Olivia Wilde Biography

Olivia Wilde is an American actress and filmmaker best known at first as “Thirteen” in the TV series House M.D. and now more well known for her feature films as director, including Booksmart (2019) and Don’t Worry Darling (2022).

The daughter of journalists Leslie and Andrew Cockburn, Olivia Wilde headed for Los Angeles and a chance at stardom when she was 18 years old.

Not long after her arrival she was working in television, co-starring in the series Skin (2003) and The O.C. (2004) and The Black Donnellys (2007).

After movie roles in Alpha Dog (2006, starring Emile Hirsch) and The Death and Life of Bobby Z (2007, starring Paul Walker), Wilde was cast in the series House M.D. as Remy Hadley, a doctor nicknamed “Thirteen,” a troubled bisexual with a wild side. From 2007 until 2012 she had a recurring role in the series, then left to pursue a film career.

With the good looks of a model and an air of intelligence, Wilde earned role after role, showing a flair for comedy especially, often playing the love interest of leading men.

Her film appearances include the movies Year One (2009, starring Jack Black), The Next Three Days (2010, starring Russell Crowe), Cowboys & Aliens (2011, starring Daniel Craig), The Change-Up (2011, opposite Ryan Reynolds), The Words (2012, with Bradley Cooper), The Incredible Burt Wonderstone (2013, starring Steve Carrell) and Babylon (2022).

Films she starred in that she also produced include Drinking Buddies (2013) and Meadowland (2015).