Although she made her movie debut at 15, this Southern belle steered clear of typical teen roles and instead turned in complex performances in indie favorites such as
Freeway and
Election. But Witherspoon's success wasn't limited to just critical acclaim. A role in
Cruel Intentions (1999) alongside future husband Ryan Phillippe (whom she later divorced) made this serious actress something of a teen idol, while her charismatic turn as a Barbie doll with a brain in the 2001 comedy
Legally Blonde made her a megastar. Post-
Blonde, Witherspoon has tried her hand at producing and continues to land high-profile roles, including an Oscar-winning performance as Johnny Cash's wife in
Walk the Line (2005).
Reese Witherspoon Fast Facts:
- Descendant of John Witherspoon, one of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence.
- Began acting in commercials at age 7.
- Landed first movie role (and first on-screen kiss) in 1991's The Man in the Moon after auditioning in a 10-state talent search. Garnered critical acclaim in the film as a 14-year-old tomboy.
- Turned down roles in the slasher flicks Scream (1996) and Urban Legend (1998).
- Played sister to Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) in two episodes of Friends in 2000.
- Was the first to host Saturday Night Live following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
- When Witherspoon and her then-husband, Ryan Phillippe, were co-presenters at the 2002 Academy Awards, he gestured to the envelope and joked, "You open it. You make more money than I do."
- Named one of People magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People in 2002.
- Reese Witherspoon Relationships:
- Jake Gyllenhaal - Ex-significant Other
- Jim Toth - Husband
- Ava Elizabeth Phillippe - Daughter
- Betty Reese Witherspoon - Mother
- Deacon Reese Phillippe - Son
- John Draper Witherspoon - Brother
- John Witherspoon - Father
- Ryan Phillippe - Ex-husband
- Reese Witherspoon Awards:
- 2000 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy - Nominee
- 2002 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy - Nominee
- 2006 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy - Winner
- 2005 Oscar: Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role - Winner
- 2009 People's Choice Awards: Favorite Female Movie Star - Winner
- 2008 People's Choice Awards: Favorite Female Movie Star - Winner
- 2006 People's Choice Awards: Favorite Leading Actress - Winner
- 2006 CMT Music Awards: Collaborative Video of the Year - Nominee
- 2005 BAFTA Awards: Best Actress in a Leading Role - Winner
- 2005 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role - Winner
- College:
- Attended Stanford University, Stanford, CA