Owen Wilson
Actor, screenwriter, producer
Born
November 18, 1968
Birthplace
Dallas, Texas, USA
Nationality
American
Net Worth
$75 million (2026 est.)
Known For
Wedding Crashers; Zoolander; The Royal Tenenbaums; Midnight in Paris; Loki
Owen Wilson Biography
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Owen Cunningham Wilson |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | November 18, 1968 |
| Age | 57 years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actor, writer |
| Years Active | 1994-present |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.79 m) |
| Partner | Linked to artist Caroline Lindqvist |
| Children | 3 |
| Net Worth | ~$75 million |
| Known For | Laid-back comedic timing, Wes Anderson collaborations |
Early Life & Background
Wilson grew up in a creative Dallas family with photographer mother Laura and ad executive father Robert. After expulsion from St. Mark's School of Texas, he earned his GED and later attended the University of Texas at Austin. There he met roommate Wes Anderson, sparking a lifelong writing partnership that launched both careers.
Career Journey
Indie Beginnings
Wilson co-wrote and acted in the short film Bottle Rocket, later expanded into the 1996 feature produced by James L. Brooks. The film introduced his offbeat sensibility and kicked off collaborations with Wes Anderson, including Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums.
Mainstream Comedy Star
The 2000s cemented Wilson as a comedic lead through hits like Shanghai Noon, Zoolander, Wedding Crashers, You, Me and Dupree, and Marley & Me. His deadpan delivery and chemistry with Vince Vaughn, Ben Stiller, and Jackie Chan made him a staple of studio comedies.
Dramatic and Voice Roles
Wilson earned acclaim for Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris, earning Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations. He has voiced race car Lightning McQueen in Pixar's Cars franchise since 2006 and recently joined Marvel's Disney+ series Loki as TVA agent Mobius M. Mobius.
Recent Work
In 2024 Wilson starred in the paint-world satire Paint and Apple TV+'s family dramedy The Big Leap. He returns to Loki Season 3 filming in 2026, appears in the biopic Jerry Garcia's Tie, and produces a surfing documentary for HBO.
Filmography (Selected)
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Bottle Rocket | Dignan | Co-writer and star |
| 2001 | Zoolander | Hansel | Cult comedy |
| 2005 | Wedding Crashers | John Beckwith | Box office smash |
| 2006-2022 | Cars Franchise | Lightning McQueen (voice) | Pixar series |
| 2008 | Marley & Me | John Grogan | Family drama |
| 2011 | Midnight in Paris | Gil Pender | Golden Globe nominee |
| 2021-2025 | Loki | Mobius M. Mobius | Disney+ series |
| 2024 | Paint | Carl Nargle | Indie satire |
Awards & Nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Academy Awards | Best Original Screenplay | The Royal Tenenbaums | Nominated |
| 2012 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Actor - Musical or Comedy | Midnight in Paris | Nominated |
| 2015 | Hollywood Film Awards | Ensemble | The Grand Budapest Hotel | Won |
| 2022 | Critics Choice Super Awards | Best Actor in a Superhero Series | Loki | Nominated |
Net Worth & Income Sources
Estimated Net Worth: ~$75 million (2026)
Income stems from decades of studio comedies, backend points on Wedding Crashers syndication, Pixar voice residuals, Marvel contracts, real estate holdings in Hawaii and Santa Monica, and producing fees through his company Indian Paintbrush West.
Personal Life
Wilson splits time between Los Angeles and Maui, prioritizing co-parenting and surfing-focused wellness routines. He is open about mental health, advocating for therapy and gratitude journaling following a 2007 personal crisis.
Philanthropy & Advocacy
He supports St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the Surfrider Foundation, and partnered with the Jed Foundation on teen mental health campaigns. Wilson also donates auction proceeds to Dallas arts education nonprofits and UT Austin film scholarships.
Social Media Presence
Wilson keeps a low personal social media footprint but appears in promotional content on Marvel and Pixar channels, offering behind-the-scenes Loki teasers and Cars franchise messages for families.
Lesser-Known Facts
- Wilson narrated the audiobook for his children's story Wow, Wow, Wow releasing in 2025.
- He is a passionate sketchbook artist who swaps doodles with Wes Anderson on set.
- Wilson collects vintage surfboards and catalogues them by era.
- He co-owns a vegan taco pop-up that tours Southern California beaches.
Latest News & Updates (2026)
Wilson is filming Loki Season 3 in Atlanta, voicing Lightning McQueen for a Disney+ limited series titled Cars: Track Titans, and executive producing a Netflix docu-comedy spotlighting improv clubs in the Southwest. He will also host the 2026 Maui Film Festival sustainability gala.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is Owen Wilson?
Owen Wilson is an American actor and screenwriter known for his laid-back humor, Wes Anderson collaborations, and roles in Wedding Crashers and Loki.
What is Owen Wilson most famous for?
He is most famous for blockbuster comedies like Zoolander, Wedding Crashers, and voice work as Lightning McQueen in Pixar's Cars franchise.
Is Owen Wilson active on social media?
Wilson does not maintain public personal accounts, but fans can see him in official Marvel and Disney promotional videos.