“Elizabeth Olsen: Versatile actress known for Marvel’s Scarlet Witch, acclaimed indie films, and dynamic performances across genres.”

Born Name   : Elizabeth Chase Olsen
Born              : February 16, 1989 (age 35)
Address        : Sherman Oaks, California, U.S.
Alma mater : New York University

Occupation : Actress
Years active : 1993–present
Spouse     : Robbie Arnett

Relatives :
Mary-Kate Olsen (sister)
Ashley Olsen (sister)

About

Elizabeth Chase Olsen, born February 16, 1989, is an American actress hailing from Sherman Oaks, California. Olsen embarked on her acting journey at the tender age of four, alongside her renowned sisters Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. Her breakthrough came in 2011 with the critically acclaimed thriller “Martha Marcy May Marlene,” earning her a Critics’ Choice Movie Award nomination.

Olsen’s portrayal of Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch in the Marvel Cinematic Universe propelled her to global stardom. She appeared in numerous superhero blockbusters including “Avengers: Age of Ultron” (2015), “Avengers: Infinity War” (2018), and “Avengers: Endgame” (2019). Her stellar performance in “WandaVision” (2021) earned her Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe Award nominations.

Beyond Marvel, Olsen showcased her versatility in films like “Godzilla” (2014), “Wind River” (2017), and “Ingrid Goes West” (2017). She also ventured into producing and starred in the drama series “Sorry for Your Loss” (2018–2019), receiving critical acclaim and a Critics’ Choice Television Award nomination. Recently, Olsen portrayed Candy Montgomery in the miniseries “Love & Death” (2023), earning yet another Golden Globe Award nomination.

Early life and Education

Elizabeth Chase Olsen, born on February 16, 1989, in Sherman Oaks, California, hails from a family rooted in entertainment. Her mother, Jarnie, was a dancer, while her father, Dave, worked as a real estate agent. Olsen grew up alongside her twin sisters, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, known for their early success in television and film. Additionally, she has an older brother, a younger half-brother, and a younger half-sister.

Olsen’s journey into acting began at the age of four, appearing in various projects alongside her sisters, including television films and video series. Despite initial success, she encountered challenges, considering quitting acting in 2004 due to media scrutiny surrounding her sister Mary-Kate’s eating disorder.

Educationally, Olsen attended Campbell Hall School in Studio City, California, before pursuing her passion for acting at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. During her time at NYU, she honed her skills at the Atlantic Theater Company and spent a semester at the Moscow Art Theatre School in Russia. Her involvement in off-Broadway and Broadway productions, including “Dust” and “Impressionism,” respectively, helped her secure representation in the industry.

Olsen graduated from NYU in January 2013, marking a significant milestone in her journey toward becoming a respected actress in her own right.

Career

Early roles and acclaim (2011–2014)

Olsen made her silver screen debut in the 2011 thriller “Martha Marcy May Marlene,” a role that garnered critical acclaim after its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. Portraying the character Martha, a young woman grappling with delusions after escaping a cult and reuniting with her family, Olsen received nominations for prestigious awards, including the Critics’ Choice Movie Award for Best Actress and the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead. Her interest in portraying complex characters with mental health themes stemmed from a personal fascination.

Following her impressive debut, Olsen appeared in the horror film “Silent House” and received commendation for her performance. Despite premiering at Sundance alongside “Martha Marcy May Marlene,” the film was released in 2012. During the same year, Olsen showcased her versatility in the thriller “Red Lights” and the comedy “Liberal Arts.”

In January 2013, Olsen’s talent was recognized with a nomination for the BAFTA Rising Star Award. She portrayed Edie Parker, the first wife of novelist Jack Kerouac, in the biographical drama “Kill Your Darlings.” Additionally, Olsen starred in the American remake of the South Korean film “Oldboy” and took on the titular role in an off-Broadway production of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” earning praise from critics.

Continuing her diverse range of roles, Olsen played the leading role in “In Secret,” a film adaptation of Émile Zola’s novel “Thérèse Raquin,” released in February 2014. The same year, she starred in the monster film “Godzilla,” which achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success. Additionally, Olsen co-starred alongside Dakota Fanning in “Very Good Girls,” portraying teenage girls navigating life in Brooklyn, although the film received mixed reviews.

Marvel Cinematic Universe and continued success (2015–present)

Olsen ventured into the realm of superhero blockbusters with her role in the 2015 film “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” marking her entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch. She reprised this character in subsequent MCU films, including “Captain America: Civil War” (2016), “Avengers: Infinity War” (2018), and “Avengers: Endgame” (2019), which became one of the highest-grossing films of all time. Her portrayal of Scarlet Witch catapulted Olsen to international fame.

Outside the realm of superheroes, Olsen displayed her versatility in various film projects. In the 2015 biographical film “I Saw the Light,” she portrayed Audrey Williams, the wife and manager of singer Hank Williams. Olsen continued to impress with her roles in critically acclaimed films such as the mystery “Wind River” and the comedy-drama “Ingrid Goes West” in 2017. Despite mixed reviews for her performance in “Wind River,” she received praise for her role in “Ingrid Goes West.”

In 2018, Olsen starred in the Netflix film “Kodachrome,” playing a caregiver to a photographer. She also took on the role of executive producer and lead actress in the Facebook Watch series “Sorry for Your Loss,” where she portrayed a young widow named Leigh Shaw. The series garnered positive reviews, and Olsen’s performance earned her a nomination for the Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series.

Olsen returned to the MCU spotlight with the Disney+ miniseries “WandaVision” in 2021, alongside Paul Bettany as Vision. Her performance earned critical acclaim, resulting in Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe Award nominations. She reprised her role as Scarlet Witch in the film “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” (2022), receiving praise for her compelling performance.

In addition to her screen accomplishments, Olsen starred as Candy Montgomery in the HBO Max limited series “Love and Death,” earning her another Golden Globe Award nomination. She also has several upcoming projects, including the drama film “The Assessment,” the romantic comedy “Eternity,” and Todd Solondz’s film “Love Child.”

Personal life

At the age of 13, Olsen embraced atheism, driven by her belief that religion should prioritize community and prayer rather than restricting women’s freedoms. Besides her acting career, she briefly pursued real estate in New York, obtaining a license upon her arrival.

Olsen serves as an ambassador for Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, leveraging her platform to advocate for the brand’s values. Previously, she was in a relationship with actor Boyd Holbrook from 2011 to 2014.

In July 2019, Olsen got engaged to musician Robbie Arnett, a member of the American band Milo Greene, following three years of courtship. Opting for a private ceremony, the couple quietly eloped. They currently reside in Los Angeles, where they co-wrote two children’s books, “Hattie Harmony: Worry Detective” (June 2022) and “Hattie Harmony: Opening Night” (June 2023). Inspired by their own struggles with anxiety, the books aim to offer support and guidance to young readers navigating similar challenges.