It’s especially difficult to validate such a talented actress like Renee Zellweger as a celebrity babe because she’s not as conventionally good-looking as most women in the business. She does, however, possess a unique Norwegian beauty that always manages to shine through on the big screen, and most men can’t forget a woman with the ability to distinguish themselves from a crowd. Born in a small town outside of Houston, Texas in 1969, Renee was very active in high school with extracurricular activities that included cheerleading, gymnastics and drama club. After graduation, Renee went away to study English at the University of Texas where she was reintroduced to her love of acting. She quickly moved off to Hollywood where she began auditioning for a number of low-key projects, and she was even encouraged to change her last name so that it would be more marketable.
She received her first role (though uncredited) in the 1993 stoner film “Dazed and Confused,” and followed up her performance alongside her “Dazed” co-star Matthew McConaughey in “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation.” After receiving an Independent Spirit Award the following year for her work in a low-budget feature, director Cameron Crowe approached her about appearing in his next film, “Jerry Maguire,” and the young actress was promptly skyrocketed to star status with a number of awards for her performance alongside Tom Cruise.
Since then, Renee has become one of the most highly touted actresses walking down the red carpet, and for good reason too. Despite receiving immense praise from critics all over the world, Renee has repeatedly chosen smaller projects over the high-paying Hollywood fluff, and she continues to be rewarded for her efforts. Following a Golden Globe award for her performance in “Nurse Betty” and a near-marriage to comic co-star Jim Carrey, Renee welcomed three Oscar nominations in two short years for her roles in “Bridget Jones’ Diary,” “Chicago” and “Cold Mountain.” With so much critical renown currently enveloping Renee’s career, it’s no surprise that she was at one time at the top of nearly every director’s wish list.
Renee Zellweger on the Screen
Renee was one of the fastest rising stars in the industry, and she’s proven that she deserves to be at the top with a number of scene-stealing roles in earlier films like “Reality Bites” and “Empire Records,” as well as in her award-nominated performances in “Cold Mountain” and “Chicago.” Renee has also appeared in the overlooked comedy “Nurse Betty,” the Jim Carrey flop “Me, Myself and Irene,” the incredibly successful book-to-film adaptation of “Bridget Jones’ Diary,” and the film that first introduced her as a star-in-the-making, “Jerry Maguire.” Renee is one of the most talented actresses in the business, and she looks to continue her good look at the annual award shows with her latest role opposite Academy heavyweight Russell Crowe in “Cinderella Man”.”
Renee Says
On Hollywood:
“Being horrible in a big film is a quicker nosedive than doing an obscure film and making no money.”
On her sudden stardom from “Jerry Maguire”:
“I’m a dork. That’s the truth. I’m a dork and the idea that I’m in a movie with Tom Cruise is hysterical. It really is.”