8 Things You Didn’t Know About Olivia Wilde

Olivia Wilde has been making a name for herself in Hollywood for nearly two decades. She’s done it all, from starring in television shows like House to becoming a movie star to becoming a director.

But there are a few things you may not know about this talented lady. So we’ve gathered some previously unknown facts about her below.

8 Things You Didn’t Know About Olivia Wilde

1. Grew Up Among Famous People

Wilde grew up in a celebrity-filled household as the daughter of prominent international journalists Andrew and Leslie Cockburn. Wilde was shooed away by future boss Mick Jagger when he caught her eavesdropping on a conversation between himself and diplomat Richard Holbrooke when she was four years old.

2. Uses Her Stage Name

Wilde’s given name, Cockburn, isn’t exactly appropriate for a beautiful actress, so she naturally chose a stage name. Why did she go with Olivia Wilde? It was a tribute to author and playwright Oscar Wilde, according to Olivia.

3. Got Married In A School Bus

Did you know she was previously married? She has one ex-husband, and they married when she was 19 on an abandoned school bus. Tao Ruspoli is his name. ^[1]

4. Supports Feminism

Wilde’s opinion is one thing she does not keep to herself. She is an outspoken woman who believes her voice should be heard around the world and uses it to advocate for what she believes in. Feminism is one such thing. ^[2]

5. Car Enthusiasts

Yes, all you car enthusiasts, Olivia Wilde has joined your ranks. She enjoys classic cars and has owned several over the years, including a 1959 Thunderbird, a 1967 Mustang, a 1958 Chevy Biscayne, and a 1966 Lincoln Continental. ^[3]

6. Drank Real Bear In Drinking Buddies

Olivia Wilde wasn’t drinking colored water in the 2013 romantic comedy Drinking Buddies. Because the film was shot in a brewery, real beer was actually cheaper than water. ^[4]

7. Worked Till The End Of Her Pregnancy

Wilde continued to work as her first child, Otis, approached the end of her pregnancy. In fact, she shot a scene for the horror film The Lazarus Effect while eight months pregnant.

8. Studied Acting In Ireland

Given that Wilde is half-Irish and that her father grew up in Ireland, it’s no surprise that she chose to study her craft there. She attended the Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin as a young woman.