By Megan Riedlinger
10:47am PDT, Apr 18, 2024
15. Debbie in “Similar Sort of Completely different as Me”
Renee Zellweger took a break from Hollywood for six years and has solely put out just a few movies since her return. Her character in a type of takes is within the final spot on the record — Debbie, a lady with a dishonest husband, from the 2017 drama “Similar Sort of Completely different as Me.” Debbie’s partner makes amends by volunteering at an area homeless shelter, which leads to them serving to a troubled man. Greg Kinnear and Djimon Hounsou additionally starred within the movie, which scored a 40% recent score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes however was deemed 84% recent by audiences.
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14. Jenny in “Texas Chainsaw Bloodbath – The Subsequent Technology”
Subsequent on the record? Her first starring function! Renee Zellweger’s first large half got here in 1995’s “Texas Chainsaw Bloodbath: The Subsequent Technology,” the fourth installment within the iconic horror franchise. She performed Jenny, considered one of 4 teenagers who will get in an accident after promenade solely to seek out themselves terrorized by Leatherface. Matthew McConaughey additionally starred within the flick, which was re-cut and re-released two years later after Renee and Matthew grew to become huge stars. Regardless of the re-release, the movie was panned by critics and did not do nicely on the field workplace.
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13. Anne in “The Bachelor”
Although the movie wasn’t a large success, we would be remiss if we did not embrace Renee Zellweger’s character in 1999’s “The Bachelor” — to not be confused with the ABC relationship present that debuted just a few years later. Renee performed Anne, the girlfriend of Chris O’Donnell’s Jimmie, who should marry with a view to obtain a large inheritance. Since Anne has left the nation and is not sure of his willingness to wed, Jimmie tracks down outdated girlfriends (performed by stars like Brooke Shields and Mariah Carey) solely to understand it is Anne he really loves. Regardless that the movie solely earned $37 million on the field workplace, the candy love story ensured Renee’s Anne a spot on this record.
12. Gina in “Empire Data”
One in all Renee Zellweger’s earliest roles got here in 1995 in “Empire Data.” She performed Gina within the movie about report store workers attempting to avoid wasting their retailer from being bought to an even bigger chain. The film was a field workplace failure and obtained dismal evaluations regardless of later gaining considerably of a cult following. Regardless of its preliminary poor reception, there was one factor critics of the movie had been united on — Renee was nice on this one!
11. Barbara in “Down with Love”
“Down with Love” might need been a field workplace flop, however Renee Zellweger’s efficiency as Barbara nonetheless stands out. The 2003 romantic comedy noticed Renee paired with Ewan McGregor in a flick in regards to the early ’60s proper earlier than the sexual revolution. Barbara stands as a feminine empowerment proponent of the time, advocating to free girls from the idea of affection together with her new guide “Down with Love.” Whereas selling the guide, she meets Ewan’s Catcher, an notorious woman’s man, and the 2 inevitably fall for one another towards all odds.
10. Irene in “Me, Myself and Irene”
Renee Zellweger really flexed her comedy muscular tissues reverse Jim Carrey in 2000’s “Me, Myself & Irene.” The Farrelly brothers directed the darkish comedy, which noticed Renee play prison Irene, who allegedly dedicated a hit-and-run and ended up getting Jim’s cop character concerned in her hijinx. Although it wasn’t successful with critics, audiences loved this odd but humorous flick.
9. Beatrix Potter in “Miss Potter”
Our No. 8 choose comes from a biopic: Renee Zellweger took on the function of youngsters’s guide writer and illustrator Beatrix Potter in 2006’s “Miss Potter.” The movie chronicled her life — interspersed with animated sequences with a few of her most iconic characters, like Peter Rabbit. Enjoying the legendary writer earned Renee a Golden Globe nomination, and the biopic was largely beloved by critics. Enjoyable truth: “Bohemian Rhapsody” star Lucy Boynton performed the youthful model of Beatrix within the movie!
8. Claire in “White Oleander”
“White Oleander” was a 2002 drama during which Renee Zellweger starred alongside Michelle Pfeiffer and Robin Wright. Renee performed Claire, an actress who turns into a foster mom to a troubled teen and has her personal demons dropped at mild within the course of, leading to her suicide. The unhappy movie wasn’t an enormous hit with audiences, however the tragic flip earned Renee a Satellite tv for pc Award nomination for finest supporting actress.
7. Betty in “Nurse Betty”
In 2000, Renee Zellweger gained her first Golden Globe for finest actress in a musical or comedy for her work in “Nurse Betty” reverse Greg Kinnear. The darkish comedy noticed Renee taking part in a waitress who witnesses her husband’s homicide and has a nervous breakdown that leads her to Los Angeles in pursuit of her favourite cleaning soap opera actor. Although quirky Betty is not our favourite Renee character, she’s positively one of many actress’s most original portrayals.
6. Mae in “Cinderella Man”
Renee Zellweger tried her hand at a sports activities drama with 2005’s “Cinderella Man” reverse Russell Crowe and Paul Giamatti. The story centered round a boxer compelled to surrender his profession after breaking his proper hand whereas preventing, with Renee taking part in his spouse, Mae. When the Nice Despair drives him again to boxing and he discovers he can combat together with his left hand, his spouse stands dutifully beside him as he turns into the heavyweight champion of the world. Although Renee did not choose up any particular person nominations for her work within the movie, the flick earned three Academy Award noms and was successful with critics.
5. Ruby in “Chilly Mountain”
Subsequent up is the function that earned her an Oscar! Renee Zellweger gained an Academy Award for finest supporting actress in 2003 for her efficiency as Ruby in “Chilly Mountain.” The dramatic Civil Struggle-centered story adopted a Accomplice Military deserter (performed by Jude Legislation) attempting to get house to his real love (Nicole Kidman). Ruby was Nicole’s character’s shut pal who helps her run a farm. Renee’s very good performing not solely earned her the Oscar, however a Golden Globe, a Display screen Actors Guild Award and BAFTA as nicely.
4. Dorothy in “Jerry Maguire”
“Jerry Maguire” made Renee Zellweger a family identify, and it options considered one of her finest performances of all time. The actress starred reverse Tom Cruise within the romantic comedy-drama as single mother Dorothy, a staffer who follows Tom’s character as he leaves his large sports activities administration firm and begins his personal small agency — and finally ends up falling for him. Renee’s character additionally utters one of the well-known strains in film historical past within the movie: “You had me at howdy.”
3. Roxie Hart in “Chicago”
Coming in third on this record is Roxie Hart in “Chicago,” a task that earned Renee Zellweger a Golden Globe for finest supporting actress in a musical or comedy in 2002 — and for good cause! She sang, she danced and she or he delivered an unimaginable flip because the manipulative murderess. Thanks partially to her star energy and robust efficiency, the flick grew to become the best grossing live-action musical as much as that time (the report was later damaged in 2008 by “Mamma Mia!”).
2. Judy Garland in “Judy”
Renee Zellweger took on the function of an actual life legend — Judy Garland — within the 2019 movie “Judy.” The critically acclaimed biopic chronicaled the final 12 months of the star’s life, with Renee embodying the late entertainer flawlessly. Rolling Stone known as her work within the movie, “the efficiency of the 12 months,” and that assessment proved true… she went on to win the Academy Award for finest actress that 12 months (the second Oscar of her profession!).
1. Bridget in “Bridget Jones’s Diary”
Bridget, whom audiences first met in 2001’s “Bridget Jones’s Diary,” earns the highest spot on our record. Renee Zellweger performed the lovable thirty-something character who humorously chronicles her unsuccessful love life and shut friendships with London buddies in her journal as she searches for happiness. Renee’s work within the beloved romantic comedy earned her an Academy Award nomination for finest actress, and critics and audiences alike beloved the film, an up to date tackle Jane Austen’s “Satisfaction and Prejudice.” It earned greater than $280 million on the field workplace and spawned two sequels — “Bridget Jones: The Fringe of Purpose” in 2004 and “Bridget Jones’s Child” in 2016.