Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon, born on March 22, 1976, is an acclaimed American actress and producer. She has received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and two Golden Globe Awards.

Time magazine recognized her as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2006 and 2015, while Forbes listed her among the world's 100 most powerful women in 2019 and 2021. In 2021, she was named the world's highest-earning actress, and in 2023, one of the richest celebrities in America with an estimated net worth of $440 million.

Witherspoon began her career as a teenager, debuting in The Man in the Moon (1991). She gained initial recognition for roles in Freeway and Fear (1996), but her breakthrough came with Cruel Intentions (1999) and Election. She became widely known for playing Elle Woods in Legally Blonde (2001) and its sequel, and starred in Sweet Home Alabama (2002). Her role as June Carter Cash in Walk the Line (2005) earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress.

After a period of lesser success, she made a comeback with Wild (2014), earning a second Academy Award nomination. In recent years, she has focused on television, notably producing and starring in Big Little Lies (2017–2019), The Morning Show (2019–present), and Little Fires Everywhere (2020), earning an Emmy for the former.

Through her company, Hello Sunshine, Witherspoon produces female-led literary adaptations. She also owns Reese's Book Club and the clothing company Draper James. Active in advocacy, she serves on the board of the Children's Defense Fund and was named Global Ambassador of Avon Products in 2007.