'Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon' (born
March 22,
1976), simply known as 'Reese Witherspoon', is an
Academy Award-winning
American actress.
Her first role was in the made for television movie ''Wildflower'' (1991), followed by several moderately successful family oriented comedies and dramas in the early to mid 1990s, and then the teenage thriller ''
Fear'' (1996), where she became something of a teen idol. Witherspoon emerged as a young woman in ''
Election'' (1999), as an obsessive, stressful, vindictive, and overachieving teenage girl determined to win everything she sets out to do. Witherspoon acquired her breakout role in ''
Legally Blonde'' (2001), 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'' (2005), a role that earned Witherspoon critical praise, media attention and an
Academy Award for Best Actress. More recently, Witherspoon starred in ''
Penelope'', alongside
Christina Ricci, set for an early 2008 release date.
Early life
Witherspoon was born in
New Orleans,
Louisiana[2] to John Witherspoon, a
Georgia-born lieutenant colonel in the
US Army reserves and later an
otorhinolaryngologist,
[3] and Betty (
née Reese), a nurse and college professor from
Harriman, Tennessee. Her birth name is Laura Jean Reese Witherspoon. Witherspoon is allegedly a direct descendant of
Scotland-born
John Witherspoon,
[4] [5] 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
Episcopalian religion.
[6] Because her father worked for the
US military in
Wiesbaden,
Germany, she lived there for four years as a small child. After returning to the
United States, Witherspoon, an
army brat, spent much of her childhood and adolescence in
Nashville, Tennessee, where, she says in ''
Interview'' 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. After graduating from the prestigious private all-girls'
Harpeth Hall School in Nashville, she attended
Stanford University as a literature major. After completing a year of her studies, she left Stanford to pursue her acting career.
Career
Early career (1991–2000)
Witherspoon's first role was in a
made-for-TV movie called ''Wildflower'', directed by
Diane Keaton and starring
Beau Bridges, William McNamara, and
Patricia Arquette. That same year, at age 15, Witherspoon attended an open casting call for ''
The Man in the Moon'', intending to audition as a bit player. She was instead cast in the lead role, immediately capturing the attention of critics. 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''. That same year, she portrayed the leading character "Nonnie Parker" in the
Disney/
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''. Consequently, Witherspoon won Best Actress at the Cognac Festival du Film Policier.
[7]
1998 was a successful year for Witherspoon as she made three films: ''
Twilight'', ''
Overnight Delivery'', and ''
Pleasantville''. In the thriller ''
Twilight'', Witherspoon played "Mel Ames," making her first and only nude appearance. Meanwhile, her role as "Jennifer" in ''Pleasantville'' garnered her the Young Hollywood Award for the "Best Female Breakthrough Performance."
[8]
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''. Although the film received good reviews (and her performance earned her a
Golden Globe nomination) 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.
[9]
In 2000, Witherspoon received a supporting role in ''
American Psycho''. In addition, she made a cameo appearance as "Angel Holly" in ''
Little Nicky''. 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". 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".
[10] 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
animated 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. The same year, Witherspoon starred as "Melanie Smooter/Carmichael" in ''
Sweet Home Alabama''.
In 2003, Witherspoon followed up the success of ''Legally Blonde'' by starring in its sequel ''
Legally Blonde 2'', where her character became an environmental lawyer. Reportedly, Witherspoon received a $15 million paycheck for the sequel, making her one of
Hollywood's highest paid actresses.
Witherspoon also starred as Becky Sharp in the 2004 film ''
Vanity Fair'', an adaptation of the classic novel by
William Makepeace Thackeray. In early 2005, Witherspoon acted as "Elizabeth Masterson" in the romantic comedy ''
Just Like Heaven''.
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, the
FFCC, the
SFFCC Award for Best Actress, the Screen Actor's Guild (
SAG) for best actress in a lead role, the British Academy's
BAFTA for best actress in a lead role, the "Favorite Leading Lady" at the 32nd Annual
People's Choice Awards, and the
Academy Award 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.
[11]
Witherspoon also runs a production company, Type A Productions. Some believe the company is named after her childhood nickname "Little Miss
Type A," 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."
[12]
Witherspoon's first post-Oscar role came in the modern-day fairy tale, "
Penelope", 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
[13].
Witherspoon was back in front of the cameras again in November 2006 as shooting began for the political thriller ''
Rendition'', in which Witherspoon stars as Isabella El-Ibrahim, alongside
Meryl Streep,
Alan Arkin,
Peter Sarsgaard, and
Jake Gyllenhaal. The film is set to be released on October 12, 2007. It will be Witherspoon's first appearance in theatres in two years, since the 2005 release of ''Walk the Line''.
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'', scripted by Michael Arndt,
[14] and is in talks to star in the holiday comedy ''
Four Christmases'' alongside
Vince Vaughn.
[15] 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.
[16]
Personal life
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 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!"
[17] The pair got engaged in December of 1998. Soon 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, and son Deacon Reese, born
October 23,
2003.
A self-identified
Southerner 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."
[18]
Paparazzi incident
In September 2005, Witherspoon and her children were celebrating daughter Ava's sixth birthday at
Disney's California Adventure theme park when they were approached by
paparazzi photographer Todd Wallace. After Witherspoon declined to pose for photos at close range, police say Wallace became enraged and pushed a child out of the way, while hitting another with his camera, in his efforts to photograph the actress.
[19][20]
Wallace also allegedly shoved two theme park employees when they attempted to restrain him, and cursed at Witherspoon, causing several children to cry. As a result of the altercation, Wallace was arrested and faced
misdemeanor charges. However, before the case went to trial, Wallace was found dead on
5 February 2006[21] in his apartment in
Brentwood. Police are investigating the cause of death, including the possibility he committed suicide so he would not face charges.
[22]
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."
[23]
On
June 21,
2006 Witherspoon sued the tabloid ''
Star'' for running a "fictional" story on a third pregnancy that claims she is hiding the news from producers of her upcoming films.
[24]On
October 30,
2006, Witherspoon and Phillippe announced that they decided to formally separate after seven years of marriage.
[25] On
November 8,
2006, Witherspoon filed for divorce, citing
irreconcilable differences. In her petition she sought joint legal
custody of their two children and sole physical custody, with visitation for Phillippe.
[26] 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.
[27]
Rumoured Relationship with Jake Gyllenhaal
In
November 2006, photographs of Witherspoon talking and laughing with co-star
Jake Gyllenhaal (an acquaintance and former jogging buddy of her husband Ryan Phillippe) on the set on their film ''
Rendition'' sparked rumors that the pair were dating.
[28] A flurry of sightings followed in winter and spring
2007, though paparazzi failed to capture a photograph of the elusive stars together. The supposed couple's elusiveness led to reports in
June 2007 that Witherspoon and Gyllenhaal had broken up.
[29] However, on
July 31,
2007, paparazzi photographs of Witherspoon and Gyllenhaal laughing in Witherspoon's car as they drove around
Los Angeles emerged and were interpreted by the media as confirmation that the actors are indeed a couple.
[30]
However, on
September 7, 2007 on
E!'s
Daily 10, Ben Lyons asked Witherspoon about
the rumors and she replied "don't believe everything you read", implying that the relationship is simply a rumour.
Filmography
References
1. Marriage certificate (#1999002007), name spelling = Jeanne
2. Interview with father, birthplace = New Orleans
3. http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800018812/bio
4. http://www.agirlsworld.com/rachel/hangin-with/reesewitherspoon_legally2.html
5. 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.
6. http://www.rd.com/content/openContent.do?contentId=18040&pageIndex=3
7. Reese Witherspoon - Awards
8. 1999 Young Hollywood Awards
9. 100 Greatest Movie Performances of All Time
10. Ebert, Roger.Reviews: Legally Blonde. ''The Sun Times''. 13 July 2001. Retrieved 23 February 2007.
11. Wilson, Luke. Reese Witherspoon. TIME Magazine. 30 April 2006. Retrieved 13 February 2007.
12. That's Reese: stepping into the ring of fire Ingrid Slschy
13. At IFC Films, "Penelope" Shift Points To A Change in Focus; Company Emphasizing First Take Slate Eugene Hernandez
14. Witherspoon to star in 'Midnight' Michael Fleming
15. Vaughn, Witherspoon set for comedy Dave McNary
16. Reese might find 'Family' Michael Fleming
17. The Nine About-to-Be Biggest Stars Suzan Colon
18. That's Reese: stepping into the ring of fire. December 2005. Retrieved 13 February 2007.
19. IMDb News:Reese Witherspoon in Paparazzi Attack
20. Witherspoon Photographer Found Dead WENN News
21. Paparazzo facing charges found dead
22. IMDb News:Body of Witherspoon Paparazzo Identified
23. Reese Witherspoon on the benefits of therapy
24. Reese Witherspoon sues Star magazine Reuters
25. Reese Witherspoon & Ryan Phillippe Split
26. Reese Witherspoon Files for Divorce AOL
27. Ryan Phillippe Seeks Joint Custody of Kids People
28. Reese Witherspoon & Jake Gyllenhaal Get Close People
29. Reese & Jake: Is This the End? US Weekly
30. First Pic: Reese and Jake as a Couple! US Weekly
External links
★
★
★
★
Reese Witherspoon at the
Notable Names Database
★
Witherspoon interview, 2005, IGN
★
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