D.C., and spent her summers in Ireland. She went to Georgetown Day School and Phillips Academy, finishing school in 2002. Olivia chose her professional last name, Wilde, from the famous Irish writer Oscar Wilde. She started using it in high school to honor the many writers in her family.

Olivia has an older sister and a younger brother. Her father, Andrew Cockburn, is a British journalist. Her mother, Leslie Cockburn, is an American producer and journalist for 60 Minutes. Her grandfather, Claud Cockburn, and uncles, Alexander and Patrick Cockburn, were also journalists. Her aunt, Sarah Caudwell, was a writer too.

Acting Career Highlights

Starting Out in TV and Film (2003–2012)

Wilde in 2007

Olivia Wilde first appeared on the TV series Skin in 2003. She became more known for her role as Alex Kelly on the teen drama The O.C. from 2004 to 2005.

She also acted in several movies during this time. These included The Girl Next Door (2004), Conversations with Other Women (2005), and Alpha Dog (2006).

In 2007, Olivia joined the cast of the popular medical TV series House. She played Dr. Remy "Thirteen" Hadley, a doctor with Huntington's disease. Her first episode was "The Right Stuff".

Wilde at the Tron: Legacy premiere in 2010

Wilde starred as Princess Inanna in the comedy film Year One (2009). She also played Quorra in Disney's Tron: Legacy (2010). Inspired by her parents, she helped produce several short films. One was Sun City Picture House (2010), about a community in Haiti building a movie theater after an earthquake.

In 2011, Olivia left House to focus more on movies. She starred in Cowboys & Aliens (2011) as Ella Swensen, who helps save Earth from aliens. She also appeared in the comedy The Change-Up (2011) and other films like In Time (2011). In 2011, she became a global ambassador for the beauty company Revlon. She also directed her first short film, Free Hugs (2011).

In 2012, Olivia returned to House for its final two episodes. She starred in movies like People Like Us (2012) and The Words (2012). She was also featured in a PBS TV series called Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide. In this series, she learned about challenges women face in Nairobi, Kenya. She also produced a short film about a cholera epidemic in Haiti.

Films and Broadway Debut (2013–2018)

Wilde (right) with the cast of Her in 2013

In 2013, Olivia Wilde wrote an article for Glamour Magazine. She starred in and helped produce Drinking Buddies (2013). She also had a role in The Incredible Burt Wonderstone (2013) as a magician's assistant. She played Suzy Miller in the drama Rush (2013) and had a main role in Her (2013). This film was highly praised by critics. She also helped produce other short films, including Body Team 12 (2015). This film won an award at the Tribeca Film Festival and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary (Short Subject).

In 2015, she was a brand ambassador for H&M's Conscious Exclusive campaign. She starred in the movie The Lazarus Effect (2015) as Zoe, a medical researcher. Wilde also starred in and produced the drama Meadowland (2015).

In 2016, Olivia directed music videos for Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. She also starred as Devon Finestra in the HBO TV series Vinyl.

In 2017, Wilde made her Broadway debut in the play 1984. She played the role of Julia. Her short film Fear Us Women (2017) followed a Canadian woman fighting ISIS in Syria.

Wilde at the premiere of A Vigilante in 2018

In 2018, Wilde appeared in A Vigilante. She also starred in the drama Life Itself.

Directorial Success and Future Projects (2019–Present)

Olivia Wilde made her directing debut with the teen comedy Booksmart, released in 2019. The film received excellent reviews from critics. Many praised her directing skills and the movie's humor. Booksmart won the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature in 2020.

Wilde then appeared in Richard Jewell in 2019. In 2020, she directed a short film called Wake Up. Her second feature film as a director was Don't Worry Darling (2022), where she also acted. The movie premiered at the Venice Film Festival. That same year, she voiced Lois Lane in the animated movie DC League of Super-Pets.

Olivia Wilde is set to direct several upcoming films. These include a movie about gymnast Kerri Strug and a superhero film for Sony's Spider-Man Universe.

Other Activities

Wilde on The Insider in 2011

Olivia Wilde is known for being a feminist. She supports equal rights for women.

In 2008, Wilde campaigned for Barack Obama during his presidential election. She supported a group called 18 in '08, which encouraged young people to vote.

In 2013, Wilde appeared in a video for Gucci's "Chime for Change" campaign. This campaign aimed to raise awareness and money for women's issues in education, health, and justice. She is also on the board of directors for Artists for Peace and Justice, which helps with education and health in Haiti. She also works with the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California.

On June 30, 2015, Wilde introduced Hillary Clinton at a campaign event in New York City. In 2016, she was in a public service announcement for World Down Syndrome Day. Wilde also took part in the 2017 Women's March in Washington, D.C., and the 2018 Women's March in Los Angeles.

In 2022, Wilde recorded a poem for "For the Birds: The Birdsong Project." The money raised from this project went to The National Audubon Society. In late 2023, Wilde co-founded a new company called Proximity Ventures. This company focuses on funding new businesses.

Personal Life

Wilde with then-partner Jason Sudeikis in 2013

Olivia Wilde married filmmaker and musician Tao Ruspoli in 2003 when she was 19. They were married on a school bus. They separated in 2011, and their divorce was finalized later that year.

Wilde began dating actor Jason Sudeikis in 2011. They got engaged in 2013. They have two children, a son born in 2014 and a daughter born in 2016. Their relationship ended in 2020.

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Olivia Wilde para niños

• List of female film and television directors