Texas native Owen Wilson teamed up with college roommate Wes Anderson to help put Austin on the filmmaking map with their debut film, "Bottle Rocket" (1996). In this, he succeeded, but he would also go on to prove his talents as a comic actor – as well as writer and producer – with numerous and varied roles in both small independents and studio blockbusters. Well-known for being one of Hollywood's busiest lotharios off-screen, Wilson's amorous social life earned the actor the undying gratitude of tabloid editors and gossip columnists for years. Included among Wilson's many paramours were a string of models, as well as a "who's who" of today's hottest young starlets. His dalliances with such high-profile celebs as Kate Hudson and singer Sheryl Crow eventually earned Wilson the colorfully provocative sobriquet, "The Butterscotch Stallion" A founding member of Hollywood's comedy "Frat Pack" – a club which counted Vince Vaughn, Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd and Wilson's brother, Luke, among its proud body – Wilson starred in a number of successful stand-out films in the 21st century, among them: the delightfully quirky ensemble, “The Royal Tenenbaums” (2001), the 2005 hit romantic-comedy, "Wedding Crashers," the Pixar animated crowd-pleaser "Cars" (2005), and the absurdist three's-a-crowd romp, "You, Me & Dupree" (2006), co-starring Matt Dillon and Wilson's soon-to-be off-screen girlfriend, Kate Hudson.
Born on Nov. 18, 1968 in Dallas, TX, this self-described blond troublemaker was the second child of Robert and Laura Wilson. Growing up between two brothers, Andrew (the eldest) and Luke (the youngest), young Owen – like many middle children – sought attention by acting out and getting into trouble. Expelled from St. Mark's Academy in Dallas in the tenth grade, Wilson finished his sophomore year at Thomas Jefferson School before heading to a military academy in New Mexico. He then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he met his future mentor and friend, Wes Anderson. Together, the two collaborated on a script which would eventually become “Bottle Rocket” (1996). Wilson's entry into the industry came with the 1992 short of the same name, which he penned along with Anderson and starred in with brothers Andrew and Luke. After hooking up with James L. Brooks and Polly Platt – thanks to some championing by screenwriter L.M. 'Kit' Carson – Anderson and Wilson were given the funds to develop a full-length feature based on the well-received, festival-screened short. The curtain rose on this expanded version of "Bottle Rocket" in 1996, but failed test screenings resulted in little studio push. Revolving around a pair of friends going nowhere slowly, the film did receive critical praise for its originality – director Martin Scorsese even ranked it among his favorite films of the 1990s – and won Wilson notice, both for his keen scripting and winning performance as the enthusiastic, if misguided would-be criminal Dignan.
Re-locating to Los Angeles full-time in the mid-1990s, Wilson quickly found work with his relaxed, assured screen presence, emerging as a fine character player; later a somewhat unlikely lead, due to his good looks marred slightly by a twice-broken nose. He played a small role as an obnoxious date for leading lady Leslie Mann in Ben Stiller's "The Cable Guy" (1996), before becoming snake feed in "Anaconda" (1997). After serving as associate producer on Brooks' Oscar-nominated "As Good As It Gets" (1997), Wilson signed up to play Oscar Choi, the quirkiest of a team of oil drillers sent to outer space to save the earth from an asteroid in the summer blockbuster, "Armageddon" (1998). That same year he acted in what amounted to a cameo role in "Permanent Midnight," playing the drug-addled pal who convinces screenwriter Jerry Stahl (Ben Stiller) to enter into a green-card marriage. Though his part was small, Wilson made an impression with an oddly affectionate portrayal infused with boundless energy.
Wilson next reunited with Wes Anderson on 1998's "Rushmore,” a uniquely charming, somewhat dark comedy. Wilson co-wrote and executive produced the Anderson-directed film, which starred Bill Murray as a wealthy man in a rivalry with a remarkably self-possessed teenager (Jason Schwartzman) for the attentions of a widowed prep school teacher (Olivia Williams). Following the critical and small-scale commercial success of "Rushmore," Wilson returned to acting with a starring role as a thoughtful and likable serial killer in Hampton Fancher's compelling drama, "The Minus Man" (1999). He was next featured in the ensemble of "The Haunting" (1999), Jan De Bont's disappointing remake of Shirley Jackson's chilling novel, The Haunting of Hill House. That same year, he had a cameo in the similarly muddled "Breakfast of Champions," directed by Alan Rudolph.
In 2000, Wilson starred in "Shanghai Noon,” an Old West-set buddy film that paired him with Hong Kong action hero and Hollywood heavyweight Jackie Chan. Chan played a Chinese Imperial guard sent to rescue kidnapped Princess Pei Pei (Lucy Liu), and Wilson – who later rewrote much of his dialogue – was cast as Chan's reluctant partner Roy O'Bannon, an unlikely and emotionally expressive outlaw. His verbally adept brand of comedy proved the perfect foil for Chan's remarkable physical talents. Later that year, the actor was featured alongside Robert De Niro and frequent co-star Ben Stiller in Jay Roach's black comedy "Meet the Parents.” His hilariously droll performance as the successful, well-adjusted ex-boyfriend offered a nice counterpoint to the film's very broad antics. In 2001, Wilson played Hansel, the New Age, extreme sportsman nemesis of Stiller's "Zoolander.” The actor's unflinching portrayal of the over-the-top up-and- comer who spews garbled Eastern philosophy and makes tracks on his high-tech scooter, proving he would not let vanity get in the way of a laugh. By the end of that year, Wilson picked up the mantle of action hero, carrying the compelling war-themed adventure "Behind Enemy Lines." His vulnerable but ultimately heroic take on seemingly doomed Navy pilot Lt. Burnett brought some humanity to the genre, and the actor held his own admirably alongside legendary co-star Gene Hackman.
Wilson was next featured with Hackman in "The Royal Tenenbaums" (2001), taking writing, producing and acting credits in this Wes Anderson film. An affectionate portrayal of quirky but likable characters in the tradition of their previous efforts, "The Royal Tenenbaums" focused on a splintered family of former child prodigies (Stiller, Gwyneth Paltrow and Luke Wilson) who are brought together by news of their father’s (Hackman) grave illness. Wilson got many laughs with his colorful supporting role as off-kilter novelist Eli Cash, neighbor and lifelong family friend who must face the fact that he is a misfit even among the misfit Tenenbaums. In 2002, the actor attained star status, in two action comedies – matched with Eddie Murphy in a feature adaptation of "I Spy" and reuniting with Jackie Chan for the sequel "Shanghai Knights" (2003). In both features, Wilson demonstrated both his exceptional ability to develop strong chemistry with wildly divergent co-stars with different on-screen styles, and his ability to mine throwaway lines for comedic gold by playing deconstructed versions of stereotypical movie types like the secret agent and the cowboy.
Despite demonstrating his enviable timing and mastery of dialogue, the actor had less success when he starred as a beach bum-turned-heist artist in the Elmore Leonard-derived caper film, "The Big Bounce" (2004). He also re-teamed with frequent collaborator Ben Stiller to play TV cop Ken "Hutch" Hutchinson in the parody-minded big screen adaptation of the 1970s ABC cop drama "Starsky & Hutch." That same year, he enjoyed a lighthearted cameo with his brother Luke, playing the flying brothers Wilbur and Orville Wright, respectively, in "Around the World in 80s Days" (2004). In the sequel “Meet the Fockers” (also 2004), Wilson revived the role of Teri Polo’s too-perfect ex-boyfriend, and just like its predecessor, the movie became a box office hit, despite lukewarm reviews. His hot streak continued with the roundly hilarious comedy "Wedding Crashers" (2005) in which he and Vince Vaughn played a pair of lovable cads who invade strangers' weddings to pick up lonely, vulnerable women. It was with this latter film that Wilson proved he could hold his own comedically, as well as touch hearts with his tender, believable love scenes with co-star Rachel McAdams.
By the time of “Wedding Crashers,” Wilson was clearly established as a central figure in what many characterized as a comedic Rat Pack-style clique of comic actors who frequently teamed up and/or cameoed in each other's films – the group also including brother Luke, Stiller, Vaughn, Will Ferrell and Steve Carrell. That same year Wilson inked a deal to write and executive produce "Bert & Dickie," a half-hour comedy for HBO which followed an odd-couple stand-up comedy team who discover success is always elusive. Meanwhile, Wilson continued his steady and successful presence on the big screen, providing the voice of Lightning McQueen, a hotshot race car stuck in a sleepy Route 66 town in Pixar’s eye-popping CGI-animated hit, “Cars” (2006). He then starred in the comedy “You, Me and Dupree” (2006), playing a homeless slacker taken in by his best friend, Carl (Matt Dillon), only to become a permanent fixture while winning over Carl’s wife (Kate Hudson) and family with his carefree charm, frustrating his friend to no end. It was after the film’s release that rumors he had fallen for his recently separated co-star Hudson began to pop up in tabloids. By early 2007, the towheaded pair – though not officially announcing their coupledom – was photographed around the country in various states of romantic bliss. Wilson’s brother Luke even began acknowledging their romance during interviews.
In 2007, Owen earned ink for more than just the Hudson romance when he appeared in a supporting role in “The Wendell Baker Story.” Actually filmed in 2005, this independently financed comedy was written by and starred younger brother, Luke, and was co-directed by his older brother, Andrew. Shot entirely on location in the Lone Star State, “Wendell Baker” received a belated wide release that summer – a full two years after it had been filmed.
In an unexpected turn of events, Wilson was hospitalized on Aug. 26, 2007 after police were called by brother Luke to his Santa Monica, CA home due to an attempted suicide report. Wilson was taken by ambulance to Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, then later transferred to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills. After being listed in good condition the following day, Wilson’s publicist, Ina Treciokas, released a statement from the actor that said in part, "I respectfully ask that the media allow me to receive care and heal in private during this difficult time." Wilson was involved in two new comedies at the time, “Marley & Me,” co-starring Jennifer Aniston, and “Tropic Thunder,” directed by pal Ben Stiller and starring Jack Black. Wilson dropped out of the latter project – in which he had a small role that had yet to be filmed – while the fate of “Marley & Me” remained unclear.