History of Winona Ryder in Timeline

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Winona Ryder

Winona Ryder is an American actress known for her quirky roles in the late 1980s and successful dramatic performances in the 1990s. She has received numerous accolades, including a Golden Globe and nominations for two Academy Awards, a BAFTA Award, and a Grammy Award. She's a significant figure in pop culture and entertainment.

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 dramatic performances in the 1990s.

Others born on this day/year

1978: Family moved to Rainbow commune

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

1983: Enrollment at American Conservatory Theater and near drowning experience

In 1983, 12-year-old Ryder enrolled at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco for acting lessons and nearly drowned, developing aquaphobia.

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.

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Franny and Zooey
Franny and Zooey

1986: Hair color during Lucas audition

At the time of her audition for the 1986 film Lucas, Winona Ryder's hair was dyed black, and the filmmakers requested she keep it that way.

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1986: Film debut in Lucas

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

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1987: Starring role in Square Dance

In 1987, Winona Ryder starred in Square Dance, portraying a teenage character bridging different worlds.

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1988: Starring role in Beetlejuice

In 1988, Ryder starred in the comedy Beetlejuice, which marked a rise to prominence in her career.

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1988: Role in Beetlejuice and 1969

In 1988, Winona Ryder starred in Tim Burton's Beetlejuice and also appeared in 1969, a drama about the Vietnam War.

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June 1989: Meeting Johnny Depp

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

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1989: Roles in Heathers, Great Balls of Fire!, and Debbie Gibson Is Pregnant video

In 1989, Ryder starred in Heathers, Great Balls of Fire!, and appeared in the music video for Mojo Nixon's "Debbie Gibson Is Pregnant with My Two-Headed Love Child".

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1989: Major role in Heathers

In 1989, Winona Ryder played a major role in Heathers.

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February 1990: Began Dating Johnny Depp

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

1990: Starring roles in Edward Scissorhands and Mermaids

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

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1990: Starring roles in Edward Scissorhands, Mermaids, and Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael

In 1990, Winona Ryder had starring roles in Edward Scissorhands, Mermaids, and Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael. She also received a Golden Globe nomination and ShoWest's Female Star of Tomorrow award, but withdrew from The Godfather Part III due to nervous exhaustion.

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1991: Role in Night on Earth

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

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November 1992: Premiere of Bram Stoker's Dracula

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

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1992: Expressed Willingness for Beetlejuice Sequel

As early as 1992, Winona Ryder had expressed her willingness to appear in a sequel to Beetlejuice.

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1992: Major part in Bram Stoker's Dracula

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

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June 1993: Split with Johnny Depp

In June 1993, Winona Ryder and Johnny Depp ended their relationship.

October 1993: Release of The Age of Innocence

In October 1993, The Age of Innocence, co-starring Winona Ryder, was released and received critical praise.

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October 1993: Release of The House of the Spirits

In October 1993, The House of the Spirits, starring Winona Ryder, was released but received poor reviews and was a box-office flop.

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October 31, 1993: River Phoenix's death

On October 31, 1993, the project Broken Dreams, in which Winona Ryder was set to star alongside River Phoenix, was put on hold due to his death.

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1993: Oscar nomination for The Age of Innocence

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

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1993: Offered Reward for Polly Klaas's Return

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: Oscar nomination for Little Women

In 1994, Ryder received her second consecutive Oscar nomination, this time for Best Actress, for her portrayal of Jo March in Little Women.

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1994: Dedicated Performance to Polly Klaas

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

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1994: Roles in Reality Bites, Little Women, and The Simpsons episode

In 1994, Winona Ryder starred in Reality Bites and Little Women, receiving her second Oscar nomination for the latter. She also made a guest appearance in The Simpsons episode "Lisa's Rival".

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1995: Starring role in How to Make an American Quilt

In 1995, Winona Ryder had a starring role in How to Make an American Quilt.

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1995: Starring role in How to Make an American Quilt and narration of 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.

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

In 1996, Winona Ryder appeared in several films. She starred in 'Boys', which was a box office failure and received negative reviews. She also had a role in Al Pacino's 'Looking for Richard', which had moderate critical acclaim. Furthermore, she starred in 'The Crucible', an adaptation of Arthur Miller's play about the Salem witch trials, which was a commercial failure, despite Ryder's lauded performance.

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1996: Starring role in The Crucible

In 1996, Winona Ryder played a starring role in The Crucible.

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1997: Starring role in Alien Resurrection

In 1997, Ryder played a starring role in Alien Resurrection.

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1997: Starring in Alien Resurrection and ShoWest Award

In 1997, Winona Ryder starred in 'Alien Resurrection' as an android, alongside Sigourney Weaver. The film was moderately successful, grossing $161 million worldwide. Her performance earned her a Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Best Actress. In 1997, she also received the 'Female Star of the Year' award at ShoWest.

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1997: Aquaphobia affected Alien Resurrection filming

In 1997, Winona Ryder's aquaphobia, developed from a near-drowning experience, caused problems during the underwater scenes in Alien Resurrection, requiring multiple reshoots.

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1998: Started Dating Matt Damon

In 1998, Winona Ryder began dating actor Matt Damon.

1998: Starring role in Celebrity

In 1998, Winona Ryder had a starring role in Celebrity.

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1998: Performances in The Vagina Monologues, Celebrity, and music video for Talk About the Blues

In 1998, Winona Ryder performed in Eve Ensler's play 'The Vagina Monologues' on Valentine's Day. She also starred in Woody Allen's film 'Celebrity'. Furthermore, in 1998, Ryder appeared in the music video for Jon Spencer Blues Explosion's song 'Talk About the Blues'. She was also a jury member at the Cannes Film Festival.

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The Vagina Monologues: 20th Anniversary Edition
The Vagina Monologues: 20th Anniversary Edition

1999: Starring role in Girl, Interrupted

In 1999, Ryder starred in Girl, Interrupted.

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April 2000: Peter J. Owens Award at the San Francisco Film Festival

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

October 6, 2000: Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

On October 6, 2000, Winona Ryder received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, recognizing her contributions to the film industry.

2000: Ended Relationship with Matt Damon

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

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'.

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December 12, 2001: Arrested for Shoplifting

On December 12, 2001, Winona Ryder was arrested on shoplifting charges in Beverly Hills, California, accused of stealing $5,500 worth of designer clothes and accessories from a Saks Fifth Avenue department store.

December 2001: Arrest for Shoplifting

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

2001: Sentencing Hearing and Controversy

During a sentencing hearing related to her 2001 shoplifting incident, Ryder's attorney referred to her work with the Polly Klaas Foundation, leading to a controversial statement by Deputy District Attorney Ann Rundle. Polly's father defended Ryder.

2001: Arrest for shoplifting

In 2001, Winona Ryder faced significant negative media attention due to her arrest for shoplifting, leading to a break from acting.

May 18, 2002: Hosting Saturday Night Live

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, and restitution for grand theft and shoplifting. She was also ordered to attend psychological counseling and drug counseling.

2002: Starring role in Mr. Deeds

In 2002, Winona Ryder had a starring role in Mr. Deeds.

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2002: Failed Plea Bargain

In 2002, negotiations for a plea bargain failed as the prosecution insisted on charging Ryder with a felony for her shoplifting incident.

June 18, 2004: Felonies Reduced to Misdemeanors

On June 18, 2004, Winona Ryder's felonies were reduced to misdemeanors after she served 480 hours of community service.

2004: Publication of 'The Plot Against America'

In 2004, Philip Roth's novel 'The Plot Against America' was published. Later, in 2020, Winona Ryder starred in the HBO limited series based on this novel.

The Plot Against America: A New York Times Best Book of the 21st Century!
The Plot Against America: A New York Times Best Book of the 21st Century!

December 2005: Finished Probation

In December 2005, Winona Ryder completed her probation.

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' with Tim Robbins, focusing on international child sex trafficking.

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2006: Return to Film with The Darwin Awards and A Scanner Darkly

In 2006, Winona Ryder returned to film with roles in 'The Darwin Awards' and 'A Scanner Darkly', marking her comeback to the industry after a hiatus.

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2007: Appearances in The Ten, Sex and Death 101, and Welcome

In 2007, Winona Ryder appeared in David Wain's comedy 'The Ten', reunited with Daniel Waters for 'Sex and Death 101', starred in the short film 'Welcome', and made a cameo in the music video for Jonathan Rice's song.

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2008: Roles in The Last Word, The Informers, and Star Trek

In 2008, Winona Ryder played the female lead in 'The Last Word', starred in 'The Informers', and appeared as Spock's mother in 'Star Trek', marking her return to film.

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2009: Return to acting with Star Trek

In 2009, Winona Ryder returned to acting with a smaller appearance in the film Star Trek.

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2009: Starring in The Private Lives of Pippa Lee

In 2009, Winona Ryder starred alongside Robin Wright and Julianne Moore in Rebecca Miller's 'The Private Lives of Pippa Lee'.

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2010: Role 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.

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2011: Appearance in The Dilemma

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

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2011: Roles in Black Swan, Stay Cool, When Love Is Not Enough and The Dilemma

In 2011, Winona Ryder played in Darren Aronofsky's 'Black Swan', starred in the independent film 'Stay Cool', in the television movie 'When Love Is Not Enough: The Lois Wilson Story' and in 'The Dilemma'.

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2011: Began Relationship with Scott Mackinlay Hahn

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

2012: Roles in The Iceman, The Letter, and Frankenweenie

In 2012, Winona Ryder played Deborah Kuklinski in 'The Iceman', appeared in 'The Letter' and reunited with Tim Burton for 'Frankenweenie'.

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November 2013: Hinted at Beetlejuice Return

In November 2013, Winona Ryder hinted at a return in a Beetlejuice sequel, provided that Burton and Keaton were involved.

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2013: Appearance in Homefront and Drunk History

In 2013, Winona Ryder appeared in the action thriller 'Homefront' and in a segment of 'Drunk History' called "Boston".

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2014: Turks & Caicos and Modeling for Rag & Bone

In 2014, Winona Ryder appeared in the British television film 'Turks & Caicos' and modeled for Rag & Bone's Fall advertising campaign.

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2014: Appearance in 'Show Me a Hero'

In 2014, Winona Ryder appeared in the HBO miniseries Show Me a Hero. This marked her first collaboration with David Simon.

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August 2015: Confirmed Reprising Role in Beetlejuice Sequel

In August 2015, Winona Ryder confirmed that she would reprise her role in the Beetlejuice sequel.

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October 2015: Experimenter Release

In October 2015, 'Experimenter' was released to positive reviews. Winona Ryder starred alongside Peter Sarsgaard, playing the wife of Stanley Milgram.

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July 2016: Premiere of Stranger Things Season 1

In July 2016, the first season of 'Stranger Things', in which Winona Ryder stars as Joyce Byers, premiered on Netflix to critical acclaim and high audience ratings.

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2016: Advertisements for Marc Jacobs

In 2016, Winona Ryder appeared in advertisements for Marc Jacobs, both for their cosmetics and for their spring collection.

2016: Role as 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.

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2018: Film and Commercial Appearances

In 2018, Winona Ryder starred in the film Destination Wedding alongside Keanu Reeves. That same year, she also appeared in a L'Oréal shampoo commercial and co-starred with Elizabeth Olsen in H&M's spring collection campaign.

2020: Starring role in The Plot Against America

In 2020, Winona Ryder starred in the HBO miniseries The Plot Against America.

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2020: Super Bowl Commercial and HBO Series

In 2020, Winona Ryder was featured in Squarespace's Super Bowl commercial, which aired during the first half of the game. Later in 2020, she starred in 'The Plot Against America', an HBO limited series.

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2021: Super Bowl Ad and Film Appearance

In 2021, Winona Ryder reprised her role as Kim Boggs in Edward Scissorhands in a Super Bowl ad for Cadillac. In the same year, she starred in the film Gone in the Night.

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2023: Filming Wrapped for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

In late 2023, filming wrapped for the sequel, 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice'.

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October 2024: Release of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

In October 2024, 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice' was released.

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2024: Starring role in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

In 2024, Winona Ryder starred in the comedy horror sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.

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