Renee Zellweger Biography

Oct 16, 2007

Birthday: April 25, 1969
Birthplace: Baytown, Texas

She's been Bridget Jones and "completed" Jerry McGuire, but now Renee Zellweger is causing a buzz in the bee community. Check out our biography of this Bee Movie star!

Texas Roots

Kjellfried, a Norwegian nurse, and her husband Emil, a Swiss engineer, became parents to Renée Kathleen Zellweger on April 25, 1969 in Baytown, Texas. She has an older brother named Drew. Renee was raised in Katy, Texas, where she was active in her high school's drama club and cheerleading squad. After high school, Renee worked as a waitress while putting herself through the University of Texas in Austin, where she majored in English. As part of her degree, Renee had to take a fine art class and she chose to take drama. That class rekindled her love of acting and she started looking for roles.

Renee Zellweger

Hollywood Bound

While still living in Texas, Renee managed for land a few small film roles, including one in Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Encouraged by these small successes, Renee moved to Los Angeles to audition for roles. She eventually landed a supporting role in the hit '90s film Reality Bites, starring Ethan Hawke and Winona Ryder. She went on to land the role of Gina in Empire Records, but Renee really hit it big when she scored her first lead in the romantic comedy, Jerry McGuire, alongside Tom Cruise.

Renee Zellweger in Bridget Jones

Show Her the Money

After her Jerry McGuire success, the roles started pouring in for Renee. She starred opposite legendary actress Meryl Streep in the chick flick One True Thing and alongside Jim Carrey in the comedy Me, Myself & Irene. Renee really started making the big cash when she won the role of Bridget Jones in the movie Bridget Jones's Diary. She later reprised the role in Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. She now stars alongside Jerry Seinfeld as the voice of Vanessa in Bee Movie.

Did U Know?

Renee Zellweger was married to country singer Kenny Chesney for four months.
She has also been romantically linked to Jack White of The White Stripes and Jim Carrey.
Renee received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2005.
Renee is reported to have gained more than 20 lbs for her role in Bridget Jones's Diary.

Renee Zellweger Says...

"Once you've reached the point where you can pay rent, you can go to the vet and you can go to the grocery store, after that point it's all the same. I don't have the appetite for a decadent lifestyle."