Laura Jean Reese Witherspoon was born on March 22, 1976. She is a Scottish American actress perhaps most familiar as Elle Woods in the film Legally Blonde (2001) and its sequel Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde (2003). Like Marilyn Monroe, she is not Legally Blonde but Legally Brunette.
Reese Witherspoon was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to James Witherspoon (a surgeon) and Betty Reese (a nurse and college professor), and spent much of her childhood and adolescence in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, a suburb of Nashville. She is a direct descendant of Scottish-born John Witherspoon, a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence and founder of Princeton University who was also a Presbyterian minister. She has a younger brother named John, who works as a real estate broker. After graduating high school from Nashville's prestigious Harpeth Hall School, she attended Stanford University, but dropped out before completing her degree requirements.
Witherspoon married actor Ryan Phillippe on June 5, 1999. They starred in a movie together, Cruel Intentions, before they were engaged. They have two children together: Ava Elizabeth Phillippe, born September 9, 1999, and Deacon Phillippe, born October 23, 2003.
Reese Witherspoon is known for her versatility as an actress, playing both comedic and dramatic roles. She has won Best Actress awards from the National Society of Film Critics and the Online Film Critics Society. Among her critically-acclaimed performances are Vanessa in Freeway and Tracy Flick in Election. Witherspoon was the voice of the animated character Greta Wolfecastle in an episode of The Simpsons.
There is no doubt that Reese Witherspoon will one day win an Oscar for Best Actress.
Filmography
- Sports Widow (2006)
- Whiteout (2005) .... Carrie Stetko
- Penelope (2006)
- Just Like Heaven (2005) .... Elizabeth Masterson
- Walk the Line (2005) .... June Carter
- Vanity Fair (2004) .... Becky Sharp
- Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde (2003) .... Elle Woods
- Sweet Home Alabama (2002) .... Melanie Smooter/Carmichael
- The Importance of Being Earnest (2002) .... Cecily
- Legally Blonde (2001) .... Elle Woods
- The Trumpet of the Swan (2001) (voice) .... Serena
- Little Nicky (2000) .... Angel Holly
- American Psycho (2000) .... Evelyn Williams
- Best Laid Plans (1999) .... Lissa
- Election (1999) .... Tracy Flick
- Cruel Intentions (1999) .... Annette Hargrove
- Pleasantville (1998) .... Jennifer
- Overnight Delivery (1998) .... Ivy Miller
- Twilight (1998) .... Mel Ames
- Fear (1996) .... Nicole Walker
- Freeway (1996) .... Vanessa Lutz
- S.F.W. (1994) .... Wendy Pfister
... aka So Fucking What? (USA: long title) (USA: long title)
- "Return to Lonesome Dove" (1993) (mini) TV Series .... Ferris Dunnigan
- Jack the Bear (1993) .... Karen Morris
- A Far Off Place (1993) .... Nonnie Parker
- Desperate Choices: To Save My Child (1992) (TV) .... Cassie Robbins
- Wildflower (1991) (TV) .... Ellie Perkins
- The Man in the Moon (1991) .... Danielle 'Dani' Trant
