History of Winona Ryder in Timeline

Winona Ryder is a celebrated American actress known for her roles portraying unconventional characters in the late 1980s and achieving broader recognition for her dramatic performances in the 1990s. She has received critical acclaim throughout her career, including a Golden Globe Award and nominations for two Academy Awards, a BAFTA Award, and a Grammy Award, solidifying her status as a prominent figure in 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 her quirky characters in the late 1980s and dramatic performances in the 1990s.

Others born on this day/year

1978: Moved to Rainbow Commune

In 1978, when she was seven years old, Winona Ryder and her family relocated to Rainbow, a commune near Elk, Mendocino County, California.

1983: Enrolled at American Conservatory Theater

In 1983, at age 12, Winona Ryder enrolled at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco for acting lessons.

1985: Auditioned for Desert Bloom

In 1985, Winona Ryder sent a videotaped audition for Desert Bloom.

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.

1986: Film Debut in Lucas

In 1986, Winona Ryder made her film debut in Lucas.

1987: Starred in Square Dance

In 1987, Winona Ryder starred in Square Dance, where she received acclaim for her performance.

1988: Starred in Beetlejuice

In 1988, Ryder starred in the comedy Beetlejuice, which led to her rise to prominence.

June 1989: Met Johnny Depp

In June 1989, Winona Ryder met Johnny Depp at the Great Balls of Fire! premiere.

1989: Starred in Heathers

In 1989, Ryder starred in Heathers, a satirical take on teenage life.

1989: Starred in Heathers and Great Balls of Fire!

In 1989, Winona Ryder starred in the independent film Heathers and the biopic Great Balls of Fire!.

February 1990: Began dating Johnny Depp

In February 1990, the 18-year-old Winona Ryder began dating the 26-year-old Johnny Depp.

1990: Starred in Edward Scissorhands and Mermaids

In 1990, Ryder played major roles in Edward Scissorhands and Mermaids.

1991: Starred in Night on Earth

In 1991, Winona Ryder played a young taxicab driver in Jim Jarmusch's independent film Night on Earth.

November 1992: Premiere of Bram Stoker's Dracula

In November 1992, Bram Stoker's Dracula, starring Winona Ryder, premiered to critical and commercial success.

1992: Starred in Bram Stoker's Dracula

In 1992, Ryder starred in Bram Stoker's Dracula.

June 1993: Split up with Johnny Depp

In June 1993, Winona Ryder and Johnny Depp split up.

October 1993: Release of The Age of Innocence

In October 1993, The Age of Innocence, starring Winona Ryder, was released to critical praise.

October 1993: Release of The House of the Spirits

In October 1993, The House of the Spirits, starring Winona Ryder, was released, receiving poor reviews.

October 31, 1993: River Phoenix's Death

On October 31, 1993, River Phoenix's death put on hold the project, Broken Dreams, Ryder was set to star in.

1993: Oscar Nomination for The Age of Innocence

In 1993, Ryder earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal in The Age of Innocence.

1993: Reward offered for Polly Klaas's return

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

1994: Oscar Nomination for Little Women and starred in Reality Bites

In 1994, Ryder received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress for her portrayal of Jo March in Little Women, and she starred in Reality Bites.

1994: Starred in Reality Bites and Little Women

In 1994, Winona Ryder starred in Reality Bites and Little Women, receiving her second Oscar nomination for the latter.

1994: Little Women film adaptation dedicated to Polly Klaas

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

1995: Starred in How to Make an American Quilt

In 1995, Ryder starred in How to Make an American Quilt.

1995: Starred in How to Make an American Quilt and Narrated Anne Frank's Diary

In 1995, Winona 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 narration.

1996: Starred in The Crucible

In 1996, Ryder starred in The Crucible.

1996: Film Appearances in Boys, Looking for Richard, and The Crucible

In 1996, Winona Ryder made several film appearances, including in Boys, Looking for Richard, and The Crucible.

1997: Starred in Alien Resurrection

In 1997, Ryder starred in Alien Resurrection.

1997: Alien Resurrection release and ShoWest Award

In 1997, Winona Ryder starred in Alien Resurrection as an android, alongside Sigourney Weaver. Though not the most successful in the Alien series, it grossed $161 million worldwide and Ryder received mostly positive reviews, winning a Blockbuster Entertainment Award. At the 1997 ShoWest event, she was presented with the 'Female Star of the Year' award.

1997: Aquaphobia during Alien Resurrection

In 1997, during the underwater scenes in Alien Resurrection, Winona Ryder faced psychological trauma due to aquaphobia, which caused problems during filming.

1998: Starred in Celebrity

In 1998, Ryder starred in Celebrity.

1998: The Vagina Monologues, Celebrity, music video, Survivors: Testimonies of the Holocaust, Cannes Film Festival

In 1998, Winona Ryder performed in The Vagina Monologues, starred in Woody Allen's Celebrity, appeared in Jon Spencer Blues Explosion's music video, narrated Survivors: Testimonies of the Holocaust, and served as a jury member at the Cannes Film Festival.

1998: Began dating Matt Damon

In 1998, Winona Ryder started dating actor Matt Damon.

1999: Starred in Girl, Interrupted

In 1999, Ryder starred in Girl, Interrupted.

1999: Girl, Interrupted, South Park, Roustabout Studios

In 1999, Winona Ryder starred in and executive produced Girl, Interrupted, which had been in development since 1996. In the same year, she was parodied in South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut and started her own music company, Roustabout Studios.

April 2000: Peter J. Owens Award

In April 2000, Winona Ryder was awarded the Peter J. Owens Award at the San Francisco Film Festival.

October 6, 2000: Hollywood Walk of Fame star

On October 6, 2000, Winona Ryder received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

2000: Ended relationship with Matt Damon

In 2000, Winona Ryder ended her relationship with Matt Damon.

August 2001: Hospitalization

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

December 12, 2001: Arrested on shoplifting charges

On December 12, 2001, Winona Ryder was arrested in Beverly Hills, California, for allegedly stealing $5,500 worth of designer clothes and accessories from Saks Fifth Avenue.

December 2001: Arrested for shoplifting

In December 2001, Winona Ryder was arrested for shoplifting, which impacted her ability to be insured for film projects.

2001: Arrested for Shoplifting

In 2001, Winona Ryder was arrested for shoplifting, leading to significant negative media attention and a break from acting in the early 2000s.

May 18, 2002: Saturday Night Live host

On May 18, 2002, Winona Ryder hosted Saturday Night Live.

December 2002: Sentenced for grand theft and shoplifting

In December 2002, Winona Ryder was sentenced to three years of probation, community service, fines, restitution, and counseling after being convicted of grand theft and shoplifting.

2002: Starred in Mr. Deeds

In 2002, Ryder starred in Mr. Deeds.

2002: Negotiations for plea bargain failed

In 2002, negotiations for a plea bargain failed as the prosecution insisted on charging Winona Ryder with a felony, despite the store's request to drop the charges.

June 18, 2004: Felonies reduced to misdemeanors

On June 18, 2004, a Superior Court Judge reviewed Winona Ryder's probation report and reduced her felonies to misdemeanors after she completed 480 hours of community service.

December 2005: Probation finished

In December 2005, Winona Ryder finished her probation.

2005: Co-produced and co-narrated "The Day My God Died"

In 2005, Winona Ryder co-produced and co-narrated the documentary "The Day My God Died" with Tim Robbins.

2006: The Darwin Awards, A Scanner Darkly

In 2006, Winona Ryder starred in The Darwin Awards and Richard Linklater's A Scanner Darkly.

2007: The Ten, Sex and Death 101, Welcome, We're All Stuck Out In The Desert

In 2007, Winona Ryder appeared in The Ten, Sex and Death 101, the short film Welcome, and the music video for "We're All Stuck Out In The Desert."

2008: The Last Word, The Informers, Star Trek

In 2008, Winona Ryder played the female lead in The Last Word, starred in The Informers, and appeared in J.J. Abrams's Star Trek as Spock's mother.

2009: Appearance in Star Trek

In 2009, Winona Ryder made a smaller appearance in the film Star Trek, marking her return to acting after a break.

2009: The Private Lives of Pippa Lee

In 2009, Winona Ryder starred in Rebecca Miller's The Private Lives of Pippa Lee.

2010: Appearance in Black Swan and When Love Is Not Enough

In 2010, Winona Ryder appeared in Black Swan and portrayed Lois Wilson in the Hallmark television film When Love Is Not Enough.

2011: Black Swan, Stay Cool, When Love Is Not Enough: The Lois Wilson Story, The Dilemma

In 2011, Winona Ryder had a supporting role in Black Swan, starred in Stay Cool and When Love Is Not Enough: The Lois Wilson Story, and appeared in The Dilemma.

2011: Appearance in The Dilemma

In 2011, Winona Ryder made a smaller appearance in the film The Dilemma.

2011: Began relationship with Scott Mackinlay Hahn

Since 2011, Winona Ryder has been in a relationship with fashion designer Scott Mackinlay Hahn.

2012: The Iceman, The Letter, Frankenweenie, TCM guest hosting

In 2012, Winona Ryder appeared in The Iceman and The Letter, reunited with Tim Burton for Frankenweenie, and guest hosted on TCM.

2013: Homefront, Drunk History

In 2013, Winona Ryder appeared in Homefront and in an episode of Drunk History called "Boston."

2014: Drunk History, Turks & Caicos, Rag & Bone

In 2014, Winona Ryder appeared in Drunk History as Peggy Shippen, in the British television film Turks & Caicos, and modeled for Rag & Bone.

October 2015: Experimenter release

In October 2015, the film Experimenter, starring Winona Ryder, was released to positive reviews.

July 2016: Stranger Things premiere

In July 2016, the first season of Stranger Things premiered, starring Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers, to critical acclaim.

2016: Marc Jacobs ads

In 2016, Winona Ryder appeared in advertisements for Marc Jacobs' spring collection.

2016: Played Joyce Byers on Stranger Things

Since 2016, Winona Ryder has played Joyce Byers on the Netflix series Stranger Things, receiving her third Golden Globe nomination for the role.

October 2017: Stranger Things Season 2 release

In October 2017, the second season of the Netflix science fiction-horror series Stranger Things, in which Winona Ryder stars as Joyce Byers, was released.

2018: Destination Wedding, L'Oréal commercial, H&M campaign

In 2018, Winona Ryder appeared in the film Destination Wedding, a L'Oréal shampoo commercial, and H&M's spring collection campaign.

July 2019: Stranger Things Season 3 release

In July 2019, the third season of the Netflix science fiction-horror series Stranger Things, in which Winona Ryder stars as Joyce Byers, was released.