Owen Wilson
Owen Cunningham Wilson is an American actor and writer, known for his roles in the films The Haunting, The Royal Tenenbaums, Zoolander, Meet the Parents, Wedding Crashers, You, Me and Dupree, Bottle Rocket, the Cars series, The Darjeeling Limited, Marley & Me, Midnight in Paris, Shanghai Noon, Behind Enemy Lines, and Drillbit Taylor.
Owen was also born in Dallas. He attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English.
Owen debuted as an actor in the role of "Dignan" in the Wes Anderson film Bottle Rocket, which he co-wrote with Anderson. He also worked with Anderson as a creative collaborator on his next two directorial efforts, Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums, for which they were nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
Subsequently Owen landed a role in The Cable Guy, directed by Ben Stiller, an early admirer of Bottle Rocket. After minor appearances in action films like Anaconda, Armageddon and The Haunting, he appeared in two dramatic roles: supporting actor in Permanent Midnight, and the lead role as a serial killer in The Minus Man,.
Owen got his big break with the 2000 comedy action hit Shanghai Noon, starring opposite Hong Kong action star Jackie Chan. The film grossed nearly US$100 million worldwide. His fame continued to rise after starring alongside Ben Stiller and Will Ferrell in the 2001 film Zoolander.
Gene Hackman took notice of Owen's performance in Shanghai Noon and recommended him 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, which was a financial and critical success. The comedy featured an all-star cast, including Gene Hackman, Ben Stiller, Bill Murray, Anjelica Huston, Gwyneth Paltrow, Danny Glover, Seymour Cassel and brother Luke. Owen had a memorable supporting role in the film as Eli Cash, a drug-addled bon vivant who becomes a literary celebrity. It earned the writing team an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay.
Owen partnered with Vince Vaughn in Wedding Crashers which grossed over $200 million in the US alone. He also collaborated with his brothers by appearing in The Wendell Baker Story, written by brother Luke, directed by Luke and brother Andrew. He also provided the voice of Lightning McQueen in the Disney/Pixar film Cars and appeared with Stiller in Night at the Museum as Jedediah, the cowboy.
Owen is a member of the comedic acting brotherhood colloquially known as the Frat Pack. His films have grossed more than $2.25 billion domestically (United States and Canada), with an average of $75 million per film.
Most recently, Owen starred as a nostalgic writer in the romantic comedy Midnight in Paris. Written and directed by Woody Allen, the film has become Allen's highest grossing film at the box office and was also well received by critics.
On August 26, 2007, Owen was taken to St. John's Health Center amid reports of a suicide attempt. He was later transferred to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. His lawyer later confirmed that he had been undergoing treatment for depression. A few days later, Owen withdrew from starring in Tropic Thunder, produced by and starring his friend and frequent collaborator Ben Stiller. Following the suicide attempt, Owen participated in limited publicity and promotion for his films.
On January 10, 2011, Owen's representative announced that Owen and his girlfriend, Jade Duell, were expecting a baby. Just four days later, on January 14, it was confirmed that Duell had given birth in Hawaii to a baby boy, Robert Ford Wilson.
Pray for Owen who needs to know of hte redeeming love of Jesus Christ. May God send a "missionary" into his life during this festive time and may he be directed to the Savior who will fill the emptiness in their lives with the love of God through faith in His Son Jesus.
--Heidi