This Texas-born actress had only a handful of roles under her belt when she won the part of a plucky single mom in the smash hit
Jerry Maguire in 1996. An overnight star, Zellweger found continued success with roles that showcased her acting range: a young writer nursing her ailing mom in
One True Thing, a fugitive in love with a mentally ill man in
Me, Myself & Irene, and a critically acclaimed turn as a woman who retreats into a fantasy world in
Nurse Betty. In 2003, Hollywood honored the versatile actress---who even gained weight for her role in the
Bridget Jones films---with an Oscar for her work in
Cold Mountain. Although the famously private Zellweger is something of a reluctant tabloid subject, she has also received media attention for her high-profile romances, including a brief 2005 marriage to country star Kenny Chesney.
Renée Zellweger Fast Facts:
- Competed in basketball and track and field and was on the cheerleading squad in high school.
- Has worked as a cocktail waitress and bartender's assistant.
- Signed up for her first drama class in college only because she needed the credit.
- Beat out Winona Ryder, Mira Sorvino, Bridget Fonda and Marisa Tomei for the role of Dorothy Boyd opposite Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire (1996).
- Renée Zellweger Relationships:
- Drew Zellweger - Brother
- Emil Zellweger - Father
- Jim Carrey - Ex-significant Other
- Kenny Chesney - Ex-husband
- Kjellfrid Zellweger - Mother
- Jack White - Ex-significant Other
- Bradley Cooper - Ex-significant Other
- Renée Zellweger Awards:
- 2001 Oscar: Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role - Nominee
- 2002 Oscar: Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role - Nominee
- 2003 Oscar: Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role - Winner
- 2005 People's Choice Awards: Favorite Leading Actress - Winner
- 2003 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role - Winner
- 2002 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture - Winner
- 2002 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role - Winner
- 2003 BAFTA Awards: Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Winner
- 2002 BAFTA Awards: Best Actress in a Leading Role - Nominee
- 2001 BAFTA Awards: Best Actress in a Leading Role - Nominee
- 2001 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role - Nominee
- 1996 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role - Nominee
- 2001 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy - Winner
- 2002 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy - Nominee
- 2003 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy - Winner
- 2005 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy - Nominee
- 2007 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy - Nominee
- 2004 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture - Winner
- College:
- University of Texas, Austin, TX (BA in English, 1992)