10 Surprising Facts About Reese Witherspoon

Throughout her successful three-decade career, Reese Witherspoon has captivated audiences with her versatile portrayals of complex women onscreen. While many of us are familiar with her iconic roles, there are some lesser-known facts about Witherspoon that may surprise you. Let's dive into these intriguing details about the accomplished actress. This was reported by SSPDaily.

1. Her First Name Isn’t Actually Reese

Although we know her as Reese Witherspoon, her full name is Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon. Interestingly, "Reese" is her mother's maiden name, and she decided to adopt it as her first name professionally.

2. Witherspoon's Early Academic Pursuit

Before pursuing her acting career, Witherspoon had a love for English literature. She studied the subject at Stanford University during the '90s before fully dedicating herself to acting.

3. A Business Venture In Elementary School

In an interesting anecdote, Witherspoon shared that she got suspended in the third grade for running her own custom-barrette business. She creatively decorated store-bought barrettes with paint pens but ended up causing a desk mishap when the pens leaked.

4. Discomfort With Live Audiences

Despite her impressive range as an actress, Witherspoon admitted to being uncomfortable performing in front of live audiences. This discomfort led her to turn down the opportunity to reprise her role as Rachel's sister in the popular series Friends.

5. Missing Out on a Role in "Gone Girl"

While producing the film adaptation of "Gone Girl," Witherspoon initially considered starring as the main character, Amy Dunne. However, director David Fincher believed she was not the right fit for the role, and Witherspoon respected his decision.

6. A Memorable Duet with Michael Bublé

A surprising musical collaboration took place between Witherspoon and crooner Michael Bublé. Inspired by her singing talent displayed in the film "Walk the Line," he reached out to her for a duet and was thoroughly impressed by her performance.

7. Broadway Dreams as a Child

As a child, Witherspoon dreamed of singing on Broadway. Although she didn't go down that path, her portrayal of June Carter Cash in "Walk the Line" solidified her as a talented singer and ultimately earned her an Academy Award.

8. Keeping Elle Woods' Outfits Close

To prevent them from ending up on the internet, Witherspoon held on to 60 outfits worn by her iconic character, Elle Woods, from the movie "Legally Blonde." She has plans for her daughter to enjoy them someday.

9. Descended from a Founding Father

Witherspoon revealed that she is a descendant of John Witherspoon, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He is renowned as a founding father of the United States and also a prominent minister and educational leader.

10. A Failed Script Sparks Producing Ambitions

After reading an exceptionally poor script several years ago, Witherspoon's frustration led her to venture into producing films. Recognizing the lack of quality roles for women, she embarked on a journey to create opportunities and showcase women's talents on the big screen.

Reese Witherspoon's journey in the entertainment industry is filled with fascinating anecdotes and surprising insights into her life and career. From her academic pursuits to unexpected business ventures in elementary school, Witherspoon continues to leave an indelible mark as not only a talented actress but also a passionate advocate for better representation in Hollywood.