A career preserved

“Drillbit Taylor,” a film staring the University of Texas’s Owen Wilson was released today, March 21, 2008. Despite an attempted suicide in late August last year, it appears one of my favorite actor’s career is still intact due some great public relations efforts.

Here is a little background for those of you who do not know the specifics of the incident. According to TMZ, “A ‘call to service’ report from the Santa Monica Police Department, obtained by the television show ‘EXTRA,’ shows that the 911 call from Owen Wilson’s home was made because the actor tried to commit suicide” on Aug. 28, 2007. Shortly after his hospitalization, Wilson himself issued a statement reading, “I respectfully ask that the media allow me to receive care and heal in private during this difficult time,” according to several mainstream media outlets.

Most mainstream media outlets such as foxnews.com and people.com portrayed the incident with sensitivity and showed a favorable picture of the actor. However, some other mainstream media outlets and blogs were not so sensitive. Perezhilton.com, TMZ, and some other blogs were not as considerate. Some of these blogs posted pictures that portrayed the actor disheveled and others openly mocked Wilson by defacing his image. Aside from the photos chosen, blogs were harsher and had titles that generally covered issues other than Wilson’s “difficult time”—drug use. Titles like, “Steve Coogan blamed for Owen Wilson’s drug spiral” and “Owen Wilson Suicide Try – Pills, No; Knives, Yes; Coogan, Possibly” are not as bad as a suicide title but still not good media coverage. Overall, mainstream media outlets were much more professional and respectful to the actor in need of help, as opposed to the some of the ugly blogs that were so quick to speculate about and judge the actor.

So how was it handled? First off, the decision for Wilson to act as his own spokesperson was a strong and important move. This conveyed to the public a genuine request for privacy and showed us that he was strong enough to start recovery. Some people in the blog-sphere thought that Wilson accidentally overdosed and were skeptical of his supposed “suicide attempt.” Despite his request for privacy, Wilson did not completely hide from the media during his recovery. He allowed himself to be photographed recovering and it is remarkable how blog coverage went from scrutiny to support. Blogs and The Hollywood Reporter covered Owen’s return to work in a positive light, so hats off to whomever was behind those press releases. I think Owen Wilson stayed out of the media enough not to draw attention but was present enough to not draw negative attention at the same time. I believe he handled his life crisis well. The only thing I would have done differently would be to make more of an bang back onto the movie scene than with a movie called “Drillbit Taylor.” Regardless, I am happy the actor is recovering well and continuing to work to bring his fans new films.