Oliver Rutledge Hudson is an American actor known for his roles in popular television series such as “Rules of Engagement,” “Nashville,” and “The Cleaning Lady.” Born into a prominent Hollywood family, he is the son of actress Goldie Hawn and musician Bill Hudson, and the brother of actress Kate Hudson. Throughout his career, Hudson has established himself as a versatile actor, successfully navigating both comedic and dramatic roles. He is also a producer and co-hosts the popular podcast “Sibling Revelry” with his sister, Kate.
Oliver Hudson Overview
| Full Name | Oliver Rutledge Hudson |
| Date of Birth | September 7, 1976 |
| Age | 48 years old (as of late 2025) |
| Place of Birth | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Parents | Goldie Hawn (mother), Bill Hudson (father), Kurt Russell (step-father) |
| Siblings | Kate Hudson (sister), Wyatt Russell (half-brother), Emily Hudson (half-sister), Zachary Hudson (half-sister), Lalania Hudson (half-sister) |
| Height | 6′ 1″ (185 cm) |
| Profession | Actor, Producer, Podcast Host |
| Wife | Erinn Bartlett (m. 2006) |
| Children | 3 (sons Wilder Brooks and Bodhi Hawn, daughter Rio Laura) |
| Net Worth | Approximately $10 million (as of 2025) |
Early Life and Education of Oliver Hudson
Oliver Rutledge Hudson was born on September 7, 1976, in Los Angeles, California, to Academy Award-winning actress Goldie Hawn and musician Bill Hudson. Following his parents’ divorce in 1980, he and his younger sister, actress Kate Hudson, were raised in Colorado by their mother and her longtime partner, actor Kurt Russell, whom Oliver considers his father. Growing up, Hudson has said that despite his parents’ fame, he and his sister had a normal childhood with chores and schoolwork. He has four half-siblings: Emily and Zachary from his biological father’s marriage to actress Cindy Williams; Lalania from another of his father’s relationships; and Wyatt Russell from his mother’s relationship with Kurt Russell. Hudson’s ancestry is a mix of Italian, English, German, and Hungarian Jewish. He was raised in the Jewish faith.
From a young age, Hudson showed an interest in making short films with friends, but his primary passion was ice hockey. After high school, he decided to pursue a career in the entertainment industry and enrolled at the University of Colorado to study film. His mother recalled that as an infant, Hudson “was an old soul. He had the wisest eyes; they just looked through you.”
Oliver Hudson’s Career
Early Career and Breakthrough
After college, Oliver Hudson moved back to Los Angeles and began his career in the film industry, not as an actor, but as a production assistant on the set of his stepfather Kurt Russell’s film Executive Decision (1996). He also worked as a production assistant on Father’s Day (1997) and Conspiracy Theory (1997). During this time, he took acting classes and went on auditions.
Hudson made his acting debut in 1999, appearing alongside his mother in the comedy film The Out-of-Towners. He then took on roles in several teen movies, including The Smokers (2000) and Going Greek (2001). His first lead role in a television series came in 2002 with The WB’s My Guide to Becoming a Rock Star. Though the show was short-lived, it brought him enough recognition to be named one of People magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People” in 2002. A significant recurring role came between 2002 and 2003 when he played Eddie Doling, the love interest of Katie Holmes‘ character, in 16 episodes of the popular teen drama Dawson’s Creek.
Television Stardom
Throughout the 2000s, Hudson continued to build his television career. He starred in The WB series The Mountain from 2004 to 2005, which was canceled after 13 episodes. He also appeared in horror films such as The Breed (2006) and Black Christmas (2006), and the Lifetime movie Carolina Moon (2007).
His most prominent role to date came in 2007 when he was cast as Adam Rhodes in the CBS sitcom Rules of Engagement. He starred in the show for its entire seven-season run, appearing in 100 episodes until its conclusion in 2013. The role of the well-meaning but often naive fiancé solidified his place as a recognizable face on television. Following the end of Rules of Engagement, Hudson transitioned to a dramatic role, joining the cast of the ABC musical drama Nashville in 2013 as the calculating music executive Jeff Fordham. After starting as a recurring character, he was promoted to a series regular for the third season.
In 2015, he was cast as a series regular in the Fox horror-comedy series Scream Queens, playing Wes Gardner. He later took the lead role of Martin in the ABC sitcom Splitting Up Together, which aired from 2018 to 2019. More recently, he played FBI agent Garrett Miller in the first two seasons of the Fox drama The Cleaning Lady (2022). His character was killed off at the end of the second season, a decision the showrunner said was “right for the storytelling.”
Other Ventures
In addition to his acting career, Oliver Hudson has ventured into business and production. In 2015, he and his sister, Kate Hudson, launched FL2, a men’s activewear line and a subsidiary of Fabletics. He also co-founded Cosmic Entertainment, a production company, with his mother Goldie Hawn, sister Kate, and stepfather Kurt Russell. He oversees the company’s Workshed Entertainment division. Furthermore, he co-hosts the successful podcast Sibling Revelry with Kate Hudson, where they discuss family dynamics and their experiences growing up. He also has a production company called Bronco Productions, which has a first-look deal with Jupiter Entertainment.
Oliver Hudson Personal Life & Family
Oliver Hudson is a dedicated family man. He married actress Erinn Bartlett on June 9, 2006, in a ceremony in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The couple has three children: two sons, Wilder Brooks (born in 2007) and Bodhi Hawn (born in 2010), and a daughter, Rio Laura (born in 2013). Hudson has been open about the challenges in his marriage, revealing on his podcast that he was unfaithful to Bartlett after they got engaged but before they were married. He stated that he confessed everything to her, and they worked through it with the help of therapy and guidance from his mother, Goldie Hawn.
Hudson comes from a famous and blended family. He is the eldest child of actress Goldie Hawn and her ex-husband, musician Bill Hudson. He and his sister, actress Kate Hudson, were raised by Hawn and her longtime partner, actor Kurt Russell, whom they affectionately call “Pa.” Hudson has had a strained relationship with his biological father for many years. However, in recent years, there have been indications of reconciliation. He has a half-brother, actor Wyatt Russell, from his mother’s relationship with Kurt Russell, and three other half-siblings from his biological father’s other relationships.
In 2024, on his podcast, Hudson spoke about attending the Hoffman Institute to work through childhood trauma. He revealed that while he expected to focus on his relationship with his absent father, much of his “trauma” was connected to his mother, his primary caregiver, due to her work schedule and absences during his childhood. He clarified that his mother was “amazing” and that this was his perception as a child.
Awards and Achievements of Oliver Hudson
While Oliver Hudson may not have a long list of major industry awards, his consistent work in television has been recognized. In 2002, he was named one of People magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People.” For his role in the comedy film Going Greek, he won a Teen Choice Award in 2001 for Choice Movie Actor: Comedy. On September 22, 2019, he became the first panelist to win the Doris Award on the ABC game show To Tell the Truth.
Oliver Hudson Net Worth and Income
As of 2025, Oliver Hudson’s net worth is estimated to be around $10 million. His primary source of income is his successful acting career, particularly his long-running roles in television series like Rules of Engagement, Nashville, and The Cleaning Lady. In addition to his acting salaries, Hudson’s net worth is supplemented by his work as a producer, his podcasting endeavors with “Sibling Revelry,” and his business venture with the men’s activewear line, FL2. He also has investments in real estate, owning a 4,000-square-foot home in Brentwood, California, which he purchased for $2 million.
Legacy and Influence
Oliver Hudson has carved out a successful and steady career in Hollywood, moving beyond the shadow of his famous parents to become a respected actor in his own right. His versatility is evident in his ability to transition seamlessly between comedic roles in sitcoms like Rules of Engagement and dramatic parts in series such as Nashville and The Cleaning Lady. Through his production company, Cosmic Entertainment, and his podcast, “Sibling Revelry,” he has expanded his influence beyond acting, engaging in storytelling from different perspectives. The podcast, in particular, has been praised for its candid and relatable discussions about family and mental health.
Interesting Facts about Oliver Hudson
- His mother, Goldie Hawn, was pregnant with him for a full 10 months, and he weighed a hefty 11 pounds at birth.
- Before pursuing acting, his first passion was to become a professional hockey player.
- In his lead role in My Guide to Becoming a Rock Star, he performed his own singing, a talent he inherited from his musician father, Bill Hudson.
- He is an avid poker player and participated in the 2005 World Series of Poker Main Event.
- He was once taken into police custody as a teenager for accidentally shooting at a group of adults with fully-loaded paintball guns. His stepfather, Kurt Russell, made him shoot up his own car with a paintball gun as punishment.
Controversies
Oliver Hudson has been relatively free of major public controversies throughout his career. However, he has been candid about personal struggles. In 2024, he publicly admitted to being unfaithful to his wife, Erinn Bartlett, after they got engaged but before their wedding in 2006. He revealed this on his podcast, “Sibling Revelry,” explaining that he confessed to her and they worked through the issue with therapy. He expressed regret for the pain he caused but also stated that the experience was a catalyst for personal growth. Additionally, his public comments about his strained relationship with his biological father, Bill Hudson, including a “Happy abandonment day” post on Father’s Day in the past, have garnered media attention.
Social Media Presence
Oliver Hudson maintains an active presence on social media, particularly on Instagram. He frequently shares updates about his personal life, family, and career with his followers. His candid and often humorous posts have made him a popular figure on the platform.
- Instagram: @theoliverhudson
Final Words about Oliver Hudson
Oliver Hudson has successfully built a multifaceted career in the entertainment industry, defined by his consistent work in television and his willingness to explore new creative avenues. From his breakout roles in the early 2000s to his recent work in dramas like The Cleaning Lady, he has demonstrated both comedic timing and dramatic depth. Beyond acting, his ventures into podcasting and producing have allowed him to connect with audiences on a more personal level. As a husband and father of three, he often speaks about the importance of family. With ongoing projects and his production company, Hudson continues to be a dynamic and engaging presence in Hollywood, proving that he is far more than just the son of Hollywood royalty.