10 Wild Facts About Olivia Wilde That Will Catch You Off Guard
Rising to fame through her role in the hit television series House, Olivia Wilde quickly established herself as a captivating presence on screen. With a career that spans acting, directing, and producing, the multi-talented actress’s journey through the Entertainment industry is a testament to her exceptional prowess.
For example, her directorial debut with the critically acclaimed film "Booksmart" showcased her remarkable skill behind the camera, earning her praise for her fresh perspective and ability to capture authentic stories.
Besides, there are still a lot of fun and astonishing facts about the 39-year-old performer that we might not know about. From her real name to her unorthodox hobby, the actress still holds a lot of mysteries waiting to be unveiled. Let’s dive right in, and see what Olivia has in store for fans do discover.
#1. Wilde is actually her stage name.
Source: IMDb
Only hardcore fans would know that Olivia’s real surname isn’t Wilde, as it’s only her stage name, influenced by one of her favorite authors, Oscar Wilde, famous for his books such as The Happy Prince or The Picture of Dorian Gray. Her original surname, however, is Cockburn.
To explain this matter Olivia revealed that it’s a homage to her writer's family, who also created pen names for their careers. For example, Olivia’s grandfather changed his name to James Helvick to write one of his novels, Beats the Devil, which gets a movie adaptation later on.
#2. That’s right, she comes from a family full of writers.
Source: Getty Images
As mentioned above, Olivia comes from a writer's family, with her grandfather Clad Cockburn being the most popular one. His sons, Alexander and Patrick were journalists, while Olivia’s aunt Sarah Caudwell is a writer as well. It’s no wonder why the actress loves reading so much.
#3. She was close to Christopher Hitchens.
Source: Glamour UK
One of the best thinkers of his generation and in history, Christopher Hitchens, is actually a close friend of Olivia’s parents. Therefore, the performer was frequently visited by Hitchens numerous times in the past, and was even babysat by him. What a story to tell your future kids and grandchildren!
#4. She’s a vegan.
Source: Getty Images
Olivia turns vegan ever since she was young, and still maintains this habit until this day. She believes turning vegan offers you a lot of benefits, some of which include better skin and feeling better physically. It’s not an easy path to take though, and sometimes Olivia has to use a bit of help to retain her eating habit.
#5. She’s a classic car enthusiast.
Source: Wireimage
Olivia once admitted that she’s head over heels for classic cars. In fact, she has several different classic cars in her garage: a 1959 Thunderbird, a 1958 Chevy Biscayne, and a 1967 Mustang. Among them, the Biscayne remains the actress’s favorite ride.
#6. She once claimed the top spot for the “Hot 100” list.
Source: Getty Images
It’s always an honor to appear in Maxim’s “Hot 100” list, but Olivia Wilde did something even more impressive. She claimed the top spot on the list in 2009, which might not come as a surprise considering her beauty.
#7. Her first wedding was on a school bus.
Source: Getty Images
In 2003, when Olivia was just 19 years old, she was betrothed to Italian filmmaker Tao Ruspoli in Washington, Virginia. Since they got married in secret, the two made their vows in a school bus instead of an aisle or a church. Eight years later, the two separated in Los Angeles.
#8. She’s a well-known feminist.
Source: Getty Images
Besides her roles as an actress and a producer, Olivia Wilde’s also known for her activities to promote women’s rights, participating in multiple events such as the 2017 and 2018’s Women’s March in D.C. and Los Angeles. Gucci’s Chime for Change project, and is also a part of the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California board.
#9. Her tattoos are dedicated to her family.
Source: People Magazine
Olivia has multiple tattoos on her arms, with two of them dedicated to her children Otis and Daisy. Another tattoo on her wrist, which says “All love, A” is a tribute to her late uncle Alexander, a journalist, and a dear friend to Olivia.
According to the actress, the tattoo is the last thing her uncle wrote to her, which she cherishes until this day.
#10. She holds dual citizenship.
Source: Getty Images
While her mother, Leslie, is American, Olivia’s father, Andrew, is an Irish. Therefore, the actress has spent a lot of time in Ireland since she was a kid, and qualifies as an Irish citizen.
What other fun facts do you know about Olivia Wilde? Please share with us in the comment.