PEOPLE

Ten curiosities you may not have known about Olivia Wilde

Olivia Wilde, talented actress and director, has won the hearts of millions of fans worldwide thanks to her beauty and her intense, charismatic performances, most recently in 'Babylon' in 2022.

But how much do we really know about this Hollywood star whose real name is Olivia Jane Cockburn ? Did you know that she has dual US and Irish citizenship and that she is the daughter of two pillars of journalism?

Here are ten surprising curiosities about Olivia Wilde that you probably didn't know.

Getty Images
Stage name
Olivia Wilde's real name is not what everyone knows. Her birth is registered as Olivia Jane Cockburn. She chose Wilde as her stage name in homage to the Irish author Oscar Wilde, as she was a great admirer of his work.
Getty Images
Family of journalists
Olivia comes from a family of journalists. Her parents, Andrew and Leslie Cockburn, are both successful journalists and documentary filmmakers. Her paternal grandfather, Claud Cockburn, was also a renowned journalist.
Getty Images
Growing up in an artistic community
Olivia grew up in Washington D.C. in a home frequented by writers, artists and politicians, thanks to her parents' contacts. This environment allowed her to develop an interest in film and art from an early age.
Getty Images
Dual citizenship
Olivia Wilde holds dual citizenship, both American and Irish. Her maternal family is Irish and she spent several holidays in Ireland during her childhood.
Getty Images
Youth debut
Olivia began her acting career at only 19 years old, appearing in the 2003 TV series 'Skin'. Her big break came in 2004 with the role of Alex Kelly in the series 'The O.C.'.
Getty Images
An audition for James Bond
Olivia auditioned for the role of Vesper Lynd in the James Bond film 'Casino Royale'. Although she did not get the part, her audition paved the way for other important roles in the future.
Getty Images
Social Commitment
Olivia is a passionate advocate for various social causes, including gender equality, women's rights and the environment. In 2008, she was appointed ambassador of Artists for Peace and Justice, an organisation that supports the reconstruction of Haiti.
Getty Images
Successful director
In addition to acting, Olivia Wilde has also tried her hand at directing. She made her directorial debut in 2019 with the film 'Booksmart', a critically acclaimed and audience-pleasing coming-of-age comedy.
Getty Images
Vegan and animal activist
Olivia is a vegan and an animal rights activist. In 2013, she was awarded 'Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrity' by PETA, an animal protection organisation.
Getty Images
A background in the fashion world
Before devoting herself fully to acting, Olivia worked as a model. She posed for major magazines such as Vanity Fair, GQ and InStyle.
Informativa ai sensi della Direttiva 2009/136/CE: questo sito utilizza solo cookie tecnici necessari alla navigazione da parte dell'utente in assenza dei quali il sito non potrebbe funzionare correttamente.