Reese Witherspoon, an American actress and film producer, was born on March 22, 1976, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Reese is the daughter of John Witherspoon, who is an otolaryngologist and Betty, who has a Ph.D. in pediatric nursing and works at Vanderbilt University as a professor of nursing.
Reese had a passion for reading books, chearleading, and always made good grades in school. Reese was a "multi-achiever" and her parents gave her the nickname "Little Type A." She is very proud of her traditional Southern upbringing giving her a sense of family and tradition.
Reese, at the age of seven, was chosen to model for a florist's television advertisement which encouraged her to take acting lessons. Witherspoon's film debut was in 1990, a film called The Man in the Moon. She was casted the lead role and was nominated for the "Young Artist Award" Best Young Actress. She made her TV acting debut in the cable movie Wildflower later that year.
Reese has won an Oscar, received 32 wins, and 28 nominations. Witherspoon owns a production company named Type A Films. She is an advocate for an organization called "Save the Children," that helps children all over the world and a supporter for women organizations. In 2007, she was named Global Ambassador of Avon Products and serves on the board of the Children's Defense Fund.
Witherspoon's other productions are Desperate Choices: To Save My Child (1992), A Far Off Place (1993), Jack the Bear (1993), S.F.W. (1994), Freeway (1996), Fear (1996), Twilight (1998), Overnight Delivery (1998), Pleasantville (1998), Cruel Intentions (1999), Election (1999), and Best Laid Plans (1999).
Later films: Little Nicky (2000), American Psycho (2000), voice for the Trumpet of the Swan (2001), Legally Blonde (2001), The Importantance of Being Earnest (2002), Sweet Home Alabama (2002), Legally Blonde 2 (2003), Vanity Fair (2004), Walk the Line (2005), Just Like Heaven (2005), Rendition (2007), Penelope (2008), Four Christmases (2008), and voice for the Monsters vs. Aliens (2009).
Reese has starred in King of the Hill (2000), Friends (2000), and The Simpsons (2002). In 1999, Witherspoon married Ryan Phillippe, an actor, but divorced in 2007. They have two children Ava and Deacon. Reese is dating Jake Gyllenhaal.
