Olivia Wilde

Olivia Wilde (born Olivia Jane Cockburn^[1]; March 10, 1984) is an American actress. Coming from a family of journalists, she began acting in the early 2000s, and has since appeared in a number of film and television parts, including her roles on the series The O.C., The Black Donnellys, and House.^[1]

Early life

Wilde was born in New York City, New York. Her mother, Leslie Cockburn (née Corkhill Redlich), is a 60 Minutes producer and journalist, and her father, Andrew Cockburn, is an Irish journalist, as are her uncles Alexander and Patrick, all of whom are contributors to the political website CounterPunch.org. Her half-aunt is mystery writer Sarah Caudwell. Her paternal grandfather was the British novelist and journalist Claud Cockburn. Wilde has said that as a result of her family background, she has a "strong journalistic streak", being "really critical and analytical".^[1] She has wanted to become an actress since the age of two.^[1] For a short time, Olivia's family had a house in Guilford, Vermont, USA. Wilde attended Georgetown Day School in Washington, D.C., as well as Phillips Academy, and subsequently moved to Dublin, Ireland, where she attended The Gaiety School of Acting.^[1] She initially began working as a casting assistant.

Career

Wilde has appeared in the films The Girl Next Door, Alpha Dog, Conversations with Other Women and Turistas. She became known for her recurring role on The O.C. as Alex Kelly, she has also appeared in the Dashboard Confessional music video for "Stolen", and the French Kicks music video for "So Far We Are". She was strongly considered to play Bond girl Vesper Lynd in the 21st Bond film Casino Royale; Eva Green eventually won the role.

In 2005, Wilde was ranked #61 on Maxim magazine's Hot 100. She was also ranked #95 on the FHM 100 Sexiest Women of 2006.^[2] She was one of the key models in Abercrombie & Fitch's "Rising Stars" campaign in summer of 2004.

In 2007, Wilde was a part of the ensemble cast of the shortly lived NBC midseason drama The Black Donnellys. Her character, Jenny Reilly, was the lone principal female character in the series following the lives of an Irish-American family tied to organized crime in New York City. Also in 2007, Wilde appeared in the play Beauty on the Vine, a political thriller, playing three different characters.^[1]

Wilde joined the cast of the FOX medical drama House in fall 2007, playing a young doctor nicknamed Thirteen who will work closely with Dr. House.^[3] According to E!, she has signed on as a regular on the show.

The New York Observer has described Wilde as having a "throaty voice" and the "wide, teal-eyed charisma of Hollywood in the days of yore".^[1] She has cited Meryl Streep, Sigourney Weaver, Frances McDormand, Catherine Keener and Robin Wright Penn as acting inspirations, and also admires playwright Eve Ensler and director and actor Woody Allen.^[1]

Personal life

Wilde married Tao Ruspoli, a filmmaker and photographer, in Washington, Rappahannock County, Virginia, on June 7, 2003.

Wilde has dual citizenship between the United States and Ireland.^[1] Wilde is a natural blonde and has stated that people have been "shocked" that she is a blonde but that "I wasn't stupid".^[1]

Wilde is an avid supporter of Barack Obama, having campaigned for him during early primaries with House (TV Series) co-star Kal Penn.