---
name: "Reese Witherspoon"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/reese-witherspoon"
fi1m_id: "reese-witherspoon"
imdb_id: "nm0000702"
tmdb_id: 368
wikidata_id: "Q44063"
roles: ["Actor","Producer"]
born: "22 March 1976"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 18
average_fi1m_score: 73
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 13
updated: "2026-10-13T21:55:07.160013+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Reese Witherspoon

## Identity

Reese Witherspoon

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/reese-witherspoon
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** reese-witherspoon
- **IMDb ID:** nm0000702
- **TMDB ID:** 368
- **Wikidata ID:** Q44063
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reese_Witherspoon, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q44063, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000702/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/368

Actor and producer. Born 22 March 1976 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor, Producer
- **Born:** 22 March 1976, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
- **Active:** 1999–present
- **Also known as:** Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 18: 13 acting, 4 producing, 1 other
- **Frequently works with:** [Matthew McConaughey](https://film.one/person/matthew-mcconaughey.md), [Bruna Papandrea](https://film.one/person/bruna-papandrea.md), [Chris Meledandri](https://film.one/person/chris-meledandri.md), [Garth Jennings](https://film.one/person/garth-jennings.md), [Janet Healy](https://film.one/person/janet-healy.md), [Jean-Marc Vallée](https://film.one/person/jean-marc-vallee.md), [Joaquin Phoenix](https://film.one/person/joaquin-phoenix.md), [Laura Dern](https://film.one/person/laura-dern.md)
- **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar (1 won · 1 nominated)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 73, as actor, over 13 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 86 (1), 2000s 71 (5), 2010s 72 (8), 2020s 61 (4)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 73 to 69 across 13 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 10 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 10 of 12 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 8, Comedy 6, Animation 3, Family 3, Music 3, Thriller 2
- **Screen time:** 21 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,926m across 11 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reese_Witherspoon, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q44063, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000702/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/368

## Coming up

- *The Nightingale* (2027-03-18), Producer

## Streaming the US now

- **HBO Max:** [*Big Little Lies*](https://film.one/tv/big-little-lies.md) (78), [*Walk the Line*](https://film.one/film/walk-the-line.md) (78), [*Legally Blonde*](https://film.one/film/legally-blonde.md) (78)
- **Hulu:** [*Election*](https://film.one/film/election.md) (86), [*American Psycho*](https://film.one/film/american-psycho.md) (80)
- **Netflix:** [*Gone Girl*](https://film.one/film/gone-girl.md) (84), [*Sing*](https://film.one/film/sing.md) (70)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Mud*](https://film.one/film/mud.md) (78), [*Sing 2*](https://film.one/film/sing-2.md) (63)
- **Peacock:** [*Monsters vs Aliens*](https://film.one/film/monsters-vs-aliens.md) (63)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Reese Witherspoon

> Reese Witherspoon can put considerable force behind a cheerful manner. We rate her most when she lets a character’s determination become uncomfortable, as in *Election*, without asking us to forgive a woman for wanting to win.

In *Election* (1999), Reese Witherspoon lets Tracy Flick be exhausting. Her determination keeps pressing on, and there is no softening of the performance to make us feel protective. We can understand why Matthew Broderick’s Jim McAllister dislikes her, but Witherspoon gives us no reason to accept his judgement as fair. This is where her comic force is most useful: she can irritate us without letting the film dismiss her. We laughed, then felt uneasy, because Jim’s reasonable manner had made his resentment seem more respectable than Tracy’s ambition.

After *Election*, she faced typecasting as the driven, difficult woman. *Legally Blonde* (2001), with her as Elle Woods, established her as a romantic-comedy lead. *Walk the Line* (2005), in which she plays June Carter, made room for dramatic intensity alongside the lighter touch. These are useful counterweights to the idea that she only plays one sort of determined woman.

From around 2012, producing gave her another way to find substantial roles for women, often through book adaptations. Her collaborators include producer Bruna Papandrea on Pacific Standard projects. She both starred in and produced *Wild* (2014), playing Cheryl Strayed, and took an acting and producing role in the female ensemble of *Big Little Lies* (2017).

Alexander Payne’s direction in *Election* can labour a joke, and our enthusiasm for Witherspoon does not excuse every nudge. But he gives her and Broderick space to hold opposing positions without declaring the adult the sensible one. Witherspoon never settles for making Tracy merely a nuisance, nor does she offer a reassuring glimpse of someone sweeter to earn our approval. We want more parts that trust her to risk that dislike. Start with *Election*, particularly if cheerful competence is all that comes to mind when her name appears.

## Biography

Reese Witherspoon is an American actress and producer, also credited as Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon. She was born on 22 March 1976 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

She began her career as a teenager with her screen debut in *The Man in the Moon* (1991). Her portrayal of Tracy Flick in *Election* (1999) brought wider recognition, as did her role in *Cruel Intentions* (1999). She gained further prominence for playing Elle Woods in *Legally Blonde* (2001) and its sequel, and won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance as June Carter Cash in *Walk the Line* (2005).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, wikiwand.com.*

## On Fi1m (18)

### Performed in (13) — the average rests on these

- *Sing 2* (2021), Fi1m 63, as Rosita (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/sing-2.md)
- *Big Little Lies* (2017), Fi1m 78, as Madeline Mackenzie — [page](https://film.one/tv/big-little-lies.md)
- *Sing* (2016), Fi1m 70, as Rosita (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/sing.md)
- *Inherent Vice* (2014), Fi1m 78, as Deputy D.A. Penny Kimball — [page](https://film.one/film/inherent-vice.md)
- *Wild* (2014), Fi1m 70, as Cheryl Strayed — [page](https://film.one/film/wild.md)
- *Mud* (2013), Fi1m 78, as Juniper — [page](https://film.one/film/mud.md)
- *The Mindy Project* (2012), Fi1m 72, as Reese Witherspoon — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-mindy-project.md)
- *Monsters vs Aliens* (2009), Fi1m 63, as Susan Murphy / Ginormica (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/monsters-vs-aliens.md)
- *Rendition* (2007), Fi1m 54, as Isabella Fields El-Ibrahimi — [page](https://film.one/film/rendition.md)
- *Walk the Line* (2005), Fi1m 78, as June Carter — [page](https://film.one/film/walk-the-line.md)
- *Legally Blonde* (2001), Fi1m 78, as Elle Woods — [page](https://film.one/film/legally-blonde.md)
- *American Psycho* (2000), Fi1m 80, as Evelyn Williams — [page](https://film.one/film/american-psycho.md)
- *Election* (1999), Fi1m 86, as Tracy Flick — [page](https://film.one/film/election.md)

### Produced (4)

- *Lucky* (2026), Fi1m 57, Executive Producer — [page](https://film.one/tv/lucky.md)
- *Daisy Jones & the Six* (2023), Fi1m 65, Executive Producer — [page](https://film.one/tv/daisy-jones-and-the-six.md)
- *Lucy in the Sky* (2019), Fi1m 44, Producer — [page](https://film.one/film/lucy-in-the-sky.md)
- *Gone Girl* (2014), Fi1m 84, Producer — [page](https://film.one/film/gone-girl.md)

### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *Friends: The Reunion* (2021), Fi1m 58, as Self — [page](https://film.one/film/friends-the-reunion.md)

## Complete filmography (104)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *The Nightingale* (2027), Producer
- *Orange is the new pink* (2026), as Elle Woods
- *Lucky* (2026), series, Executive Producer — Fi1m 57, [page](https://film.one/tv/lucky.md)
- *Elle* (2026), series, Executive Producer
- *Outcome* (2026), Thanks
- *The Rise: The Inaugural Season of the PWHL* (2026), Executive Producer
- *The Rise* (2025), series, Executive Producer
- *F1: The Academy* (2025), series, as Executive Producer
- *You're Cordially Invited* (2025), as Margot · Producer
- *Influenced* (2024), series, Executive Producer
- *Meet Me in Rome* (2024), Executive Producer
- *Surf Girls* (2023), series, Executive Producer
- *Wynonna Judd: Between Hell and Hallelujah* (2023), Executive Producer
- *The Last Thing He Told Me* (2023), series, Executive Producer
- *Tiny Beautiful Things* (2023), series, Executive Producer
- *Daisy Jones & the Six* (2023), series, Executive Producer — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/tv/daisy-jones-and-the-six.md)
- *Your Place or Mine* (2023), as Debbie · Producer
- *Meet Me in Paris* (2023), Executive Producer
- *Something from Tiffany's* (2022), Producer
- *Minions & More 2* (2022), as Rosita (voice)
- *From Scratch* (2022), series, Executive Producer
- *Surface* (2022), series, Executive Producer
- *Where the Crawdads Sing* (2022), Producer
- *Fair Play* (2022), Executive Producer
- *Sing 2* (2021), as Rosita (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/sing-2.md)
- *Come Home* (2021), as Rosita (voice)
- *Fierce Queens* (2020), series, as Narrator (voice)
- *Little Fires Everywhere* (2020), series, as Elena Richardson · Executive Producer
- *Truth Be Told* (2019), series, Executive Producer
- *The Morning Show* (2019), series, as Bradley Jackson · Executive Producer
- *Lucy in the Sky* (2019), Producer — Fi1m 44, [page](https://film.one/film/lucy-in-the-sky.md)
- *A Wrinkle in Time* (2018), as Mrs. Whatsit
- *Home Again* (2017), as Alice Kinney
- *Big Little Lies* (2017), series, as Madeline Mackenzie · Executive Producer — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/big-little-lies.md)
- *Gunter Babysits* (2017), as Rosita (voice)
- *Sing* (2016), as Rosita (voice) — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/sing.md)
- *Broken* (2016), Executive Producer
- *Nature Is Speaking* (2015), series, as Home
- *Hot Pursuit* (2015), as Officer Rose 'Coop' Cooper · Producer
- *Inherent Vice* (2014), as Deputy D.A. Penny Kimball — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/inherent-vice.md)
- *Wild* (2014), as Cheryl Strayed · Producer — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/wild.md)
- *Gone Girl* (2014), Producer — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/gone-girl.md)
- *The Good Lie* (2014), as Carrie Davis
- *9 Kisses* (2014), as Woman at Costume Party
- *Devil's Knot* (2013), as Pam Hobbs
- *Mud* (2013), as Juniper — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/mud.md)
- *Monsters vs Aliens Stories* (2013), Actor
- *The Mindy Project* (2012), series, as Reese Witherspoon — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-mindy-project.md)
- *Dreamworks Spooky Stories* (2012), as Susan Murphy / Ginormica (voice)
- *This Means War* (2012), as Lauren
- *Water for Elephants* (2011), as Marlena Rosenbluth
- *How Do You Know* (2010), as Lisa
- *Legally Blondes* (2009), Producer
- *Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space* (2009), as Susan Murphy / Ginormica (voice)
- *Monsters vs Aliens* (2009), as Susan Murphy / Ginormica (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/monsters-vs-aliens.md)
- *Four Christmases* (2008), as Kate
- *Penelope* (2007), as Annie · Producer
- *Rendition* (2007), as Isabella Fields El-Ibrahimi — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/rendition.md)
- *Just Like Heaven* (2005), as Dr. Elizabeth Masterson
- *Walk the Line* (2005), as June Carter — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/walk-the-line.md)
- *Vanity Fair* (2004), as Becky Sharp
- *Freedom: A History of Us* (2003), series, as Susan Magoffin, Sarah Raymond, Factory Girl
- *Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde* (2003), as Elle Woods · Executive Producer
- *DreamWorks 6 Spooky Stories Collection* (2003), series, as Susan Murphy / Ginormica (voice)
- *Sweet Home Alabama* (2002), as Melanie Smooter
- *The Importance of Being Earnest* (2002), as Cecily Cardew
- *Revealed with Jules Asner* (2001), series, Actor
- *Legally Blonde* (2001), as Elle Woods — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/legally-blonde.md)
- *The Trumpet of the Swan* (2001), as Serena (voice)
- *Little Nicky* (2000), as Holly
- *American Psycho* (2000), as Evelyn Williams — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/american-psycho.md)
- *Election* (1999), as Tracy Flick — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/election.md)
- *Best Laid Plans* (1999), as Lissa
- *Cruel Intentions* (1999), as Annette Hargrove
- *Pleasantville* (1998), as Jennifer
- *TRL* (1998), series, Actor
- *Overnight Delivery* (1998), as Ivy Miller
- *Twilight* (1998), as Mel Ames
- *King of the Hill* (1997), series, as Debbie (voice) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/king-of-the-hill-1997.md)
- *Freeway* (1996), as Vanessa Lutz
- *Fear* (1996), as Nicole Walker
- *S.F.W.* (1995), as Wendy Pfister
- *Friends* (1994), series, as Jill Green — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/friends.md)
- *Return to Lonesome Dove* (1993), series, as Ferris Dunnigan
- *Jack the Bear* (1993), as Karen Morris
- *A Far Off Place* (1993), as Nonnie Parker
- *Desperate Choices: To Save My Child* (1992), as Cassie Robbins
- *Wildflower* (1991), as Ellie Perkins
- *The Man in the Moon* (1991), as Danielle "Dani" Trant
- *The Simpsons* (1989), series, as Greta (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md)
- *The Cactus*, Producer
- *Tiny Trailblazers*, series, as Fern · Executive Producer, Creator
- *Mrs. Claus*, Producer
- *Twelfth Knight*, Producer
- *Miss Nelson Is Missing*, Producer
- *Run, Rose, Run*, Producer
- *Truly Madly Guilty*, Producer
- *Wish List*, Actor
- *All Stars*, series, Executive Producer
- *All We Ever Wanted*, series, Producer
- *Untitled Ilona Maher Documentary*, series, Executive Producer
- *The Thing About Jellyfish*, Producer
- *Smother In Law*, Producer
- *Polly Pocket*, Producer

## Gallery

- ![Reese Witherspoon](https://film.one/media/person/88735/gallery-cad8dd49f700.jpg) Reese Witherspoon — dtstuff9, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/85/Reese_Witherspoon_at_TIFF_2014.jpg/1280px-Reese_Witherspoon_at_TIFF_2014.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Nikon D5100 at 70 mm 1/100 at f/2.8 Processed in Photoshop The cast of Devil's Knot stands onstage before its premiere at the 2013 Toronto International Film Fe](https://film.one/media/person/88735/gallery-ae721532749b.jpg) Nikon D5100 at 70 mm 1/100 at f/2.8 Processed in Photoshop The cast of Devil's Knot stands onstage before its premiere at the 2013 Toronto International Film Fe — Mr. Bombdiggity, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9f/Devil%27s_Knot_2013_Toronto_International_Film_Festival.jpg/1280px-Devil%27s_Knot_2013_Toronto_International_Film_Festival.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Water for Elephants Sydney premiere Water for Elephants enjoyed its Sydney premier tonight, with the 300m red carpet running down Pitt St Mall. Reese Witherspoo (2011)](https://film.one/media/person/88735/gallery-fc1627572aac.jpg) Water for Elephants Sydney premiere Water for Elephants enjoyed its Sydney premier tonight, with the 300m red carpet running down Pitt St Mall. Reese Witherspoo (2011) — Eva Rinaldi, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8a/REESE_WITHERSPOON_%285693547300%29.jpg/1280px-REESE_WITHERSPOON_%285693547300%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Water for Elephants Sydney premiere Water for Elephants enjoyed its Sydney premier tonight, with the 300m red carpet running down Pitt St Mall. Reese Witherspoo (2011)](https://film.one/media/person/88735/gallery-ecf55d4b8c66.jpg) Water for Elephants Sydney premiere Water for Elephants enjoyed its Sydney premier tonight, with the 300m red carpet running down Pitt St Mall. Reese Witherspoo (2011) — Eva Rinaldi, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/14/REESE_WITHERSPOON_%285693547300%29_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-REESE_WITHERSPOON_%285693547300%29_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Reese Witherspoon](https://film.one/media/person/88735/gallery-49837c05c017.jpg) Reese Witherspoon — Image via TMDB
- ![Reese Witherspoon](https://film.one/media/person/88735/gallery-1f6e046b96e3.jpg) Reese Witherspoon — Image via TMDB
- ![Reese Witherspoon](https://film.one/media/person/88735/gallery-25ead92812ef.jpg) Reese Witherspoon — Image via TMDB
- ![Water for Elephants Sydney premiere Water for Elephants enjoyed its Sydney premier tonight, with the 300m red carpet running down Pitt St Mall. Reese Witherspoo (2011)](https://film.one/media/person/88735/gallery-d299f72973b9.jpg) Water for Elephants Sydney premiere Water for Elephants enjoyed its Sydney premier tonight, with the 300m red carpet running down Pitt St Mall. Reese Witherspoo (2011) — Eva Rinaldi, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a7/REESE_WITHERSPOON_%285693547324%29.jpg/1280px-REESE_WITHERSPOON_%285693547324%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Reese Witherspoon](https://film.one/media/person/88735/gallery-74f9b81cedc0.jpg) Reese Witherspoon — Image via TMDB
- ![Reese Witherspoon](https://film.one/media/person/88735/gallery-065b3d2cc1eb.jpg) Reese Witherspoon — Image via TMDB
- ![Reese Witherspoon](https://film.one/media/person/88735/gallery-0848d0b8fb76.jpg) Reese Witherspoon — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 1 won, 1 nominated

- 2015: Best Actress (nominated), for *Wild*
- 2006: Best Actress (won), for *Walk the Line*

### BAFTA Film Awards — 1 won

- 2006: Best Actress in a Leading Role (won), for *Walk the Line*

### Golden Globes — 1 won

- 2006: Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy (won), for *Walk the Line*

### SAG Awards — 1 won

- 2006: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role (won), for *Walk the Line*

### Other awards — 1 won

- Sitges Film Festival Best Actress award 1997: Sitges Film Festival Best Actress award (won), for *Freeway*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/reese-witherspoon