REESE WITHERSPOON (Elle Woods) is only 25, but she's already demonstrated her wide range and charisma with an impressive assortment of accomplished performances. Through her films, Reese has displayed a flair for both drama and comedy with a wit and wisdom beyond her years.
A native of Nashville, Tennessee, Reese first attracted the attention of audiences and critics alike with her feature film debut in Robert Mulligan's coming-of-age drama The Man in the Moon. She went on to play the lead in the dramatic adventure A Far Off Place after starring opposite Patricia Arquette in Diane Keaton's critically acclaimed Lifetime feature, Wildflower.
In 1996, Reese starred opposite Mark Wahlberg in the James Foley thriller Fear. She then went on to rave reviews for her fearless serio-comic performance in Freeway, produced by Oliver Stone and directed by Matthew Bright. That independent feature debuted at the Sundance Film Festival and aired to record-breaking numbers on HBO.
She again displayed her comic gifts in Gary Ross' critically acclaimed directorial debut, Pleasantville. Reese and Tobey Maguire starred as modern-day siblings who find themselves trapped in the wholesome world of a 1950's sitcom, with William H. Macy and Joan Allen as their parents. Earlier that year she also starred in Robert Benton's dramatic thriller Twilight with Paul Newman, Gene Hackman and Susan Sarandon.
Reese next starred opposite Ryan Phillippe and Sarah Michelle Gellar in Cruel Intentions, written and directed by Roger Kumble. She played the virtuous maiden who captures the heart of an amoral playboy in a contemporary farce based on Les Liaisons Dangereuses. Reese then continued a busy year with Election, a satirically edged comedy from Alexander Payne, widely received as one of the best films of the year. For playing a high-school overachiever whose relentless drive inspires her teacher (played by Matthew Broderick) to sabotage her campaign for class president, she received the Best Actress Award from the National Society of Film Critics as well as a Golden Globe nomination.
Reese has since appeared in Best Laid Plans, American Psycho opposite Christian Bale, and Little Nicky. Her other films include Jack the Bear, S.F. W, Overnight Delivery, and the television films Desperate Choices and Return to Lonesome Dove. Next year she'll co-star opposite Judi Dench and Rupert Everett in Oliver Parker's The Importance of Being Earnest.
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