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Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon's roles in blockbuster movies, hit TV shows, from 'Legally Blonde' to 'Big Little Lies'

Witherspoon is widely known for playing Elle Woods in 'Legally Blonde'

By Ashlyn Messier Fox News
Published | Updated
  • Jason London, actress Reese Witherspoon and actress Tess Harper at the "The Man in the Moon" premiere
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    Reese Witherspoon's first big movie role was in the 1991 film "The Man in the Moon." (Ron Galella Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

  • Reese Witherspoon at after party for "Freeway" movie
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    In 1996, Reese Witherspoon played Vanessa Lutz in the movie "Freeway." The crime film is a much darker take on "Little Red Riding Hood." (Steve Eichner/Getty Images)

  • Reese Witherspoon in the movie "Election"
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    "Election" is a 1999 comedy starring Reese Witherspoon. The '90s film is based on a novel by Tom Perrotta. (CBS via Getty Images)

  • Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe in "Cruel Intentions"
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    After initially meeting at Reese Witherspoon's birthday party in 1997, she and Ryan Phillippe went on to star in the 1999 movie "Cruel Intentions." The pair were married in June 1999 and share two children. Their relationship ultimately ended in divorce. (Columbia Pictures/Getty Images)

  • Reese Witherspoon on set of "Legally Blonde"
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    Playing Elle Woods in "Legally Blonde" is the role that Reese Witherspoon is still widely known for today. She also starred in the movie's sequel, "Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde," in 2003. (Tracy Bennett/MGM Pictures)

  • Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon at a premiere for "Walk the Line"
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    In 2005, Reese Witherspoon played June Carter Cash, singer, songwriter and the wife of Johnny Cash (played by Joaquin Phoenix) in the movie about the country music legend. This role earned her an Oscar for best actress. (J. Vespa/WireImage for 20th Century Fox Studios)

  • Reese Witherspoon at premiere of "Four Christmases"
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    Reese Witherspoon was in the holiday film "Four Christmases" in 2008 with Vince Vaughn. The film is about a couple who spends Christmas away from their families on a tropical vacation instead. When the two wind up home for the holidays after a canceled flight, they visit all four of their divorced parents in one day. (Jason Merritt/FilmMagic)

  • Owen Wilson, Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd and Kathryn Hahn at the "How Do You Know" premiere
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    Reese Witherspoon joined a cast of actors, including Owen Wilson, Paul Rudd and Kathryn Hahn, for the 2010 comedy "How Do You Know." (Lester Cohen/WireImage)

  • Reese Witherspoon with daughter Ava Elizabeth Phillippe and son Deacon Phillippe at Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Induction Ceremony
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    Reese Witherspoon joined the Hollywood Walk of Fame in December 2010. Her children, Ava and Deacon Phillippe, joined her at the ceremony. (Barry King/FilmMagic)

  • Journalist Joe Neumaier, actress Reese Witherspoon, author Cheryl Strayed, actress Laura Dern and producer Bruna Papandrea on stage speaking about "Wild"
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    Reese Witherspoon produced and starred in the 2014 movie "Wild." Witherspoon earned a best actress Oscar nomination for her role in this film. (Brent N. Clarke/WireImage)

  • The cast of "Big Little Lies" with Emmy Awards
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    "Big Little Lies" won an Emmy for outstanding limited series in 2017. Witherspoon was joined by many female co-stars in the series, including Nicole Kidman, Laura Dern, Meryl Streep, Shailene Woodley and Zoë Kravitz. (Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)

  • Kerry Washington and Reese Witherspoon during "Little Fires Everywhere" set visit
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    Reese Witherspoon starred in the limited series "Little Fires Everywhere" in 2020 with Kerry Washington. (V E Anderson/WireImage)

  • Reese Witherspoon and Jim Toth
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    Reese Witherspoon's second marriage was to Jim Toth. The two were married from 2011 until 2023. They share a son, Tennessee Toth. (Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for Landmark Vineyards)

  • Reese Witherspoon on set of "The Morning Show"
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    Reese Witherspoon started acting in "The Morning Show" in 2019 with Jennifer Aniston. (Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

Reese Witherspoon's career has been filled with memorable roles, from a surprising law student in "Legally Blonde" to the wife of country music legend Johnny Cash in the biopic "Walk the Line."

Witherspoon was born on March 22, 1976, in New Orleans to parents Betty and John Witherspoon. Witherspoon started modeling at an early age and earned her first major role in "The Man in the Moon" in 1991. After that, she landed roles in "Jack the Bear" and "A Far Off Place" in 1993.

Witherspoon put her acting on hold for a short time in hopes of earning a degree from Stanford, but a busy Hollywood career prevented her from being able to finish her college education.

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In 1996, Witherspoon starred in both "Fear" and "Freeway." In 1999, Witherspoon was in "Election" and "Cruel Intentions," a movie she was in alongside Ryan Phillippe. She went on to marry Phillippe the year the movie released. They share two children, Ava and Deacon. Witherspoon and Phillippe got divorced in 2006. She later married Jim Toth in 2011. The two share their son, Tennessee. Witherspoon and Toth got divorced in 2023.

It was 2001 when Witherspoon had her breakout role as Elle Woods in the comedy "Legally Blonde." A sequel to the original film came out in 2003 titled "Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde."

Witherspoon starred in the popular movie "Sweet Home Alabama" in 2002, and she earned the best actress Oscar for playing June Carter Cash in the movie based on the life of Johnny Cash, "Walk the Line."

In December 2010, Witherspoon joined the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2014, she produced and starred in "Gone Girl" and "Wild."

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Witherspoon is no stranger to the big screen or the small one. In 2017, she found success on television with the show "Big Little Lies," which won an Emmy for outstanding limited series. She was then on "Little Fires Everywhere" and "The Morning Show."

Besides her work in TV and film, she is also the founder of her own book club that she began in 2017. The book club has developed a large following, with nearly 3 million followers on Instagram.

Ashlyn Messier is a writer for Fox News Digital. 

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