Christopher Edward Wilding is a retired film professional with a background in photography, editing, and movie sound work. He is the second son of Elizabeth Taylor and British actor Michael Wilding. His credits include productions such as Overboard and Tombstone, linking his career to the work that takes place behind the camera.
His personal life includes marriages to Aileen Getty and Margaret Carlton, along with raising three sons. This profile explores his Hollywood upbringing, professional roles, family relationships, and retirement. It also looks at the public interviews in which he has shared memories of Elizabeth Taylor, adding a son’s perspective to accounts of her life.
Quick Bio
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Christopher Edward Wilding |
| Also Known As | Christopher Wilding, Chris Wilding |
| Date of Birth | February 27, 1955 |
| Age | 71 years old |
| Birthplace | California, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Photographer and former film sound editor |
| Mother | Elizabeth Taylor |
| Father | Michael Wilding |
| Spouse | Margaret Carlton |
| Former Spouse | Aileen Getty |
| Children | Caleb Wilding, Andrew Wilding, and Lowell Wilding |
| Siblings | Michael Wilding Jr., Liza Todd, and Maria Burton |
| Notable Film Credits | Overboard (1987), Tombstone (1993), and The Shadow (1994) |
Christopher Edward Wilding’s Age and Early Years
Christopher Edward Wilding was born on February 27, 1955, and is 71 years old. He shares his birthday with his mother, Elizabeth Taylor. As the second son of Taylor and British actor Michael Wilding, he was born into a family closely connected to the film industry.
His childhood unfolded alongside his mother’s busy acting career and frequent travel. Taylor made an effort to protect her children from the intense attention surrounding her. Biographer William J. Mann recalled Christopher describing how she shielded them from the publicity surrounding the family. Although encounters with paparazzi sometimes happened, his recollections describe a protective mother who tried to preserve her children’s privacy.
His Parents, Elizabeth Taylor and Michael Wilding
Christopher Edward Wilding’s mother, Elizabeth Taylor, built a film career that stretched from childhood roles to major Hollywood dramas. Her movies included National Velvet, Cleopatra, and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? She won two Academy Awards for Best Actress and later became a prominent advocate for people affected by HIV/AIDS.
His father, Michael Wilding, was a British actor with an established screen career. He appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s Under Capricorn and Stage Fright, working alongside stars such as Ingrid Bergman and Marlene Dietrich.
Taylor and Wilding met while she was in London filming Ivanhoe. She proposed to him, and they married on February 21, 1952. Their marriage produced two sons, Michael Howard Wilding Jr. and Christopher, before ending in divorce in 1957. Taylor continued to speak fondly of Michael after their separation.
Michael Jr., Liza, and Maria: His Siblings
Michael Wilding Jr. is Christopher’s older brother, and both share Elizabeth Taylor and Michael Wilding as parents. Born in 1953, Michael pursued acting and music before turning to sculpture. He moved to Santa Fe in 1991, where he developed a career creating abstract forms in stone.
Liza Todd is Christopher’s younger half-sister, born in 1957 to Taylor and film producer Mike Todd. Richard Burton later adopted her. She became a sculptor known particularly for her work depicting horses. Her son, Quinn Tivey, serves as a trustee of both House of Taylor and the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.
Maria Burton is Taylor’s youngest child and Christopher’s adopted sister. Taylor began her adoption before marrying Richard Burton, who later became her legal father. Maria has been involved in modeling but has generally led a private life, with fewer public appearances than her famous mother.
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Film Credits: Overboard, Tombstone, and The Shadow
Christopher Edward Wilding worked as an assistant editor on Overboard (1987), the comedy starring Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. IMDb lists him in the editorial department under the name Christopher Wilding. The AFI Catalog places him on the film’s editing team, led by Andy Horvitch.
For Tombstone (1993), he served as an assistant sound editor, credited as Chris Wilding. The Western featured Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer. Wilding was one of several assistants in a sound department that also included supervising sound editors, dialogue editors, and Foley artists.
His work on The Shadow (1994) also carries an assistant sound editor credit. His wider filmography includes the same role on Apartment Zero and Judgment Night, plus an apprentice sound editor position on Loverboy. These credits document his work in film editing and sound across several productions.
His Marriages to Aileen Getty and Margaret Carlton
Christopher Edward Wilding married Aileen Getty on August 26, 1981. Aileen is a granddaughter of oil industrialist J. Paul Getty. Before their wedding, Elizabeth Taylor hosted a celebration for the couple at the home of Aileen’s mother, Gail Harris Getty. Guests included Sissy Spacek, Carol Burnett, and Dudley Moore.
Christopher and Aileen raised two sons, Caleb and Andrew, before their marriage ended in the late 1980s. He later married Margaret Carlton, with whom he has another son, Lowell. Both IMDb and recent People coverage identify Carlton as his wife, although an exact date for their wedding is not provided in these profiles.
Retirement and Life After His Film Career
Christopher Edward Wilding is retired from his work in film editing and sound departments. His professional background also included photography, alongside his credited work on several Hollywood productions.
In 2024, he described family life in Sierra Madre, California, with his wife, children, and grandchild. His interests included making guitars.
He has continued to appear publicly through interviews and documentaries. He contributed to the three-part series Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar, sharing memories of his mother alongside other people who knew her. In October 2025, he also spoke to People about Taylor Swift’s song “Elizabeth Taylor,” offering his reaction to the musical tribute.
Elizabeth Taylor’s Legacy in His Public Interviews
Christopher Edward Wilding’s public comments highlight Elizabeth Taylor’s independence and convictions. In a 2025 People interview, he remembered her as curious, open-minded, and guided by a strong moral compass, even when her choices attracted criticism.
He welcomed Taylor Swift’s song “Elizabeth Taylor,” describing Swift and his mother as “kindred spirits.” He connected them through female empowerment and said Taylor would have admired Swift’s philanthropy and support for LGBTQ+ rights.
He also highlighted her continuing humanitarian legacy through the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. Taylor established the organization in 1991 to support people living with HIV. Its ongoing direct-care and advocacy work gives her commitment to compassion and social justice a lasting practical impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Christopher Edward Wilding?
Christopher Edward Wilding is 71 years old. He was born on February 27, 1955.
Who are Christopher Edward Wilding’s parents?
His parents were actress Elizabeth Taylor and British actor Michael Wilding, who married in 1952 and divorced in 1957.
Which movies has Christopher Edward Wilding worked on?
His credits include Overboard (1987), Tombstone (1993), and The Shadow (1994). He worked as an assistant editor on Overboard and an assistant sound editor on the other two films.
Who is Christopher Edward Wilding’s wife?
He is married to Margaret Carlton. His previous wife was Aileen Getty, whom he married in 1981.
How many children does Christopher Edward Wilding have?
He has three sons: Caleb and Andrew from his marriage to Aileen Getty, and Lowell from his marriage to Margaret Carlton.
Does Christopher Wilding share a birthday with Elizabeth Taylor?
Yes, both were born on February 27. Christopher was born in 1955, while Elizabeth Taylor was born in 1932.
Conclusion: Christopher Edward Wilding’s Own Place in Hollywood
Christopher Edward Wilding’s life connects a famous Hollywood family with his own career in photography, editing, and film sound. His production credits document his contributions to the work behind the camera.
Now retired, he also shares memories that help audiences understand Elizabeth Taylor as a mother and a person. His interviews highlight her independence and humanitarian commitment, adding a family perspective to the public record of her life.
