The Lives And Loves Of Renée Zellweger
Rex FeaturesGrowing up in Texas, Renée became the ultimate Southern belle while at high school, becoming a cheerleader and using a “lifetime allotment of mascara in two years”.
PA PhotosRenée has a lot to thank her older brother for: it was Andrew who got her into acting after he became involved in the school drama club and persuaded his sister to join too.
Rex FeaturesAppearing opposite Tom Cruise is a great way to get your big break. But, Renée had to work hard for the role of Dorothy Boyd in Jerry Maguire, and was up against Cameron Diaz, Winona Ryder and Marisa Tomei.
Rex FeaturesWhile working on 1999’s Me, Myself & Irene, the actress met and fell for Jim Carrey’s wide smile and wise-crack jokes. But things stopped being funny, in December 2000, when the pair went their separate ways.
Big PicturesBy George, Renée is lucky with her men! The actress is rumoured to have dated the ER star back in 2001 but has always denied their relationship was anything more than friendly. "It is a terrible thing for all of us who are not dating George Clooney," she said of being asked if they were an item.
Rex FeaturesRenée gorged herself on Snickers bars, chocolate milkshakes and pizza in 2001 to help put on the 20 pounds she needed for her role as eternal singleton Bridget Jones. Her devotion to the part, as well as a perfect English accent, helped her earn both Golden Globe and Oscar nominations.
Big PicturesRenée showed her sexy side as she pulled on some suspenders and high heels for a to-die-for performance as the murderous Roxie Hart in Chicago.
Big PicturesFor her role as Ruby Thewes in Cold Mountain, Renée had to haul timber and shovel manure, but then she did win the 2004 Best Supporting Actress Oscar so it wasn’t all bad.
PA PhotosRenée and Jack White of the White Stripes dated for two years after things heated up when they met on the set of Cold Mountain.
PA PhotosWhether it’s the Oscars or an intimate TV interview, the actress is rarely seen out of one of Carolina Herrera’s elegant creations.
Rex FeaturesRenée had only been dating singer Kenny Chesney for five months when they flew to the island of St John for a whirlwind wedding. Despite the scenery life wasn’t a beach and the marriage was annulled four months later.
Rex FeaturesRenée lives in a $6.8m home in Bel-Air but due to the constant attention of paparazzi and fans, she prefers to spend time at her secluded home in Connecticut or her small NY apartment.
Rex FeaturesThe star showed she wasn’t averse from laughing at herself by wearing an enormous fat suit to pick up the Hasty Pudding Woman Of The Year Award from Harvard University. On receiving the traditional pudding pot trophy, the actress joked: “This is the nicest doorstop I’ve ever had.”
Big PicturesRenée is staying tight-lipped about her latest love, Hangover star Bradley Cooper. The pair enjoyed a romantic getaway in Barcelona recently but the actress told GLAMOUR: “I’m attracted to intelligence and creativity and passion – and not necessarily the romantic kind.”
Rex FeaturesHer latest film, Case 39, sees Renée venture into horror movies. She plays a social worker who becomes obsessed by a mysterious 10-year-old girl put in her care. Read our interview with Renée in this month’s issue of GLAMOUR
