Goldie Hawn’s Grandson Wilder, 19, Makes A Surprise Decision About College
Leaving home for university is supposed to be one of life’s biggest adventures. New friends, late-night conversations, independence and the excitement of discovering who you are outside the family home. But what happens when the reality doesn’t quite match the dream?
For Wilder Hudson, the 19-year-old grandson of Hollywood legend Goldie Hawn, the answer has involved taking a step back and completely rethinking his next chapter.
His father, actor Oliver Hudson, has revealed that Wilder is planning to put his second semester at the University of Colorado Boulder on hold and return home to California. And although it might sound like an unexpected change of direction, the decision came after some serious family conversations about happiness, independence and what the future should look like.
It seems that even when you grow up surrounded by Hollywood success, finding your own path can be every bit as complicated as it is for everyone else.
Why Goldie Hawn’s grandson is changing his college plans
Wilder initially left home with the excitement that comes with beginning university life. His parents, Oliver Hudson and actress Erinn Bartlett, were understandably emotional about seeing their eldest child take that next step.
The family had celebrated his 19th birthday shortly before his move, with Erinn sharing her excitement and pride as Wilder prepared to begin this new chapter.
However, his first university experience did not unfold quite as planned.
During an episode of the Sibling Revelry podcast on 6 November, Oliver explained that his son’s introduction to college life was interrupted by problems surrounding his wisdom teeth.
What should have been a straightforward adjustment to university life quickly became a series of trips between campus and home.
Initially, Wilder returned home because of complications surrounding the dental procedure. After spending almost three weeks recovering at home, he went back to university, only to return again approximately a week and a half later.
This time, he spent another three weeks at home recovering after having his wisdom teeth removed.
By the time he was ready to return to campus, the experience of settling into university life all over again had become considerably more difficult.
Oliver explained that his son had become accustomed to being home and subsequently struggled emotionally when he returned to college.
He revealed that Wilder felt a little depressed and as though he no longer belonged there, despite having his best friend as his dormitory roommate.
It was a difficult situation for the family, particularly because leaving home had originally been such an exciting milestone.
Oliver Hudson opens up about his son’s feelings
Oliver, who is also known for his roles in The Cleaning Lady and other television productions, spoke openly about wanting his son to feel comfortable discussing what was happening.
Rather than simply insisting that Wilder return to university and push through the difficult period, the family decided to have some longer conversations about what he actually wanted.
The discussions eventually revealed that Wilder was feeling considerable pressure and wanted an opportunity to experience adult life outside the traditional university routine.
Oliver explained that, at 19, he did not want his son carrying unnecessary stress when there were other ways to approach his future.
The actor’s comments offered a rather relatable glimpse into parenting young adults. Sometimes, the biggest challenge is accepting that the path you imagined for your children might not be the path they ultimately choose.
And for Oliver and Erinn, supporting Wilder meant allowing him to consider a different direction.
What will Wilder Hudson do instead of college?
Before anyone imagines Wilder returning home for an extended holiday, there is already a plan in place.
According to Oliver, his son wants to spend more time pursuing acting and exploring the entertainment industry.
Wilder has already had an introduction to the profession, having appeared alongside his father in the Netflix Christmas romantic comedy A Merry Little Ex-Mas.
It seems the experience helped strengthen his interest in acting, and he now wants to explore what a more serious commitment to the business might look like.
The family’s proposed arrangement includes several responsibilities and opportunities.
Here’s what Wilder has planned:
- Get a job: Returning home will come with the expectation that he contributes through work rather than treating the arrangement as an extended break.
- Pursue acting: He intends to spend more time preparing for and attending auditions.
- Study screenwriting: Oliver revealed that Wilder will enrol in a screenwriting class at Santa Monica College.
- Develop his creative skills: The focus will be on immersing himself in the entertainment industry and learning what it takes to build a career.
It is a rather different approach to the typical first-year university experience, but one that appears to give Wilder a clearer sense of direction.
And importantly, this does not necessarily mean that university is off the table permanently.
The intention is to defer his second semester while he explores these opportunities and works towards his ambitions.
Oliver Hudson has an important lesson about Hollywood nepotism
There is another interesting part of Oliver’s conversation that deserves attention.
Growing up in the Hudson-Hawn family undoubtedly means Wilder has been exposed to the entertainment industry from an early age.
His grandmother is Academy Award-winning actress Goldie Hawn, his grandfather is actor Kurt Russell, and his father has built a successful career in television and film.
That is quite a family tree for anyone hoping to make their own mark in Hollywood.
But Oliver was particularly keen to explain that having famous relatives does not guarantee a successful acting career.
He acknowledged that nepotism exists in the entertainment industry and that family connections can help someone get their foot in the door.
However, he also emphasised that connections cannot replace talent, preparation or the ability to perform.
His message to his children is that they are not automatically entitled to opportunities simply because of their surname.
It is a valuable distinction, particularly for a young person entering an industry where family connections and public recognition can sometimes attract as much attention as the actual work.
For Wilder, the next stage will involve finding out what he can accomplish independently.
Goldie Hawn’s famous family has experienced plenty of milestones
Wilder is the eldest child of Oliver Hudson and Erinn Bartlett. The couple also share two younger children, Bodhi, 16, and Rio, 13.
His grandmother, Goldie Hawn, has long been one of Hollywood’s most recognisable performers, with a career spanning decades.
Alongside Kurt Russell, she has helped create one of the entertainment industry’s best-known blended families.
The family has regularly celebrated important milestones together, including birthdays, graduations and the children’s transition into adulthood.
Wilder’s departure for university was one such moment.
Erinn previously shared her emotions about moving her eldest son into college, expressing how proud she was of him while acknowledging that the experience came with plenty of tears.
Now, just a few months later, the family is navigating another major transition.
It is a reminder that growing up rarely happens in a perfectly straight line, even when your family happens to be famous.
Is Wilder Hudson leaving university permanently?
Not necessarily.
Oliver’s announcement was about deferring Wilder’s second semester rather than abandoning higher education altogether.
The family has discussed a plan that gives him room to explore acting, gain work experience and study screenwriting while living at home.
There is also the possibility of returning to the University of Colorado Boulder for his sophomore year, depending on how things develop.
Ultimately, the decision appears to be about giving Wilder the opportunity to make a choice about his future without feeling that he has to follow a particular timetable.
For some young people, university is exactly where they need to be. For others, taking a little time to understand their ambitions can be equally valuable.
And at 19, there is certainly time to explore more than one possibility.
A different kind of Hollywood coming-of-age story
There is something refreshing about Oliver Hudson’s willingness to speak openly about his son’s experience.
Celebrity families often share the glamorous moments: the big birthdays, impressive celebrations, red-carpet appearances and exciting career announcements.
But the less polished moments can be just as interesting.
Wilder’s experience highlights something many teenagers and parents will recognise: the transition into adulthood can be unpredictable, and sometimes the plan needs to change.
Whether he eventually returns to university, develops a career in acting or discovers an entirely different passion, this is only the beginning of his story.
For now, it looks as though Wilder Hudson is ready to try something different, with his family’s support behind him.
And with Goldie Hawn and Oliver Hudson in his corner, he certainly has an interesting family history to draw inspiration from.
One thing is clear: being born into Hollywood might open a few doors, but Wilder will still have to decide which ones he wants to walk through.
