Reese Witherspoon

Her role as Dani in 'The Man in the Moon' (1991)

Background:"Being a Southern person and a blonde, it's not a good combination. Immediately, when people meet you, they think of you as not being smart." Reese WitherspoonWell this is one stereotype actor Reese Witherspoon has put to rest. Smart, talented and successful, Reese juggles career, husband and children as if she were always a pro. No matter if Reese is a United States Marshal trekking across the frozen land of Antarctica (Whiteout, 2005) or downright ditzy (Legally Blonde films) make no mistake, the lady knows what she's doing. "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." Reese WitherspoonSouthern SensationChildhood and Family:Southern sensation Laura Jean Reese Witherspoon was born on March 22, 1976 in Nashville, Tennessee. Her father, John Witherspoon, was a doctor while her mother, Betty, taught nursing. Reese has an older brother who was born in 1973.Raised in an educated family, Reese attended Harpeth Hall in Nashville, TN before enrolling at Stanford University, majoring in English. Reese moved in to the entertainment business at the early age of 7 where she blossomed as a young model. This led to television commercials. At just age 14, Reese would not only get her first acting job for the big screen, but she would do a good job with the role. Reese married fellow actor Ryan Phillippe (worked together in the movie Cruel Intentions) on June 5, 1999. The couple are the proud parents of 2, Ava Elizabeth Phillippe, born September 9, 1999 and Deacon Phillippe, born October 23, 2003.Blossoming BlondeCareer:Reese Witherspoon nailed her very first screen role as young Dani Trant in the highly regarded drama The Man in the Moon (1991), also starring Sam Waterston, Tess Harper and Gail Strickland. Like her screen character, Reese was just 14 years old at the time. With a success backing her up young Reese continued to act with roles in TV's Wildflower (1991), Desperate Choices: To Save My Child (1992) and the mini series Return to Lonesome Dove (1993). But television took a back seat to Reese's film career. Reese was cast in films such as A Far Off Place (1993), Jack the Bear (1993), S.F.W. (1994), the explosive thriller Freeway (1996) with Kiefer Sutherland, Fear (1996) with Mark Wahlberg, Twilight (1998) and Overnight Delivery (1998). With Pleasantville (1998) and Cruel Intentions (1999), Reese bagged two solid roles in successful films. Pleasantville, also starring Tobey Maguire, William H. Macy, Joan Allen and Jeff Daniels, tosses David and his savvy sister, played by Reese, into a television show taking place in the 1950's. This fantasy drama was only the prelude to what came next. Reese starred with teen idol Sarah Michelle Gellar and Ryan Phillippe in the seductive drama Cruel Intentions. Widely received and enjoyed by the "younger" crowd, this movie was a hit in the "teen scene" and added more fans and popularity under Reese's belt. In Election (1999) Reese drew attention to herself as the character Tracy Enid Flick with an acting job well done. More movies followed with roles in Best Laid Plans (1999), American Psycho (2000), Little Nicky (2000), and the voice of Serena in The Trumpet of the Swan (2001). Legally Blonde hit the screen in 2001 and Witherspoon became a household name. If you didn't see the movie, you heard about it. In Robert Luketic's comedy Reese plays Elle Woods who gains the audience laughter with Reese taking the bow. Movies released shortly after Legally included The Importance of Being Earnest (2002), Sweet Home Alabama (2002), Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde (2003) and Vanity Fair (2004). As if being the mother of two wasn't enough, Reese will juggle her full schedule with the newer Walk the Line (2005), co-star Joaquin Phoenix, Just Like Heaven (2005), Whiteout (2005), Sports Widow (2006) and the voice of Claire in the animated Rapunzel Unbraided (2007). Awards: National Society of Film Critics: Best Actress, Election, 1999 Online Film Critics Society: Best Actress, Election, 1999 Movieline Young Hollywood Award: Breakthrough Performance (Female), Pleasantville, 1998 Catalonian International Film Festival: Best Actress, Freeway, 1997