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Winona Ryder Profile |
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Birth Date: October 29, 1971
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Birth Place: Winona, Minnesota, USA
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Birth Name: Winona Laura Horowitz
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Height: 5'4"
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Biography |
This talented actress has graced the screen and
entertainment news for the past two decades, thanks to her
roles in more than 25 films and her comprehensive dating
history, which is probably just as long as her movie
credits.
Winona Laura Horowitz was born October 29, 1971, in Winona,
Minnesota (hence her first name). The daughter of Michael
and Cindy Horowitz, hippy, free-spirited parents to say the
least, Winona's surroundings and childhood were far from
normal.
The Horowitz family relocated to an electricity-free commune
in Northern California, where Winona and her siblings
(Sunyata, Jubal and Uri) did not have the luxury of
television. Young Winona instead watched films at a movie
theatre that her mother ran in a barn, and delved into
literature. Watching classic films piqued her interest in
becoming an actress, while her fascination with Holden
Caulfield, the alienated hero from The Catcher in the Rye,
apparently influenced her choice of childhood and
alternative film roles.
When Winona was eight, her parents decided to move back to
city life in Petaluma, California. Thin and tomboyish,
Winona was bullied by thugs during her first week of school
because they mistook her for an effeminate, scrawny boy.
This incident led to Winona being home-schooled and
eventually studying at the American Conservatory Theater in
San Francisco.
While performing on the American Conservatory Theater stage,
Winona was spotted by talent scouts who wanted her to
audition for a role in Desert Bloom, starring legendary
actor Jon Voight. She did not get the part, but her tape
made its way to Triad Artists.
Thanks to the agency, Winona was cast in the 1986 film
Lucas. Though it was not a very successful film, it was a
stepping-stone in Winona's career. At her request, she was
credited as Winona Ryder, after a Mitch Ryder album her
father owned.
Several forgettable films followed, but Winona finally
became recognized after her role in the 1988 Tim Burton
comedy Beetlejuice. Her role as the ghost-friendly, dark
teen marked the beginning of a string of dark roles for
Winona, all of which she portrayed to a tee. Heathers
(1989), in which Winona played an equally dark role in an
even darker movie, is often considered by her fans to be her
best film.
After her performance in Great Balls of Fire! (1989), Winona
teamed up with Tim Burton again in what can be considered
one of her most memorable parts as the love interest of the
freak in the off-beat Edward Scissorhands (1990). That same
year, she starred as Cher's daughter in Mermaids.
Winona was then on to the next chapter of her life,
including more mature roles and period films. After her part
in the independent film Night on Earth (1991), Winona was
cast as what could have been another career-defining role --
Michael Corleone's daughter in The Godfather: Part III.
Unfortunately for Winona and the film, the actress had to
withdraw from the project due to a respiratory infection.
Winona signed with Creative Artists Agency and got her hands
on the script for the Francis Ford Coppola vehicle Bram
Stoker's Dracula (1992). She approached the legendary
director and was cast in the film as the love interest of
the bloodsucking count. Winona was all grown up and her
career was on the fly.
Donning corsets once again, Winona next starred in The Age
of Innocence (1993), co-starring Daniel Day-Lewis. Her work
garnered her an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting
Actress. Next, Winona juggled the modern times as a Gen-Xer
in Reality Bites (1994) with period films, such as the
adaptations of The House of the Spirits (1993) and Little
Women (1994), which garnered her a Best Actress Oscar
nomination. She dedicated Little Women to Polly Klass, a
girl from her hometown who was kidnapped and killed.
After roles in the female-bonding flick How to Make an
American Quilt (1995), Boys (1996), the adaptation of The
Crucible (1996), a visit in space with Alien: Resurrection
(1997), and Woody Allen's star-studded Celebrity (1998),
co-starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Famke Janssen and Charlize
Theron, Winona starred and acted as executive producer in
1999's film adaptation of Girl, Interrupted, co-starring
Angelina Jolie.
Although Winona has been in the Hollywood scene since the
mid-'80s, she only made her first talk show appearance in
December 1999 on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, to promote
Girl, Interrupted. Subsequently, she was seen in the
tearjerker romance Autumn in New York (2000), co-starring
the much older Richard Gere, and appeared soon after in the
thriller Lost Souls (2000).
As she was taking a break from acting, she got herself into
trouble. In December 2001, she was shopping at a Beverly
Hills Saks Fifth Avenue when she was caught with shoplifted
merchandise and illegal pharmaceutical drugs.
At the ensuing much-publicized trial, she was found guilty
of vandalism and grand theft and sentenced to $3,700 in
fines, 480 hours of community service, three years'
probation, and $6,355 in restitution fees.
After a two-year hiatus, she returned to the big screen in
the Adam Sandler comedy Mr. Deeds (2002) and the fantasy
S1m0ne (2002). Then, she produced and narrated the child sex
slave trade documentary The Day My God Died (2003) before
returning to fiction in a small part in Asia Argento's The
Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things (2004).
Named one of People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People in
the World in 1997, it's safe to say that not only People
finds Winona beautiful, considering the long list of
boyfriends and flames she has had. The actress had a
three-year engagement to Johnny Depp, a long courtship with
David Pirner, and has dated Christian Slater, Daniel
Day-Lewis, David Duchovny, Chris Noth, Matt Damon, and
Beck... to name a few.
There is more to be said about Winona than her beauty; her
wide variety of movie roles, off-screen charm and talent
explain her long-term appeal. |
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Other
Information |
Her real hair color is blonde but when she made her first
major film, Lucas (1986), her hair color was dyed black. She
was told to keep it that color and it has stayed that color
since.
Was engaged to Matt Damon. [2000]
Her December 22, 1999, guest spot on "The Tonight Show with
Jay Leno" (1992) was her first-ever appearance on a talk
show. She did it to promote Girl, Interrupted (1999), the
first film on which she served as executive producer. She
clearly had first-timer's jitters but settled in
comfortably.
Injured knee while filming Girl, Interrupted (1999). [22
March 1999]
Ranked #42 in Empire (UK) magazine's the Top 100 Movie Stars
of All Time list. [October 1997]
Chosen by People magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful
People in the World. [1997]
Born at 11:00am, CDT.
She briefly checked herself into a hospital when she was 20,
because she was suffering from depression, anxiety attacks,
and exhaustion, resulting from constantly working on films.
Graduated from Petaluma High School with a 4.0 GPA.
Received a star on the Walk of Fame in Hollywood,
California, in October 2000, and was voted Best-Dressed
Celebrity of the Week by Entertainment Weekly for the event.
Helped Italian designer Giorgio Armani promote his Manhattan
chain of stores. [1996]
Had to turn down the role of Nina in The Object of My
Affection (1998) due to scheduling conflicts. [1997]
Chosen as one of the Top Players Under 35 list by People
magazine. [1996]
Began work on Girl, Interrupted (1999), which took four more
years to make it to the screen. [1996]
The role of Nola in Celebrity (1998) was actually written
for Drew Barrymore. [1997]
Although there was no electricity on the commune where they
lived, when Winona was seven, her mother began to run an old
movie theater in a nearby barn and would screen movies all
day. She allowed Winona to miss school to watch movies with
her.
Independent filmmaker Jim Jarmusch wrote a part specifically
for her in Night on Earth (1991), as a tattooed,
chain-smoking cabbie who dreams of becoming a mechanic.
She dedicated the film Little Women (1994) to Polly Klaas, a
young girl from her hometown of Petaluma, California, who
was kidnapped and brutally murdered. She offered a $200,000
reward for anyone with information on the subject, and
remains a strong supporter of the Polly Klaas Foundation.
Auditioned for the Marla Singer role in Fight Club (1999),
which eventually went to Helena Bonham Carter.
Beat poet Allen Ginsberg was a close friend of her parents.
Upset with MGM for refusing to pre-screen Autumn in New York
(2000), saying she was very proud of the film and that the
studio was giving it a bad name before it was even released.
[2000]
Refused to do promotion for Lost Souls (2000). [2000]
Signed on to "The Girl You Want." After a few weeks of
preproduction, she received a new version of the script,
which she hated, and tried to get out of her contract.
Touchstone Pictures threatened to sue her if she did, and so
she completed the film. The film's title was changed to Boys
(1996) and sat on the shelf for more than a year. After it
finally got its release, it was released in less than 100
theaters in North America and grossed less than five hundred
thousand dollars. [1995]
Her favorite book is J.D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the
Rye." She says she owns every paperback edition and
translations.
In late 1999, she started her own music company, Roustabout
Studios.
Presented Best Picture contender The Cider House Rules
(1999) at the 72nd Academy Awards. [March 2000]
Appeared on the season finale of "Saturday Night Live"
(1975) as herself. [19 May 2001]
Presented singer Björk at the 2001 Academy Awards in the
category Best Original Song.
Had to turn down the role of Alice Sutton in Conspiracy
Theory (1997), which went to Julia Roberts, because of
scheduling conflicts.
The film Lost Souls (2000), though it was released in late
2000, was actually shot in 1998, and New Line Cinema kept in
on the shelf for two years.
Received a Grammy nomination for her reading of "Anne Frank:
the Diary of a Young Girl." [1996]
Had one date with Old 97's frontman Rhett Miller, who wrote
the song "Rollerskate Skinny" about her.
Turned down the lead role in Sabrina (1995) because she felt
she could not fill Audrey Hepburn's shoes and that the role
was marked by sexism. [1994]
Her agent begged her not to do Heathers (1989), saying her
career would be over.
Enrolled at the American Conservatory Theater in San
Francisco at the age of 12.
The first house she bought was in the Hollywood Hills. She
soon moved, saying she never fitted in.
Says Sarah Miles's performance in Ryan's Daughter (1970)
inspired her to become a professional actress.
First auditioned for the role of Blanca in The House of the
Spirits (1993) when she was sixteen, but the part went to
Pernilla August. The film took years to get made, and when
it finally did, August had to drop out at the last minute
due to pregnancy, and Winona replaced her.
When she dropped out of The Godfather: Part III (1990),
rumors began to circulate that she was pregnant, that she
had been discouraged by then-boyfriend Johnny Depp, had a
drug problem, etc... She said in an interview later that
year that she arrived in Rome to film and simply could not
get out of bed. A doctor was called and ordered her to
return home and sleep.
Dated Johnny Depp for many years. He had a tattoo of her
name and after they broke up, he had it reduced to "Wino
forever."
Was considered for the part of Janet in a big-screen remake
of "Three's Company" (1977) opposite Ben Stiller and Cameron
Diaz, but the project was eventually cancelled.
Suffered severe stomach pains and doubled over in pain. She
was sent to her hotel room in London, England, UK, and later
was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with a severe
gastroenterological disorder. She left the UK on August
24th. The sickness caused her to drop out of the film "Lily
and the Secret Planting (2002)," and her part eventually
went to Kate Winslet instead. Winona was said to have been
very passionate about her role in the film and was
heartbroken to leave. The incident brought to mind the
similar 1990 stomach flu that caused her to drop out of The
Godfather: Part III (1990) two days before filming began,
causing a lot of controversy. [16 August 2001]
Was arrested in Beverly Hills for allegedly stealing
clothing items and carrying illegal pharmaceutical drugs
without a prescription. Her lawyer denied the accusations,
and Winona was released later that evening on $20,000 bail.
Despite her alleged crime, Beverly Hills police described
her as "very friendly, polite, and cooperative" and "a nice
lady." [December 12, 2001]
Smokes a pack of cigarettes a day.
Appeared on the cover of the June 2002 cover of W magazine
wearing a "Free Winona" T-shirt. "Free Winona" T-shirts
became popular over the Internet following her December 22,
2001 arrest, with many fans sporting them and purses in
support.
In March 2002, she appeared in her second Caffé Latté
commercial, as well as a commercial for Subaru.
Broke her arm during the filming of Mr. Deeds (2002), in the
scene where she and Adam Sandler are riding bikes down a
flight of stairs.
November 6, 2002. She was found guilty of vandalism and
grand theft in connection with the shoplifting charges
dating from back on December 12, 2001. Sentencing is
scheduled for December 6, 2002. She was acquitted of a third
charge, burglary.
Her sister is Sunyata Palmer and her brother is Uri Horowitz
6 December 2002 - Sentenced to 480 hours of community
service, three years' probation, $3700 in fines, and $6355
in restitution for her arrest on shoplifting charges.
Measurements: 34C-22-34 (1992- on set of "Bram Stoker's
Dracula (1992)"), 35C-23 1/2- 34 (1996 designer notes),
(Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine).
Was the host during Will Ferrell's final episode as a
regular cast member of "Saturday Night Live" (1975).
Dropped out of Eulogy (2004).
Turned down the role of Katrina in Sleepy Hollow (1999),
which went to Christina Ricci.
A fan of the film Grey Gardens (1975).
Suffers from insomnia. She allegedly has had a habit of
talking on the phone with actor Al Pacino, who also suffers
from insomnia.
Suffers from aquaphobia due to a trauma she received when
she nearly drowned at the age of 12. This caused problems
when she had to act in some of the under-water scenes in
Alien: Resurrection (1997). The scenes had to be retaken
endless times because of this.
Member of jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 1998
Her friendship with best friend Gwyneth Paltrow ended in the
late 1990s because their lives grew apart.
Persuaded Universal Pictures to turn the February 1994 Los
Angeles premiere of :"Reality Bites" into a benefit for the
Polly Klaas Foundation. She also had enough clout to see
that Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women" - Polly's favorite
book - was made into a film, with Winona in the title role
and the film dedicated to Polly Klaas.
She is the 2,165th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her
great friend, Sir Anthony Hopkins attended the ceremony.
November 2000.
Billy Wilder and William Holden are two artists for whom
Ryder has great respect.
She serves on the Board of American Indian College Funds.
March 17, 2000, San Francisco International Film Festival
awarded the prestigious Peter J. Owens Award to her for
brilliance, independence and integrity.
Had several films that were announced but later canceled in
the mid-2000s: Robert Altman's "The Widow Claire," Norman
Jewison's "Embers," Jonas Akerlund's "Oskur Fishman," and
Elie Chouraqui's "Beyond Friendship."
Her participation in "The Heart is Deceitful Above All
Things" was reported by Italian newspapers months before the
official announcements were made; Ryder claims she met
author J.T. Leroy in 1993 at an opera. |
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