Reese Witherspoon Through The Years: Photos Of The ‘Legally Blonde’ Star

By:

Elissa Anderson

March 23, 2023 8:46AM EDT

Reese Witherspoon is 47! Celebrate her March 22 birthday with a look at her life and career in photos.

1 of 20

Reese Witherspoon: Then & Now

Reese Witherspoon: Then & Now — Reese Witherspoon, born March 22, 1976, is an actress and producer. The star has been acting since the mid ‘90s, earning her breakout roles in the films ‘Cruel Intentions’ and ‘Election,’ both released in 1999. From there, Reese went on to star in ‘Legally Blonde’ as Elle Woods, a role she reprised in the 2003 sequel (which she also produced).

Reese earned her very first Academy Award for her performance in the film ‘Walk The Line’ for her vulnerable and commanding portrayal of June Carter Cash. Throughout her career, Reese has balanced working in front of and behind the camera, and has produced projects like ‘Gone Girl,’ ‘Big Little Lies,’ ‘Little Fires Everywhere,’ and so many more.

Here, Reese Witherspoon waves at photographers and fans at the 26th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on January 19, 2020. To see more photos of Reese through the years, take a look at the rest of the photos in this gallery!

2 of 20

Reese Witherspoon In ‘The Man In The Moon’

Reese Witherspoon In ‘The Man In The Moon’ — Reese Witherspoon in the 1991 film ‘The Man In The Moon.’ It was her first major acting role.

3 of 20

Reese Witherspoon In A Promotional Photo For ‘A Far Off Place’

Reese Witherspoon In A Promotional Photo For ‘A Far Off Place’ — Reese Witherspoon in a promotional photo for ‘A Far Off Place’ in 1993. She was roughly 17 years old at the time!

4 of 20

Reese Witherspoon At The Premiere of ‘Firghteners’

Reese Witherspoon At The Premiere of ‘Firghteners’ — Reese Witherspoon at the premiere of ‘Frighteners’ on July 17, 1996. She posed for photographers on the red carpet.

5 of 20

Reese Witherspoon In ‘Cruel Intentions’

Reese Witherspoon In ‘Cruel Intentions’ — Reese Witherspoon in the 1999 film ‘Cruel Intentions.’ She starred alongside Sarah Michelle Gellar and Ryan Phillippe.

6 of 20

Reese Witherspoon In ‘Legally Blonde’

Reese Witherspoon In ‘Legally Blonde’ — Reese Witherspoon in the 2001 film ‘Legally Blonde.’ She played Elle Woods in the film.

7 of 20

Reese Witherspoon At The 2002 Golden Globes

Reese Witherspoon At The 2002 Golden Globes — Reese Witherspoon, nominated for best actress in a motion picture comedy/musical for her work in ‘Legally Blonde,’ arrives at the 59th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills on January 20, 2002. She posed for photographers on the red carpet.

8 of 20

Reese Witherspoon At The Premiere of ‘Legally Blonde 2’

Reese Witherspoon At The Premiere of ‘Legally Blonde 2’ — Reese Witherspoon at the premier of ‘Legally Blonde 2: Red, White, & Blonde’ in New York on June 30, 2003. She looked gorgeous.

9 of 20

Reese Witherspoon At The Venice Film Festival

Reese Witherspoon At The Venice Film Festival — Reese Witherspoon at the 61st Venice Film Festival 2004 on the Lido at Venice Arrivals for Vanity Fair at the Casino for the press conference on September 5, 2004. She posed for photos.

10 of 20

Reese Witherspoon At The 2006 Oscars

Reese Witherspoon At The 2006 Oscars — Reese Witherspoon at the 78th Academy Awards on March 5, 2006. She won the Oscar for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading role for her portrayl of June Carter Cash in the film ‘Walk The Line.’

11 of 20

Reese Witherspoon At The Toronto Film Festical

Reese Witherspoon At The Toronto Film Festical — Reese Witherspoon attends the premiere of ‘Rendition’ during the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on September 27, 2007. She struck a pose for photographers upon her arrival at the event.

12 of 20

Reese Witherspoon At Vanity Fair’s 2009 Oscar Party

Reese Witherspoon At Vanity Fair’s 2009 Oscar Party — Reese Witherspoon at the 81st Annual Academy Awards Vanity Fair Party on February 22, 2009. She looked gorgeous on the arrival carpet.

13 of 20

Reese Witherspoon At The ‘Water for Elephants’ Premiere

Reese Witherspoon At The ‘Water for Elephants’ Premiere — Reese Witherspoon at the ‘Water for Elephants’ film premiere in London on May 3, 2011. She posed for photographs before the premiere.

14 of 20

Reese Witherspoon With Her Family

Reese Witherspoon With Her Family — Reese Witherspoon out and about in Los Angeles on December 20, 2013. She enjoyed the day with her daughter, Ava Phillippe, son, Tennessee James Toth, and son, Deacon Phillippe.

15 of 20

Reese Witherspoon At The 2015 Golden Globes

Reese Witherspoon At The 2015 Golden Globes — Reese Witherspoon arrives at the 72nd annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills on January 11, 2015. She looked gorgeous in her strapless gown.

16 of 20

Reese Witherspoon & Daughter Ava At The ‘Big Little Lies’ Premiere

Reese Witherspoon & Daughter Ava At The ‘Big Little Lies’ Premiere — Reese Witherpoon at the ‘Big Little Lies’ TV series premiere in Los Angeles on February 7, 2017. She brought her look-alike daughter, Ava Phillippe, to the premiere with her!

17 of 20

Reese Witherspoon At The InStyle & Warner Bros. Golden Globes Afterparty

Reese Witherspoon At The InStyle & Warner Bros. Golden Globes Afterparty — Reese Witherspoon arrives at the InStyle and Warner Bros. Golden Globes afterparty at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills on January 7, 2018. She posed for photos on the arrival carpet.

18 of 20

Reese Witherspoon At The 26th Annual SAG Awards

Reese Witherspoon At The 26th Annual SAG Awards — Reese Witherspoon arrives at the 26th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall in Los Angeles on January 19, 2020. She posed for photographers on the arrival carpet.

19 of 20

Reese Witherspoon Out & About

Reese Witherspoon Out & About — Reese Witherspoon out and about in Los Angeles on February 5, 2021. She wore a face mask to stay safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

20 of 20

Reese Witherspoon At The 2022 SAG Awards

Reese Witherspoon At The 2022 SAG Awards — Reese Witherspoon is so chic in a velvet dress with a silky blue sash during the 28th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Feb. 27, 2022. Diamonds completed the look.

Click to Subscribe to Get Our Free HollywoodLife Daily Newsletter to get the hottest celeb news.

ad