History of Winona Ryder in Timeline

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Winona Ryder

Winona Ryder is an American actress who gained recognition in the late 1980s for her roles as unconventional characters and further solidified her career with dramatic performances in the 1990s. She has received numerous awards, including a Golden Globe, and has been nominated for prestigious accolades such as Academy Awards, a BAFTA Award, and a Grammy Award. Ryder's work has established her as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.

October 29, 1971: Winona Ryder Born

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 dramatic performances in the 1990s.

Others born on this day/year

1985: Release of "Running Up That Hill"

In 1985, Kate Bush released her song "Running Up That Hill", which later reached number one on iTunes after being featured in 'Stranger Things'.

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1988: Beetlejuice Release and 1969 Appearance

In 1988, Winona Ryder starred in Tim Burton's film 'Beetlejuice', a box office success where she played a goth teenager. Also in 1988, she appeared in '1969', a drama about the Vietnam War, alongside Kiefer Sutherland and Robert Downey Jr.

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June 1989: Met Johnny Depp

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

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1989: Starring in Heathers, Great Balls of Fire!, and Music Video Appearance

In 1989, Winona Ryder starred in the independent film 'Heathers', a satirical take on teenage life. Also in 1989, she starred in the biopic '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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February 1990: Began dating Johnny Depp

In February 1990, the 18-year-old Winona Ryder began dating the 26-year-old Johnny Depp after they were reintroduced by a mutual friend.

1990: Offer for 'The Freshman' Rescinded

In 1990, Winona Ryder received an offer to co-star in the film 'The Freshman', but it was rescinded due to the controversial subject matter of 'Heathers'.

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1990: Starring Roles in Edward Scissorhands, Mermaids, and Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael, ShoWest Award

In 1990, Winona Ryder starred in 'Edward Scissorhands' alongside Johnny Depp, 'Mermaids' with Cher and Christina Ricci, and 'Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael' with Jeff Daniels. She also made a cameo in Roy Orbison's music video and was awarded 'ShoWest's Female Star of Tomorrow'.

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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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June 1993: Split with Johnny Depp

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

October 1993: The Age of Innocence Release

In October 1993, 'The Age of Innocence', starring Winona Ryder, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Daniel Day-Lewis, was released. Winona Ryder won a Golden Globe and received Academy Award and BAFTA nominations for her performance.

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October 1993: The House of the Spirits Release

In October 1993, 'The House of the Spirits', starring Winona Ryder, Meryl Streep, Jeremy Irons, Antonio Banderas, and Glenn Close, was released. The film was poorly reviewed and a box-office flop.

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October 31, 1993: Death of River Phoenix

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

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1993: Publication of 'Girl, Interrupted' memoir

In 1993, Susanna Kaysen published her memoir 'Girl, Interrupted', which became the basis for the later film starring Winona Ryder.

1993: Offered reward for Polly Klaas's safe 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, who lived in Ryder's hometown of Petaluma.

1994: Dedicated Little Women 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, after Klaas's death.

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1994: Starring in Reality Bites, Little Women, and Guest Appearance in The Simpsons

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

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1995: Starring in How to Make an American Quilt and Narrating The Diary of a Young Girl

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 appeared in Al Pacino's 'Looking for Richard', which received moderate acclaim. Finally, she starred in 'The Crucible', which was a commercial failure despite expectations, though Ryder's performance was praised.

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1996: Ended relationship with Dave Pirner

In 1996, Winona Ryder ended her relationship with Soul Asylum band member Dave Pirner.

1996: 'Girl, Interrupted' film in development

In late 1996, development began for the film 'Girl, Interrupted,' starring Winona Ryder, based on Susanna Kaysen's memoir.

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1997: Starring in 'Alien Resurrection' and 'Female Star of the Year' award

In 1997, Winona Ryder starred in 'Alien Resurrection' alongside Sigourney Weaver. The film was commercially successful, and Ryder won a Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Best Actress. Also in 1997, she was presented with the 'Female Star of the Year' award at ShoWest.

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1998: Began dating Matt Damon

In 1998, Winona Ryder began dating actor Matt Damon.

1998: Performance in 'The Vagina Monologues', Role in 'Celebrity', and other appearances

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'. Additionally, she appeared in the music video for Jon Spencer Blues Explosion's song "Talk About the Blues", narrated Survivors: Testimonies of the Holocaust, and served as a jury member at the Cannes Film Festival.

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1999: Starring in and Producing 'Girl, Interrupted'

In 1999, Winona Ryder starred in and served as an executive producer for the movie 'Girl, Interrupted', based on Susanna Kaysen's memoir. She played Kaysen, who has borderline personality disorder. In the same year, Winona Ryder was parodied in South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut and started her own music company, Roustabout Studios.

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April 2000: Awarded 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: Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

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 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 subsequently 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 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, which affected her ability to be insured for future film projects.

2001: Defense of shoplifting incident

During a sentencing hearing in 2001 related to Winona Ryder's shoplifting incident, her attorney, Mark Geragos, referenced her work with the Polly Klaas Foundation. Deputy District Attorney Ann Rundle's response and Marc Klaas's defense of Ryder led to a controversy.

May 18, 2002: Hosting Saturday Night Live

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

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December 2002: Sentenced in shoplifting case

In December 2002, Winona Ryder was sentenced to three years of probation, 480 hours of community service, $3,700 in fines, and $6,355 in restitution to Saks Fifth Avenue for grand theft and shoplifting, and was ordered to attend psychological and drug counseling.

2002: Shoplifting case negotiations failed

In 2002, negotiations failed to produce a plea bargain in Winona Ryder's shoplifting case as the prosecution insisted on charging her with a felony. The store requested to drop the charges, but it was refused.

2003: Began dating Page Hamilton

In 2003, Winona Ryder began dating Helmet frontman Page Hamilton.

2003: Advertising Campaign for Marc Jacobs

In 2003, after media attention on her courtroom appearances in Marc Jacobs clothes, Winona Ryder appeared in Marc Jacobs' Spring advertising campaign.

June 18, 2004: Felony charges reduced to misdemeanors

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

2004: The Plot Against America novel

In 2004, Philip Roth's novel The Plot Against America was published, which later became an HBO limited series in 2020 starring Winona Ryder.

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!

2004: Co-producing '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.

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2004: Unable to be cast in 'Melinda and Melinda' due to insurance issues

In 2004, Woody Allen wanted to cast Winona Ryder in his film 'Melinda and Melinda', but was unable to because insurance could not be obtained for her.

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December 2005: Finished probation

In December 2005, Winona Ryder finished her probation related to the 2001 shoplifting incident.

2005: Co-producing '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.

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2005: Ended relationship with Page Hamilton

In 2005, Winona Ryder ended her relationship with Helmet frontman Page Hamilton.

2006: Appearances in 'The Darwin Awards' and 'A Scanner Darkly'

In 2006, Winona Ryder made appearances in the films 'The Darwin Awards' and 'A Scanner Darkly', marking a return to independent films.

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2007: Appearances in 'The Ten', 'Sex and Death 101', and others

In 2007, Winona Ryder appeared in several films, including 'The Ten' and 'Sex and Death 101'. She also starred in the short film 'Welcome' and made an appearance in the music video for "We're All Stuck Out In The Desert" by Jonathan Rice.

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2008: Leading role in 'The Last Word' and Appearance in 'Star Trek'

In 2008, Winona Ryder played the female lead in 'The Last Word' and appeared as Spock's mother, Amanda Grayson, 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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2011: Role in 'Black Swan', 'Stay Cool', and 'The Dilemma'

In 2011, Winona Ryder had a supporting role in 'Black Swan', starred in 'Stay Cool', and appeared in 'The Dilemma'. She was also nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for her performance in 'When Love Is Not Enough: The Lois Wilson Story'.

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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 in 'Frankenweenie'. She also guest-hosted on TCM.

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November 2013: Hinted at Beetlejuice return

In November 2013, Winona Ryder hinted at a return to Beetlejuice in an interview, 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 starred in a segment of 'Drunk History' called "Boston" as Mary Dyer.

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2014: Show Me a Hero

In 2014, Winona Ryder appeared in David Simon's HBO miniseries Show Me a Hero.

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2014: Appearance in 'Turks & Caicos' and Rag & Bone campaign

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

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August 2015: Confirmed Beetlejuice sequel role

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

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October 2015: Release of 'Experimenter'

In October 2015, the biopic 'Experimenter', in which Winona Ryder starred alongside Peter Sarsgaard, was released to positive reviews.

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2015: Juror at Sundance Film Festival, 'Show Me a Hero', and 'Experimenter'

In 2015, Winona Ryder was a juror at the Sundance Film Festival, starred in the HBO miniseries 'Show Me a Hero', and appeared in the biopic 'Experimenter'.

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July 2016: Premiere of 'Stranger Things' Season 1

In July 2016, the first season of the Netflix science fiction-horror series 'Stranger Things', starring Winona Ryder, premiered to critical acclaim and high audience ratings.

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2016: Marc Jacobs Advertisements

In 2016, Winona Ryder appeared in advertisements for Marc Jacobs cosmetics and 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.

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

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

July 2019: Release of 'Stranger Things' Season 3

In July 2019, the third season of 'Stranger Things', starring Winona Ryder, was released.

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September 2020: Resumption of 'Stranger Things' Season 4 Filming

In September 2020, filming for the fourth season of 'Stranger Things', starring Winona Ryder, resumed after being halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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2020: Squarespace Super Bowl commercial and The Plot Against America

In 2020, Winona Ryder appeared in Squarespace's Super Bowl commercial. Later that year, she starred in The Plot Against America, an HBO limited series based on Philip Roth's 2004 novel.

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2021: Super Bowl ad for Cadillac and Gone in the Night Film

In 2021, Winona Ryder reprised her role as Kim Boggs in Edward Scissorhands in a Super Bowl ad for Cadillac. Also in 2021, her next film, Gone in the Night, co-starring Dermot Mulroney, was released.

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May 27, 2022: Premiere of 'Stranger Things' Season 4, Volume 1

On May 27, 2022, the first volume of season 4 of 'Stranger Things', starring Winona Ryder, premiered.

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July 1, 2022: Premiere of 'Stranger Things' Season 4, Volume 2

On July 1, 2022, the second volume of season 4 of 'Stranger Things', starring Winona Ryder, premiered.

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2023: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice filming wrapped

In late 2023, filming wrapped for the movie Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.

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October 2024: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice released

In October 2024, the sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, was released.

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