Reese Witherspoon, who stars in the upcoming delightful comedy The Importance of Being Earnest, understands how much hard work it takes to lead a charmed life, but darn it, she makes it look easy. (Click to see just how easy she makes it look.)
The determined, 26-year old flaxen-haired beauty from Nashville, Tenn. has managed to successfully weave her way into Hollywood’s tapestry, marry her Prince Charming (Ryan Phillippe), have an adorable baby girl and become one of the most sought-after actresses in Tinseltown, receiving a not-too-shabby $8 million per picture.
No wonder they say blondes have more fun.
Reese‘s feature film debut was the 1991 bittersweet drama The Man in the Moon; she played a 14-year-old girl who develops a crush on an older boy. Reese stole the show from the likes of Sam Waterston and Tess Harper, as she proved right off the bat that she could act with the best thespians in Hollywood.
Reese‘s career climbed steadily, as she continued to choose different and challenging roles for herself. She’s played a privileged Hollywood daughter (the film noir Twilight), a tough-talking hitchhiker trying to escape from a psycho (the cult favorite Freeway) and a promiscuous teenager transplanted into a 1950s black and white world (the quirky Pleasantville).
In 1999, Reese had a breakout year. First, she played the innocent Annette in Cruel Intentions, a modern-day Dangerous Liaisons update, co-starring her real-life husband, Ryan Phillippe. Then she played obsessive overachiever Tracy Flick in the dark comedy Election, earning Reese her first Golden Globe nomination–and Hollywood paid attention.
But it was last summer’s surprise hit Legally Blonde that firmly established Reese as a major player. Her turn as Elle Woods, a not-so-dumb blonde who turns Havard Law on its ear, took in approximately $96 million at the box office and earned Reese a second Golden Globe nomination for best actress.
“I feel really comfortable in my skin now and comfortable with my choices I’ve made in my career. I don’t feel locked in to anything,” Reese told Vanity Fair.
No need to be. She’s got Hollywood–and the world–at her feet.
Come with us as we take a look at how Reese Witherspoon has made being blonde both fun and successful.
