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 accomplished American actress and producer, recognized with an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and two Golden Globe Awards. She has been featured in Time's 100 most influential people list and Forbes' list of the world's most powerful women. In 2021, she was named the world's highest-earning actress. With an estimated net worth of $440 million in 2023, she ranks among the wealthiest celebrities in America, highlighting her success both on and off-screen.
1991: Cast in The Man in the Moon
In 1991, Reese Witherspoon attended an open casting call for The Man in the Moon and was cast for the lead role of Dani Trant.
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, Witherspoon starred in Return to Lonesome Dove, her first television project.
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: Starred in Freeway and Fear
In 1996, Reese Witherspoon starred in the films Freeway and Fear, marking significant roles in her early career.
1998: Major Roles in Overnight Delivery, Pleasantville and Twilight
In 1998, Reese Witherspoon had major roles in three films: Overnight Delivery, Pleasantville and Twilight.
1999: Co-starred in Best Laid Plans, Cruel Intentions, and Election
In 1999, Reese Witherspoon co-starred in Best Laid Plans with Alessandro Nivola, Cruel Intentions with Sarah Michelle Gellar and Ryan Phillippe, and Election opposite Matthew Broderick.
1999: Breakthrough Role in Cruel Intentions and Election
In 1999, Reese Witherspoon had her breakthrough with a supporting role in Cruel Intentions and for her portrayal of Tracy Flick in the black comedy Election.
1999: Election film release
In 1999, the film Election, starring Reese Witherspoon, was released to critical acclaim and high grossing success.
2000: Supporting Role in American Psycho and Guest Appearances
In 2000, Reese Witherspoon had a supporting role in American Psycho and made a cameo appearance in Little Nicky. She also made a guest appearance in the sixth season of Friends as Rachel Green's sister Jill.
September 29, 2001: Hosts Saturday Night Live
On September 29, 2001, Witherspoon hosted Saturday Night Live, the first episode to air after the September 11 attacks.
2001: Legally Blonde film release
In 2001, Legally Blonde, starring Reese Witherspoon, was released to critical acclaim and high grossing success.
2001: Gained Wider Recognition in Legally Blonde
In 2001, Reese Witherspoon gained wider recognition for playing Elle Woods in the comedy Legally Blonde.
2001: Starred in Legally Blonde
In 2001, Reese Witherspoon starred as Elle Woods in the film Legally Blonde, a turning point in her career.
2002: One of Hollywood's Highest-Paid Actresses
From 2002 Reese Witherspoon was consistently one of Hollywood's highest-paid actresses. She was paid $15 million for her role in Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde.
2002: Starred in Sweet Home Alabama
In 2002, Reese Witherspoon starred in the romantic comedy Sweet Home Alabama, gaining further recognition.
2002: Featured in The Simpsons and Sweet Home Alabama
In 2002, Reese Witherspoon was featured in The Simpsons episode "The Bart Wants What It Wants", starred in The Importance of Being Earnest, and starred in Sweet Home Alabama.
2003: Starred in Legally Blonde 2
In 2003, Reese Witherspoon starred in Legally Blonde 2, the sequel to the successful comedy.
2004: Starred in Vanity Fair
In 2004, Reese Witherspoon starred in Vanity Fair, a film adaptation of the classic novel. She portrayed Becky Sharp, a determined woman seeking fortune and social status. Witherspoon was pregnant during filming, which she believed enhanced her performance. The film received mixed reviews.
2004: Starred in Just Like Heaven
In late 2004, Reese Witherspoon starred in the romantic comedy Just Like Heaven alongside Mark Ruffalo. She played Elizabeth Masterson, a doctor who falls into a coma and whose spirit finds love in her old apartment.
2005: Starred in Walk the Line
In 2005, Reese Witherspoon starred as June Carter Cash in Walk the Line, a film about Johnny Cash. She performed her own vocals and won several awards for her performance, including an Academy Award.
2005: Walk the Line Release
In 2005, Reese Witherspoon starred as June Carter Cash in Walk the Line. Witherspoon performed her own vocals in the film, and her songs had to be performed in front of a live audience.
2005: Won 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.
March 2006: Began filming Penelope
In March 2006, filming began for the fantasy film Penelope, in which Reese Witherspoon played Annie. The film was produced by her company, Type A Films.
2006: CDF Project in New Orleans
In 2006, Witherspoon participated in a Children's Defense Fund (CDF) project in New Orleans to publicize the needs of Hurricane Katrina victims and helped open the city's first Freedom School.
October 2007: Appeared in Rendition
In October 2007, Reese Witherspoon appeared in the thriller Rendition, playing Isabella El-Ibrahim. The film received mixed reviews, and Witherspoon's performance was criticized.
2007: Named Global Ambassador of Avon Products
In 2007, Reese Witherspoon was named Global Ambassador of Avon Products, serving as honorary chair of the Avon Foundation dedicated to women's causes.
2007: Best-Dressed Female Star and Highest-Paid Actress
In 2007, Witherspoon was selected as one of the year's best-dressed female stars and became the highest-paid actress in the American film industry.
February 2008: Penelope film release
After premiering at the 2006 Toronto International Film Festival, the film Penelope, in which Reese Witherspoon appeared, was unreleased until February 2008.
2008: Starred in Four Christmases
In 2008, Reese Witherspoon starred in the comedy Four Christmases with Vince Vaughn. Despite negative reviews, the film was a box office success.
2009: Filming How Do You Know
During the summer and fall of 2009, Reese Witherspoon filmed How Do You Know in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. She played a former softball player in a love triangle.
2009: Monsters vs. Aliens film release
In 2009, Monsters vs. Aliens, starring Reese Witherspoon, was released to critical acclaim and high grossing success.
2009: Voiced in Monsters vs. Aliens
In 2009, Reese Witherspoon voiced Susan Murphy in the animated film Monsters vs. Aliens. She also co-produced the Legally Blonde spin-off Legally Blondes.
March 2010: Began circus training for Water for Elephants
In March 2010, Reese Witherspoon began circus training for her role as Marlena in Water for Elephants.
August 2010: Principal photography of Water for Elephants
Between May and early August 2010, Reese Witherspoon participated in the principal photography of Water for Elephants in various locations in Tennessee, Georgia, and California.
September 2010: Began production of This Means War
In September 2010, Reese Witherspoon began production in Vancouver on the film This Means War.
December 2010: How Do You Know reception
As of December 2010, the film How Do You Know, starring Reese Witherspoon, received unfavorable reviews, with a 35% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
December 17, 2010: How Do You Know Release
On December 17, 2010, the film How Do You Know, starring Reese Witherspoon, was released. She played a former softball player in a love triangle.
2010: Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
In 2010, Reese Witherspoon received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
2010: One of Hollywood's Highest-Paid Actresses
Until 2010 Reese Witherspoon was consistently one of Hollywood's highest-paid actresses.
April 22, 2011: Water for Elephants Released
On April 22, 2011, the film Water for Elephants, starring Reese Witherspoon, was released and received mixed reviews.
September 2011: Filmed role in Mud
In September 2011, Reese Witherspoon filmed a small role in Jeff Nichols's coming-of-age drama Mud in Arkansas.
2011: Future film release
In 2011, Reese Witherspoon would release a love triangle film.
2011: Box-Office Success with Water for Elephants
In 2011, following a career downturn, Reese Witherspoon had a box-office success with the romantic drama Water for Elephants.
February 17, 2012: This Means War fully opens
On February 17, 2012, This Means War, starring Reese Witherspoon, had a full release. The film was panned by critics and did not perform well at the box office.
March 2012: Merger to form Pacific Standard
In March 2012, 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 but did not win the Palme d'Or.
July 2012: Filming Devil's Knot
In June and July 2012, Reese Witherspoon filmed Devil's Knot in Georgia. She played Pam Hobbs and was pregnant with her third child during filming.
2012: Founded Pacific Standard
In 2012, Reese Witherspoon founded the production company Pacific Standard, now known as Hello Sunshine, with the goal of producing projects with strong female lead characters.
2012: Future film release
In 2012, Reese Witherspoon would release a love triangle film.
2012: Overpaid actors
In 2012, Witherspoon was noted as one of the most overpaid actors in Hollywood due to her appearance in many commercially unsuccessful films.
January 19, 2013: Mud debuted at Sundance Film Festival
On January 19, 2013, Mud, featuring Reese Witherspoon, had its American debut at the Sundance Film Festival.
April 26, 2013: Mud had a limited release in North American theaters
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: Mud film release
In 2013, Mud, starring Reese Witherspoon, was released to critical acclaim and high grossing success.
2013: Somethin' Stupid Duet with Michael Bublé
In 2013, Witherspoon recorded a cover of the song "Somethin' Stupid" with Michael Bublé for his album, To Be Loved.
2013: Overpaid actors
In 2013, Witherspoon was noted as one of the most overpaid actors in Hollywood due to her appearance in many commercially unsuccessful films.
May 9, 2014: Devil's Knot released in American theaters
On May 9, 2014, Devil's Knot, starring Reese Witherspoon, was released in selected American theaters. The film received mainly negative reviews.
May 2014: Began production on Hot Pursuit
In May 2014, Reese Witherspoon began production in Louisiana on Hot Pursuit, a comedy where she plays a police officer.
October 3, 2014: The Good Lie released
On October 3, 2014, The Good Lie, featuring Reese Witherspoon, was released. The film tells the true story of Sudanese refugees.
December 2014: Reflected on career slump
In December 2014, Reese Witherspoon reflected on her career slump, attributing it to her split from her first husband and the subsequent divorce in 2006. She stated that she wasn't making things she was passionate about.
December 2014: Wild released to critical acclaim
In December 2014, Wild, produced by and starring Reese Witherspoon, was released to critical acclaim. Witherspoon earned a second Academy Award nomination for her performance.
2014: Comeback with Wild
In 2014, Reese Witherspoon made a comeback by producing and starring in the drama Wild, earning her a second Academy Award nomination.
2014: Produced Gone Girl
In 2014, Reese Witherspoon produced the film adaptation Gone Girl.
2014: Wild film release
In 2014, Wild, starring Reese Witherspoon, was released to critical acclaim and high grossing success.
May 8, 2015: Hot Pursuit released
On May 8, 2015, Hot Pursuit, starring Reese Witherspoon, was released.
May 2015: Draper James Launched
In May 2015, Witherspoon launched Draper James, a retail brand focusing on fashion and home décor inspired by the American South, named after her grandparents.
2016: Sing film release
In 2016, Sing, starring Reese Witherspoon, was released to critical acclaim and high grossing success.
2016: Departure from Pacific Standard
In 2016, Witherspoon and Papandrea parted ways, and Witherspoon gained full control of Pacific Standard, which became a subsidiary of Hello Sunshine.
2016: Voice role in Sing and Filming Big Little Lies
In 2016, Witherspoon voiced a character in the animated film Sing, which became her biggest commercial success, and began filming the miniseries Big Little Lies.
February 19, 2017: Big Little Lies Premieres on HBO
On February 19, 2017, the miniseries adaptation of Liane Moriarty's bestseller, Big Little Lies, which Witherspoon co-produced and starred in, premiered on HBO.
March 2017: Chief Storyteller for Elizabeth Arden
In March 2017, Witherspoon became the chief storyteller for Elizabeth Arden, Inc., helping shape the brand's narrative through advertising and marketing.
September 8, 2017: Home Again Released
On September 8, 2017, Witherspoon starred in the romantic comedy Home Again, directed by Hallie Meyers-Shyer, Nancy Meyers' daughter.
December 2017: Big Little Lies Renewed for Second Season
In December 2017, HBO renewed Big Little Lies for a second season.
2017: Celeste Ng's novel
In 2017 Celeste Ng published the novel "Little Fires Everywhere" which would be adapted in a Hulu drama miniseries in 2020 starring and produced by Witherspoon.
2017: Career Earnings Reported by Forbes
In 2017, Forbes reported Witherspoon's career earnings were in excess of $198 million, making her the highest-paid primetime Emmy nominee that year.
2017: Produced and Starred in Big Little Lies
In 2017, Reese Witherspoon produced and starred in the HBO drama series Big Little Lies.
March 2018: A Wrinkle in Time Film Adaptation Release
In March 2018, Witherspoon starred in Disney's A Wrinkle in Time, a film adaptation of Madeleine L'Engle's novel.
September 2018: Reese's Book Club Picked Where the Crawdads Sing
In September 2018, Reese's Book Club picked Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, which was later adapted into a film by Witherspoon's production company.
September 2018: Whiskey in a Teacup Publication
In September 2018, Witherspoon published her first book, Whiskey in a Teacup, a lifestyle publication inspired by her southern upbringing.
November 2019: The Morning Show Premieres on Apple TV+
In November 2019, The Morning Show, starring and produced by Witherspoon, premiered on Apple TV+.
December 2019: Truth Be Told Premieres on Apple TV+
In December 2019, Truth Be Told, executive produced by Witherspoon, premiered on Apple TV+.
2019: Produced and Starred in The Morning Show
In 2019, Reese Witherspoon produced and starred in the Apple TV+ drama series The Morning Show.
March 2020: Truth Be Told Renewed for a Second Season
In March 2020, the Apple TV+ series Truth Be Told, for which Witherspoon serves as an executive producer, was renewed for a second season.
October 19, 2020: The Morning Show Season 2 Production Restarted
On October 19, 2020, production on season two of The Morning Show, starring Witherspoon, restarted after a COVID-19 pandemic shutdown.
2020: Produced and Starred in Little Fires Everywhere
In 2020, Reese Witherspoon produced and starred in the Hulu miniseries Little Fires Everywhere.
2020: Little Fires Everywhere and Fierce Queens
In 2020, Witherspoon produced and starred in the Hulu drama miniseries Little Fires Everywhere and narrated the Quibi nature documentary series Fierce Queens.
2020: Draper James Loves Teachers Initiative
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Witherspoon announced the "Draper James Loves Teachers" initiative, offering free dresses from the clothing collection to teachers.
September 2021: The Morning Show Season 2 Premieres on Apple TV
In September 2021, season two of The Morning Show, starring and produced by Witherspoon, premiered on Apple TV.
2021: Named World's Highest Earning Actress
In 2021, Forbes recognized Reese Witherspoon as the world's highest earning actress and listed her among the world's 100 most powerful women.
2022: Produced Where the Crawdads Sing
In 2022, Reese Witherspoon produced the film adaptation Where the Crawdads Sing.
2023: Produced Daisy Jones & the Six
In 2023, Reese Witherspoon produced the miniseries adaptation Daisy Jones & the Six.
2023: My Kind of Country and Your Place or Mine
In 2023, Witherspoon executive produced My Kind of Country and starred in Your Place or Mine, released on Netflix.
2025: You're Cordially Invited
In 2025, Witherspoon is set to star in and produce the romantic comedy You're Cordially Invited for Amazon Prime Video.
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