Owen Cunningham Wilson, a self-proclaimed troublemaker, was born in Dallas, Texas, to Irish-American parents who hailed from Massachusetts. Growing up in Texas, he was raised by his mother, Laura (Cunningham),a photographer, and his father, Robert Andrew Wilson, an advertising executive. He was the middle child, sandwiched between his older brother Andrew Wilson and his younger brother Luke Wilson.
Wilson's educational journey was marked by a rebellious streak. He was expelled from St. Mark's School of Texas in the tenth grade and subsequently finished his sophomore year at Thomas Jefferson School. He then attended a military academy in New Mexico, where he likely honed his sense of discipline and responsibility.
After completing his education, Wilson returned to Texas, where he met his future mentor and friend, Wes Anderson, at the University of Texas at Austin. The two collaborated on a screenplay, Bottle Rocket (1996),which they sent to their family friend, screenwriter L.M. Kit Carson. Carson, in turn, forwarded the script to producer Polly Platt, who introduced it to James L. Brooks. The project was greenlit, and Wilson and his friends were given $5 million to bring their vision to life.
Despite receiving critical acclaim, Bottle Rocket (1996) underperformed at the box office, grossing only $1 million. Undeterred, Wilson relocated to Hollywood, where he set up house with his two brothers and Anderson. He soon found himself acting in a string of big-budget films, including The Cable Guy (1996),The Haunting (1999),Anaconda (1997),and Breakfast of Champions (1999).
As his career gained momentum, Wilson took on more prominent roles in films such as Shanghai Noon (2000),Meet the Parents (2000),and Behind Enemy Lines (2001). He is also known for his distinctive nose, which has been broken on multiple occasions, as well as his reputation for being a free spirit when it comes to script interpretation.
Wilson's creative partnership with Wes Anderson has yielded some of his most notable work, including the film The Royal Tenenbaums (2001),which he co-wrote with his frequent collaborator. Throughout his career, Wilson has established himself as a talented and versatile actor, known for his ability to bring humor and depth to his characters.
