Skip to main content

Olivia Wilde Biography Quotes 18 Report mistakes

18 Quotes
Born asOlivia Jane Cockburn
Occup.Actress
FromUSA
SpouseJason Sudeikis
BornMarch 10, 1984
New York City, New York, USA
Age41 years
Early Life and Family
Olivia Wilde, born Olivia Jane Cockburn on March 10, 1984, in New York City, grew up in a family deeply rooted in journalism and literature. Her father, Andrew Cockburn, is a journalist and editor, and her mother, Leslie Cockburn, is an investigative journalist and producer. Her extended family includes notable writers such as her grandfather, Claud Cockburn, and her uncle, Alexander Cockburn. She has two siblings, sister Chloe Cockburn, a civil rights attorney, and brother Charlie Cockburn. Wilde spent parts of her childhood in Washington, D.C., attended Georgetown Day School, and later Phillips Academy in Andover, experiences that exposed her to both creative arts and public discourse. She chose the stage name "Wilde" as a nod to Oscar Wilde, reflecting both her literary heritage and her desire to chart her own artistic path.

Education and Early Steps in Acting
After high school, Wilde spent time in Ireland, a country connected to her family history, and studied briefly at the Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin. She began pursuing professional roles in the early 2000s, balancing auditions with small parts that helped her hone her craft. Early work in television and independent film introduced her to the rhythms of set life and the collaborative demands of screen storytelling.

Breakthrough on Television
Wilde's television breakthrough came with The O.C., where her portrayal of Alex Kelly (2004, 2005) drew attention for its charisma and emotional nuance. She achieved wider recognition as Dr. Remy "Thirteen" Hadley on House (2007, 2012), joining a core ensemble led by Hugh Laurie. The role showcased her ability to balance dry wit with vulnerability, and the series' global reach made her a familiar face to audiences worldwide. The professional relationships she built on House, including with creator David Shore and the show's directors, helped position her for ambitious film work.

Transition to Film
Wilde steadily expanded her filmography with diverse roles. She appeared in Alpha Dog and Turistas, then moved into large-scale studio projects. In Tron: Legacy (2010), directed by Joseph Kosinski, she played the enigmatic Quorra opposite Jeff Bridges and Garrett Hedlund, merging action choreography with a futuristic sensibility. She followed with Cowboys & Aliens (2011), directed by Jon Favreau and co-starring Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford, and the science-fiction thriller In Time (2011) opposite Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried. Comedic turns in The Change-Up and The Incredible Burt Wonderstone demonstrated her range.

The early 2010s also saw critically noted performances in filmmaker-driven projects. In Rush (2013), directed by Ron Howard, she portrayed Suzy Miller, and in Spike Jonze's Her (2013) she delivered a memorably sharp supporting turn. Drinking Buddies (2013), directed by Joe Swanberg, leaned on improvisation and grounded, naturalistic chemistry with co-stars Jake Johnson and Anna Kendrick. She continued exploring complex characters in independent films such as Meadowland (2015), Life Itself (2018), and A Vigilante (2018).

Stage Work
Beyond screen roles, Wilde pursued theater, appearing on Broadway in 2017 in 1984, adapted by Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan and co-starring Tom Sturridge and Reed Birney. The production's intensity and physicality highlighted her commitment to challenging material and live performance.

Directing and Producing
Wilde's move behind the camera marked a significant evolution. After directing short-form projects, including the short film Wake Up and music videos for artists such as Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, she made her feature directorial debut with Booksmart (2019). The film, starring Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever and written by a team that included Katie Silberman, earned widespread acclaim for its dynamic pacing, empathetic storytelling, and energetic visual style. Booksmart garnered industry nominations and awards, positioning Wilde as an emerging director with a distinct voice.

Her second feature, Don't Worry Darling (2022), a psychological drama set in a stylized mid-century milieu and starring Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, and Chris Pine, reinforced her interest in genre, design, and female-centered narratives. As director and actor, she guided a production that sparked extensive public conversation and achieved strong box-office attention, affirming her capacity to helm ambitious studio projects.

Voice and Multimedia Work
Wilde's versatility extends to voice acting, notably on BoJack Horseman as Charlotte Moore, and to occasional voice roles connected to franchises she has appeared in onscreen. She has also engaged with branded storytelling and commercial directing, building a portfolio that spans narrative film, episodic television, theater, and short-form projects.

Advocacy and Philanthropy
Wilde is active in civic and humanitarian causes. She has supported organizations dedicated to reproductive rights and gender equity and aligned with broader movements for workplace safety and representation in the entertainment industry. She co-founded Conscious Commerce with Barbara Burchfield, a venture that brings philanthropy into everyday consumer choices through collaborations designed to fund nonprofits. Wilde has participated in initiatives for disaster relief and education through partnerships with groups such as Artists for Peace and Justice. Her advocacy has included voter participation efforts and public support for the American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood, reflecting a belief that visibility and storytelling can drive social impact.

Personal Life
Wilde married filmmaker Tao Ruspoli in 2003; they later divorced in 2011. She subsequently shared a long-term relationship with actor and writer Jason Sudeikis, with whom she has two children, Otis and Daisy. Later, she was in a relationship with musician and actor Harry Styles. Throughout these chapters, Wilde has spoken about balancing creative ambitions with family life, acknowledging the challenges of public scrutiny while maintaining focus on her work.

Artistic Identity and Influence
Wilde's trajectory from performer to filmmaker speaks to an evolving artistic identity shaped by curiosity, discipline, and collaboration. She has sought out ensembles and creative partners who share a commitment to craft, from television ensembles like the team around Hugh Laurie on House to filmmakers such as Ron Howard, Spike Jonze, and Joseph Kosinski, and collaborators including Florence Pugh, Beanie Feldstein, and Kaitlyn Dever. As a director, she has emphasized process, mentorship, and opportunities for women on and off screen. The through-line in her career is a willingness to cross boundaries between genres and mediums while prioritizing character, tone, and audience connection.

Continuing Work
Wilde remains active as an actor, director, and producer, developing films and series that reflect her interest in character-driven stories and bold visual design. With early successes on television, a growing filmography across mainstream and independent cinema, and a fast-rising profile as a filmmaker, she continues to shape a multifaceted career grounded in both performance and authorship.

Our collection contains 18 quotes who is written by Olivia, under the main topics: Motivational - Friendship - Movie - Doctor - Family.
Source / external links

18 Famous quotes by Olivia Wilde