Renee Zellweger bio, age, height, dating history, children, awards, now 2025

Renee Zellweger Biography

Renee Zellweger shot to stardom with her breakout role in the sports drama "Jerry Maguire" in 1996. She gained global recognition with her leading role in the "Bridget Jones's Diary" series. Her distinctive screen presence divides audiences but always captivates. She won an Oscar for her leading role in "Judy" (2019).

Renee Zellweger, star of 'Bridget Jones's Diary'

Early Life and Youth

Renee was born to Emil Erich Zellweger, a Swiss immigrant and electronics repairman, and a Norwegian nurse. She has an older brother named Andrew, who is two years her senior.

Andrew was Renee's closest friend growing up. She'd often tag along with him and picked up his interests. When Andrew joined a baseball team, Renee got into the sport too — not because she loved it, but to hang out with her brother.

At school, Renee joined the drama club and dreamed of Olympic competition. She threw herself into athletics, cheerleading, track and field, and gymnastics. Her parents backed her athletic dreams, hoping she'd become a standout track and field star. Interestingly, they envisioned Andrew as a future actor. But after a serious injury, Renee knew her Olympic dreams were over.

School photo of Renee Zellweger in the cheerleading squad

In 1987, Renee graduated from high school and moved to Austin, Texas. She enrolled at the University of Texas and earned a bachelor's degree in film, radio, and television. While in college, she joined a theater workshop focused on drama. At first, Renee took these classes just to meet her English literature requirements. But by 1991, as graduation approached, she'd fallen in love with theater and decided to pursue acting.

A young Renee Zellweger: school graduation photo

Early Roles

Renée Zellweger's initial steps in the film industry were by no means a failure. Like many actors, she steadily progressed, navigating through a series of minor roles.

Her acting debut came in the cult classic "Dazed and Confused" alongside young Matthew McConaughey and Ben Affleck. Renée's role was tiny – she didn't speak a single word and only appeared in one scene sitting in a blue pickup truck.

Renée Zellweger's first role ('Dazed and Confused', 1992)

She then took on secondary roles in movies like "The Whole Wide World", "Love and a .45", "Reality Bites", and "8 Seconds". Nearly ready to give up, Renée kept showing up to every audition in Houston. Eventually, she landed the lead role in the horror film "Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation". Critics weren't fans of the original in this trashy horror franchise, much less the fourth installment, but the striking blonde playing Jenny definitely got their attention. Notably, it was Matthew McConaughey who persuaded her to move to Los Angeles.

Renée Zellweger's first leading role ('Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation')

In 1994, she joined the cast of the comedy "Empire Records" alongside the charming Liv Tyler. The film followed employees at a small record store fighting off a corporate takeover. The following year, Renée ventured into the romantic drama genre, forming a compelling romantic pairing with Vincent D'Onofrio in "The Whole Wide World".

The breakthrough role was just around the corner. She was cast as the love interest of the lead character in the sports drama "Jerry Maguire" alongside Tom Cruise. Playing a passionate woman who believes wholeheartedly in her love, sports agent Jerry, she delivered an open, graceful, and heartfelt performance. For this role, MTV nominated Renée Zellweger for the "Breakthrough of the Year" award.

After her initial triumph, the actress had little free time. Scripts started flooding her mailbox. She soon appeared in films like "The Low Life", "A Price Above Rubies", and "The Bachelor". In "One True Thing", she had the chance to work with the legendary Meryl Streep, and in "Me, Myself & Irene", she starred alongside comedian Jim Carrey.

After filming, Renée Zellweger started dating Jim Carrey

Career Blossom

Renée Zellweger was absolutely determined to land the role in the adaptation of Helen Fielding's novel "Bridget Jones's Diary" – she'd never wanted a part this badly. She immediately knew this wasn't just another romantic comedy but a complex psychological story. The slightly overweight, self-conscious, and awkward heroine – plus that irresistibly charismatic playboy – spoke to her on a deep level. She felt movies like this were exactly what everyday women needed. The determined actress outcompeted numerous contenders, from Kate Winslet to Kristin Scott Thomas.

Renée Zellweger's best role – Bridget Jones

To portray Bridget Jones, Renée Zellweger had to gain nearly 20 pounds. Given her naturally slender frame (she weighed just 101 pounds normally), this was no small feat. She packed away over 4,000 calories a day until she matched what the directors envisioned. She also had to ditch her American accent and master a flawless English one. Before filming began, she was even sent to work incognito at an English publishing house as a secretary for a month. Mission accomplished – nobody had a clue she was from Texas.

Renée Zellweger gained weight for 'Bridget Jones

The story of a slightly-over-thirty, messy woman who loves to eat and drink, caught between her meddling mother trying to set her up with the neighbor in a ridiculous sweater (Colin Firth) and secretly infatuated with her boss (Hugh Grant) who just laughs at her talent for landing in absurd situations, was destined to connect with audiences. The film was destined for success.

Renee Zellweger & Hugh Grant On Making «Bridget Jones's Diary»

In 2004, the sequel "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason" was released. This time around, Zellweger had to pack on about 33 pounds. The sequel was warmly received – audiences got the same wonderfully crazy, unpredictable, and relatable Bridget Jones. But after the premiere, much to fans' dismay, Bridget Jones disappeared for a whopping 12 years.

In the same year, a movie that earned Renée Zellweger an Oscar for "Best Supporting Actress" was released. Her character Ruby, a scrappy poor woman, helps the pastor's daughter Ada Monroe (Nicole Kidman), teaching her about real female friendship while helping her make a home in an abandoned estate.

Renee Zellweger won an Oscar for her role as Ruby in Cold Mountain

Every character Renée Zellweger tackled after that was charismatic, expressive, and passionate. That perfectly describes Barbara Novak in the retro comedy "Down with Love," who falls for Ewan McGregor's character, the sensual Mae Braddock in "Cinderella Man" alongside Russell Crowe. In 2006, Renée reunited with Ewan McGregor on the set of the Victorian biographical drama "Miss Potter."

Down with Love: Evan McGregor and Renee Zellweger

After taking a short break, Renée lit up the screen again in the feel-good comedy "New in Town." Her character is a pampered heiress who's forced to deal with Minnesota's brutal winters and less-than-welcoming locals.

In 2009, the actress earned widespread praise for her role as a wheelchair-bound singer in the drama "My Own Love Song."

(My Own Love Song) Life is Hard - Renee Zellweger

In 2016, after a 12-year break, "Bridget Jones" made her triumphant return. In the third installment of the popular film, Renée Zellweger's character becomes pregnant but is uncertain about the father – Colin Firth or Patrick Dempsey.

Bridget Jones's Baby Official Trailer (2016)

Amid the buzz surrounding the release of "Bridget Jones's Baby," the film "The Whole Truth" starring Keanu Reeves flew under the radar, in which Renée played the lead female role.

Renée Zellweger's Personal Life

Renée Zellweger's first serious relationship ended in tragedy. Early in her career, she dated Sims Elliot, a member of the speed metal band "Pariah." Like many rock musicians, he lived a chaotic lifestyle fueled by alcohol and drugs. Eventually, Renée had enough and ended the relationship, breaking his heart. Already battling severe depression, he couldn't handle the breakup and took his own life.

Renée Zellweger's first boyfriend, Sims Elliot, took his own life

While filming "Me, Myself & Irene," Renée Zellweger began a relationship with Jim Carrey. The couple dated for about a year, sparking wedding rumors that never materialized. They split amicably without creating a media circus and kept their reasons private. Rumors swirled that Renée's involvement with George Clooney was behind the split, but that's just speculation.

Jim Carrey and Renée Zellweger dated for a year

In 2005, the actress married country star Kenny Chesney. But the marriage barely lasted four months. They didn't even need to divorce – the marriage was simply annulled. When asked about the reasons, Renée briefly commented, "Fraud."

Renée Zellweger's marriage to Kenny Chesney lasted less than six months

In 2007, Renée Zellweger met Bradley Cooper while filming the horror movie "Case 39." But they didn't get together until two years later. They became Hollywood's most charming couple, but by 2011, it was over.

Renée Zellweger and Bradley Cooper remain close friends

Apparently, Cooper still had feelings for his ex-girlfriend. Four years later, he dumped 21-year-old model Suki Waterhouse rather than stop seeing Renée. Suki was fed up with him disappearing for hours to spend time with Zellweger.

Bradley Cooper left Suki Waterhouse for Renée Zellweger

Renée Zellweger had a long-term relationship with musician Doyle Bramhall. They dated for seven years, from 2012 to 2019. In May 2019, sources close to the couple confirmed that Renée and Doyle had been living apart for several months.

Pictured: Renée Zellweger and Doyle Bramhall

In August 2021, actress Renee Zellweger made her first public appearance with her new boyfriend, TV host and car designer Ant Anstead, known for his shows "For the Love of Cars" and "Wheeler Dealers." Anstead is ten years younger than Zellweger. In July 2023, the couple announced their engagement.

Their love story has a unique beginning. In 2020, Nancy, a close friend of Renee, passed away. In her final months, she was seriously ill, and Renee wanted to thank the two nurse brothers, Gerald and Jerome, who took care of Nancy. When Renee caught one of Ant's shows where he customized celebrity cars for charity, she realized she wanted to gift Gerald and Jerome vintage cars and reached out to Anstead.

Renee has always been clear that she doesn't see having children as the ultimate female happiness, saying, "Having a husband and children is no longer an indicator of a woman's worth."

Away from the cameras, Renee lives like anyone else. She owns a house in East Hampton, a suburb of New York. Zellweger chooses not to live in Los Angeles. Despite her substantial earnings, she drives an old Jeep, takes her dog along, and flies economy. In her free time, she enjoys mountain biking or reading books.

Renee Zellweger before and after surgery

In 2014, rumors surfaced that Renee Zellweger had botched plastic surgery, which would explain her long "creative hiatus." Many fans were shocked by the dramatic change in their favorite actress's appearance. However, Renee denied having surgery, saying that all women age and aging naturally brings changes.

Many believe Renee Zellweger ruined her looks with surgery.

Renee Zellweger Now

In 2019, the biographical film about Golden Age Hollywood star Judy Garland's decline was released. Renee Zellweger brilliantly portrayed Garland. Critics praised how Renee captured even Garland's subtlest facial expressions and gestures. Her performance earned her first Oscar for "Best Actress."

In 2022, Zellweger played the lead role in the series "The Thing About Pam," based on true events. She portrayed Pam Hupp, an American woman sentenced to life in prison for the murder of her friend Betsy Faria.

Renee Zellweger: latest news and articles

24 years later: Renée Zellweger and Hugh Grant reunite at the premiere of the sequel to `Bridget Jones`s Diary`

30 Jan 2025

Photos: Renee Zellweger