Andrew Wilson

Born in Dallas, TX, Wilson was the eldest son of Robert, a PBS advertising executive, and his photographer wife, Laura. Coming to Los Angeles in 1994 to become an actor, Wilson initially struggled to find work before striking pay dirt with his big-screen acting debut in director and family friend Wes Anderson's "Bottle Rocket" (1996). Based on a 1994 short of the same name, "Bottle Rocket" was co-written by Anderson and Owen Wilson while the two were in college. Cast as the obnoxious and bullying John Mapplethorpe/Future Man, Wilson created a sadistic big brother from hell personality that translated to other projects. Staying close to familiar territory, Wilson next turned up with a small, but memorable turn as Coach Beck in Anderson's "Rushmore" (1998). While Owen and Luke rose to stardom post-"Bottle Rocket," Wilson seemed content taking on generally minor parts in a wide swath of films, many of which featured either Owen or Luke, or both in leading roles. After appearing briefly in "Merlin: The Return" (1999) and "Never Been Kissed" (1999), Wilson had a bit part as a driver in "Charlie's Angels" (2000) before joining Owen and Ben Stiller for a small role in the fashion comedy "Zoolander" (2001). He was a little more prominent as Father Farmer/Tex Hayward in Anderson's "The Royal Tenenbaums" (2001), but Wilson slipped into the background for a pair of nameless cop roles in the action-comedy "Showtime" (2002) and the sequel "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" (2003). Wilson suffered a traumatic even when young brother Owen tried to kill himself in 2004. Following a supporting turn in the critical and commercial disaster "The Big Bounce" (2004), Wilson went behind the camera alongside Luke to co-direct the middle-of-the-road comedy "The Wendell Baker Story" (2005). Originally premiering at the 2005 South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, the movie was a true family affair and told the story of an ex-con (Luke) working in a retirement home, though it would take another two years for a theatrical release.Stepping back in front of the camera, Wilson had a small part in the Farrelly Brothers' romantic comedy "Fever Pitch" (2005) before playing an undefeated demolition derby driver in the Mike Judge-directed cult comedy, "Idiocracy" (2006). He next had a rare leading role in the low-budget, family-oriented comedy, "Church Ball" (2006), where he played the put-upon coach of a misfit basketball team playing for the Mormon Church. Around this time, Wilson suffered a traumatic event when younger brother Owen attempted to commit suicide while dealing with issues of depression in August 2007. The family rallied and Owen eventually came back better and stronger. Wilson went on to a more prominent supporting turn for the coming-of-age indie "Calvin Marshall" (2009) and joined Elliot Page, Jimmy Fallon, Marcia Gay Harden and Kristen Wiig for Drew Barrymore's directorial debut "Whip It!" (2009). Following turns in three comedies starring Luke - "How Do You Know" (2010), "Hall Pass" (2011) and "The Big Year" (2011) - Wilson was a nameless Hippie dude opposite Adrien Brody and Colin Hanks in the stoner comedy "HIGH School" (2012).