Olivia Wilde with parents Andrew and Leslie Cockburn at the ‘American Casino’ film Premiere during the Tribeca Film Festival on April 26, 2009..Photo:Charles Sykes/Shutterstock
Charles Sykes/Shutterstock
Olivia Wildehas dared to live life to the fullest, thanks to the example of her parents, investigative journalists Andrew and Leslie Cockburn.
Andrew and Leslie are both award-winning reporters who have covered some of the most dangerous issues and reported from war zones around the world while being doting parents to their three kids. Olivia grew up always knowing her parents had her back, giving her the confidence to try new things.
“That’s the spirit they’ve had throughout my personal life and my career: really allowing me to be myself but always a watchful eye making sure I’m okay,” she told theIrish Independentin 2010.
While Olivia has gone on to have a successful and critically acclaimed career as an actress and director, she remains humble when it comes to her family. “I’m the least interesting person at the dinner table, and I’m really good with that,” she toldEllein 2016.
Here’s everything to know about Olivia Wilde’s parents, Andrew and Leslie Cockburn.
They married in 1977
Andrew and Leslie Cockburn.Olivia Wilde Instagram
Olivia Wilde Instagram
Andrew was born on Jan. 7, 1947, in a London suburb, while Leslie was born on Sept. 2, 1952, in San Mateo, California — some 5,400 miles away.
The two first crossed paths at a London club called Zanzibar, when Leslie was in the English capital finishing grad school, she recalled in a 2009C-SPAN interview. Though Andrew grew up in Ireland, he moved back to London when he was 17 for work.
The two married in 1977 and went on to welcome three kids: eldest daughter Chloe in 1979, actress Olivia in 1984 and their only sonCharliein 1993.
Andrew grew up in Ireland and Olivia spent summers there as a kid
Olivia Wilde and her mom Leslie.Olivia Wilde Instagram
Though Andrew was born north of London, he grew up in East Cork, Ireland, where technology wasn’t part of life yet. He told C-SPAN that a horse was his mode of transportation since they didn’t have cars. Andrew also revealed he was raised without a phone or fridge.
They are investigative journalists, writers and documentary producers
Leslie Cockburn in San Francisco, California on Thursday, September 26, 2013.Liz Hafalia/The San Francisco Chronicle/Getty ; Larry Busacca/Getty
Liz Hafalia/The San Francisco Chronicle/Getty ; Larry Busacca/Getty
Olivia isn’t the only big name in her family. Andrew and Leslie are both renowned journalists, authors and documentarians who have reported on some of the world’s biggest and most pressing issues.
The two have collaborated on several documentaries for PBSFrontline,as well as the feature documentaryAmerican Casinoin 2009, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. Andrew also won a Peabody Award for the 1981 filmThe Red Army,which he produced for PBS, while Leslie won an Emmy Award in 1999 for her documentaryYuri The Great.
They’ve also coauthored books, includingDangerous Liaison: The Inside Story of the US-Israeli Covert Relationshipin 1991 andOne Point Safein 1997.
Out on the field, Leslie was a war reporter who faced harrowing situations. She was once evacuated from a flight in the Middle East because there was a bomb onboard while pregnant with Olivia, and at another point, she was held at gunpoint in Somalia while pregnant with Olivia’s younger brother Charlie.
Olivia toldVanity Fairin 2022 that her parents would repeat the phrase, “Don’t be boring,” a saying that “affected every decision” Olivia has made throughout her life.
“Any crossroads I came to where there was one option that was safer than the other, I would take the less safe route. That led to some great things, like taking a chance on being an actor,” she said.
Leslie ran for office in 2018 — and Olivia supported her campaign
Olivia Wilde/Instagram
In 2018, Leslie ran as the Democratic candidate to represent Virginia’s 5th congressional district in the House of Representatives with Olivia’s full support. The actress appeared at a rally for her mom and told several outlets at the time how proud she was to see Leslie making a run for office.
“I’ve seen my mom do incredible things: she’s worked in war zones as a journalist, she’s spoken truth to power in different ways, she’s also just my kick-ass mom, but seeing her in this position was unbelievable,” she toldThe Guardianin 2019.
Though Leslie had favorable polling throughout the campaign,she eventually lostto Republican opponent Denver Riggleman.
They wrote the screenplay forThe Peacemakerstarring George Clooney and Nicole Kidman
Leslie Cockburn and Andrew Cockburn during the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival.Larry Busacca/Getty
Larry Busacca/Getty
Olivia visited the set with her parents at the time, where she had lunch with Clooney. She later recalled how he was the first Hollywood actor she met, setting a “pretty high standard.”
“He’s genuinely sincere, smart, gracious, and I like his politics, too, which always helps,” she toldTown & Countryin 2012.
They used to host parties with celebrities in their D.C. home
Andrew Cockburn and Leslie Cockburn at the “American Casino” screening after party on April 26, 2009 in New York City.Neilson Barnard/Getty
Neilson Barnard/Getty
“I was probably 10, maybe a little younger, and he was sitting in my seat at the dinner table,” she recalled in anEmmy magazine cover storyin 2016. “I came in and demanded that he get off my chair. He told me to go to bed, which was hilarious at the time, even more hilarious now that he’s my boss.”
Olivia often posts sweet pictures celebrating her parents
Olivia Wilde and her mom Leslie. ; Olivia WIlde and her dad Andrew.Olivia WIlde Instagram
Olivia WIlde Instagram
The actress doesn’t hesitate to celebrate her parents whenever she can, often posting about them on Mother’s Day and Father’s day, as well as their birthdays.
“Cheers to the woman who maintained her wild spirit while having three kids and a massive career. Thanks for always being willing to hold me upside down, even if it was the 300th time that day. I love you,” Olivia captioned a 2020Instagram postof her mother in a field of daisies, as well as a throwback ofLeslie holding Olivia upside downas a kid.
“ ❤️ dad • grandpa • smartest guy I’ll ever know • chef • friend • genius • hero • truly just the most wonderful person, i love you i love you i love you ❤️,” she wrote.
source: people.com
