Brian Wilson doesn’t have any familial connection with Rebel Wilson.
Brian Wilson, co-founder of the Beach Boys and former quarterback at Hawthorne High School, tragically passed away on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at 82.
In a post shared on Instagram, his family announced Wilson’s death. They wrote,
“We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away,” “We are at a loss for words right now. Please respect our privacy at this time as our family is grieving. We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world.”
Brian Wilson Family
They concluded the post with the phrase “Love & Mercy,” which was the breakout single from Wilson’s first solo album and later became the name of a 2014 film dramatization of his life story.
Brian also played American Legion Baseball and ran cross-country in his senior year.
He had been active as a touring artist up through 2022. In early 2024, it was announced that he had dementia.
Among those mourning the loss was fellow Beach Boy Al Jardine, who joined Wilson on several of his latter-day solo tours after both had taken their leave from the official Beach Boys touring band. Jardine wrote,
“Brian Wilson, my friend, my classmate, my football teammate, my Beach Boy bandmate and my brother in spirit, I will always feel blessed that you were in our lives for as long as you were,” “I think the most comforting thought right now is that you are reunited with Carl and Dennis [Brian’s late brothers], singing those beautiful harmonies again. You were a humble giant who always made me laugh and we will celebrate your music forever. Brian, I’ll really miss you…still I have the warmth of the sun within me tonight.”
Al Jardine
Fellow musician Joey Belladonna took to his official Facebook handle to mourn the death of Brian. He wrote,
Brian Wilson was a massive influence on so many people with his writing. His songs connected with fans in a way that was profound. Watching him perform, you could see how much fun he had with his band, and that speaks volumes about the power of music. Rest in peace, Brian. Your music will live on forever.
Joey Belladonna
Singer, songwriter, and guitarist Randy Bachman also mourned Brian’s loss. He wrote,
Oh gee…We say goodbye to Brian Wilson. I’ve know the Beach boys since the mid 60’s and have done lots of shows with them. We lost one of the greatest composers and messengers who took jazz harmony, put it to a Chuck Berry beat and made a new genre of music. Some of the best singles in the world.
Randy Bachman
Brian will always be remembered for his unforgettable contributions as a musician and a quarterback for Hawthorne High School’s football team. Rest in Peace, Brian Wilson.
Former Quarterback Brian Wilson And Actress Rebel Wilson Are Not Biologically Connected
Although Brian Wilson and Rebel Wilson are prominent figures in the entertainment field, they are not related despite sharing the same last name.
Rebel’s real name is Melanie Elizabeth Bownds. Later in life, she legally adopted the surname Wilson.
However, there is no biological connection between them.
Brian Wilson was born in 1942 in Inglewood, California. He was known as a founding member of the Beach Boys, a legendary American rock band famous for their intricate harmonies and surf-inspired sound.
On the other hand, Rebel Wilson was born in 1980 in Sydney, Australia. She gained international fame through her comedic roles in movies such as Pitch Perfect, Bridesmaids, and Isn’t It Romantic.
Therefore, Brian Wilson and Rebel Wilson come from different parts of the world, different generations, and entirely different family backgrounds. Their shared surname is just a coincidence.
Rebel Wilson’s Family Were Professional Dog Handlers
Rebel Wilson was born to her father, Warwick Wilson, and her mother, Sue Bownds. She grew up with three siblings, Liberty, Ryot, and Annachi.
Wilson was named after a girl who sang at her parents’ wedding.
Her parents were professional dog handlers; her grandmother had started a kennel for breeding beagles.
Rebel and her sister, Liberty, experienced a childhood filled with turbulence and trauma. Her father brutally assaulted her and her sister, Liberty.
On a hot day in Australia, the sisters attempted to cool their beds with water. However, their well-intentioned plan backfired, resulting in physical punishment that had a profound impact on Wilson and her sister.
Sadly, Rebel lost her father, Warwick, in 2013 at 62 due to a heart attack.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- After a disastrous Australian tour in 1978, Wilson regressed and started secretly acquiring cocaine and barbiturates. In mid-1978, following an overdose, he hitchhiked in West Hollywood, eventually arriving at a gay bar where he played piano for drinks.
- At age 11, during a Christmas choir recital, it was found that Wilson had significantly diminished hearing in his right ear. The issue was diagnosed as a nerve impingement, and the exact cause remained unclear.
- Wilson was given the since-retracted diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia, in addition to manic-depressive psychosis, when he was a patient at Brotzman Memorial Hospital in 1978.
