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{{Infobox actor| name = Reese Witherspoon| image = ReeseWitherspoon.jpg| caption = Reese Witherspoon at the premiere of
Flags of Our Fathers (film), October 2006| imagesize = 240px| birthdate = | location =
New Orleans, Louisiana Marriage certificate (#1999002007), name spelling = Jeanne (1999-2007; divorced)| children = Ava Phillippe (b.1999)
Deacon Phillippe (b.2003)| academyawards = [Academy Award for Best Actress2005
Walk the Line]
2006
Walk the Line]
2006
Walk the Line]
2005
Walk the Line-->
Reese Witherspoon (born
March 22, 1976) is an
Academy Award-winning United States film actress. She is ranked as Hollywood's highest paid actress.http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article2582742.ece
Witherspoon first role was in the movie
The Man in the Moon in 1991, followed by several moderately successful family oriented comedies and dramas in the early to mid 1990s, and then the teenage thriller
Fear (film), where she became a teen idol. Witherspoon emerged as a young woman in
Election (1999 film).Witherspoon acquired her breakout role in
Legally Blonde , as a fun-loving blonde, a role she reprised in a sequel. Witherspoon received worldwide attention for playing June Carter Cash in
Walk the Line , a role that earned Witherspoon critical praise, media attention and an
Academy Award for Best Actress. More recently, Witherspoon starred in
Penelope (2006 film), alongside Christina Ricci, set for an early 2008 release date.
Early life
Witherspoon was born as
Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon in New Orleans, Louisiana Interview with father, birthplace = New Orleans to John Witherspoon, a
Georgia (U.S. state)-born lieutenant colonel in the
United States Army Reserve and later an
otorhinolaryngologist,http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800018812/bio and Betty (married and maiden names Reese), a nurse and college professor from
Harriman, Tennessee. Witherspoon has said that she is a direct descendant of
Scotland-born John Witherspoon,http://www.agirlsworld.com/rachel/hangin-with/reesewitherspoon_legally2.html The Descendants of The Signers of the Declaration of Independence, Vol 3., however
does not support Reese's claim of direct descendency. The last known male Witherspoon is Henry Kollock Witherspoon, Jr. Sturges, Fiona. " Reese Witherspoon: Legally blonde. Physically flawed?",
The Independent,
August 7,
2004. Accessed September 22,
2007. "Laura Jean Reese Witherspoon is in fact a descendant of the Scottish Calvinist John Knox and John Witherspoon who left Scotland for America to become one of the signatories to the Declaration of Independence." who was a signatory of the
United States Declaration of Independence, the sixth president of Princeton University, and a Presbyterian minister. Witherspoon was raised in the
Episcopal Church in the United States of America religion.http://www.rd.com/content/openContent.do?contentId=18040&pageIndex=3 Because her father worked for the Military of the United States in
Wiesbaden,
Germany, she lived there for four years as a small child. After returning to the
United States, Witherspoon, an military brat, spent much of her childhood and adolescence in Nashville, Tennessee, where, she says in
Interview (magazine) magazine, "I grew up in an environment where women accomplished a lot. And if they weren't able to, it was because they were limited by society. I grew up with a grandma--my father's mother—who was incredibly intelligent but was limited by the bounds of society and propriety ... She was a voracious reader, and she encouraged me to read a lot as a child ..." a woman whose "depression" and "disconnect between her capabilities and her lack of fulfillment and achievement" continue to motivate Witherspoon in life. http://living.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1672122007http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1285/is_11_35/ai_n15950788 After graduating from the prestigious private all-girls' Harpeth Hall School in Nashville, she attended Stanford University in
California as an English literature major. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E01E0DA1F3FF930A2575AC0A96E958260 After completing a year of her studies, she left Stanford to pursue her acting career. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4581664.stm
Career
Early career (1991–2000)
Witherspoon's first role was in a made-for-TV movie called
Wildflower, directed by
Diane Keaton and starring Ben Gill,
Beau Bridges,
William McNamara, and
Patricia Arquette.http://news.independent.co.uk/people/profiles/article50596.ece At age 15, Witherspoon attended an open casting call for
The Man in the Moon, intending to audition as a bit player.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4581664.stm She was instead cast in the lead role, for which she was nominated for the
Young Artist Award Best Young Actress. She has since built up an impressive filmography, playing both comedic and dramatic roles. Following the success of
The Man in the Moon, Witherspoon acted in many both lead and supporting roles. In 1993, Witherspoon had a minor role in
Jack the Bear, which helped her win the
Young Artist Award "Best Youth Actress co-starring in Motion Picture Drama." That same year, she portrayed the leading character "Nonnie Parker" in the Walt Disney Pictures/Amblin film
A Far Off Place. The following year, Witherspoon acted in another leading role as "Wendy Pfister" in the 1994 film
S.F.W.. In 1996, Witherspoon starred alongside Kiefer Sutherland and
Brooke Shields as Vanessa Lutz in the thriller
Freeway (1996 film). Consequently, Witherspoon won Best Actress at the
Cognac Festival du Film Policier.
1998 was a successful year for Witherspoon as she made three films:
Twilight (1998 film),
Overnight Delivery, and
Pleasantville (film). In the thriller
Twilight (1998 film), Witherspoon, who played "Mel Ames," made her first and only on-screen nude appearance. Meanwhile, her role as "Jennifer" in
Pleasantville garnered her the Young Hollywood Award for the "Best Female Breakthrough Performance."
In 1999, Witherspoon's career continued as she starred as "Lissa" in the drama thriller
Best Laid Plans. Meanwhile, she also portrayed "Annette Hargrove" in
Cruel Intentions, where she acted alongside her future husband Ryan Phillippe and
Sarah Michelle Gellar. Also in 1999, Witherspoon portrayed Tracy Flick in
Election (1999 film), her first starring show. Although the film received good reviews (and her performance earned her a Golden Globe and an Independent Spirit Award nominations) Witherspoon noted in an interview that she struggled to find work after completing the film. When analyzing the reasons behind her difficulty to find work, Witherspoon commented: "I think because the character I played was so extreme and sort of shrewish - people thought that was who I was, rather than me going in and creating a part. I would audition for things, and I'd always be the second choice - studios never wanted to hire me, and I wasn't losing the parts to big box-office actresses but to ones who I guess people felt differently about." Her highly praised performance received a ranking in 2006, at #45 on the list of
100 Greatest Film Performances of All Time by
Premiere (magazine).
In 2000, Witherspoon received a supporting role in
American Psycho (film). In addition, she made a cameo appearance as "Angel Holly" in
Little Nicky (film). Witherspoon had small parts as Jill Green, Rachel Green's sister, in season six of "Friends", as well as Debbie Grunds in two episodes of
King of the Hill.
Breakthrough (2001–2005)
After struggling to find work for a period of time, in 2001 Witherspoon starred as "Elle Woods", a fashion merchandising major who decided to become a law student to follow her ex-boyfriend to Harvard, in the film
Legally Blonde, resulting in her breakthrough as a leading actress. Critics began referring to Witherspoon as "the new
Meg Ryan".http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2003-02-06/movie_videodvd.php
NOW (magazine) The box-office hit helped Witherspoon achieve fame. Meanwhile, critical reviews were generally positive, with Roger Ebert commenting that "Witherspoon effortlessly animated this material with sunshine and quick wit".Ebert, Roger. Reviews: Legally Blonde.
The Sun Times.
13 July 2001. Retrieved
23 February 2007. As a result, Witherspoon garnered her second
Golden Globe Best Actress nomination for her role.
Following the success of
Legally Blonde, Witherspoon starred in a number of different roles. In 2002, Witherspoon was the voice of the
animation character Greta Wolfcastle in
The Simpsons episode
The Bart Wants What It Wants. Additionally, Witherspoon portrayed "Cecily" in the comedy
The Importance of Being Earnest. Witherspoon received a Teen Choice Award nomination as a result of her role. http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/06-03-2002/0001739538&EDATE=The same year, Witherspoon starred as "Melanie Smooter/Carmichael" in
Sweet Home Alabama (film).
In 2003, Witherspoon followed up the success of
Legally Blonde by starring in its sequel
Legally Blonde 2, in which her character became a Harvard-educated lawyer. Reportedly, Witherspoon received a $15 million paycheck for the sequel, http://www.usatoday.com/life/2002-09-18-reese-witherspoon_x.htm making her one of Hollywood's highest paid actresses.http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2005%5C12%5C02%5Cstory_2-12-2005_pg9_1
Witherspoon also starred as Becky Sharp in the 2004 film
Vanity Fair (2004 film), an adaptation of the classic novel
Vanity Fair by
William Makepeace Thackeray. In early 2005, Witherspoon acted as "Elizabeth Masterson" in the romantic comedy
Just like Heaven (film).http://www.rte.ie/arts/2005/1229/justlikeheaven.html
Life with Oscar (2005–present)
In 2005, Witherspoon garnered much critical praise and awards for her turn as
June Carter Cash in
Walk the Line. Carter Cash, who died in 2003, had personally approved of Witherspoon to play her in the 2005 biopic. However, Witherspoon never had the chance to meet Carter Cash, as Witherspoon was filming
Vanity Fair when Carter Cash died. For this role, Witherspoon won several critical awards across the globe, including the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, NYFCC Award for Best Actress, the FFCC Award for Best Actress, the
SFFCC Award for Best Actress, the Screen Actor's Guild (
SAG) for best actress in a lead role, the British Academy's British Academy of Film and Television Arts for best actress in a lead role, the "Favorite Leading Lady" at the 32nd Annual People's Choice Awards, the National Society of Film Critics Awards 2005, and the
Academy Awards for Best Actress.
Recently, Witherspoon has been featured as one of
Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People. Her article was written by friend and fellow co-star in the
Legally Blonde movies, Luke Wilson.Wilson, Luke. Reese Witherspoon. TIME Magazine. 30 April 2006. Retrieved 13 February 2007.
at the 2005 Toronto Film Festival in
Toronto, Ontario, photo by Tony ShekWitherspoon also runs a production company, Type A Productions. Some believe the company is named after her childhood nickname "Little Miss Type A personality," but she clarified the misconception in
Interview: "People think I named it after myself ... But it just isn't who I am at all. It was actually an in-joke with my family because at 7 I understood complicated medical terms, such as the difference between type A and type B personalities. But I just wished I'd named the company Dogfood Films or Fork or something. You carry that baggage all your life."
Witherspoon has commented on her motivation to act. "Sometimes I think it's about acknowledgement. I always felt like people didn't understand me what I was capable of or what I could accomplish. I was driven to make people understand that I was capable of more ... But for me part of the experience of acting is that it is really moving--it's almost meditative, going into a different character. You lose all self-consciousness and self-awareness for that brief moment. It's really magical. Of course, it can also be drudgery if you can't connect with the material or director."
Witherspoon's first post-Oscar role came in the modern-day fairy tale, "
Penelope (2006 film)", in which Witherspoon plays the supporting role of Annie, the eccentric best friend of
Christina Ricci's pig-nosed character. Filming on Penelope began in March 2006, almost immediately after Witherspoon won her Academy Award, and the film premiered at the 2006
Toronto Film Festival. However, the film, which Witherspoon's Type A Films produced, has suffered two release delays and is now set for a February 2008 release.
Witherspoon was back in front of the cameras again in November 2006 as shooting began for the political thriller
Rendition (film), in which she stars as Isabella El-Ibrahim, alongside Meryl Streep, Alan Arkin,
Peter Sarsgaard, and
Jake Gyllenhaal. The film was releasd on
October 12, 2007. It is Witherspoon's first appearance in theatres in two years, since the 2005 release of
Walk the Line.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/16/AR2007101601378.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/entertainmentnews
In
2007, Reese Witherspoon made her first move into the world of endorsements as she signed a multiyear agreement to serve as Avon Products Global Ambassador. She will be involved in product development, appear in advertisements, and will serve as the honorary chairwoman of the Avon Foundation. She is also set to star in a Universal Pictures remake of the 1939 comedy
Midnight (1939 film), scripted by
Michael Arndt, and is in talks to star in the holiday comedy
Four Christmases alongside Vince Vaughn. 2009 may also see Witherspoon take on the horror genre for the first time, as the star of
Our Family Troubles, which she and partner Jennifer Simpson will produce under the Type A banner.
Personal life
at the 2005 Toronto Film Festival.
Witherspoon met American actor
Ryan Phillippe at her 21st birthday party in March 1997, where, as she says, "I don't know what came over me – maybe the seven Midori liqueur sours – but I told him, 'I think you're my birthday present.' He thought it was so flattering, and now that I think about it... how embarrassing!"http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=379136&in_page_id=1773&in_page_id=1773&expand=truehttp://www.nypost.com/seven/10312006/news/nationalnews/split_end_for_a_legal_blonde_nationalnews_leela_de_kretser.htmThe pair got engaged in December of 1998.http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-10-30-witherspoon_x.htmSoon after, the couple starred together in the box office hit
Cruel Intentions. They were married on a plantation in
Charleston, South Carolina, on June 5,
1999. They have two children: daughter Ava Elizabeth, born
September 9,
1999,http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/449118.stm and son Deacon, born
October 23,
2003. http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/Movies/10/29/ple.witherspoon.reut/
A self-identified Southern United States who has credited her family with fomenting her imagination and love for storytelling and privacy, she has said that her parental philosophy has roots in her upbringing. "We weren't the kind of children that were shadowed. We didn't have nannies. We didn't have housekeepers. This whole L.A. culture is so foreign to me, because when I was growing up you wouldn't watch your children every moment. I'm always confused when people bring their children over and then want to sit with them while they play. I think part of the joy of being a child is privacy. Your fantasies and dreams are so important to you at that moment." That's Reese: stepping into the ring of fire. December
2005. Retrieved 13 February 2007.
Paparazzi incident
In September 2005, Witherspoon and her children were celebrating her daughter Ava's sixth birthday at
Disney's California Adventure theme park in Anaheim when they were approached by paparazzi photographer Todd Wallace,who had previously been sentenced to four years in prison due to burglary. When Witherspoon declined to pose for photos at close range, Wallace became enraged and pushed a child out of the way, while hitting another with his camera, in his efforts to photograph the actress.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4538460.stmhttp://www.iht.com/articles/2005/10/11/features/peepwed.php Wallace also allegedly shoved two theme park employees when they attempted to move Witherspoon to a safer area, and cursed at Witherspoon, causing several children to cry, which led to the security calling the police. http://news.softpedia.com/news/Reese-Witherspoon-Attacked-Again-By-Paparazzi-7830.shtml Witherspoon's children were fortunately not harmed.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4323816.stm As a result of the altercation, Wallace was arrested and faced
misdemeanor assault and battery charges. http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20051008/witherspoon_photog_051008/20051009?hub=Entertainment He was then ordered by the court to stay 300 yards away from Witherspoon. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/4337262.stm However, before the case went to trial, Wallace was found dead on February 5 2006 in his apartment in
Brentwood, Los Angeles, California,
California http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4746196.stmhttp://news.softpedia.com/news/Reese-Witherspoon-s-abusive-photographer-found-dead-17615.shtml
Divorce proceedings
On
November 10, 2005 Witherspoon responded to critical news reports of receiving marriage counseling. "In what capacity is working on yourself or your marriage a bad thing? What marriage isn't a journey? ... Nobody's perfect ... We all have our own set of problems," she said on
The Oprah Winfrey Show. The next month, she said separately, "We are all on the edge, emotionally or psychologically."
On June 21,
2006 Witherspoon sued the tabloid
Star Magazine for running a "fictional" story on a fourtieth pregnancy that claims she is hiding the news from producers of her upcoming films.On
October 30,
2006, Witherspoon and Phillippe announced that they decided to formally separate after seven years of marriage. On
November 8,
2006, Witherspoon filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. In her petition she sought joint legal Child custody of their two children and sole physical custody, with visitation for Phillippe. Although the couple have no pre-nuptial agreement and Phillippe is entitled to half of Witherspoon's assets by
California law, she requested that the court not grant
spousal support for Phillippe. On May 15, 2007, Phillippe filed for joint physical custody of the couple's children. He did not ask for spousal support, and did not make any move to block Witherspoon from seeking support from him.
Filmography
{| class="wikitable"|-! Year !! Title !! Role !! Other notes|-|rowspan="2"| 1991 in film ||
The Man in the Moon (film) || Danielle 'Dani' Trant ||
Young Artist Award Nominee (Best Young Actress)] || Ellie Perkins |||-| 1992 in film ||
Desperate Choices: To Save My Child ] ||
A Far Off Place ] || Karen Morris ||
Young Artist Award Winner (Best Youth Actress Co-star)] ||
S.F.W. ] ||
Freeway (1996 film) || Vanessa Lutz || Best Actress,
Cognac Festival du Film Policier || Nicole Walker |||-|rowspan="3"| [1998 in film ||
Twilight (1998 film) || Mel Ames|||-|
Overnight Delivery ] || Jennifer ||
Young Hollywood Award Winner (Breakthrough Performance - Female)] ||
Cruel Intentions ] || Tracy Flick || Golden Globe Nominee (Actress)
National Society of Film Critics Awards 2005 Winner (Best Actress)
Independent Spirit Award Nominee (Best Actress)] || Lissa |||-|rowspan="2"|
2000 in film ||
Little Nicky (film) || Holly |||-|
American Psycho (film) || Evelyn Williams |||-|rowspan="2"| 2001 in film ||
The Trumpet of the Swan (film) || Serena (voice)|||-|
Legally Blonde ] || Golden Globe Nominee (Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy)
MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance Winner
] ||
The Importance of Being Earnest (2002 film) || Cecily ||
Teen Choice Awards Nominee (Choice Actress Comedy)] || Melanie Smooter/Carmichael |||-| 2003 in film ||
Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde ] ||
Vanity Fair (2004 film) || Becky Sharp |||-|rowspan="2"|
2005 in film ||
Walk the Line IMDb Awards listing ] ||
BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role Academy Award for Best Actress
Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
BFCA Critics' Choice Award for Best ActressNational Society of Film Critics Awards 2005
Teen Choice Awards for Choice Actress Drama/Action Adventure
People's Choice Award for Favorite Leading Lady
Critics' Choice Award for Best Actress] || Elizabeth Masterson |||-|
2006 in film ||
Penelope (2006 film) || Annie|-| 2007 in film ||
Rendition (film) || Isabella El-Ibrahim |||-| 2008 in film ||
Four Christmases ]| years=2005
for Walk the Line ]
for
Million Dollar Baby]
for
The Queen (film)-->{{succession box| title=BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role | before=[Imelda Staunton
for
Vera Drake]
for
The Queen (film)-->{{succession box| title=Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture | before=[Hilary Swank
for
Million Dollar Baby]
for
The Queen (film)-->{{succession box| title=
Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy | before=[Annette Beningfor
Being Julia]
for
The Devil Wears Prada (film)-->{{succession box| title =
Austin Film Critics Association Awards 2005| years =
for Walk the Line 2005]
for
Hard Candy (film)-->{{succession box| title = NYFCC Award for Best Actress | before= [Imelda Staunton
for
Vera Drake
for [The Queen (film)
-->
References
External links
{{Infobox actor| name = Reese Witherspoon| image = ReeseWitherspoon.jpg| caption = Reese Witherspoon at the premiere of
Flags of Our Fathers (film), October 2006| imagesize = 240px| birthdate = | location = New Orleans, Louisiana Marriage certificate (#1999002007), name spelling = Jeanne (1999-2007; divorced)| children = Ava Phillippe (b.1999)
Deacon Phillippe (b.2003)| academyawards =
[Academy Award for Best Actress2005
Walk the Line]
2006
Walk the Line]
2006
Walk the Line]
2005
Walk the Line-->
Reese Witherspoon (born March 22,
1976) is an
Academy Award-winning
United States film actress. She is ranked as Hollywood's highest paid actress.http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/article2582742.ece
Witherspoon first role was in the movie
The Man in the Moon in 1991, followed by several moderately successful family oriented comedies and dramas in the early to mid 1990s, and then the teenage thriller
Fear (film), where she became a teen idol. Witherspoon emerged as a young woman in
Election (1999 film).Witherspoon acquired her breakout role in
Legally Blonde , as a fun-loving blonde, a role she reprised in a sequel. Witherspoon received worldwide attention for playing
June Carter Cash in
Walk the Line , a role that earned Witherspoon critical praise, media attention and an Academy Award for Best Actress. More recently, Witherspoon starred in
Penelope (2006 film), alongside Christina Ricci, set for an early 2008 release date.
Early life
Witherspoon was born as
Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon in
New Orleans, Louisiana Interview with father, birthplace = New Orleans to John Witherspoon, a
Georgia (U.S. state)-born lieutenant colonel in the
United States Army Reserve and later an
otorhinolaryngologist,http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800018812/bio and Betty (married and maiden names Reese), a nurse and college professor from Harriman, Tennessee. Witherspoon has said that she is a direct descendant of
Scotland-born John Witherspoon,http://www.agirlsworld.com/rachel/hangin-with/reesewitherspoon_legally2.html The Descendants of The Signers of the Declaration of Independence, Vol 3., however
does not support Reese's claim of direct descendency. The last known male Witherspoon is Henry Kollock Witherspoon, Jr. Sturges, Fiona. " Reese Witherspoon: Legally blonde. Physically flawed?",
The Independent, August 7,
2004. Accessed September 22,
2007. "Laura Jean Reese Witherspoon is in fact a descendant of the Scottish Calvinist John Knox and John Witherspoon who left Scotland for America to become one of the signatories to the Declaration of Independence." who was a signatory of the United States Declaration of Independence, the sixth president of
Princeton University, and a Presbyterian minister. Witherspoon was raised in the Episcopal Church in the United States of America religion.http://www.rd.com/content/openContent.do?contentId=18040&pageIndex=3 Because her father worked for the Military of the United States in Wiesbaden, Germany, she lived there for four years as a small child. After returning to the
United States, Witherspoon, an military brat, spent much of her childhood and adolescence in Nashville, Tennessee, where, she says in
Interview (magazine) magazine, "I grew up in an environment where women accomplished a lot. And if they weren't able to, it was because they were limited by society. I grew up with a grandma--my father's mother—who was incredibly intelligent but was limited by the bounds of society and propriety ... She was a voracious reader, and she encouraged me to read a lot as a child ..." a woman whose "depression" and "disconnect between her capabilities and her lack of fulfillment and achievement" continue to motivate Witherspoon in life. http://living.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1672122007http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1285/is_11_35/ai_n15950788 After graduating from the prestigious private all-girls'
Harpeth Hall School in Nashville, she attended Stanford University in California as an English literature major. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E01E0DA1F3FF930A2575AC0A96E958260 After completing a year of her studies, she left Stanford to pursue her acting career. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4581664.stm
Career
Early career (1991–2000)
Witherspoon's first role was in a
made-for-TV movie called
Wildflower, directed by
Diane Keaton and starring Ben Gill,
Beau Bridges,
William McNamara, and
Patricia Arquette.http://news.independent.co.uk/people/profiles/article50596.ece At age 15, Witherspoon attended an open casting call for
The Man in the Moon, intending to audition as a bit player.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4581664.stm She was instead cast in the lead role, for which she was nominated for the Young Artist Award Best Young Actress. She has since built up an impressive filmography, playing both comedic and dramatic roles. Following the success of
The Man in the Moon, Witherspoon acted in many both lead and supporting roles. In 1993, Witherspoon had a minor role in
Jack the Bear, which helped her win the
Young Artist Award "Best Youth Actress co-starring in Motion Picture Drama." That same year, she portrayed the leading character "Nonnie Parker" in the Walt Disney Pictures/
Amblin film
A Far Off Place. The following year, Witherspoon acted in another leading role as "Wendy Pfister" in the 1994 film
S.F.W.. In 1996, Witherspoon starred alongside Kiefer Sutherland and
Brooke Shields as Vanessa Lutz in the thriller
Freeway (1996 film). Consequently, Witherspoon won Best Actress at the Cognac Festival du Film Policier.
1998 was a successful year for Witherspoon as she made three films:
Twilight (1998 film),
Overnight Delivery, and
Pleasantville (film). In the thriller
Twilight (1998 film), Witherspoon, who played "Mel Ames," made her first and only on-screen nude appearance. Meanwhile, her role as "Jennifer" in
Pleasantville garnered her the Young Hollywood Award for the "Best Female Breakthrough Performance."
In 1999, Witherspoon's career continued as she starred as "Lissa" in the drama thriller
Best Laid Plans. Meanwhile, she also portrayed "Annette Hargrove" in
Cruel Intentions, where she acted alongside her future husband
Ryan Phillippe and Sarah Michelle Gellar. Also in 1999, Witherspoon portrayed Tracy Flick in
Election (1999 film), her first starring show. Although the film received good reviews (and her performance earned her a
Golden Globe and an Independent Spirit Award nominations) Witherspoon noted in an interview that she struggled to find work after completing the film. When analyzing the reasons behind her difficulty to find work, Witherspoon commented: "I think because the character I played was so extreme and sort of shrewish - people thought that was who I was, rather than me going in and creating a part. I would audition for things, and I'd always be the second choice - studios never wanted to hire me, and I wasn't losing the parts to big box-office actresses but to ones who I guess people felt differently about." Her highly praised performance received a ranking in 2006, at #45 on the list of
100 Greatest Film Performances of All Time by
Premiere (magazine).
In 2000, Witherspoon received a supporting role in
American Psycho (film). In addition, she made a cameo appearance as "Angel Holly" in
Little Nicky (film). Witherspoon had small parts as Jill Green, Rachel Green's sister, in season six of "Friends", as well as Debbie Grunds in two episodes of
King of the Hill.
Breakthrough (2001–2005)
After struggling to find work for a period of time, in 2001 Witherspoon starred as "Elle Woods", a fashion merchandising major who decided to become a law student to follow her ex-boyfriend to Harvard, in the film
Legally Blonde, resulting in her breakthrough as a leading actress. Critics began referring to Witherspoon as "the new
Meg Ryan".http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2003-02-06/movie_videodvd.php NOW (magazine) The box-office hit helped Witherspoon achieve fame. Meanwhile, critical reviews were generally positive, with Roger Ebert commenting that "Witherspoon effortlessly animated this material with sunshine and quick wit".Ebert, Roger. Reviews: Legally Blonde.
The Sun Times.
13 July 2001. Retrieved
23 February 2007. As a result, Witherspoon garnered her second Golden Globe Best Actress nomination for her role.
Following the success of
Legally Blonde, Witherspoon starred in a number of different roles. In 2002, Witherspoon was the voice of the
animation character Greta Wolfcastle in
The Simpsons episode
The Bart Wants What It Wants. Additionally, Witherspoon portrayed "Cecily" in the comedy
The Importance of Being Earnest. Witherspoon received a
Teen Choice Award nomination as a result of her role. http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/06-03-2002/0001739538&EDATE=The same year, Witherspoon starred as "Melanie Smooter/Carmichael" in
Sweet Home Alabama (film).
In 2003, Witherspoon followed up the success of
Legally Blonde by starring in its sequel
Legally Blonde 2, in which her character became a Harvard-educated lawyer. Reportedly, Witherspoon received a $15 million paycheck for the sequel, http://www.usatoday.com/life/2002-09-18-reese-witherspoon_x.htm making her one of
Hollywood's highest paid actresses.http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2005%5C12%5C02%5Cstory_2-12-2005_pg9_1
Witherspoon also starred as Becky Sharp in the 2004 film
Vanity Fair (2004 film), an adaptation of the classic novel
Vanity Fair by
William Makepeace Thackeray. In early 2005, Witherspoon acted as "Elizabeth Masterson" in the romantic comedy
Just like Heaven (film).http://www.rte.ie/arts/2005/1229/justlikeheaven.html
Life with Oscar (2005–present)
In 2005, Witherspoon garnered much critical praise and awards for her turn as
June Carter Cash in
Walk the Line. Carter Cash, who died in 2003, had personally approved of Witherspoon to play her in the 2005 biopic. However, Witherspoon never had the chance to meet Carter Cash, as Witherspoon was filming
Vanity Fair when Carter Cash died. For this role, Witherspoon won several critical awards across the globe, including the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, NYFCC Award for Best Actress, the FFCC Award for Best Actress, the SFFCC Award for Best Actress, the Screen Actor's Guild (
SAG) for best actress in a lead role, the British Academy's
British Academy of Film and Television Arts for best actress in a lead role, the "Favorite Leading Lady" at the 32nd Annual
People's Choice Awards, the National Society of Film Critics Awards 2005, and the Academy Awards for Best Actress.
Recently, Witherspoon has been featured as one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People. Her article was written by friend and fellow co-star in the
Legally Blonde movies, Luke Wilson.Wilson, Luke. Reese Witherspoon. TIME Magazine. 30 April
2006. Retrieved 13 February 2007.
at the 2005 Toronto Film Festival in Toronto, Ontario, photo by Tony ShekWitherspoon also runs a production company, Type A Productions. Some believe the company is named after her childhood nickname "Little Miss
Type A personality," but she clarified the misconception in
Interview: "People think I named it after myself ... But it just isn't who I am at all. It was actually an in-joke with my family because at 7 I understood complicated medical terms, such as the difference between type A and type B personalities. But I just wished I'd named the company Dogfood Films or Fork or something. You carry that baggage all your life."
Witherspoon has commented on her motivation to act. "Sometimes I think it's about acknowledgement. I always felt like people didn't understand me what I was capable of or what I could accomplish. I was driven to make people understand that I was capable of more ... But for me part of the experience of acting is that it is really moving--it's almost meditative, going into a different character. You lose all self-consciousness and self-awareness for that brief moment. It's really magical. Of course, it can also be drudgery if you can't connect with the material or director."
Witherspoon's first post-Oscar role came in the modern-day fairy tale, "
Penelope (2006 film)", in which Witherspoon plays the supporting role of Annie, the eccentric best friend of
Christina Ricci's pig-nosed character. Filming on Penelope began in March 2006, almost immediately after Witherspoon won her Academy Award, and the film premiered at the 2006 Toronto Film Festival. However, the film, which Witherspoon's Type A Films produced, has suffered two release delays and is now set for a February 2008 release.
Witherspoon was back in front of the cameras again in November 2006 as shooting began for the political thriller
Rendition (film), in which she stars as Isabella El-Ibrahim, alongside
Meryl Streep,
Alan Arkin,
Peter Sarsgaard, and
Jake Gyllenhaal. The film was releasd on
October 12,
2007. It is Witherspoon's first appearance in theatres in two years, since the 2005 release of
Walk the Line.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/16/AR2007101601378.html?nav=rss_artsandliving/entertainmentnews
In 2007, Reese Witherspoon made her first move into the world of endorsements as she signed a multiyear agreement to serve as
Avon Products Global Ambassador. She will be involved in product development, appear in advertisements, and will serve as the honorary chairwoman of the Avon Foundation. She is also set to star in a Universal Pictures remake of the 1939 comedy
Midnight (1939 film), scripted by Michael Arndt, and is in talks to star in the holiday comedy
Four Christmases alongside
Vince Vaughn.
2009 may also see Witherspoon take on the horror genre for the first time, as the star of
Our Family Troubles, which she and partner Jennifer Simpson will produce under the Type A banner.
Personal life
at the 2005
Toronto Film Festival.
Witherspoon met American actor Ryan Phillippe at her 21st birthday party in March 1997, where, as she says, "I don't know what came over me – maybe the seven
Midori liqueur sours – but I told him, 'I think you're my birthday present.' He thought it was so flattering, and now that I think about it... how embarrassing!"http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=379136&in_page_id=1773&in_page_id=1773&expand=truehttp://www.nypost.com/seven/10312006/news/nationalnews/split_end_for_a_legal_blonde_nationalnews_leela_de_kretser.htmThe pair got engaged in December of 1998.http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-10-30-witherspoon_x.htmSoon after, the couple starred together in the box office hit
Cruel Intentions. They were married on a plantation in Charleston, South Carolina, on
June 5, 1999. They have two children: daughter Ava Elizabeth, born
September 9,
1999,http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/449118.stm and son Deacon, born
October 23,
2003. http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/Movies/10/29/ple.witherspoon.reut/
A self-identified Southern United States who has credited her family with fomenting her imagination and love for storytelling and privacy, she has said that her parental philosophy has roots in her upbringing. "We weren't the kind of children that were shadowed. We didn't have nannies. We didn't have housekeepers. This whole L.A. culture is so foreign to me, because when I was growing up you wouldn't watch your children every moment. I'm always confused when people bring their children over and then want to sit with them while they play. I think part of the joy of being a child is privacy. Your fantasies and dreams are so important to you at that moment." That's Reese: stepping into the ring of fire. December
2005. Retrieved
13 February 2007.
Paparazzi incident
In September 2005, Witherspoon and her children were celebrating her daughter Ava's sixth birthday at Disney's California Adventure theme park in
Anaheim when they were approached by
paparazzi photographer Todd Wallace,who had previously been sentenced to four years in prison due to burglary. When Witherspoon declined to pose for photos at close range, Wallace became enraged and pushed a child out of the way, while hitting another with his camera, in his efforts to photograph the actress.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4538460.stmhttp://www.iht.com/articles/2005/10/11/features/peepwed.php Wallace also allegedly shoved two theme park employees when they attempted to move Witherspoon to a safer area, and cursed at Witherspoon, causing several children to cry, which led to the security calling the police. http://news.softpedia.com/news/Reese-Witherspoon-Attacked-Again-By-Paparazzi-7830.shtml Witherspoon's children were fortunately not harmed.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4323816.stm As a result of the altercation, Wallace was arrested and faced misdemeanor assault and battery charges. http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20051008/witherspoon_photog_051008/20051009?hub=Entertainment He was then ordered by the court to stay 300 yards away from Witherspoon. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/4337262.stm However, before the case went to trial, Wallace was found dead on February 5 2006 in his apartment in
Brentwood, Los Angeles, California, California http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4746196.stmhttp://news.softpedia.com/news/Reese-Witherspoon-s-abusive-photographer-found-dead-17615.shtml
Divorce proceedings
On
November 10,
2005 Witherspoon responded to critical news reports of receiving marriage counseling. "In what capacity is working on yourself or your marriage a bad thing? What marriage isn't a journey? ... Nobody's perfect ... We all have our own set of problems," she said on
The Oprah Winfrey Show. The next month, she said separately, "We are all on the edge, emotionally or psychologically."
On June 21, 2006 Witherspoon sued the tabloid
Star Magazine for running a "fictional" story on a fourtieth pregnancy that claims she is hiding the news from producers of her upcoming films.On October 30,
2006, Witherspoon and Phillippe announced that they decided to formally separate after seven years of marriage. On November 8, 2006, Witherspoon filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. In her petition she sought joint legal
Child custody of their two children and sole physical custody, with visitation for Phillippe. Although the couple have no pre-nuptial agreement and Phillippe is entitled to half of Witherspoon's assets by California
law, she requested that the court not grant spousal support for Phillippe. On May 15, 2007, Phillippe filed for joint physical custody of the couple's children. He did not ask for spousal support, and did not make any move to block Witherspoon from seeking support from him.
Filmography
{| class="wikitable"|-! Year !! Title !! Role !! Other notes|-|rowspan="2"|
1991 in film ||
The Man in the Moon (film) || Danielle 'Dani' Trant ||
Young Artist Award Nominee (Best Young Actress)] || Ellie Perkins |||-| 1992 in film ||
Desperate Choices: To Save My Child ] ||
A Far Off Place ] || Karen Morris ||
Young Artist Award Winner (Best Youth Actress Co-star)] ||
S.F.W. ] ||
Freeway (1996 film) || Vanessa Lutz || Best Actress, Cognac Festival du Film Policier || Nicole Walker |||-|rowspan="3"| [1998 in film ||
Twilight (1998 film) || Mel Ames|||-|
Overnight Delivery ] || Jennifer ||
Young Hollywood Award Winner (Breakthrough Performance - Female)] ||
Cruel Intentions ] || Tracy Flick || Golden Globe Nominee (Actress)
National Society of Film Critics Awards 2005 Winner (Best Actress)
Independent Spirit Award Nominee (Best Actress)] || Lissa |||-|rowspan="2"|
2000 in film ||
Little Nicky (film) || Holly |||-|
American Psycho (film) || Evelyn Williams |||-|rowspan="2"|
2001 in film ||
The Trumpet of the Swan (film) || Serena (voice)|||-|
Legally Blonde ] || Golden Globe Nominee (Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy)
MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance Winner
] ||
The Importance of Being Earnest (2002 film) || Cecily ||
Teen Choice Awards Nominee (Choice Actress Comedy)] || Melanie Smooter/Carmichael |||-|
2003 in film ||
Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde ] ||
Vanity Fair (2004 film) || Becky Sharp |||-|rowspan="2"|
2005 in film ||
Walk the Line IMDb Awards listing ] ||
BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role Academy Award for Best Actress
Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy BFCA Critics' Choice Award for Best ActressNational Society of Film Critics Awards 2005 Teen Choice Awards for Choice Actress Drama/Action Adventure
People's Choice Award for Favorite Leading Lady
Critics' Choice Award for Best Actress] || Elizabeth Masterson |||-|
2006 in film ||
Penelope (2006 film) || Annie|-| 2007 in film ||
Rendition (film) || Isabella El-Ibrahim |||-| 2008 in film ||
Four Christmases ]| years=2005
for Walk the Line ]
for
Million Dollar Baby]
for
The Queen (film)-->{{succession box| title=
BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role | before=[Imelda Stauntonfor
Vera Drake]
for
The Queen (film)-->{{succession box| title=Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture | before=[Hilary Swank
for
Million Dollar Baby]
for
The Queen (film)-->{{succession box| title=Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy | before=[Annette Bening
for
Being Julia]
for
The Devil Wears Prada (film)-->{{succession box| title = Austin Film Critics Association Awards 2005| years =
for Walk the Line 2005]
for
Hard Candy (film)-->{{succession box| title = NYFCC Award for Best Actress | before= [Imelda Staunton
for
Vera Drake
for [The Queen (film)
-->
References
External links
