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Renee
Zellweger
was born in Katy, Texas. She is the daughter of Emil Eric Zellweger (a Swiss
immigrant and mechanical / electrical engineer) and Kjellfrid Iren
Andreassen (a Norwegian
immigrant of Sami origin from Tromsø), and graduated from Katy High
School in Katy, a suburb of Houston in 1987. She was a cheerleader and gymnast,
and participated in the drama club. After high school, she went to the
University of Texas at Austin to major in English.
Though she took a drama class only because she needed a fine arts credit
to complete her degree, it made her appreciate how much she loved
acting. During this time, she supported herself by taking a series of
waitressing jobs in Austin, Texas.
Renee
Zellweger as Bridget Jones
Film
career
After
Zellweger graduated from college she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a
career in acting. She won supporting roles in films such as Reality
Bites, Empire Records, The Whole Wide World, 8
Seconds, and Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
Zellweger
first became widely known to audiences around the world with her role in
the 1996's Jerry Maguire, where she played the romantic interest
of Tom Cruise's character. Since then Zellweger has won acclaim in roles
such as One True Thing opposite William Hurt and Meryl Streep and
in Neil LaBute's Nurse Betty opposite Morgan Freeman. The role
garnered the actress her first of three Golden Globe Awards. (She was in
the bathroom when future costar Hugh Grant announced her name for Nurse
Betty. Zellweger later protested, "I had lipstick on my
teeth!")
However
it wasn't until her role in Bridget Jones's Diary that she caught
the attention of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. For
her performance as a lonely British singleton in the 2001 film,
Zellweger received her first Best Actress Academy Award nomination.
During casting for this film, Zellweger was told she was too skinny to
play the chubby Bridget, but she managed to gain the required weight
very quickly (Zellweger's dramatically yo-yoing weight has been the
subject of much media interest since the release of Bridget Jones's
Diary).
In
2002, she starred with Michelle Pfeiffer in White Oleander and in
Rob Marshall's Best Picture winning film Chicago opposite
Catherine Zeta Jones, Richard Gere, Queen Latifah, and John C. Reilly.
Zellweger earned her second Academy Award nomination as Best Actress, as
well as the Screen Actors Guild and Golden Globe Award. In 2004,
Zellweger finally received an Academy Award, this time as Best
Supporting Actress in Anthony Minghella's Cold Mountain opposite
Jude Law and Nicole Kidman.
Zellweger
has since starred in the sequel to Bridget Jones' Diary in Bridget
Jones: The Edge of Reason, lent her voice to the animated
feature Shark Tale, and starred in
the 2005 Ron Howard film Cinderella Man opposite Russell Crowe
and Paul Giamatti. Her most recent film is Miss Potter, based on
the life story of acclaimed author Beatrix Potter, with Emily Watson and
Ewan McGregor. The film was released in January 2007.
On
May 24, 2005, Zellweger received her star on the Hollywood
Walk Of Fame.
Renee
Zellweger
Personal
life
Past
boyfriends include Golden Globe Award winning actor/comedian Jim Carrey.
The relationship ended in a broken engagement in December 2000.
Zellweger notably poked fun at the prior relationship when she ended her
opening monologue on Saturday Night Live by reading an entry from her
own "diary", marked "Dear Diary, I can't believe I am
dating Jim Carrey."
She
also dated White Stripes singer Jack White for a period of time.
On
May 9, 2005, Zellweger married singer Kenny Chesney in a ceremony at the
island of St. John. They had met in January at a tsunami
relief benefit concert. Zellweger missed out on the engagement ring
since the wedding was
planned over a short span of time . On September
15, 2005, after only four months of marriage, they announced their plans
for an annulment. Zellweger cited fraud as the reason in the related
papers . After media scrutiny of her use of the word "fraud",
she released the following statement: "(The term is) simply legal
language and not a reflection of Kenny's character. I would personally
be very grateful for your support in refraining from drawing derogatory,
hurtful, sensationalized or untrue conclusions. We hope to experience
this transition as privately as possible." The annulment was
finalized in late December 2005. When interviewed on the David Letterman
show in December 2006, she was still reluctant to answer questions over
the relationship.
Zellweger,
together with Marc Forster, took part in the 2005 HIV
prevention campaign of the Swiss federal health department.
More
recently, Zellweger was romantically linked to actor Luke Perry.
She
is a fan of Chelsea
F.C.
She
has a Finnish grandmother.
Awards
and nominations
Awards
won
Academy
Awards:
Golden
Globe Awards:
-
Best
Performance by an Actress-Comedy/Musical Nurse Betty (2001)
-
Best
Performance by an Actress-Comedy/Musical Chicago (2003)
-
Best
Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Cold
Mountain (2004)
Screen
Actors Guild:
-
Best
Performance by a Motion Picture Cast Chicago (2003)
-
Best
Performance by a Female Actor in Leading Role Chicago (2003)
-
Best
Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role Cold Mountain
(2004)
BAFTA:
Awards
nominated
Academy
Awards:
Golden
Globe Awards:
-
Best
Performance by an Actress-Comedy/Musical Bridget Jones's Diary
(2002)
-
Best
Performance by an Actress-Comedy/Musical Bridget Jones: The Edge
of Reason (2005)
-
Best
Performance by an Actress-Comedy/Musical Miss Potter (2006)
Screen
Actors Guild:
BAFTA:
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Preceded by
Catherine Zeta-Jones
for Chicago
|
Academy
Award for Best Supporting Actress
2003
for Cold Mountain
|
Succeeded by
Cate Blanchett
for The Aviator
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Trivia
-
Zellweger
was the subject of the famous Israeli
pop song Renée by Ariel Horowitz. In the song Horowitz
describes his love to Zellweger, and says he'd like to marry her and
bring her back to Israel with him.
-
Hollywood
actress Renée Zellweger, who has a Norwegian mother, used to eat a
lot of Norwegian Melkesjokolade. When her mother had been to Norway
and came back to the USA, Zellweger always looked through her
mothers suitcase in order to find the Norwegian Melkesjokolade, she
always knew her mother had bought for her. Zellweger still says she
loves Norwegian Melkesjokolade and that it's her favourite and that
it brings back memories from her childhood. ( Source, interview at
TV2 Norway )
-
Zellweger
gained weight for her role in Bridget Jones Diary and its
sequel.(something close to 20-40 pounds)
Renee
Zellweger
FILMOGRAPHY
-
Bridget
Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004) (performer: "The Sound
of Music", "Like a Virgin")
... aka Bridget Jones 2 (UK: informal title)
... aka Bridget Jones: L'âge de raison (France)
-
Down
with Love (2003) (performer: "Here's to Love")
... aka Down with Love - Zum Teufel mit der Liebe! (Germany)
-
Chicago
(2002) (performer: "Overture/And All That Jazz" (1975),
"Funny Honey" (1975), "We Both Reached For The
Gun" (1975), "Roxie" (1975), "Nowadays"
(1975), "Nowadays/Hot Honey Rag" (1996), "I Move
On" (2002))
... aka Chicago (Germany)
-
Bridget
Jones's Diary (2001) (performer: "WITHOUT YOU")
... aka Bridget Jones (UK: informal title)
... aka Journal de Bridget Jones, Le (France)
-
"Weekend
Sunrise" .... Herself (1 episode, 2007)
- Episode
dated 28 January 2007 (2007) TV Episode .... Herself
-
Forbes
20 Richest Women in Entertainment (2007) (TV) .... Herself
-
The
64th Annual Golden Globe Awards (2007) (TV) .... Herself -
Presenter
-
"The
Tonight Show with Jay Leno" .... Herself (5 episodes,
2001-2007)
- Episode
dated 12 January 2007 (2007) TV Episode .... Herself
- Episode
dated 24 May 2005 (2005) TV Episode .... Herself
- Episode
dated 24 November 2004 (2004) TV Episode .... Herself
- Episode
dated 21 May 2003 (2003) TV Episode .... Herself
- Episode
dated 30 March 2001 (2001) TV Episode .... Herself
-
"Live
with Regis and Kathie Lee" .... Herself (3 episodes,
2004-2007)
... aka Live with Regis (USA: new title)
... aka Live with Regis & Kelly (USA: new title)
- Episode
dated 10 January 2007 (2007) TV Episode .... Herself
- Episode
dated 31 May 2005 (2005) TV Episode .... Herself
- Episode
dated 18 November 2004 (2004) TV Episode .... Herself
-
"Late
Show with David Letterman" .... Herself (1 episode,
2006)
... aka Late Show Backstage (USA: title for episodes with guest
hosts)
... aka The Late Show (USA: informal short title)
- Episode
dated 20 December 2006 (2006) TV Episode .... Herself
-
George
Clooney: An American Cinematheque Tribute (2006) (TV) ....
Herself
-
"Buscador,
El" .... Herself (1 episode, 2006)
- Episode
dated 6 December 2006 (2006) TV Episode .... Herself
-
Forbes
Celebrity 100: Who Made Bank? (2006) (TV) .... Herself
-
The
Orange British Academy Film Awards (2006) (TV) .... Herself
-
Moving
Image Salutes Ron Howard (2006) (TV) .... Herself
-
"Iconoclasts"
.... Herself (1 episode, 2005)
- Renee
Zellweger & Christiane Amanpour (2005) TV Episode
.... Herself
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"GMTV"
.... Herself (1 episode, 2005)
- Episode
dated 9 September 2005 (2005) TV Episode .... Herself
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"Magacine"
.... Herself (1 episode, 2005)
- Episode
dated 9 September 2005 (2005) TV Episode .... Herself
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"Corazón
de..." .... Herself (2 episodes, 2005)
- Episode
dated 7 September 2005 (2005) TV Episode .... Herself
- Episode
dated 6 September 2005 (2005) TV Episode .... Herself
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"Good
Morning America" .... Herself (1 episode, 2005)
- Episode
dated 31 May 2005 (2005) TV Episode .... Herself
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"HBO
First Look" .... Herself (3 episodes, 2003-2005)
- Cinderella
Man (2005) TV Episode .... Herself
- Shark
Tale (2004) TV Episode .... Herself
- Down
with Love (2003) TV Episode .... Herself
-
The
Greatest: The 40 Hottest Rock Star Girlfriends... and Wives
(2005) (TV) .... Herself
-
"The
Oprah Winfrey Show" .... Herself (2 episodes,
2004-2005)
... aka Oprah (USA: short title)
- Oprah's
After Oscar Party 2005 (2005) TV Episode .... Herself
- Episode
dated 22 October 2004 (2004) TV Episode .... Herself
-
The
77th Annual Academy Awards (2005) (TV) .... Herself -
Presenter: Best Supporting Actor
-
Star
Fish of 'Shark Tale' (2005) (V) .... Herself
-
The
62nd Annual Golden Globe Awards (2005) (TV) .... Herself -
Presenter: Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture/Nominee: Best
Actress in a Motion Picture [Musical or Comedy]
-
Tsunami
Aid: A Concert of Hope (2005) (TV) .... Herself
-
The
31st Annual People's Choice Awards (2005) (TV) .... Winner
-
"4Pop"
.... Herself (2 episodes, 2004)
- Suomen
Bridget Jones (2004) TV Episode .... Herself
- Missistä
mittaa (2004) TV Episode .... Herself
-
"Wetten,
dass..?" .... Herself (1 episode, 2004)
- Wetten,
dass..? aus Leipzig (2004) TV Episode .... Herself
-
"Mioch
versus Goderie" .... Herself (1 episode, 2004)
- Episode
dated 12 November 2004 (2004) TV Episode .... Herself
-
"This
Morning" .... Herself (1 episode, 2004)
... aka This Morning with Richard and Judy (UK: informal title)
- Episode
dated 10 November 2004 (2004) TV Episode .... Herself
-
"The
Film Programme" .... Herself (1 episode, 2004)
- Episode
dated 8 November 2004 (2004) TV Episode .... Herself
-
"Parkinson"
.... Herself (1 episode, 2004)
- Episode
dated 6 November 2004 (2004) TV Episode .... Herself
-
"Rove
Live" .... Herself (2 episodes, 2001-2004)
- Episode
#5.37 (2004) TV Episode .... Herself
- Episode
#2.19 (2001) TV Episode .... Herself
-
Shark
Tale: Gettin' Fishy with It (2004) (TV) (voice) .... Herself
-
Climbing
'Cold Mountain' (2004) (V) .... Herself
-
The
58th Annual Tony Awards (2004) (TV) .... Presenter for Best
Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical
... aka The 2004 Tony Awards (USA)
-
"Eigo
de shabera-night" .... Herself - Interviewee (1 episode,
2004)
- Episode
dated 26 April 2004 (2004) TV Episode .... Herself -
Interviewee
-
The
76th Annual Academy Awards (2004) (TV) .... Herself - Winner:
Best Supporting Actress/Presenter: Best Costume Design
-
10th
Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (2004) (TV) .... Herself -
Presenter: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading
Role/Winner: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a
Leading Role
-
The
Orange British Academy Film Awards (2004) (TV) .... Herself
-
The
61st Annual Golden Globe Awards (2004) (TV) .... Herself -
Winner: Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture/Presenter:
Best Actor in a Motion Picture [Musical/Comedy]
-
In
the Shadow of 'Cold Mountain' (2003) (TV) .... Herself
-
A
Journey to 'Cold Mountain' (2003) (TV) .... Herself
-
"Extra"
.... Herself (1 episode, 2003)
... aka Extra: The Entertainment Magazine (USA)
- Episode
dated 15 October 2003 (2003) TV Episode .... Herself
-
The
Making of 'Down with Love' (2003) (V) .... Herself
-
"The
South Bank Show" .... Herself (1 episode, 2003)
- Ewan
McGregor (2003) TV Episode .... Herself
-
50
Greatest TV Animals (2003) (TV) .... Herself
-
The
75th Annual Academy Awards (2003) (TV) .... Herself - Nominee:
Best Actress in a Leading Role/Presenter: Best Original Score
-
"Inside
the Actors Studio" .... Herself (1 episode, 2003)
- Episode
#9.12 (2003) TV Episode .... Herself
-
The
Orange British Academy Film Awards (2003) (TV) .... Herself
-
The
60th Annual Golden Globe Awards (2003) (TV) .... Herself -
Winner: Best Actress in a Motion Picture [Musical or
Comedy]/Presenter: Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
-
Declaration
of Independence (2003) (V) .... Herself
-
"The
Frank Skinner Show" .... Herself (1 episode, 2002)
- Episode
#6.12 (2002) TV Episode .... Herself
-
"VH-1
Behind the Movie" .... Herself (1 episode, 2002)
- Chicago
(2002) TV Episode .... Herself
-
The
74th Annual Academy Awards (2002) (TV) .... Herself - Nominee:
Best Actress in a Leading Role
-
The
Orange British Academy Film Awards (2002) (TV) .... Herself
-
VH1/Vogue
Fashion Awards (2001) (TV) .... Herself
-
"The
Rosie O'Donnell Show" .... Herself (3 episodes,
1996-2001)
- Episode
dated 10 April 2001 (2001) TV Episode .... Herself
- Episode
dated 8 September 2000 (2000) TV Episode .... Herself
- Episode
dated 10 December 1996 (1996) TV Episode .... Herself
-
VH1
Divas Live: The One and Only Aretha Franklin (2001) (TV) ....
Herself
-
The
73rd Annual Academy Awards (2001) (TV) .... Herself - Host:
Technical Awards Banquet
-
VH1/Vogue
Fashion Awards (2000) (TV) .... Herself
-
2000
Blockbuster Entertainment Awards (2000) (TV) .... Herself
-
MTV
Video Music Awards 1999 (1999) (TV) .... Herself - Presenter
-
The
71st Annual Academy Awards (1999) (TV) .... Herself -
Presenter: song 'A Soft Place To Fall'
LINKS
and REFERENCE
-
[1]
"Renée misses out on engagement ring
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[2]
Yahoo.com
-
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2004580002-2006590434,00.html
-
http://chelsea2.chelseafc.co.uk/yourchelsea/frame_celebs.htm
A
- Z FILMS INDEX
A
- Z ACTORS INDEX
Renee
in Bridget Jones's Diary - Youtube
LINKS:
Wikipedia
Lurking
beneath the Antarctic ice is a discovery that scientist will die for.
This story is now the subject of a low budget film to be produced mostly
in the UK. The promoters are looking for backers. The UK will contribute
20% toward production costs. Roughly 60% of a low budget film may be
pre-sold as distribution rights. Angels recover 120% on their equity
shares within 12 months of shooting, with an income stream thereafter
from networks and merchandising. Uncast
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