Owen Wilson: The Man, The Myth, The Legend

Owen Wilson’s Net Worth and Career Success

Let’s talk about Owen Wilson. You know the guy—the one with the laid-back charm and that signature drawl. Well, this Texas-born actor has built a career that’s nothing short of impressive. With a net worth of $70 million, Wilson’s journey in Hollywood is a fascinating one. He first burst onto the scene with a little indie film called "Bottle Rocket," which he co-wrote with his buddy Wes Anderson. Now, Wes is kind of like the yin to Owen’s yang—they’ve worked together on some of the most memorable films of our time. After "Bottle Rocket," Owen didn’t just stop there. He followed it up with "Rushmore," another collaboration with Wes. But Hollywood wasn’t quite sure how to market this handsome yet slightly offbeat actor. They tried casting him as a serial killer and a drug addict, but it soon became clear that while Owen could pull off drama, it wasn’t really resonating with audiences.

Then, in 2000, something magical happened. Owen was cast opposite Jackie Chan in "Shanghai Noon," and it was a game-changer. This film not only showcased Owen’s comedic chops but also proved he could hold his own against an action star. It seemed like he’d found his sweet spot as the wisecracking, droll sidekick. But Owen wasn’t done yet. In 2001, he took a detour into action with "Behind Enemy Lines," but it was his role in "The Royal Tenenbaums" that truly cemented his place in Hollywood. When "The Royal Tenenbaums" got an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay, the offers started pouring in. Since then, Owen’s been a part of some major hits like "Zoolander," "Shanghai Knights," "Meet the Fockers," "Wedding Crashers," and "Midnight in Paris." Collectively, his films have raked in over $2.25 billion in the USA and Canada, averaging about $75 million per film. And let’s not forget, Owen’s synonymous with filmmaker Wes Anderson and the so-called "Frat Pack" movies, starring alongside Ben Stiller, his brother Luke Wilson, and Vince Vaughn.

Early Life: A Texas Boyhood

Owen Cunningham Wilson was born on November 18th, 1968, in Dallas, Texas. Growing up, he wasn’t just any kid—he was one of three brothers, all of whom would eventually make their mark in the world of acting and filmmaking. His parents were artistically inclined and encouraged their boys to read, often banning them from watching TV. Now, that’s dedication to fostering creativity. But Owen’s life took an unexpected turn when he was expelled from school for stealing his teacher’s geometry textbook. His plan was to ace an exam by copying the answers, but it didn’t quite work out as planned. Instead, he ended up at a military school in New Mexico. After his stint there, Owen returned home and attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. This was the beginning of his journey into the world of storytelling.

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Breaking Into Hollywood

From Military School to Movie Stardom

While at military school, Owen met a fellow student who would later introduce him to Wes Anderson. This connection proved pivotal, as it led to Owen’s role in the 1999 film "Bottle Rocket," his very first movie. Though it didn’t do well at the box office, it eventually gained a massive cult following. Owen continued to work with Wes Anderson on films like "Rushmore" and "The Royal Tenenbaums," which became defining moments in his career. But it wasn’t just Wes who recognized Owen’s talent. Director Ben Stiller cast him in "The Cable Guy," and soon, Owen was landing roles in films like "Anaconda," "Armageddon," "The Haunting," "Permanent Midnight," and "The Minus Man." These roles showcased his versatility, proving that he could handle both comedy and drama with ease.

Big Breaks and Box Office Hits

In 2000, Owen’s career took a major leap forward when he starred alongside Jackie Chan in the Western "Shanghai Noon." The film was a hit, grossing $100 million at the box office on a budget of about $55 million. It was clear that Owen had found his groove. Another breakthrough came with his role in "Zoolander," a film that earned $60 million at the box office. Owen then tried his hand at action with "Behind Enemy Lines," which, despite mixed reviews, brought in over $92 million. Over the next few years, Owen kept the momentum going with films like "Spy," "Shanghai Knights," "Starsky & Hutch," and "Around the World in 80 Days." "Meet the Fockers" was a career highlight, and he even landed a small but important role in Wes Anderson’s "The Life Aquatic." The blockbuster "Wedding Crashers" in 2005 brought in over $200 million at the box office, further solidifying Owen’s status as a Hollywood heavyweight.

Voice Acting and Awards

Owen’s career expanded into voice acting when he started voicing the character Lightning McQueen in the "Cars" animated film franchise. He also lent his voice to Wes Anderson’s "Fantastic Mr. Fox" and "Free Birds." Other notable roles during this time included "You, Me, and Dupree," "Drillbit Taylor," "No Escape," "She’s Funny That Way," and "Night at the Museum" and its sequels. In 2011, Owen won a Golden Globe Award for his performance in Woody Allen’s "Midnight in Paris." He’s also provided voiceovers for "Marmaduke," "Free Birds," and played the role of Morbius M. Morbius in the Marvel Universe Disney+ series "Loki" and the film "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania." Owen’s versatility has been recognized with a Best Team award at the 2022 MTV Movie & TV Awards for his role in "Loki." Other recent films include "Father Figures," "Bliss," "The French Dispatch," "Marry Me," "Secret Headquarters," "Paint," and "Haunted Mansion."

Relationships: Love and Family

Owen Wilson’s personal life has been as colorful as his career. He’s been romantically linked to celebrities like Sheryl Crowe, Kate Hudson, and Gina Gershon. In 2011, Owen fathered a son with girlfriend Jade Duell, though their relationship eventually ended. In 2014, he welcomed a second son with Caroline Lindqvist, another ex-girlfriend. In 2018, he and Varunie Vongsvirates had a daughter together, but their relationship also came to an end. Vongsvirates revealed in 2019 that Wilson had never seen his daughter, though it’s reported that he pays her $35,000 per month in child support, totaling about $435,000 annually. It’s unclear whether the mothers of his other children receive similar support.

A Dark Chapter: The Suicide Attempt

In 2007, Owen Wilson faced one of the darkest moments of his life when he attempted suicide. Reports indicated that he had tried to overdose on pills and was rushed to the hospital for treatment. It’s believed that Wilson was struggling with depression following a painful breakup. This incident was a wake-up call for many fans, reminding us that even the most successful people can face personal challenges.

Big Paychecks: Film Salaries

Owen Wilson’s career has been lucrative, with some of his biggest paydays coming from major films. He earned a career-high $15 million for "Little Fockers" and was paid $10 million for both "Wedding Crashers" and "Starsky & Hutch." Over the years, Wilson has amassed around $90 million from his film roles alone, before taxes, managerial fees, and other expenses. That’s some serious earning power!

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Real Estate: Investing in Bricks and Mortar

Owen Wilson has smartly invested his wealth into real estate, building a portfolio that’s both impressive and profitable. In the LA area alone, he owns several properties, including a Malibu beach house and a large, double-lot property in Santa Monica. Back in 2000, he purchased a Santa Monica property for $755,000 and expanded it by buying the house next door for $1.6 million. He demolished the second house and replaced it with a lawn, creating a stunning outdoor space. In 2007, Wilson snapped up two side-by-side parcels of land on the island of Maui in Hawaii for $5.85 million, one of which is oceanfront. In 2012, he acquired a $1.235-million property in LA’s Westdale neighborhood, and in 2014, he added a $1.524-million property in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of LA to his collection. While many of these properties might not seem like typical celebrity homes, it’s believed that Wilson views them as long-term investments rather than personal residences. In fact, his real estate portfolio alone is worth an estimated $40-50 million, making up the bulk of his net worth. Clearly, Owen Wilson is a savvy investor who prefers to keep his money tied up in real estate rather than stashed away in a bank account.