Olivia Wilde: Biography

"If you want to be a doctor, look before you leap. If you want to be in show business, leap before you look." -- Steven Spielberg

Stats:

Birthdate: March 10, 1984
Birth Name: Olivia Cockburn
Birth Place: New York City
Husband: Tao Ruspoli
Father: Andrew Cockburn
Grandfather: James Helvick
Education: Attended Andover Acadamy
Big Break: Playing Jewel on "Skin"
Current Role: Playing Alex on "The O.C."

Did you know...

Has a dog named Paco.
One of her favorite things is an autograph and quote (above) from Steven Spielberg.
Actor Patrick Fugit is one of her best friends.
Likes to hang out in Venice Beach on her days off.
Loves going to bookstores (they make her feel inspired).
Married Tao Ruspoli on the LAFCO bus.
Owns a classic Pontiac Thunderbird with the license plate "MRWILDE"
Was discovered while working at a casting agency in LA.
Admires young actresses like Evan Rachel Wood and Scarlett Johansson
Loves hip-hop, funk and reggage (especially the new Oukast CD)
Angelina Jolie is her celebrity crush
Derived her stage name from Oscar Wilde after portraying Cecily Cardew in The Importance of Being Earnest in High School

Full Bio:

Born in New York City and raised in Washington, D.C. by journalist parents, Wilde graduated from Phillips Academy in Andover, MA where she studied acting and starred, directed and produced over two dozen school productions. During her summers, Wilde traveled to abroad, including Ireland, where she studied at the reknowned Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin. Upon graduation from Phillips, she moved to L.A. and, while working at a casting agency, landed a small role in the feature Girl Next Door starring Elisha Cuthbert. Wilde decided to pursue acting full-time and was soon therafter cast as the female lead in Skin.

Unfortunately, "Skin" was cancelled after only 3 episodes (with 5 more still yet unaired). However, Olivia moved onto another, more successful Fox show and is now portraying wild child Alex Kelly on "The O.C.". She also filmed three new feature films that are set to be released in 2005: "Alpha Dog", "Bickford Shmeckler's Cool Ideas" and "Conversations with Other Women".

In addition to her acting work, Olivia is also a team member of the Los Angeles Filmmaker's Cooperative. She serves as the editor in chief of LAFCO NEWS, and as a chair member of the education department. She was the project manager for the LAFCO production of The Lysistrata Project, the first-ever world wide theatrical event for peace held in hundreds of cities world wide. Olivia is now in the midst of planning the first annual LAFCO Future Filmmakers Festival made up entirely of work produced by people between the ages of 6 and 18.