Owen Wilson: Becoming Comedy Icon of Our Time Through Private Pain & Self-Destruction Attempts

Actor and comedian Owen Wilson sailed through the good and the ugly to achieve his Hollywood stardom. Today, he is one of the greatest comedians to walk the earth.

Best known for his renowned comedic talents, Frat pack member Owen Wilson has attained a point in his career where most could only ever dream of.

Like most Hollywood success stories, Wilson's life also encountered a dark side which nearly led him to an early end. Gratefully, with support from fans, relatives, and friends, the legendary actor emerged stronger, remaining at the top of his game even at 52.

BEING A RENOWNED COMEDIAN

While Owen Wilson has made a name for himself with dozens of movie credits, his strength lies in the comedic genre, which he has nurtured throughout his career.

Originally aiming to become a scriptwriter, the icon soon discovered that he was better suited for the screen. He went on to prove his unrequited talents in onscreen comedies like "Wedding Crashers," "Zoolander," "I Spy," "The Internship," among others.

Starring alongside bigshots like Jackie Chan ("Shangai Noon"), Eddie Murphy, ("I Spy"), and West Anderson, ("The Royal Tenenbaums"), earned Wilson more recognition in the early aughts.

In the course of his career, Wilson has earned a variety of awards and nominations. His professional portfolio includes two Screen Actor's Guild Award nominations, as well as Academy, Golden Globes, and British Academy Film Awards nominations. In 2014, he nabbed the Independent Spirit Robert Altman Award for starring in "Inherent Vice."

GEARING TOWARDS THE DARKSIDE

With his outstanding achievements in showbiz, it came as a shock to many when Wilson's internal struggles came to light in the guise of a suicide attempt. On August 26, 2007, the world got the shocking revelation that the actor had attempted to take his own life by slashing his wrist.

While many regarded the reality that a superstar like Wilson, who seemingly had the world at his feet, also battled his share of demons, those close to the actor confirmed the news. An insider shed light on the incident, saying: "Owen was very despondent. He slit his own wrist. He almost did not make it."

The actor survived the suicide attempt thanks to the timely intervention of his brother Luke, who found him unconscious and called 911. He spent days receiving treatment at the Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, appealing to the public to avail him adequate privacy to heal.

BATTLING HIS DEMONS

According to accounts from the star's close circle, his suicide attempt had been a long way coming. Notably, he dealt with drug addiction for years, which saw him go in and out of rehabilitation facilities.

In a 2005 interview, the actor revealed he struggled with an Irish strain of depression, which often made him appear as a loner. Additionally, he lived with a constant fear of failure, which often became pronounced when his works were criticized. Friends of the movie star describe these tendencies as his dark side.

ANDREW'S INTERVENTION

Notably, Owen Wilson's brother, Andrew Wilson, saved the icon from his self-destructive tendencies. In a 2021 interview, the "Loki" star opened up about the dark period of his life and how Andrew set him on the path of recovery, hence liberating him.

He explained how Andrew moved him with him following his discharge from the hospital and kept him at close watch. Aside from rising with him each morning and writing out his daily schedule, the 56-year-old made him see life in a new light until he eventually began to enjoy living.

THE WILSON BROTHERS

The contribution of Andrew to his brother's recovery shouldn't come as a surprise, given the infamous bond between the Wilson brothers. The trio, Andrew, 56 Owen, 52, and Luke, 49, have collaborated in a variety of movies, including "Zoolander," "Charlie's Angels," and "Rushmore, "among others.

However, they made a statement with the Wilson brotherhood when all three famously co-starred in the 2005 story, "The Wendell Baker Story."