Olivia Wilde born Olivia Jane Cockburn was born in New York City on March 10, 1984. Her mother, Leslie Cockburn (née Redlich), is a 60 Minutes producer and journalist, and her London-born father, Andrew Cockburn, is an Irish journalist. Her sister, Chloe Cockburn, is a civil rights attorney in New York.
Wilde has said that as a result of her family background, she has a "strong journalistic streak", being "really critical and analytical". Both her parents were prominent in the Washington social scene, hosting dinner parties. Her mother once recounted a story of a young Wilde eavesdropping one night on a conversation between Richard Holbrooke and Mick Jagger until Jagger noticed her and shooed her to bed.
Although she grew up in Washington D.C., she spent her summers in Ireland and studied in the renowned Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin. She is the daughter of journalist parents Andrew and Leslie Cockburn and the granddaughter of writer James Helvick. Olivia attended Phillips Academy, a boarding school in Andover, Massachusetts, and was nearly kicked out "like seven times". After graduating, she moved to Los Angeles. She got an internship job as a casting director for the movie The Girl Next Door. She was given a small role in the movie starring Elisha Cuthbert. Olivia also appeared in the films Alpha Dog and Turistas. On television, Olivia has had regular roles in the short-lived shows Skins, The O.C. and The Black Donnellys. In 2007, another big break came her way when she was cast in the new team of interns in the FOX medical drama House. Olivia married Tao Ruspoli, a documentary filmmaker, photographer and flamenco guitar player on June 7, 2003. They reside in Venice, Los Angeles, California.
In 2009 Wilde was ranked #1 on Maxim magazine’s Hot 100. She was also one of the key models in Abercrombie & Fitch’s “Rising Stars” campaign in summer of 2004.
Olivia Wilde is set to be featured as Quorra in Disney’s Tron: Legacy, was opening on December 17, 2010.
Quorra is the deuteragonist. A program, adept warrior and confidante of Kevin Flynn in The Grid. Flynn refers to her as his "apprentice," and has imparted volumes of information to her regarding the world outside of The Grid, which she longs to experience for herself. Wilde describes Quorra as being like Joan of Arc, a child warrior, with innocence and optimism, led by some greater power. Her hairstyle was also influenced by singer Karen O. Wilde also explained that although "[Quorra] could have just been another slinky, vampy temptress" it was important for her to appeal to both men and women. She and Kevin Flynn are depicted as recreational Go players.
In the December 2010/January 2011 issue of Details.com Wilde was quoted as saying she freaked out the first time she saw her costume for the movie, "I saw the boobs on the suit and I said, 'Oh hell no. I'm doing kicks and backflips in this thing?'"
She describes Quorra as a kind of warrior ninja: "We modeled the character on Joan of Arc but with the hair of Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. But still a total badass."
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