Reese Witherspoon's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Reese Witherspoon.

Reese Witherspoon is a highly successful American actress and producer, recognized with an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and two Golden Globe Awards. She's been featured on 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, and in 2023, she was recognized as one of the richest celebrities in America, with an estimated net worth of $440 million, demonstrating her influence and business acumen.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1993: Roles in Various Films and Miniseries

In 1993, Reese Witherspoon played a young wife in the CBS miniseries "Return to Lonesome Dove", appeared in the Disney film "A Far Off Place", and had a minor role in "Jack the Bear", which garnered her the Young Artist Award.

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1996: Starred in 'Fear' and 'Freeway'

In 1996, Reese Witherspoon starred in two major films: the thriller "Fear" alongside Mark Wahlberg, and the black-comedy thriller "Freeway" alongside Kiefer Sutherland and Brooke Shields. Her performance in "Freeway" won her the Best Actress Award at the Cognac Police Film Festival.

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1998: Major Roles in 'Overnight Delivery', 'Pleasantville' and 'Twilight'

In 1998, Reese Witherspoon had major roles in the films "Overnight Delivery", "Pleasantville", and "Twilight". Her performance in "Pleasantville" earned her praise and garnered her the Young Hollywood Award for Best Female Breakthrough Performance.

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1999: Roles in 'Best Laid Plans', 'Cruel Intentions', and 'Election'

In 1999, Reese Witherspoon co-starred in the drama thriller "Best Laid Plans", the drama "Cruel Intentions", and the film "Election". Her performance in "Election" earned her acclaim and nominations in the Golden Globes and Independent Spirit Awards, and she won Best Actress Awards from the National Society of Film Critics and the Online Film Critics Society.

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2001: Wider Recognition with 'Legally Blonde'

In 2001, Reese Witherspoon gained wider recognition for playing Elle Woods in the comedy "Legally Blonde".

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2001: Starred in 'Legally Blonde'

In 2001, Reese Witherspoon starred as Elle Woods in the film "Legally Blonde", which marked a turning point in her career and earned her praise and a Golden Globe nomination.

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2002: Became one of Hollywood's highest-paid actresses

In 2002, Reese Witherspoon became one of Hollywood's consistently highest-paid actresses. She earned $15 million for Legally Blonde 2.

2002: Featured in 'The Simpsons' and 'The Importance of Being Earnest'

In 2002, Reese Witherspoon featured in "The Simpsons" episode "The Bart Wants What It Wants" and in the film adaptation of Oscar Wilde's play "The Importance of Being Earnest", for which she received a Teen Choice Award nomination.

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2005: Starring in Walk the Line and Award Wins

In 2005, Reese Witherspoon starred as June Carter Cash in "Walk the Line" and won Best Actress at the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, British Academy Film Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild award for her performance.

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2005: Ranked in Teen People's List of Most Powerful Young Hollywood Actors

In 2005, Reese Witherspoon was ranked No. 5 in Teen People magazine's list of most powerful young Hollywood actors.

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".

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2006: Listed Among the Time 100

In 2006, Reese Witherspoon was listed among the Time 100, with her featured article written by Luke Wilson.

2006: Named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People

In 2006, Time magazine recognized Reese Witherspoon as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

2007: Featured in Forbes Magazine's Celebrity 100 List

In 2007, Reese Witherspoon was featured on the annual Celebrity 100 list by Forbes magazine at No. 80.

2007: Best-Dressed Female Star

In 2007, Reese Witherspoon was selected by People and Access Hollywood as one of the year's best-dressed female stars. She also established herself as the highest-paid actress in the American film industry, earning $15 to $20 million per film.

2010: Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

In 2010, Reese Witherspoon received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

2010: Hollywood's highest-paid actresses

Reese Witherspoon remained one of Hollywood's consistently highest-paid actresses through 2010.

April 2011: Ranked on People's Most Beautiful Issue

In April 2011, Reese Witherspoon ranked No. 3 on the 22nd annual People's Most Beautiful issue.

December 2014: Release of Wild and Academy Award Nomination

In December 2014, "Wild", produced by and starring Reese Witherspoon, was released to critical acclaim, earning Witherspoon a second Academy Award nomination. Wild was based on Cheryl Strayed's memoir of the same name.

2014: Comeback with 'Wild'

In 2014, Reese Witherspoon made a comeback by producing and starring as Cheryl Strayed in the drama "Wild", which earned her a second Academy Award nomination.

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2015: American Cinematheque Award

In 2015, Reese Witherspoon received the American Cinematheque Award for being "a perfect example of an actress flourishing in today's world".

2015: Named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People

In 2015, Time magazine again named Reese Witherspoon one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

2017: Highest-Paid Primetime Emmy Nominee

In 2017, Forbes reported that Reese Witherspoon's career earnings were in excess of $198 million, making her the highest-paid primetime Emmy nominee of the year.