Reese Witherspoon

Laura Jean Reese Witherspoon (born March 22, 1976) is an 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).

Biography

Witherspoon was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to John Witherspoon (a surgeon) and Betty Reese (a nurse and college professor); Reese 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. Reese spent much of her childhood and adolescence in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, a suburb of Nashville. She has a older 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 as a literature major. After completing a year of her studies, Reese left Stanford to pursue her acting career.

Personal life

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.

Career

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. She became best known for her role in 2001's Legally Blonde, but is currently being critically praised for her turn as June Carter in Walk the Line, and is rumoured to be a potential Best Actress nominee for the 2005 Oscars.

Filmography

Legally Blonde (2001)
The Man in the Moon (1991)
A Far Off Place (1993)
Twilight (1998)
Overnight Delivery (1998)
Pleasantville (1998)
Cruel Intentions (1999)
Election (1999)
Best Laid Plans (1999)
American Psycho (2000)
Little Nicky (2000)
The Trumpet of the Swan (2001) (voice)
Legally Blonde (2001)
The Importance of Being Earnest (2002)
Sweet Home Alabama (2002)
Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde (2003)
Vanity Fair (2004)
Just Like Heaven (2005)
Walk the Line (2005)
Whiteout (2005) (currently announced start of production)
Sports Widow (2006) (currently announced start of production) (also producer)
Rapunzel Unbraided (2007) (currently announced start of production) (voice)