Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Winona Ryder
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Winona Ryder made an impact.
Winona Ryder is an American actress known for her quirky roles in the late 1980s and successful dramatic performances in the 1990s. Her accolades include a Golden Globe and nominations for two Academy Awards, a BAFTA Award, and a Grammy Award, marking her significant impact on the entertainment industry.
1969: Appearing in 1969
In 1969, Winona Ryder appeared alongside Kiefer Sutherland and Robert Downey Jr. in the drama film 1969, which addressed the Vietnam War and its effect on American families.
1985: Videotaped Audition for Desert Bloom
In 1985, Ryder sent a videotaped audition, reciting a monologue from Franny and Zooey by J. D. Salinger, to appear in the film Desert Bloom.
1986: Cast in Lucas
In 1986, David Seltzer cast Ryder in his high school drama Lucas, which starred Corey Haim, Charlie Sheen, and Kerri Green.
1987: Starring in Square Dance
In 1987, Ryder starred in Square Dance, where her teenage character creates a bridge between two different worlds.
1988: Starring in Beetlejuice and 1969
In 1988, Ryder starred in Beetlejuice and appeared in 1969, a drama about the Vietnam War.
1989: Starring in Heathers and Great Balls of Fire!
In 1989, Ryder starred in Heathers, a satirical film on teenage life, and Great Balls of Fire!, a biopic about Jerry Lee Lewis.
1989: Starring in Heathers
In 1989, Ryder starred in Heathers, which increased her fame and helped to establish her image as an unconventional actress.
1990: Starring Roles in Edward Scissorhands, Mermaids and Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael
In 1990, Ryder had starring roles in Edward Scissorhands, Mermaids, and Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael, showcasing her versatility in different genres.
1990: Starring in Edward Scissorhands and Mermaids
In 1990, Ryder starred in Edward Scissorhands and Mermaids, cementing her status as a leading actress.
1990: Offer for The Freshman Rescinded
In 1990, after starring in Heathers, Ryder received and then had rescinded an offer to co-star in the film The Freshman due to the controversial nature of Heathers.
1991: Starring in Night on Earth
In 1991, Ryder played a young taxicab driver in Jim Jarmusch's independent film Night on Earth, which received critical praise.
November 1992: Premiere of Bram Stoker's Dracula
In November 1992, Bram Stoker's Dracula, directed by Francis Ford Coppola and starring Winona Ryder, premiered to critical and commercial success.
1992: Starring in Bram Stoker's Dracula
In 1992, Ryder starred in Bram Stoker's Dracula, adding to her repertoire of major roles in popular films.
1992: Expressed Willingness for Beetlejuice Sequel
In 1992, Winona Ryder expressed her willingness to appear in a sequel to Beetlejuice.
October 1993: Release of The House of the Spirits
In October 1993, Ryder starred in The House of the Spirits.
October 1993: Release of The Age of Innocence
In October 1993, The Age of Innocence, starring Winona Ryder, was released and received critical praise, with Ryder's performance being particularly noted.
1993: Oscar Nomination for The Age of Innocence
In 1993, Ryder received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in The Age of Innocence.
1993: Reward Offered for Polly Klaas's Safe Return
In 1993, Winona Ryder offered a $200,000 reward for information leading to the safe return of kidnapped child Polly Klaas.
1994: Oscar Nomination for Little Women and Starring in Reality Bites
In 1994, Ryder received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress for her role in Little Women and starred in Reality Bites, showcasing her versatility as an actress.
1994: Starring in Reality Bites and Little Women
In 1994, Ryder starred in Reality Bites, a Generation X drama, and Little Women, an adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's novel, receiving critical acclaim for both performances.
1994: Dedicated Little Women Performance to Polly Klaas
In 1994, following Polly Klaas' death, Winona Ryder dedicated her performance as Jo in the film adaptation of Little Women to her memory, Little Women being one of Klaas' favorite novels.
1995: Starring in How to Make an American Quilt and Narrating Anne Frank's Diary
In 1995, Ryder starred in How to Make an American Quilt and narrated Anne Frank's The Diary of a Young Girl, receiving a Grammy Award nomination for the latter.
1995: Starring in How to Make an American Quilt
In 1995, Ryder starred in How to Make an American Quilt, continuing to expand her filmography with diverse roles.
1996: Starring in The Crucible
In 1996, Ryder starred in The Crucible, further demonstrating her ability to take on complex and challenging roles.
1996: Film Appearances in Boys, Looking for Richard, and The Crucible
In 1996, Winona Ryder appeared in the film Boys, which was not a box office success and received negative reviews. She also starred in Looking for Richard, a meta-documentary by Al Pacino. Furthermore, Ryder starred in The Crucible, a film adaptation of Arthur Miller's play about the Salem witch trials; the film was a commercial failure, but Ryder's performance was praised.
1996: Development of Girl, Interrupted Film
The film Girl, Interrupted, starring Winona Ryder, was in development since late 1996, but took time to begin filming.
1997: Starring in Alien Resurrection
In 1997, Ryder starred in Alien Resurrection, a science fiction film that added another dimension to her career.
1997: Starring in Alien Resurrection and ShoWest Award
In 1997, Winona Ryder starred in Alien Resurrection as an android. The film was commercially successful, grossing $161 million worldwide, though it was considered one of the least successful entries in the series. Her performance received mostly positive reviews, and she won a Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Best Actress. At the ShoWest event in 1997, she was also presented with the 'Female Star of the Year' award.
1998: Starring in Celebrity
In 1998, Ryder starred in Celebrity, adding to her diverse range of roles in the film industry.
1998: Performing in The Vagina Monologues, Starring in Celebrity, Music Video Appearance, Holocaust Narration, Cannes Film Festival Jury Duty
In 1998, Winona Ryder performed in Eve Ensler's play The Vagina Monologues on Valentine's Day. She starred in Woody Allen's Celebrity. Ryder also appeared in the music video for Jon Spencer Blues Explosion's song "Talk About the Blues". In 1998, Ryder and Leonardo DiCaprio narrated Survivors: Testimonies of the Holocaust, a CD-ROM produced by Steven Spielberg's Shoah Foundation. She served as a member of the jury at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival.
1999: Starring in Girl, Interrupted
In 1999, Ryder starred in Girl, Interrupted, continuing her streak of prominent roles in notable films.
1999: Starring in and Executive Producing Girl, Interrupted; Parody in South Park; Launching Roustabout Studios
In 1999, Winona Ryder starred in and served as an executive producer for Girl, Interrupted, based on Susanna Kaysen's 1993 memoir. Ryder played Kaysen, who has borderline personality disorder. In 1999, Ryder was parodied in South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut. She also started her own music company, Roustabout Studios.
2002: Starring in Mr. Deeds
In 2002, Ryder starred in Mr. Deeds, adding another comedy film to her resume.
2003: Advertising Campaign for Marc Jacobs
In 2003, Winona Ryder appeared in Marc Jacobs' Spring advertising campaign, following media attention on her courtroom appearances in Marc Jacobs clothes.
2004: Co-producing and Co-narrating The Day My God Died
In 2004, Winona Ryder co-produced and co-narrated the documentary The Day My God Died, which focuses on international child sex trafficking.
2004: Inability to be Cast in Melinda and Melinda
In 2004, Woody Allen wanted to cast Winona Ryder in his film Melinda and Melinda, but was unable to due to insurance issues related to her legal problems.
2005: Co-producing and Co-narrating The Day My God Died
In 2005, Winona Ryder co-produced and co-narrated the documentary The Day My God Died, which focuses on international child sex trafficking.
2006: Appearances in The Darwin Awards and A Scanner Darkly
In 2006, Winona Ryder made a career return with appearances in the films The Darwin Awards and Richard Linklater's A Scanner Darkly.
2007: Appearances in The Ten, Sex and Death 101, Welcome, and a Music Video
In 2007, Winona Ryder appeared in David Wain's comedy The Ten, Sex and Death 101, the short horror film Welcome, and the music video for "We're All Stuck Out In The Desert" by Jonathan Rice.
2008: Starring in The Last Word, The Informers, and Star Trek
In 2008, Winona Ryder starred in The Last Word, The Informers, and J.J. Abrams' Star Trek as Spock's human mother, Amanda Grayson.
2009: Return to Acting in Star Trek
In 2009, Ryder returned to acting with a role in the film Star Trek, marking her comeback after a break.
2009: Starring in The Private Lives of Pippa Lee
In 2009, Winona Ryder starred in The Private Lives of Pippa Lee alongside Robin Wright and Julianne Moore.
2010: Roles in Black Swan and When Love Is Not Enough
In 2010, Ryder appeared in Black Swan and When Love Is Not Enough, continuing her return to acting after a break.
2011: Role in The Dilemma
In 2011, Ryder appeared in The Dilemma, adding to her list of film credits as she continued her career resurgence.
2011: Starring in Black Swan, Stay Cool, When Love Is Not Enough: The Lois Wilson Story, and The Dilemma
In 2011, Winona Ryder played a supporting role in Black Swan, starred in Stay Cool and When Love Is Not Enough: The Lois Wilson Story, for which she was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award. She also appeared in The Dilemma.
2012: Starring in The Iceman, The Letter, Frankenweenie, and Guest Hosting on TCM
In 2012, Winona Ryder starred in The Iceman and The Letter. She also reunited with Tim Burton for Frankenweenie and guest-hosted on TCM.
November 2013: Hinted at Beetlejuice Return
In November 2013, Winona Ryder hinted at a return to the Beetlejuice franchise in an interview, provided Burton and Keaton were involved.
2013: Appearances in Homefront and Drunk History
In 2013, Winona Ryder appeared in the action thriller Homefront. Ryder also starred in a segment of the Comedy Central television series Drunk History called "Boston", playing Mary Dyer.
2014: Appearance in Drunk History, Turks & Caicos, and Rag & Bone Campaign
In 2014, Winona Ryder appeared in an episode of Drunk History as Peggy Shippen. She also appeared in the British television film Turks & Caicos and modeled in the Fall advertising campaign of fashion label Rag & Bone.
2014: Appearance in 'Show Me a Hero'
In 2014, Winona Ryder appeared in the HBO miniseries Show Me a Hero, marking her first collaboration with David Simon.
August 2015: Confirmed Return in Beetlejuice Sequel
In August 2015, Winona Ryder confirmed that she would reprise her role in the Beetlejuice sequel.
October 2015: Release of Experimenter
In October 2015, Winona Ryder starred alongside Peter Sarsgaard in the biopic Experimenter, which was released to positive reviews.
July 2016: Premiere of Stranger Things Season 1
In July 2016, Winona Ryder began starring in the Netflix science fiction-horror series Stranger Things, playing Joyce Byers. The series' first season premiered to critical acclaim and high audience ratings.
2016: Role as Joyce Byers on Stranger Things
In 2016, Ryder experienced a career resurgence with her role as Joyce Byers on the Netflix series Stranger Things.
2016: Advertisements for Marc Jacobs
In 2016, Winona Ryder appeared in advertisements for Marc Jacobs, both for their cosmetics and for their spring collection.
October 2017: Release of Stranger Things Season 2
In October 2017, the second season of Stranger Things, starring Winona Ryder, was released.
2018: Film, Commercial and Campaign Appearances
In 2018, Winona Ryder starred in the film Destination Wedding, alongside Keanu Reeves, and appeared in a L'Oréal shampoo commercial and in H&M's spring collection campaign with Elizabeth Olsen.
July 2019: Release of Stranger Things Season 3
In July 2019, the third season of Stranger Things, starring Winona Ryder, was released.
September 2020: Resumption of Filming for Stranger Things Season 4
In September 2020, filming resumed for the fourth season of Stranger Things, starring Winona Ryder, after being halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020: Starring in The Plot Against America
In 2020, Ryder starred in the HBO miniseries The Plot Against America, further solidifying her career resurgence.
2020: Super Bowl Commercial and HBO Series
In 2020, Winona Ryder starred in Squarespace's Super Bowl commercial which aired during the first half of the game. Later that year, she starred in The Plot Against America, an HBO limited series based on Philip Roth's 2004 novel of the same name.
2021: Super Bowl Ad and Film Release
In 2021, Winona Ryder reprised her role as Kim Boggs in Edward Scissorhands alongside Timothée Chalamet in a Super Bowl ad for Cadillac. Also, her film Gone in the Night, co-starring Dermot Mulroney, was released.
May 27, 2022: Premiere of Stranger Things Season 4 Volume 1
On May 27, 2022, the first volume of the fourth season of Stranger Things premiered, starring Winona Ryder.
July 1, 2022: Release of Stranger Things Season 4 Volume 2
On July 1, 2022, the second volume of season four of Stranger Things was released, starring Winona Ryder.
2023: Filming Wrapped for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
In late 2023, filming wrapped for the movie Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
October 2024: Release of 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice'
In October 2024, the film Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the sequel to Beetlejuice, was released.
2024: Starring in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
In 2024, Ryder starred in the Beetlejuice sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
December 2025: Release of Stranger Things Season 5
In December 2025, the fifth and final season of Stranger Things, starring Winona Ryder, was released.
2025: Continued Role as Joyce Byers on Stranger Things
In 2025, Ryder continued her role as Joyce Byers on Stranger Things.
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