Olivia
Thirlby

By Stephen Schaefer

Even though Olivia Thirlby’s rise has been meteoric, from unknown at 18 to starring roles in the new films “The Wackness” and “Safety Glass” at 21, the actress realizes being featured in a hit like “Juno” has made all the difference. “Ultimately it’s an honor to be on a film that was so well received and to ride the coattails,” she says, while nestled into a stuffed sofa in a New York hotel, of playing Juno’s blond best friend in what became an Oscar-winning surprise, a culture quake that rang $144 million at the box office last year. Fine-boned and much more petite in person than she seems onscreen, Thirlby was always interested in acting as a kid. “But I never did anything professionally until I was 18.”
That’s when she made her film debut and why she continues to sing the praises of Vincent Perez, the handsome French actor-(“Indochine”)-turned-director who “was willing to cast an inexperienced unknown in this lead role with David Duchovny and Lili Taylor. I owe him everything.”
Her European debut in Perez’s “The Secret” will remain pretty much a secret since it’s not slated for an American release. It led, however, to Thirlby’s next chances, to work with the British documentarian-turned-“Bourne”-monster-hit-filmmaker Paul Green grass in the dramatic recreation “United 93,” and to break hearts and get laughs as Michael Angarano’s first love in the little-seen gem “Snow Angels.”
Then came “Juno” and now “The Wackness,” where she’s Josh Peck’s unforgettable first love. Careerwise, Olivia Thirlby truly is flying. “It does feel nice to be in a place where it’s little bit easier to get jobs, jobs I want,” she admits. “Now I don’t have to fight for them quite so hard. But there’s still a lot of work ahead. The success is lovely but it’s kind of a double-edged sword. It’s hard to feel you’re under everyone’s gaze.” Maybe that comes from being raised an only child in New York City, where you can fantasize about being whomever you want to be – and no one will notice. 
Thirlby giggles a bit when the question comes up of who exactly is gazing at her these days. Is it fans on the street? Nope. “I’m recognized very rarely. Maybe that’s because I’m blonde in ‘Juno’ and people don’t expect me to be dark haired. Also, I dress like a bum, so I don’t stand out.” Thirlby nods sagely as she leans forward, “I’m a huge bum, yeah.” 
And a bum that is taking Hollywood by storm.