Reese Witherspoon
Birthday: 22 March 1976, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Birth Name: Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon
Height: 156 cm
Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon was born on March 22, 1976 at Southern Baptist Hospital (now Memorial Medical Center) in New Orleans, Louisiana. She is the second child of Mary Elizabeth "Betty&qu ...Show More
While making Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde (2003), I had like 50 outfit changes. It was Show more
While making Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde (2003), I had like 50 outfit changes. It was great! I'm real into the whole "girlie" thing, it was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed it. Hide
[on storing her Oscar] I have it out [at home] with the kids artwork... I think it's great when they Show more
[on storing her Oscar] I have it out [at home] with the kids artwork... I think it's great when they hold it and dress it up. Hide
[When asked about the ways she is discriminated against] I get discriminated against in three ways: Show more
[When asked about the ways she is discriminated against] I get discriminated against in three ways: I get discriminated against because I'm blond, I get discriminated against because I'm an actress and I get discriminated against because I'm from the South. Hide
I grew up in Tennessee. We didn't know what Louis Vuitton was. I had to order all my prom outfits ou Show more
I grew up in Tennessee. We didn't know what Louis Vuitton was. I had to order all my prom outfits out of catalogs. Hide
I'm pretty conservative or old-fashion, I should say, it's how I grew up. I think you have to let yo Show more
I'm pretty conservative or old-fashion, I should say, it's how I grew up. I think you have to let your children be individuals, but you have to set boundaries. Ryan and I have similar ideas about all of it, you really have to support you partner in the things that are important to them and hold the line together. Hide
I don't think these women are stupid. I think they're selling a personality that's very marketable: Show more
I don't think these women are stupid. I think they're selling a personality that's very marketable: Wouldn't it be fun if we were all gorgeous and didn't have a care? But creating a cultural icon out of someone who goes, "I'm stupid, isn't it cute?" makes me want to throw daggers at them! I want to say to them, "My grandma did not fight for what she fought for, and my mother did not fight for what she fought for, so you can start telling women it's fun to be stupid." Saying that to young women, little girls, my daughter? It's not okay. (Marie Claire - September 2005) Hide
There's always going to be somebody younger or sexier. That's why I like to say, and it's become my Show more
There's always going to be somebody younger or sexier. That's why I like to say, and it's become my famous line, "Funny doesn't sag.". Hide
I was thinking about why I make movies, and I know why. Life is hard. It's nice to go escape and hav Show more
I was thinking about why I make movies, and I know why. Life is hard. It's nice to go escape and have a good time at the movies. If I can give people a movie about hope, love and the future, then I've done my job. Hide
[on roles resembling the title character in Penelope (2006)] I like this girl because she is a bit o Show more
[on roles resembling the title character in Penelope (2006)] I like this girl because she is a bit of a badass. I grew up watching movies with people like Barbara Stanwyck and, sometimes, I get frustrated that there aren't a lot of great female characters out there that young women can look at and go, "I want to be like that." I go to movies and yell at the women on-screen, "Shoot him; just shoot him." I mean, why does the guy always have to shoot him? Hide
[on having a baby]: Obviously, this isn't the time in my life that I would have chosen to do this, b Show more
[on having a baby]: Obviously, this isn't the time in my life that I would have chosen to do this, but I feel like life gives you these challenges for a reason. I feel so happy and glad to be in the place that I am. I really feel blessed. This is something I need to face and take control of. Hide
[on dual careers and marriage]: Marriage and family come before everything. You don't want to make a Show more
[on dual careers and marriage]: Marriage and family come before everything. You don't want to make a movie at the cost of your relationship. Hide
[on asserting herself, even with her employers] They want people they can push around. I was the gir Show more
[on asserting herself, even with her employers] They want people they can push around. I was the girl who was always asking, "Why? Yeah, I know you want me to do that - but why?". I always thought people wanted to hear my opinions. ns] But I gave them anyway. It's just blind self-confidence. I get like a little terrier about things. My mother says I should have been an attorney. (Vanity Fair - September 2004 - "Regally Blonde" by Leslie Bennett) Hide
I feel like there's a race being run in Los Angeles for some unattainable goal - to be the best, the Show more
I feel like there's a race being run in Los Angeles for some unattainable goal - to be the best, the skinniest, the most beautiful. I just admit that that's what I'll never be. (Marie Claire - September 2005) Hide
I'm not perfect! I'm human. I make mistakes. But I try to be as conscious as I can about things I sh Show more
I'm not perfect! I'm human. I make mistakes. But I try to be as conscious as I can about things I should be. If I'm going to do something commercial and mainstream and made for the masses, I just believe you can make those kinds of films with quality - and good ideas and good intentions. There's a lot of negativity out there. Hide
When you look good, you feel good. I know that's what Elle Woods says, but it's true!!
When you look good, you feel good. I know that's what Elle Woods says, but it's true!!
People want to try and move you into a place where you can be easily identifiable by every woman in Show more
People want to try and move you into a place where you can be easily identifiable by every woman in America - to be this very likable woman in a romantic comedy. And it's really hard for me. I just don't see myself as the girl that everybody likes. I never have been and I don't know how to be that person. Hide
Attending an all-girls school has its advantages, there are no inhibitions. You can walk to school w Show more
Attending an all-girls school has its advantages, there are no inhibitions. You can walk to school with your zit cream on and your hair in rollers and nobody cares. Hide
I like work. If it's not hard enough, I try to make it harder. I like the process of being daunted b Show more
I like work. If it's not hard enough, I try to make it harder. I like the process of being daunted by it, tackling it, and knowing I can do it (Vanity Fair - September 2004 - "Regally Blonde" by Leslie Bennett) Hide
I have cellulite. I have stretch marks. I feel intimidated by Victoria's Secret. Hollywood is one of Show more
I have cellulite. I have stretch marks. I feel intimidated by Victoria's Secret. Hollywood is one of those endless competitions, but it's like running a race toward nothing. There's no winning. You're never going to win the pretty race. I just want to be the best version of myself that I can be. Hide
People want to make you easily identifiable with every woman in America, to be this very likable wom Show more
People want to make you easily identifiable with every woman in America, to be this very likable woman in a romantic comedy. And it's really hard for me. I just don't see myself as the girl everybody likes. I never have been and I don't know how to be that person. Hide
[on Pleasantville (1998)]: We were thrilled for just the three nominations we got, but obviously it' Show more
[on Pleasantville (1998)]: We were thrilled for just the three nominations we got, but obviously it's a little sad. I went through so many press junkets with people saying they loved it. And Joan Allen was robbed but she can't get nominated every year. She's an inspiration for every young actress. She has that calm and reserve about herself and makes you think she appreciates the normal things of everyday. Then she transforms into this character that's so different. Hide
Life isn't just about you: It's about family and friends and giving back. - as quoted in Woman's Wor Show more
Life isn't just about you: It's about family and friends and giving back. - as quoted in Woman's World magazine 2-21-06. Hide
I clearly had one drink too many and I am deeply embarrassed about the things I said. It was definit Show more
I clearly had one drink too many and I am deeply embarrassed about the things I said. It was definitely a scary situation and I was frightened for my husband, but that is no excuse. I was disrespectful to the officer who was just doing his job. I have nothing but respect for the police and I'm very sorry for my behavior. Hide
(Part of her Oscar speech) I am so blessed to have my family here tonight. My mother and my father a Show more
(Part of her Oscar speech) I am so blessed to have my family here tonight. My mother and my father are here. And I just want to say thank you so much for everything, for being so proud of me. It didn't matter if I was making my bed or making a movie. They never hesitated to say how proud they were of me. And that means so very much to a child. So thank you, Mom and Dad. I want to say thank you to my wonderful husband and my two children who should be going to bed. And thank you for loving me so much and supporting me. And I want to say that, my grandmother was one of the biggest inspirations in my life. She taught me how to be a real woman to have strength and self respect, and to never give those things away. And those are a lot of qualities I saw in June Carter Cash. People used to ask June how she was doing, and she used to say -- "I'm just trying to matter." And I know what she means. You know, I'm just trying to matter, and live a good life and make work that means something to somebody. And you have all made me feel that I might have accomplished that tonight. So thank you so much for this honor. Hide
As far as being in the spotlight and under public scrutiny, a lot of that's about how much you put y Show more
As far as being in the spotlight and under public scrutiny, a lot of that's about how much you put yourself out there. It's not like we go to every premiere and every celebrity function and every charity auction. We really just try to maintain our privacy and never let our public persona get out of hand. Hide
I think everyone has their own set of problems, and sometimes I feel I'm in the middle of the bigges Show more
I think everyone has their own set of problems, and sometimes I feel I'm in the middle of the biggest challenge of my life just trying to maintain normalcy in a kind of crazy lifestyle. Hide
I did one of those genetic testing things and I found out that I'm 63 percent Irish. I had no idea. Show more
I did one of those genetic testing things and I found out that I'm 63 percent Irish. I had no idea. I had no idea! I thought I was Scottish and Welsh. It turns out my parents are just full of shit, I guess. But now I'm Irish. It just makes so much sense. I'm a really good drinker. I love St. Patrick's Day. Potatoes are delicious. I'm looking forward to meeting all my cousins. Hide
I do think things were meant to happen. I'm just this little girl from Tennessee, and here I am toda Show more
I do think things were meant to happen. I'm just this little girl from Tennessee, and here I am today. I think a lot of things are just out of your hands. Hide
[on motherhood and her baby]: I feel good, I'm proud of Election (1999) and very proud of this [her Show more
[on motherhood and her baby]: I feel good, I'm proud of Election (1999) and very proud of this [her child]. It couldn't be a better time. It's always the right time when it happens. You make it the right time. Hide
When I was a question on Jeopardy! (1984), that's when I felt famous.
When I was a question on Jeopardy! (1984), that's when I felt famous.
[on struggling to be taken seriously in the industry] Even now, people want to marginalize me. They Show more
[on struggling to be taken seriously in the industry] Even now, people want to marginalize me. They want to attribute all my success to teenagers seeing my movies. I really resent it when people say, "It's just a genre film; it's a teen comedy." It takes a lot of work to make these things have heart and resonance so they're not just empty, disposable confections. But I don't give a damn about other people's perceptions, because I'll show them. For women in this business, ascendancy is always a battle. It's scrape and claw. I just try to stick to my guns and respect myself. I want to take the ingénues aside and say, "Value yourself! It's okay if you have opinions!". (Vanity Fair - September 2004 - "Regally Blonde" by Leslie Bennett) Hide
If you are not yelling at your kids, you are not spending enough time with them.
If you are not yelling at your kids, you are not spending enough time with them.
[on the harsh standards played on women by Hollywood] It's one of those endless competitions, but it Show more
[on the harsh standards played on women by Hollywood] It's one of those endless competitions, but it's like running a race toward nothing. There's no winning. You're never going to win the thin race. You're never going to win the pretty race. You're never going to win the smart race. You're never going to win the funny race. I just want to be the best version of myself I can be. (Vanity Fair - September 2004 - "Regally Blonde" by Leslie Bennett) Hide
[on how she choose the films she will be in]: I have a weird process, but the main thing is like thi Show more
[on how she choose the films she will be in]: I have a weird process, but the main thing is like this: I hear her voice in my head. There are a lot of wonderful scripts my agents can't believe I pass on, but I do because I can't hear the voice. It doesn't appeal to me then. I'm really careful. Unless I hear the voice, I can't do it. Hide
I feel there are certain people who are systematically ripping [feminism] down because of their lack Show more
I feel there are certain people who are systematically ripping [feminism] down because of their lack of regard and their ignorance about what the women before us had to go through. (Marie Claire - September 2005) Hide
[on the movie business]: The battles that we face in this business aren't financial, but they are mo Show more
[on the movie business]: The battles that we face in this business aren't financial, but they are moral. And I certainly think that the longer you can keep your values, and your morality intact, and keep your head on your shoulders about what is important at the end of the day, you can get the most out of this business and really emerge with something wonderful. Hide
[on Ryan Phillippe]: I'm lucky to find a person to share my life, and the best friend I'll ever have Show more
[on Ryan Phillippe]: I'm lucky to find a person to share my life, and the best friend I'll ever have. Hide
My grandmother was a quintessential southern lady who didn't leave the house without being somewhat Show more
My grandmother was a quintessential southern lady who didn't leave the house without being somewhat put together. She taught me it doesn't matter what's going on in your life, you've got to show your best self to the world. Hide
[on Johnny Depp] -- have to say probably Johnny Depp in 21 Jump Street (1987). I just had a really m Show more
[on Johnny Depp] -- have to say probably Johnny Depp in 21 Jump Street (1987). I just had a really major crush on him. I used to pull pictures out of Teen Beat and put them on my wall. I don't think he knows. I'm not sure it would faze him: I'm sure he's heard that quite a bit. Hide
I feel like there's a race being run for some unattainable goal - to be the best, the skinniest, the Show more
I feel like there's a race being run for some unattainable goal - to be the best, the skinniest, the most beautiful. I just admit that's what I'll never be. Hide
I'm wary of what goal I set, because then I'll have to accomplish it. (Vanity Fair - September 2004 Show more
I'm wary of what goal I set, because then I'll have to accomplish it. (Vanity Fair - September 2004 - "Regally Blonde" by Leslie Bennett) Hide
There's something timeless and important about making people laugh, about being the right spot in th Show more
There's something timeless and important about making people laugh, about being the right spot in their day. - as quoted in the December 7, 2004 issue of Woman's World. Hide
[on the Academy Awards] It's funny that it all becomes about clothes. It's bizarre. You work your bu Show more
[on the Academy Awards] It's funny that it all becomes about clothes. It's bizarre. You work your butt off and then you win an award and it's all about your dress. You can't get away from it. Hide
[on how she handles people who disagree with her] I've learned the art of ignoring people. When peop Show more
[on how she handles people who disagree with her] I've learned the art of ignoring people. When people give you some piece of direction you don't like, you just nod and ignore it. Just don't do it! Most people want to be heard and acknowledged, anyway. Just do what you want to do. (Vanity Fair - September 2004 - "Regally Blonde" by Leslie Bennett) Hide
[on being criticized after admitting she and then-husband Ryan Phillippe have gone to couples therap Show more
[on being criticized after admitting she and then-husband Ryan Phillippe have gone to couples therapy] Since when is self-improvement a negative? Why wouldn't I be interested in psychology? I like to read a lot of psychology books. I'm obsessed with child behavior; I would love to be a child psychologist. (Vanity Fair - September 2004 - "Regally Blonde" by Leslie Bennett) Hide
It's nice to come home to what's real. - E! Revealed with Jules Asner (2001)
It's nice to come home to what's real. - E! Revealed with Jules Asner (2001)
[on husband Ryan Phillippe] I don't think I can imagine a better guy than the one I've ended up with Show more
[on husband Ryan Phillippe] I don't think I can imagine a better guy than the one I've ended up with. Hide
[on trying to get out of the role of June Carter Cash in Walk the Line (2005)] I did. I called my at Show more
[on trying to get out of the role of June Carter Cash in Walk the Line (2005)] I did. I called my attorney. My agent. My manager. I said, "You know y'all, you're serious about this?". I'm really. I gotta get out of this. Like, can't they call LeAnn Rimes? I mean she's good. Hide
What gets me is how many women - young women - give up their power and sense of self. Thinking they' Show more
What gets me is how many women - young women - give up their power and sense of self. Thinking they're going to get more out of life if they take off their clothes and objectify themselves, instead of functioning on the principle that they're smart and capable, that you can be an actress and not be on the covers of T&A magazines. I'm flabbergasted by how many legitimate actresses do that. It blows my mind. Hide
When a police officer tells you to stay in the car, you stay in the car. I learned that for sure.
When a police officer tells you to stay in the car, you stay in the car. I learned that for sure.
What gets me is how many women - young women - give up their power and their sense of self. Thinking Show more
What gets me is how many women - young women - give up their power and their sense of self. Thinking they're going to get more out of life if they take off their clothes and objectify themselves, instead of functioning on the principle that they're smart and capable, that you can be an actress and not be on the covers of T&A magazines. I'm flabbergasted by how many legitimate actresses do that. It blows my mind. (Marie Claire - September 2005) Hide
Many people worry so much about managing their careers, but rarely spend half that much energy manag Show more
Many people worry so much about managing their careers, but rarely spend half that much energy managing their lives. I want to make my life, not just my job, the best it can be. The rest will work itself out. Hide
[on doing her own singing in Walk the Line (2005)] The director came to us and he said "No, I really Show more
[on doing her own singing in Walk the Line (2005)] The director came to us and he said "No, I really want you guys to learn to sing. To learn to play instruments and I want you to record an album." and that is what... and I just absolutely was just gob-smacked and I said, "I don't know. I can't do that." And he said, "Well, I want you to try." Now that's the thing for me. If someone asks me to try, I will always try. Hide
Reese Witherspoon's FILMOGRAPHY
as Actor (255)
Reese Witherspoon'S roles
Lisa
June Carter
Deputy D.A. Penny Kimball
Jill Green
Cooper
Isabella Fields El-Ibrahimi
Herself - Guest
Debbie
Carrie Davis
Holly
Show More
