Early Life and Education of Winona Ryder: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Winona Ryder. A timeline of key moments.

Winona Ryder, born Winona Laura Horowitz, is a celebrated American actress. She gained prominence in the late 1980s playing unconventional roles and solidified her career with powerful dramatic performances throughout the 1990s. Ryder has received numerous awards including a Golden Globe and has been nominated for two Academy Awards, a BAFTA Award, and a Grammy Award, marking her significant contributions to the entertainment industry.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

October 29, 1971: Winona Ryder's Birth

On October 29, 1971, Winona Laura Horowitz, known professionally as Winona Ryder, was born. She is an American actress known for playing quirky characters in the late 1980s and achieving success with more dramatic performances in the 1990s.

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1978: Relocation to Rainbow Commune

In 1978, when Winona Ryder was seven years old, she and her family moved to Rainbow, a commune near Elk, Mendocino County, California. They lived with seven other families on a 300-acre plot of land without electricity or television.

1983: Enrolled at American Conservatory Theater

In 1983, at the age of 12, Winona Ryder enrolled at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, where she took her first acting lessons. During the same year, she nearly drowned and developed aquaphobia.

1985: "Running Up That Hill" success after Stranger Things inclusion

In 1985, Kate Bush released the song "Running Up That Hill". After the song was included in scenes of Stranger Things in 2022, following Ryder frequently wearing Kate Bush T-shirts and lapel badges on set, it reached number one on iTunes.

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1986: Hair Color Change for Lucas

At the time of her audition for the 1986 film Lucas, Winona Ryder's hair had been dyed black, and the filmmakers asked her to keep it that way for the role.

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October 31, 1993: River Phoenix's Death

On October 31, 1993, actor River Phoenix passed away, leading to the project Broken Dreams, which Ryder was set to star in, being put on hold.

1993: Publication of Girl, Interrupted memoir

In 1993, Susanna Kaysen's memoir "Girl, Interrupted" was published, which Winona Ryder would later star in and executive produce the film adaptation of in 1999.

Girl, Interrupted: A Memoir

Check it on Amazon

1993: Offered reward for return of Polly Klaas

In 1993, Winona Ryder offered a $200,000 reward in hopes that it would lead to the safe return of kidnapped child Polly Klaas.

1994: Dedicated 'Little Women' performance to Polly Klaas

After Polly Klaas's death, Winona Ryder dedicated her performance as Jo in the 1994 film adaptation of Little Women to Klaas's memory.

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1997: Aquaphobia during Alien Resurrection Filming

In 1997, Winona Ryder experienced psychological trauma from a near-drowning incident in 1983 during the underwater scenes in Alien Resurrection. Some scenes had to be reshot multiple times due to her aquaphobia.

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August 2001: Hospitalization and Withdrawal from Lily and the Secret of Planting

In August 2001, Winona Ryder was hospitalized for a severe stomach-related disorder and withdrew from the project Lily and the Secret of Planting.

2001: Defense of Winona Ryder by Polly Klaas's father

During a sentencing hearing in 2001 related to her shoplifting incident, Winona Ryder's attorney referred to her work with the Polly Klaas Foundation. Polly's father, Marc Klaas, defended Ryder and expressed outrage at the prosecutor's comments.

2001: Arrest for Shoplifting

In 2001, Winona Ryder faced significant negative media attention after being arrested for shoplifting. This led to a break from acting in the early 2000s.

June 18, 2004: Felony charges reduced to misdemeanors

On June 18, 2004, Superior Court Judge Elden Fox reviewed Winona Ryder's probation report and observed that she had served 480 hours of community service, and the felonies were reduced to misdemeanors.