Career Timeline of Reese Witherspoon: Major Achievements and Milestones
Discover the career path of Reese Witherspoon, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Reese Witherspoon is a highly successful American actress and producer recognized with prestigious awards like an Academy Award and Emmy. Named among Time's 100 most influential people and Forbes's most powerful women, Witherspoon topped Forbes' list as the world's highest-earning actress in 2021. By 2023, she had become one of America's wealthiest women with an estimated net worth of $440 million.
1991: Screen Debut in The Man in the Moon
In 1991, Reese Witherspoon made her screen debut in The Man in the Moon, marking the beginning of her acting career.
1992: Appeared in Desperate Choices: To Save My Child
In 1992, Reese Witherspoon appeared in the television film Desperate Choices: To Save My Child, portraying a critically ill young girl.
1993: Return To Lonesome Dove
In 1993, Reese Witherspoon starred in Return To Lonesome Dove.
1994: Leading Role in S.F.W.
In 1994, Reese Witherspoon had a leading role as Wendy Pfister in the film S.F.W., directed by Jefery Levy.
1996: Starring Roles in Freeway and Fear
In 1996, Reese Witherspoon starred in the films Freeway and Fear, gaining recognition for her performances in these films.
1996: Starred in Fear and Freeway
In 1996, Reese Witherspoon starred in the thriller Fear alongside Mark Wahlberg and in the black-comedy thriller Freeway alongside Kiefer Sutherland and Brooke Shields.
1998: Major Roles in Overnight Delivery, Pleasantville, and Twilight
In 1998, Reese Witherspoon had major roles in the films Overnight Delivery, Pleasantville, and Twilight, showcasing her versatility as an actress.
1999: Roles in Best Laid Plans and Cruel Intentions
In 1999, Reese Witherspoon co-starred in Best Laid Plans and Cruel Intentions.
1999: Breakthrough Role in Cruel Intentions and Election
In 1999, Reese Witherspoon had her breakthrough with a supporting role in Cruel Intentions and her portrayal of Tracy Flick in Election, earning her wider recognition.
2000: Supporting Role in American Psycho and Guest Appearance in Friends
In 2000, Reese Witherspoon had a supporting role in American Psycho and made a guest appearance in the sixth season of Friends, broadening her acting portfolio.
September 29, 2001: Hosting Saturday Night Live
On September 29, 2001, Reese Witherspoon hosted Saturday Night Live, the first episode to air after the September 11 attacks.
2001: Gaining Recognition in Legally Blonde
In 2001, Reese Witherspoon gained wider recognition for playing Elle Woods in the comedy Legally Blonde.
2001: Starring in Legally Blonde
In 2001, Reese Witherspoon starred as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, a role that marked a turning point in her career and brought her widespread recognition.
2001: Legally Blonde Film
In 2001, Witherspoon starred in the film Legally Blonde.
2002: Hollywood's Highest-Paid Actresses
Between 2002 and 2010, Reese Witherspoon would become one of Hollywood's highest-paid actresses.
2002: Featured in The Simpsons and Sweet Home Alabama
In 2002, Reese Witherspoon featured in The Simpsons episode "The Bart Wants What It Wants" and starred in the romantic comedy Sweet Home Alabama, achieving significant box office success.
2002: Starring in Sweet Home Alabama
In 2002, Reese Witherspoon starred in the romantic comedy Sweet Home Alabama, achieving box office success.
2003: Legally Blonde Sequel
In 2003, Reese Witherspoon starred in the sequel Legally Blonde 2.
2004: Starred in Vanity Fair
In 2004, Reese Witherspoon starred in Vanity Fair, adapted from the 19th-century classic novel and directed by Mira Nair, where she played the role of Becky Sharp.
2004: Starred in Just Like Heaven
In 2004, Reese Witherspoon starred in the romantic comedy "Just Like Heaven" alongside Mark Ruffalo, playing Elizabeth Masterson, a doctor who falls into a coma after a car accident.
2005: Starred in Walk the Line
In 2005, Reese Witherspoon starred in "Walk the Line" as June Carter Cash, a role for which she received significant acclaim.
2005: Cast as June Carter Cash in Walk the Line
In 2005, Reese Witherspoon was cast as June Carter Cash in "Walk the Line", performing her own vocals after extensive training.
2005: Academy Award for Walk the Line
In 2005, Reese Witherspoon won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of June Carter Cash in the musical biopic Walk the Line, marking a significant achievement in her career.
2005: Walk the Line Film
In 2005, Witherspoon starred in the film Walk the Line.
March 2006: Filming of Penelope began
In March 2006, filming began for the fantasy film "Penelope", produced by Witherspoon's company, Type A Films, where she played Annie, the best friend of the lead character.
2006: CDF project in New Orleans
In 2006, Reese Witherspoon joined a group of actresses in a Children's Defense Fund project in New Orleans to publicize the needs of Hurricane Katrina victims and helped open the city's first Freedom School.
October 2007: Starred in Rendition
In October 2007, Reese Witherspoon appeared in the thriller "Rendition", playing Isabella El-Ibrahim.
2007: Global Ambassador for Avon Products
In 2007, Reese Witherspoon became the first Global Ambassador for cosmetics firm Avon Products, serving as a spokeswoman and honorary chair of the Avon Foundation.
February 2008: Penelope released
After premiering in 2006, the film Penelope, in which Witherspoon starred and produced, was released in February 2008.
2008: Starred in Four Christmases
In 2008, Reese Witherspoon starred alongside Vince Vaughn in the comedy "Four Christmases".
2009: Filming of How Do You Know
Filming for "How Do You Know", starring Reese Witherspoon, took place in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. during the summer and fall of 2009.
2009: Voiced Susan Murphy in Monsters vs. Aliens
In 2009, Reese Witherspoon voiced Susan Murphy in the animated film "Monsters vs. Aliens".
2009: Monsters vs. Aliens Film
In 2009, Witherspoon starred in the film Monsters vs. Aliens.
March 2010: Circus training for Water for Elephants
In March 2010, Reese Witherspoon began circus training for her role in "Water for Elephants".
August 2010: Filming for Water for Elephants ended
Principal photography for "Water for Elephants" concluded around August 2010.
September 2010: Production began for This Means War
In September 2010, production began in Vancouver for "This Means War", starring Reese Witherspoon.
December 2010: Unfavorable Reviews for How Do You Know
As of December 2010, the film "How Do You Know", starring Reese Witherspoon, received mainly unfavorable reviews.
December 17, 2010: How Do You Know released
On December 17, 2010, the film "How Do You Know", starring Reese Witherspoon, was released.
April 22, 2011: Water for Elephants released
On April 22, 2011, "Water for Elephants", starring Reese Witherspoon, was released to mixed critical reviews.
September 2011: Filmed small role in Mud
In September 2011, Reese Witherspoon filmed a small role in Jeff Nichols's coming-of-age drama, "Mud".
2011: Starring in Water for Elephants
In 2011, during a career downturn, Reese Witherspoon's sole box-office success was the romantic drama Water for Elephants.
February 17, 2012: This Means War released
On February 17, 2012, "This Means War", starring Reese Witherspoon, was fully released after a sneak peek on Valentine's Day.
March 2012: Merger to form Pacific Standard
In March 2012, Reese Witherspoon merged Type A Films with Bruna Papandrea's "Make Movies" banner to form a new production company called Pacific Standard.
May 2012: Mud premiered at Cannes Film Festival
In May 2012, "Mud", featuring Reese Witherspoon, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.
July 2012: Filming Devil's Knot
In July 2012, Reese Witherspoon was filming Devil's Knot in Georgia.
2012: Founded Pacific Standard
In 2012, Reese Witherspoon founded the production company Pacific Standard.
January 19, 2013: Mud debuted at Sundance Film Festival
On January 19, 2013, "Mud", featuring Reese Witherspoon, made its American debut at the Sundance Film Festival.
April 26, 2013: Mud had limited release
On April 26, 2013, "Mud", featuring Reese Witherspoon, had a limited release in selected North American theaters.
2013: Devil's Knot premiered at Toronto International Film Festival
In 2013, "Devil's Knot", starring Reese Witherspoon, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.
2013: Recorded Somethin' Stupid
In 2013, Reese Witherspoon recorded a cover of "Somethin' Stupid" with Michael Bublé for his album, To Be Loved.
May 9, 2014: Devil's Knot released in selected American theaters
On May 9, 2014, "Devil's Knot", starring Reese Witherspoon, was released in selected American theaters.
May 2014: Began production on Hot Pursuit
In May 2014, Reese Witherspoon began production in Louisiana on "Hot Pursuit".
October 3, 2014: The Good Lie released
On October 3, 2014, the film "The Good Lie", starring Reese Witherspoon, was released.
December 2014: Reflection on Career
In December 2014, Witherspoon reflected on a period of career stagnation following her split from her first husband in 2006.
December 2014: Wild released
In December 2014, the film "Wild", starring and produced by Reese Witherspoon, was released to critical acclaim.
2014: Comeback with Wild
In 2014, Reese Witherspoon made a comeback by producing and starring in the drama Wild, which earned her a second Academy Award nomination, revitalizing her career.
2014: Producing Gone Girl
In 2014, Reese Witherspoon produced the film adaptation Gone Girl, showcasing her work behind the camera.
May 8, 2015: Hot Pursuit released
On May 8, 2015, the film "Hot Pursuit", starring Reese Witherspoon, was released.
May 2015: Launch of Draper James
In May 2015, Reese Witherspoon launched Draper James, a retail brand focusing on fashion and home décor inspired by the American South.
2016: Control of Pacific Standard
In 2016, Reese Witherspoon and Bruna Papandrea parted ways, and Witherspoon gained full control of Pacific Standard.
2016: Voiced role in Sing, Began filming Big Little Lies
In 2016, Reese Witherspoon had a voice role in the animated film "Sing" and began filming "Big Little Lies".
February 19, 2017: Big Little Lies premiered on HBO
On February 19, 2017, "Big Little Lies" premiered on HBO.
March 2017: Chief Storyteller for Elizabeth Arden, Inc.
In March 2017, Reese Witherspoon became the chief storyteller for Elizabeth Arden, Inc., helping the company to shape the brand's narrative through advertising campaigns and marketing programs.
September 8, 2017: Home Again released
On September 8, 2017, Reese Witherspoon starred in the romantic comedy "Home Again".
December 2017: Big Little Lies renewed for a second season
In December 2017, HBO renewed "Big Little Lies" for a second season.
2017: Producing and Starring in Big Little Lies
In 2017, Reese Witherspoon began producing and starring in the HBO drama series Big Little Lies, marking a shift towards television and female-led literary adaptations.
March 2018: Starred in A Wrinkle in Time
In March 2018, Reese Witherspoon starred in "A Wrinkle in Time".
September 2018: Book Club Pick
In September 2018, Reese Witherspoon chose "Where the Crawdads Sing" by Delia Owens as the book club's most influential pick.
September 2018: Publication of Whiskey in a Teacup
In September 2018, Reese Witherspoon published her first book, Whiskey in a Teacup, a lifestyle publication inspired by her southern upbringing.
June 2019: Big Little Lies season 2 premiered
In June 2019, season two of Big Little Lies premiered.
November 2019: The Morning Show premiered
In November 2019, the first season of "The Morning Show" premiered on Apple TV+.
December 2019: Truth Be Told premiered
In December 2019, Truth Be Told premiered on Apple TV+ with Witherspoon as an executive producer.
2019: Producing and Starring in The Morning Show
In 2019, Reese Witherspoon started producing and starring in the Apple TV+ drama series The Morning Show, expanding her presence in television.
March 2020: Truth Be Told renewed for a second season
In March 2020, Truth Be Told was renewed for a second season.
October 19, 2020: Production on season two of The Morning Show restarted
On October 19, 2020, production on season two of The Morning Show restarted after a shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020: Little Fires Everywhere and Fierce Queens
In 2020, Reese Witherspoon produced and starred in the Hulu drama miniseries Little Fires Everywhere opposite Kerry Washington. Also in 2020, Witherspoon narrated the Quibi nature documentary series Fierce Queens.
2020: Producing and Starring in Little Fires Everywhere
In 2020, Reese Witherspoon produced and starred in the Hulu miniseries Little Fires Everywhere, continuing her work in female-led literary adaptations.
2020: "Draper James Loves Teachers" Initiative
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Reese Witherspoon announced the "Draper James Loves Teachers" initiative, offering free dresses from the clothing collection to teachers.
September 2021: Season two of The Morning Show premiered
Season two of The Morning Show, starring and produced by Reese Witherspoon, premiered in September 2021 on Apple TV.
2021: Forbes' 100 Most Powerful Women and Highest Earning Actress
In 2021, Forbes recognized Reese Witherspoon as one of the world's 100 most powerful women, and also named her the world's highest-earning actress.
2022: Feature Film
In 2022, "Where the Crawdads Sing" was adapted into a feature film by Witherspoon's production company Hello Sunshine.
2022: Producing Where the Crawdads Sing
In 2022, Reese Witherspoon produced the film adaptation Where the Crawdads Sing, adding to her production credits.
2023: My Kind of Country and Your Place or Mine
In 2023, Reese Witherspoon executive produced, with Kacey Musgraves, the country music competition show, My Kind of Country. She also starred opposite Ashton Kutcher in the romantic comedy Your Place or Mine, which released on Netflix in 2023.
2023: Producing Daisy Jones & the Six
In 2023, Reese Witherspoon produced the miniseries adaptation Daisy Jones & the Six, continuing her focus on literary adaptations.
2025: You're Cordially Invited
In 2025, Reese Witherspoon is set to star in and produce the romantic comedy You're Cordially Invited for Amazon Prime Video.
