Film: "Walk the Line"

Born: March 22, 1976 (Baton Rouge, La.)

Bio:
Perky, petite Reese Witherspoon has seemingly been a showbiz natural right from the time she made her debut as a 7-year-old model in Nashville. Witherspoon landed her first major acting role in 1991's "The Man in the Moon," and followed up with bigger roles in "Jack the Bear" (1993) and "A Far Off Place" (1993). She moved on to flashier stuff with "Pleasantville," "Election" and "Cruel Intentions" (which costarred her future real-life husband, Ryan Philippe). But it was her portrayal of the guileless, can-do Elle Woods in "Legally Blonde" that catapulted Witherspoon to her status as a bankable box-office star.

Credits:
"Walk the Line" (2005)
"Just Like Heaven" (2005)
"Vanity Fair" (2004)
"Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde" (2003)
"Sweet Home Alabama" (2002)
"The Importance of Being Earnest" (2002)
"Legally Blonde" (2001)
"The Trumpet of the Swan" (2001) (voice)
"Little Nicky" (2000)
"American Psycho" (2000)
"Best Laid Plans" (1999)
"Election" (1999)
"Cruel Intentions" (1999)
"Pleasantville" (1998)
"Overnight Delivery" (1998)
"Twilight" (1998)
"Fear" (1996)
"Freeway" (1996)
"S.F.W." (1994)
"Return to Lonesome Dove" (1993) (TV mini series)
"Jack the Bear" (1993)
"A Far Off Place" (1993)
"Desperate Choices: To Save My Child" (1992) (TV)
"Wildflower" (1991) (TV)
"The Man in the Moon" (1991)

Notable: Witherspoon majored in English literature at Stanford University.