RATINGS: Cast & Crew

DOB: March 22, 1976

Background: Witherspoon was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her ancestor John Witherspoon signed the Declaration of Independence. She attended Stanford University for a year, majoring in English literature, but she left to pursue her acting career.

Filmography: Her first role was in 1991's "The Man in the Moon." Since then, she has appeared in "Freeway" (1996), "Pleasantville" (1998), "Cruel Intentions" (1999), "Election" (1999), "American Psycho" (2000), "Legally Blonde" (2001), "The Importance of Being Earnest" (2002), "Sweet Home Alabama" (2002), "Vanity Fair" (2004), and "Walk the Line" (2005), for which she won an Oscar. She has also starred in "Rendition" (2007), and "Water for Elephants" (2011). Her latest role is in the true-crime drama "Devil's Knot" (2012).

Academy Awards: Win - Best Actress ("Walk the Line," 2005)