Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon
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Name:
Reese Witherspoon
Real name:
Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon
Who is:
,
Birth date:
(49 y.o.)
Place of birth:
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Height:
5'3 ft ()
Weight:
110 lb (50 kg)
Birth Sign:
(characteristic)
Chinese zodiac:

Photos: Reese Witherspoon

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Reese Witherspoon Biography

Reese Witherspoon – actress and TV host who burst into the glittering world of cinema and boldly stood alongside Hollywood's brightest stars thanks to her roles in "Cruel Intentions," "Pleasantville," "Just Like Heaven," and of course, the glamorous comedy "Legally Blonde." Her performance in "Walk the Line" earned the world's most prestigious film awards: an Oscar, Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Screen Actors Guild Award.
Pictured: Reese Witherspoon
Pictured: Reese Witherspoon
She's also a successful producer – her production company Pacific Standard created the series "Big Little Lies," after which Fortune magazine included Reese on its list of most influential businesswomen.

Childhood

The actress's full name is Laura Jean Reese Witherspoon. She was born on March 22, 1976, in New Orleans to John and Betty Witherspoon.
Reese Witherspoon as a child
Reese Witherspoon as a child
Her father was a military surgeon, and her mother was a nurse. In the fall of 1976, Mr. Witherspoon received a new assignment, and Betty followed him to Germany with their little daughter. When they returned, the family settled in Nashville, where the future actress spent her childhood.

As a very young child, Reese was lucky enough to appear in a flower shop commercial, after which she started attending a children's theater studio.
Reese Witherspoon in her youth
Reese Witherspoon in her youth
The girl was an excellent student and incredibly popular at school – her classmates looked up to her, and everyone wanted to be her friend. Despite this, Reese wasn't conceited or arrogant at all. She eagerly helped her friends with their studies and tried to be kind to everyone. Reese loved sports, did gymnastics, and was a cheerleader.
Another passion of hers was reading. After graduating high school, she easily got into Stanford University's English literature program. After a year, she realized she had to make a choice: stay at university and continue her studies, or follow her heart's calling. So Reese left prestigious Stanford and started fighting her way to the peaks of Hollywood's Olympus.

Acting Career

Her path to fame wasn't long or thorny like most movie stars endure. Reese didn't have to pound the pavement at agencies or endure countless auditions: her very first tryout, where she'd gone just to accompany a friend without any real hope, turned into that magical lucky break. Reese was in the right place at the right time and landed her first movie role.
Reese Witherspoon's path to fame was neither long nor thorny
Reese Witherspoon's path to fame was neither long nor thorny
"The Man in the Moon" – a film about first love and the obstacles young heroes must overcome on their path to happiness. Reese nailed her debut role and immediately got her next one. Between 1991 and 1998, the actress appeared in several films, each one adding another shiny new coin to the young star's treasure chest of acting successes.
Reese Witherspoon in The Man in the Moon
Reese Witherspoon in The Man in the Moon
"Jack the Bear," "Twilight," "Cruel Intentions" – the actress's early successes, winning in the Young Actor category, with Reese sharing the screen with Sam Waterston and Patricia Arquette, Susan Sarandon and Paul Newman.
Reese Witherspoon in Cruel Intentions
Reese Witherspoon in Cruel Intentions
Reese became popular right after her first screen appearance. The touching image of a fragile blonde girl – it was very American, and it matched society's new standards for looks and behavior. Wild beauties with seductive curves were a thing of the past; the times called for new heroines – good girls from wholesome families. But she had plenty of business savvy: back in 2000, 24-year-old Reese founded the production company Type A Films, which handled the promotion of "Legally Blonde" and its two sequels.

Her role in "Legally Blonde" (2001) became Reese Witherspoon's biggest acting triumph at that point. The film was a smash hit, and although Tori Spelling was originally considered for the role of Elle Woods, the filmmakers gave it to Reese at the last minute and never looked back. Interestingly, when signing her contract, Reese made it a condition that she'd keep all the outfits and accessories after filming wrapped.
Legally Blonde Official Trailer
The story about a blonde whose sharp mind and steel character hide behind a ditzy exterior brought the filmmakers around $150 million. The image of glamorous lawyer Elle Woods, so charmingly and ironically brought to life by Reese, struck such a chord with audiences that they decided to make a sequel. Filming on the second part wrapped in 2003, with Witherspoon herself serving as one of the producers.
Reese Witherspoon as glamorous lawyer Elle Woods
Reese Witherspoon as glamorous lawyer Elle Woods
The offers that followed her Elle Woods role came pouring down like a meteor shower, and despite enjoying comedy projects, Reese decided to try her hand at dramatic roles.

The biopic "Walk the Line" was released in 2005. The tragic story of legendary country singer Johnny Cash was destined for success – the duo of Reese and Joaquin Phoenix melted the hearts of even the most hostile critics.
Walk The Line Trailer
In the film, Reese had to do her own singing, taking lessons for six months to prepare, and her dramatic talent surprised many. Later, Reese would prove time and again that she could handle any role, and for playing June, the actress earned numerous awards and glowing reviews, including an Oscar and Golden Globe.
Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix
Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix
Reese's next creative triumph came with "Water for Elephants," where she starred alongside Christoph Waltz and Robert Pattinson. The petite actress with her gentle radiance seemed born to play circus performer Marlena. This touching love story with a happy ending set against the grim backdrop of the Great Depression didn't win awards from the film academy, but audiences fell in love with it.
Water for Elephants | Trailer
Over the next several years, the actress took on roles in "This Means War," "Mud," "Devil's Knot," and "The Good Lie." You won't find cookie-cutter roles in Reese's portfolio – she's long outgrown the ditzy blonde persona that critics predicted would be her lifelong typecast early in her career.
Reese Witherspoon on the set of This Means War
Reese Witherspoon on the set of This Means War
In 2012, Reese partnered with producer Bruna Papandrea's production company. They called the new venture Pacific Standard. Under this banner, they made "Wild" (2014) – a true story about a woman who embarks on a dangerous mountain journey hoping to numb her inner pain.
Wild Official Trailer
The decision to star in the drama "Wild" nearly drove her to a breakdown. The path that Cheryl had to overcome, Reese overcame too – she completely immersed herself in the role of a woman who'd lost everything. Playing this character, Reese walked the route, feeling every emotion alongside her character. Those 1,100 miles of someone else's life proved too heavy a burden for the actress, and she was forced to take time off after filming wrapped.
Reese Witherspoon in the drama Wild
Reese Witherspoon in the drama Wild
But Reese didn't stay away long – a year later she was back on screen, and once again in an unexpected role. The comedy "Hot Pursuit," where the actress played a police officer, was both positive and unpredictable, serving as a gift to both her fans and Witherspoon herself, who's often said she loves making comedies.

In 2016, Reese became the sole owner of her production company, dove into producing the family drama series "Big Little Lies" (where she also played one of the central roles), merged with Otter Media, and took the helm of media giant Hello Sunshine.
A shot from the TV series Big Little Lies
A shot from the TV series Big Little Lies
In 2018, the actress took on one of the leading roles in "A Wrinkle in Time," sharing the set with Zach Galifianakis and Chris Pine, and starred in "Home Again," where she was paired with the magnificent Michael Sheen. Summer 2018 saw the launch of her television project, a show where she invites famous women – actresses, writers, entrepreneurs, and women with extraordinary stories.
HOME AGAIN Official Trailer (2017) Reese Witherspoon
In 2019, after three seasons, Reese wrapped up her work on "Big Little Lies," where she starred alongside her friend Nicole Kidman. That same year saw the premiere of "The Morning Show," where Witherspoon appeared with Jennifer Aniston. The writers tackled the important and timely themes of harassment and female rivalry. "The Morning Show" was also produced by Hello Sunshine.

In 2020, Reese appeared in another TV project – the series "Little Fires Everywhere." It was also well-received by critics and audiences, earning a rating of over "7" on IMDB. The star was preparing for the third installment of the comedy "Legally Blonde," which was supposed to hit screens in 2020, but the premiere was postponed indefinitely.
Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston on the set of The Morning Show
Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston on the set of The Morning Show
In 2021, Reese Witherspoon sold her film company. The deal was worth nearly a billion dollars. Reese, who kept her seat on the board of directors, believes this will benefit the company's main mission – telling new, inspiring stories about women.

Reese Witherspoon's Personal Life

Reese first met her husband, actor Ryan Phillippe, during filming of "Cruel Intentions." The star couple stayed together for 10 years before splitting due to Ryan's drinking problem and his struggle with Reese's success overshadowing his own career setbacks. During their marriage, Reese had daughter Ava in 1999 and son Deacon in 2003.
Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe
Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe
Ava is studying at university in New York and wants to become a designer, while Deacon is still in school.
Reese Witherspoon and Jim Toth
Reese Witherspoon and Jim Toth
The actress's second husband was Jim Toth, a successful manager who owns his own talent agency in Hollywood. Reese and Jim dated for a year before marrying in 2011, and they welcomed son Tennessee in 2012.
Reese Witherspoon with her children
Reese Witherspoon with her children
In summer 2023, the couple divorced after 12 years of marriage, citing "irreconcilable differences." By August 2024, Reese was spotted on dates with Oliver Haarmann, an investor eight years her senior.
A man in a black shirt with a badge speaking on the phone against a backdrop of green trees, looking focused
Pictured: Oliver Haarmann
Source: Bloomberg

Reese Witherspoon Now

In 2024, Reese returned to romantic comedy, starring alongside Will Ferrell in Nicholas Stoller's "You're Cordially Invited."
Will Ferrell in a suit with a microphone holds hands with Reese Witherspoon in a black dress against the backdrop of a fireplace, festive table and balloons
Still from "You're Cordially Invited"
Source:
Besides the third "Legally Blonde" film, which is still in development, Reese has several other projects on her slate: "The Wish List" and "Tinker Bell." What stage of production these films are in remains unknown at this time.

Reese Witherspoon: latest news and articles

  • For which I respect Reese - that she found her place in the cinema and remains on it. Her roles of preoccupied mothers are beautiful, so she remains in them. Now she seems to even produce something, I respect it
    2021-05-05 16:50:01
  • She seems to have starred in a lot of places but I watched with her only «This means war» and then for the sake of Tom Hardy. But she`s not bad! Pretty and plays well.
    2021-04-22 11:35:09
  • I constantly confuse Reese with other actresses like the one who plays in She`s a Man. There are so many of them alike in Hollywood and they all acting in exactly the same type of films.
    2021-04-20 19:40:53
  • Legally Blonde is my childhood movie. This movie was constantly played on TV, so I had to watch it, so there wasn`t much to choose from haha. Therefore, I remember Reese well
    2021-03-17 11:16:44
  • Well, Just Like Heaven where she plays with Mark Ruffalo, of course the film out of competition. Excellent comedy with a piece of drama. Reese played her character perfectly.
    2021-02-22 20:50:54
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