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Reese Witherspoon, originally from New Orleans, spent some of her early years in West Germany while her father, a U.S. Air Force surgeon, was stationed there. Her family eventually settled in Nashville, where her mother balanced roles as a registered nurse and a nursing educator at Vanderbilt University. Reese, however, charted her own course, venturing into modeling and commercials during her childhood, before breaking into film with her debut in 1991’s “The Man in the Moon.” Her career gained momentum with “Pleasantville” in 1998, and she became a household name with her iconic portrayal of Elle Woods in “Legally Blonde” in 2001. In an interview with Vanity Fair the following year, she revealed her longstanding ambition to act, sparked by a childhood experience filming a commercial for family friends, which inspired her to declare her acting aspirations to her mother.
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Witherspoon credits her parents for their unwavering support, although they initially saw acting as a mere hobby during her early years. Despite receiving solid support and advice from her family, she encountered some misguided industry counsel that seemed both offensive and counterproductive.
In a candid interview with the New York Times in September 2025, Witherspoon recounted how industry insiders often warned her against playing mother roles, suggesting it would age her prematurely. This advice seemed especially absurd to Witherspoon, who became a mother at 23. She recalled being told, “Don’t play a mom. No men will desire you, or nobody will want to see a movie about a mom.” This notion seems particularly unfounded, considering that male actors like George Clooney or Tom Cruise are never advised against father roles.
Defying this ill-conceived advice, Witherspoon’s career soared, culminating in an Academy Award for Best Actress in 2005 for her portrayal of June Carter Cash, a mother of three, in “Walk the Line.” This role marked her highest-grossing live-action film, surpassed only by her animated role in “Sing.” She continued to shine in romantic comedies and currently stars in Apple TV’s “The Morning Show” with Jennifer Aniston and Steve Carell. In her chat with the Times, Witherspoon shared how Aniston’s guidance helped her navigate the pitfalls of fame, providing both professional and personal support.
Their friendship began when Witherspoon guest-starred on “Friends” in 1999, where Aniston and Courteney Cox welcomed her and her infant daughter, Ava, with warmth. “That kindness opened a door for me to ask Jennifer a lot of questions when I went through breakups or a really public divorce,” Witherspoon shared, noting Aniston’s generosity with advice. Beyond acting, Witherspoon expanded into producing, starting with 2003’s “Legally Blonde 2: Red, White, & Blonde,” and she’s poised to produce the much-anticipated “Legally Blonde 3.”
Witherspoon won an Oscar for playing a mom
20th Century Fox
Reese Witherspoon wisely ignored that advice, winning the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2005 for playing country music superstar (and mother of three)June Carter Cash in “Walk the Line.” That film is even her highest grossing live action film, second only to her role in the animated “Sing.” She has since gone on to star in several romantic comedy films, and she’s currently on Apple TV’s “The Morning Show” alongside Jennifer Aniston and Steve Carell. Witherspoon told the Times that she was able to learn from Aniston’s experience in the public eye, and she credits her friend with countering bad advice with solid personal and professional guidance.
The two stars met when Witherspoon appeared on “Friends” in 1999, and Witherspoon recalled Aniston and Courteney Cox welcoming her and her then 3-month-old daughter, Ava, to the set. “That kindness opened a door for me to ask Jennifer a lot of questions when I went through breakups or a really public divorce,” Witherspoon recalled, “and she was just always very generous with advice and care.” Witherspoon added producing to her resume with 2003’s “Legally Blonde 2: Red, White, and Blonde,” and would serve in that capacity for the long-rumored “Legally Blonde 3.”
Her success in developing women-led shows like “Big Little Lies” and “The Morning Show” for her production company, Hello Sunshine, has helped elevate her net worth to $400 million (according to Forbes). Witherspoon can credit at least some of that success to ignoring bad and frankly sexist advice decades earlier.
