Luke Cunningham Wilson was born September 21, 1971 in Dallas, Texas. He is the third of three children. His brother Owen is three years older than Luke. The oldest sibling, Andrew, is seven years older than Luke.
His parents are Robert Wilson, an advertising executive including experience as a PBS executive, and Laura, a photographer. Luke recalls that he and his brothers were so close that it concerned their parents, who felt the boys should form broader friendships with their peers. Luke openly states that he was the stereotypical tag-along brother, following Owen and Andrew around and copying their actions and ideas. As children, Luke and one of his older brothers began a lawn care business called “The Lawn Rangers.”
Luke and his siblings attended school at the prestigious St. Mark’s School of Dallas, a private school for boys that spans from 1st to 12th grade. The school has other notable alumni including actor Tommy Lee Jones. Luke played high school football and ran track. He was referred to as a “stud” by one of his high school coaches Jerry Reese, despite that Luke claims he was shy around girls, dating only those who “forced me to talk to them.” An excellent athlete, Luke played football, track, and still holds the records in the 400m and 800m races.
After graduating St. Mark’s, Luke studied at Occidental College in Los Angeles (also attended for a time by presidential candidate Barack Obama and actor Ben Affleck). At the time, Luke preferred sports to creative classes like drama or theater. Though, he eventually took a drama class and gave up sports. He later transferred to Texas Christian University, and then Southern Methodist University. In 1993, Owen moved to Los Angeles where his brother Owen lived and was already making headway in his pursuit of an acting career.
