Born Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon ( March 22, 1976), an American actress and film producer. Witherspoon landed her first feature role as the female lead in the film The Man in the Moon in 1991. In 1996, Witherspoon appeared in Freeway and followed that appearance with roles in three major 1998 films: Overnight Delivery, Pleasantville, and Twilight. The following year, Witherspoon appeared in the critically acclaimed Election, for which she received a Golden Globe nomination. 2001 marked her career's turning point with the breakout role in the box office hit Legally Blonde, and in 2002 she starred in Sweet Home Alabama, which became her biggest commercial film success to date. 2003 saw her return as lead actress and executive producer of Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde. In 2005, Witherspoon received worldwide attention and praise for her role in Walk the Line, which earned her an Academy Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Witherspoon owns a production company, Type A Films, and she is actively involved in children's and women's advocacy organizations.