We may know Reese Witherspoon as an actress, producer, and entrepreneur but she’s so much more than that. Reese Witherspoon is a champion for women. Recently, she has made some brutally honest statements about her personal life. But before we get into all of that- who is Reese? You might be surprised by what you’ll learn about this Southern Belle.
Reese Witherspoon: More Than Just An Actress
America
We can’t help but freak out a bit knowing that Reese Witherspoon is a descendant of John Witherspoon. Who’s that you ask? Oh, just one of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence! We always knew she was impressive but we have no idea she was descended from brilliance.
America
Type A
The now 42-year-old attended the prestigious Harpeth Hall School For Girls and naturally, she excelled there. In fact, her parents even gave her the nickname of “Little Miss Type A” as she was highly driven. That’s quite a childhood nickname! Although, that kind of personality has come in handy for the actress, especially recently.
Type A
The Beginning
Reese Witherspoon’s first entered the spotlight when she was just seven! Her parent’s friends chose her to model for their flower shop advertisement. She loved the experience so much that she started taking acting classes. By the time she was 13, she was in a few television ads for companies such as Ames and Opryland.
The Beginning
The Man in the Moon
Surely you remember that Reese’s first major acting role was in The Man in the Moon when she was just 14 years old. She landed the gig after attending an open casting call in her hometown – however, she only auditioned for a small role and wound up cast as the lead! The Guardian were quick to notice that she made a great impression. And seeing as how she was nominated for the Young Artist Award Best Young Actress, the magazines were right on the money.
The Man In The Moon
Real Name
Reese Witherspoon is not actually the star’s real name! Go figure. What is it you ask? Laura Jean Reese Witherspoon. “Reese” happens to be her mother’s maiden name.
Real Name
Draper James
Reese is quite the entrepreneur as she has her very own lifestyle brand called Draper James. The name of the brand is thanks to her grandparents, Dorothea Draper and William James Witherspoon. Family is insanely important to Reese, and that’s always been a reoccurring theme in her life.
Draper James
If you’re not following Reese Witherspoon on Instagram then please do so immediately. Her 13.3 million followers get a behind the scenes look of life as an actress, intimate posts of her husband and kids, causes that are near and dear to her heart, and there’s of course her book club! Each month she recommends a new book via her Instagram and they’re always spot on.
Madame President
Reese Witherspoon didn’t always imagine she would be an actress. Nope. Actually growing up, her dream job was far from Hollywood. She wanted to become the first female president of the United States of America. Maybe her name should be on the ballot in 2020.
Madame President
Reese Witherspoon, The Producer
After reading a terrible script her agent sent her, Reese had quite the “lightbulb moment”. She said, “If every actress in Hollywood wants this part, I need to start making movies because this is not worth women’s talent.” Not long after and she co-founded a production company, Pacific Standard, which is widely successful. Pacific Standard develops female-centric novels for the big screen.
Reese Witherspoon The Producer
Pacific Standard
As mentioned before, Reese launched her production company, Pacific Standard, in 2012. Currently, it has more than 23 projects churning which are “driven by great female characters of different ages and races.” For five years, Witherspoon self-funded Pacific Standard, and also in that time she gained rights to many popular books, such as Wild and Gone Girl.
Pacific Standard
Big Little Lies
Why are we not surprised that Reese and her producing partner Bruna Papandrea read Big Little Lies before it was even published?! As soon as they got the manuscript, they read it in 24 hours. That’s also not surprising. Have you read the book? Or watched the series? Suspense, drama, and girl power are the first three words that spring to mind when it comes Big Little Lies.
Big Little Lies S1
Solid Yes
Going off the last fact, Reese and Nicole Kidman earned the option for Big Little Lies after Reese convinced Nicole to have lunch with the author, Liane Moriarty, in Sydney, Australia. Once Moriarty was on board, they called Laura Dern, Shailene Woodley, and Zoë Kravitz – every one of them immediately said yes to appearing in the series.
Solid Yes
Walk the Line
In 2005, Reese Witherspoon played the epic part of June Carter in Walk the Line alongside Joaquin Phoenix. It took the actress six months(!) to learn to sing and play instruments. And let’s not forget she earned the Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, BAFTA Award, Screen Actors Guild Award, and Critics Choice Award for the role.
Walk The Line
Southern Upbringing
Growing up, Witherspoon was raised as an Episcopalian. Of this, she said she is proud of the “definitive Southern upbringing” she received. Moreover, this upbringing gave her “a sense of family and tradition” and also taught her about “being conscientious about people’s feelings, being polite, being responsible and never taking for granted what you have in your life.” Sounds like solid advice.
Southern Upbringing
First Love
Back in 1997, during her 21st birthday party, Reese first met fellow actor Ryan Phillippe. From there, a whirlwind romance blossomed and man was the media obsessed with them. In June 1999, the pair exchanged vows. Together they have two children, Ava and Deacon. Sadly, hearts collectively broke when Witherspoon and Phillippe announced their separation in 2006.
First Love
No Regrets
Recently while Reese was promoting her new film, Home Again, she finally talked about her first marriage. “I got married when I was 23 and I had two kids by the time I was 27. I don’t know, sometimes it’s good to know yourself [first].” She went on to add that she “would never change anything” about her life.
No Regrets
Hello Sunshine
In November 2016, Witherspoon teamed up with Otter Media and they formed Hello Sunshine. Hello Sunshine is a joint venture that focused on telling female-driven stories on film, TV and digital platforms. Currently, they are working on two projects, turning the following novels into film: Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman and Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman. With all the success of Big Little Lies, we’re all eagerly waiting to see what they release next.
Hello Sunshine
A Slump
After Reese’s critical success with Walk the Line, she admits that the years after were “kind of floundering career-wise”. During a December 2014 interview, Witherspoon said the “slump” was due to her separation and divorce from Ryan Phillippe. She said that she spent “a few years just trying to feel better. You know, you can’t really be very creative when you feel like your brain is scrambled eggs.” She also said that she “wasn’t making things I was passionate about. I was just kind of working, you know. And it was really clear that audiences weren’t responding to anything I was putting out there.”
A Slump
Comeback
When the film Wild came out in 2014, it met critical acclaim. Michael Phillips of Chicago Tribune wrote, “Witherspoon does the least acting of her career, and it works. Calmly yet restlessly, she brings to life Strayed’s longings, her states of grief and desire and her wary optimism.” Wild has been considered Witherspoon’s “comeback” following her career slump. She went on to earn her second Academy Award nomination for the role.
Comeback
Legally Blonde
17 years ago, Legally Blonde was released and women everywhere fell in love with Reese Witherspoon. Her strong character inspired a number of women everywhere, in no way that other films had. But what some people want to know is how she looks the same now as she did in 2001?! We know that Reese regularly hikes mountains, practices yoga, and is a huge fan of sunscreen. But it looks like her greatest anti-aging secret is so, so simple: She takes a water bottle everywhere she goes. Hydration, people, it makes a huge difference.
Legally Blonde
True Love
In February 2010, Witherspoon began dating Jim Toth, a talent agent and co-head of motion picture talent at Creative Artists Agency. In 2011, this beautiful duo tied the knot in Ojai, California. In 2012, their son, Tennessee, was born. They are still together to this day and Reese definitely acknowledges how much of an influence her husband is on her daily life.
True Love
Mama Bear
Her daughter, Ava, just graduated from high school but has been modeling for a few years now. She starred in Rodarte’s Fall 2018 collection and yes, she is also the face of Draper James. Deacon just finished middle school while Tennessee finished preschool. Reese is fiercely dedicated to her children and her Instagram posts of her family make all of us gush.
Mama Bear
Twins
Pretty much everyone has said that 18-year-old Ava is Reese’s lookalike. And we totally get it. Their blonde locks, piercing blue eyes, and button nose make them look like twins. “I think the way Ava and I are most alike is our strong opinions and our empathy,” Reese said. “From the time that she could speak, Ava has always had her own ideas, and I love to watch her express herself.” Twinning on the outside and the inside – aww!
Twins
Legally Blonde 3
FINALLY. Via her Instagram account, Reese officially confirmed that Legally Blonde 3! And she confirmed the news in the most Elle Woods way, y’all – she wore her sparkly pink bikini as she floated in the pool, the caption read, “It’s true… #LegallyBlonde3.” Deadline says the writers will be Kirsten Smith and Karen McCullah, who co-wrote the first film. Marc Platt and Adam Siegel will produce, as will Reese herself.
Legally Blonde 3
Some Trouble
In 2013, Witherspoon and her husband were pulled over after a police officer noticed they were driving erratically. Toth was under suspicion of a DUI (although he found innocent) while Reese was arrested and briefly jailed for disorderly conduct – Reese was shouting at the officer as her husband was forced to do a sobriety test. Later she pleaded no contest to obstruction and had to pay court costs.
Some Trouble
I’m Sorry
After the arrest, Reese said, “Out of respect for the ongoing legal situation, I cannot comment on everything that is being reported right now. But I do want to say, I clearly had one drink too many and I am deeply embarrassed about the things I said.” She also added, “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. The words I used that night definitely do not reflect who I am. I have nothing but respect for the police and I’m very sorry for my behavior.”
I’m Sorry
Speaking Up
After the Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse allegations, Reese Witherspoon bravely revealed that she had been sexually assaulted when she was 16 by a director. Moreover that she has suffered “multiple experiences of harassment and sexual assault” throughout her career. As the #metoo movement gained momentum, she said, “Hearing all of the stories these past few days and hearing these brave women speak out tonight about things we’re kind of told to sweep under the rug and not talk about, it’s made me want to speak up, and speak up loudly, because I felt less alone this week than I’ve ever felt in my entire career.”
Speaking Up
Time’s Up
Toward the end of 2017, this incredible woman started the Time’s Up movement. Yes, we have Reese to thank for the movement sweeping America and all corners of the world. She has been relentless in her actions regarding not just women in Hollywood, but women everywhere. She said, “There’s moments that you have to evaluate whether silence is going to be your only option. And certain times that was our only option. But now is not that time.”
Times Up
Thanks, Reese
Thanks to Reese Witherspoon and Time’s Up, HBO examined and corrected pay disparities they had at the network. “We’ve proactively gone through all of our shows. In fact, we just finished our process where we went through and made sure that there were no inappropriate disparities in pay; and where there were, if we found any, we corrected it going forward. And that is a direct result of the Time’s Up movement.” Girl power? Heck to the yes.
Thanks Reese
Time 100
In 2015, Witherspoon appeared among the Time 100 for the second time. Mindy Kaling wrote the featured article on her. That same year, Reese was unanimously voted to receive the American Cinematheque for being “a perfect example of an actress flourishing in today’s world” and “an active and successful movie producer who is moving her career forward both behind and in front of the camera.” We told you she was perfect.
Time 100
Inspiration
Recently Reese opened up on how much Oprah Winfrey has influenced her. “Oprah has encouraged me before I ever met her to be the best version of myself, through her book clubs, the people I saw on her show,” she explained. “[She’s been] an incredible advocate for me as a businesswoman.” As far role models go, Oprah ranks at the top.
Inspiration1
My Husband
However, Oprah isn’t the only person who influences Reese Witherspoon. “I get a lot of support from my husband, who cares deeply about equality and always tells me,’Why wouldn’t you call the person in charge of a company and have a personal relationship with them?'” she says of her husband, Jim Toth. “He’s encouraged me to be outspoken.”
My Husband
Fearless
While Witherspoon is a wrecking ball in her industry, she doesn’t see herself as fearless. “I see [fear] as this little creature that lives in my life all the time, and I can either pay it attention and not get anything done or I can march ahead and ignore it,” she says. “Sometimes that’s not a good thing, and sometimes it is, but sometimes I just have to jump two feet into a cold pool and go, ‘OK, I believe in myself enough. I know I work hard. I know I can always bet on myself.'”
Fearless
Her Recent Announcement
While speaking with Oprah Winfrey about her new movie, A Wrinkle In Time, Reese Witherspoon revealed that she left a very abusive relationship when she was “really young.” The Oscar winner said, “A line got drawn in the sand, and it got crossed, and my brain just switched, and I knew it was going to be very difficult, but I just couldn’t go any further.” She carried on to say, “But it was profound, and I was young. Really young. … I was a different person too. It changed who I was on a cellular level, the fact that I stood up for myself. … Leaving those situations [isn’t] easy because it’s wrought with self-doubt, particularly if someone damages your self-esteem. … I didn’t have self-esteem, you know? And I’m a different person now.”
Her Recent Announcement
An Author
Reese Witherspoon is paying homage to her Southern roots. By writing her own lifestyle book of course! Her book, set to be published sometime in 2018, will “celebrate the American South’s signature style, grace, and charm.” The book is untitled for the moment but it will also advise women on how they can incorporate those elements in their own lives. “It’s a unique opportunity for me to share funny anecdotes about my Southern upbringing and give people a glimpse into my idea of Southern living,” she said. It will also include photographs and “personal essays” about the people and experiences that most influenced Witherspoon.
An Author
Royal Friends
Does it really surprise you that Reese Witherspoon is tight with Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge? Apparently, the two first met in 2011 at a charity event. Some of Kate’s favorite movies are Walk the Line and Legally Blonde. Now, the two are email buddies! How cute!
Royal Friends
Hypnotic Serenity
While Reese Witherspoon filmed the intimate scenes for Wild, she needed something to calm her nerves. Witherspoon revealed to Vogue in 2014, that she hired a hypnotist to help calm her before shooting the sex scenes. In addition, author Cheryl Strayed helped her understand how to accurately act as if she was shooting heroin. She told Vogue, “I wanted it to be truthful, I wanted it to be raw, I wanted it to be real.”
Hypnotic Serenity
Not Quite
Even though Reese Witherspoon seems perfect, not every role was meant for her. GASP! Shocking, we know. Apparently, she was considered for the part of Cher in Clueless, and she even met the director. Yet, director Amy Heckerling knew it was meant for Alicia Silverstone. Heckerling said, “I met with Reese because everyone said, ‘This girl’s amazing. She’s going to be huge,’…I saw some movie where she had a southern accent. Maybe it was on TV, a movie of the week. But I did see some scenes of hers and went: Wow. She’s amazing. But Alicia is Cher.”
Not Quite
Tough Night
Everyone was really shaken up after the tragic attacks on September 11. A young 25-year-old Reese Witherspoon was the very first host for SNL after those awful terrorist attacks.
Tough Night
How Romantic
Now, this isn’t your average tale of how two lovebirds met and fell in love. No, Reese explained to Elle how she met her husband Jim. Witherspoon said, “This really drunk guy was hitting on me, making such an idiot of himself, yelling at me. He was like [slurring, scowling, pointing finger in her face], ‘You don’t know me.’ And I was like, ‘Yeah, I know. I don’t know you!’Jim came over and said, ‘Please excuse my friend. He’s just broken up with someone.’ And I remember thinking, ‘His friend is such an ass. What a jerk. And that Jim was a really good friend, pulling him out of that situation.’”
How Romantic
No Music For Her Future
Although everyone loved her in Walk the Line, Reese wasn’t gung-ho about a music career after. However, several record companies approached her after that role about pursuing a country music career. She turned them all down.
No Music For Her Future
In Another World
Both of Reese’s parents were in the medical field. Her mom worked as a pediatric nurse and nursing professor while her father was an otolaryngologist or ENT. Thus, it didn’t surprise many when she said if she could be any other profession, she would choose to work as a pediatric cardiologist.
In Another World
Circus Prep
In order to prep for Water for Elephants, Reese attended circus school for three months. During that time, she worked on trapeze and acrobatics with Cirque de Soleil performers. Hey, she also had a history as a gymnast, so that definitely helped out.
Circus Prep
Daredevil
Did you know Reese calls herself a tomboy? Not only is she a tomboy, but she tends to enjoy activities that are a bit…well, dangerous. During Water for Elephants, she completed all the stunts herself! She got to spend six months with a special elephant named Tai, who was 42 years old. Awww!
Daredevil
Not For Reese
Now, we can barely imagine Reese having any career regrets since she’s such a huge star. However, she did turn down the leads in Urban Legend and Scream. Also, they considered her for the lead in Romeo + Juliet. Ultimately, the role went to Claire Danes.
Not For Reese
Studies
Before her Hollywood career took off, she attended Standford University for a bit. Reese studied English lit there. In 2017, she even returned to visit her old college dorm!
Studies
Limited TV Experience
Today, people cannot get enough of Reese on HBO’s Big Little Lies. Surprisingly, her only television roles before the HBO hit show were in a Lifetime drama and of course, in Friends. Oh, and she appeared on The Mindy Project!
Limited TV Experience
Legally Blonde Prep
You may have caught on by now, but Reese really commits to her roles. Thus, her prep is usually very involved. Before Legally Blonde, she visited the University of Southern California. Also, she had dinner with a sorority there. In addition, she sat in on some classes at Loyola Law School.
Legally Blonde Prep
Score
Besides the fun of filming, there was another huge perk for Reese Witherspoon when she worked on Legally Blonde. She got to take home most of her character’s clothing from the film. How cool is that?
Score
Same, Reese
Out of all the content out there today, Reese has chosen Mad Men as her favorite show. We couldn’t agree more! Oh, and her favorite movie ever is…Splendor in the Grass.
Same, Reese
Inked
Believe it or not, Reese Witherspoon is tatted! she’s got a star with two birds on her stomach. One source told Us Weekly, “She has had the star tattoo for a few years. After she and Jim got married, she added two birds — one to each side of the star…In some ways, [the star tattoos] kind of symbolized their new life and love together. People consider Reese to be such an All-American sweetheart so it is more unexpected for her to have ink.”
Inked
True Fan
Reese Witherspoon’s mom Betty named her dog something very special. In fact, she named the dog Ellie, after her daughter’s famous role in Legally Blonde.
True Fan
Living Abroad
Of course, Reese Witherspoon is practically synonymous with Southern Belle. However, this Southern native also lived abroad for a period during her childhood. She lived in Western Germany in a city called Wiesbaden for four years with her family. Her father was stationed there at the time, working for the military as an ear, nose and throat specialist.
Living Abroad
Fan Of The 40’s
Vogue asked the actress which decade she would want to live in, if she could pick any. She answered that the 40’s would be her choice. Many fans speculated it was the fashion of that decade that drove Witherspoon to favor that time period.
Fan Of The 40’s
Former Flame
Back in 2007, Reese starred in Rendition with Jake Gyllenhaal. As you may already know, the two began dating. In 2008, she told Vogue how supportive he was and said, “Suffice it to say, I’m very happy in life, and I’m very lucky to have a lot of really supportive people around me who care very much for me, and, you know, that’s all you can hope for in life. I am very blessed in that way.” However, they two broke it off in 2009 but remained on good terms.
Former Flame
Just A Bit More Singing
We all know she could sing once we saw Walk the Line. Thus, it wasn’t much of a surprise when Reese Witherspoon decided to record a duet with her friend Michael Buble. They sang “Something Stupid” on his album, To Be Loved. Buble said of her, “I thought [Witherspoon] had a really wonderful dulcet sweet tone. She really understood the subtext of that song [‘Something Stupid’] … and when she sang it she believed it, and when you believe it the audience has to believe it.”
Just A Bit More Singing
Wrestling Cheerleader
Back in the day, Reese Witherspoon was a wrestling cheerleader. This was during her high school days. She revealed this on Jimmy Fallon’s show and he jokingly asked if wrestling cheerleaders were a thing. She answered, “Well, in the South, you have a cheerleader for basically everything.” True!
Wrestling Cheerleader
Easter Is Her Favorite
Out of all the holidays, Easter is Reese’s favorite. She loves doing Easter egg hunts with her family. Also, she launched a special bunny line for the holiday through her brand, Draper James.
Easter Is Her Favorite
Huge Advocate
Reese was a trailblazer for the #AskHerMore movement, the one aiming to call out any sexist reporting by refocusing the conversation on women’s achievements. She explained to Glamour, “I don’t want to discount the beautiful work that the fashion houses do, but somehow, just focusing on what you’re wearing feels reductive. These actresses are there because they made us laugh and made us cry and touched our hearts.”
Huge Advocate
Always The Clown
If you know anything about Reese, you know how silly she can be! In fact, she made an off-color joke to Elle about Southern women. She joked, “Why do Southern women make bad prostitutes? Cuz we have to write so many thank-you notes!”
Always The Clown