After various parts in films shot in her native Texas and a move to Los Angeles, Renee Zellweger became a Hollywood leading lady playing the endearing Dorothy opposite Tom Cruise in the hit “Jerry Maguire.”
When Cameron Crowe cast Zellweger, a virtual unknown, to play Cruise's romantic counterpart, he knew he was casting the heart and soul of his movie.
"She walked into the room for her audition," Crowe recalled in 1996, the year the film was released, "and the room just kind of tilted her way."
At the time, Zellweger's previous on-screen work had been roles in independent films such as Richard Linklater's "Dazed and Confused"; a remake of "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," in which she starred opposite Matthew McConaughey; and "Love and a .45," in which she had the female lead.
Her performance in "Jerry Maguire" opened many doors and the actress has had her choice of roles ever since, splitting her time between comedies and dramas.
Acting highlights include lauded performances in “Nurse Betty” (Golden Globe winner); “Bridget Jones’s Diary” (Oscar and Golden Globe nominee) and its sequel; the acclaimed musical “Chicago” (Oscar nominee, Golden Globe winner); the epic “Cold Mountain” (Oscar and Golden Globe wins); and “Miss Potter” (Golden Globe nomination).
Other feature credits include “One True Thing,” “Me, Myself & Irene,” “Down With Love,” “Cinderella Man,” “Leatherheads,” “Appaloosa” and “My One and Only.” She has also voiced roles in the animated comedies “Shark Tale,” “Bee Movie” and “Monsters vs. Aliens.”
Zellweger’s 2005 marriage to country singer Kenny Chesney — whom she had known for only a short time — was annulled after four months. She has also been romantically involved with Jim Carrey and White Stripes singer Jack White.
— Ann Bergman and Gary Goldstein for the Los Angeles Times
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Year | Category | Work | |
---|---|---|---|
2001 | Best Actress | Bridget Jones's Diary | Nomination |
2002 | Best Actress | Chicago | Nomination |
2003 | Best Supporting Actress | Cold Mountain | Win |
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