Before Bridget Jones shot Renée Zellweger to global stardom, the Texan had made her screen debut in a handful of low-budget indies. She followed those up with small parts in ’90s classics Dazed and Confused, Reality Bites, and Empire Records, after which Jerry Maguire made her America’s sweetheart.
More success followed: Me, Myself & Irene, alongside Jim Carrey, who became her partner in the late ’90s; and Nurse Betty, the pitch-black comedy which earned her a Golden Globe for best actress in a musical or comedy. But the Helen Fielding adaptation about the ultimate Frazzled Englishwoman marked a point of no return: after that came Oscar glory for 2003’s Cold Mountain, and her anointing as a Hollywood fixture.
To celebrate Zellweger’s 57th birthday today, we’re taking a look back at the earliest years of her career via the best vintage photos from the ’90s and early aughts. Think minimalist slips, naked dressing, and a few CBK-inspired staples.
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Love and a .45. (In reality, it was her sixth onscreen appearance, after small parts in the likes of Dazed and Confused and Reality Bites.)”,”contentType”:”photo”,”credit”:”Photo: Getty Images”,”segmentedSources”:{“sm”:[{“height”:496,”width”:320,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b8a/master/w_320,c_limit/GettyImages-75500433.jpg”},{“height”:992,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b8a/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-75500433.jpg”}],”md”:[{“height”:992,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b8a/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-75500433.jpg”},{“height”:1983,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b8a/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-75500433.jpg”}],”lg”:[{“height”:1587,”width”:1024,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b8a/master/w_1024,c_limit/GettyImages-75500433.jpg”},{“height”:3174,”width”:2048,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b8a/master/w_2048,c_limit/GettyImages-75500433.jpg”}],”xl”:[{“height”:1983,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b8a/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-75500433.jpg”}],”xxl”:[{“height”:1983,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b8a/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-75500433.jpg”}]}}}” data-testid=”GallerySlideWrapper”>
Photo: Getty Images
1995
With clipped-back ’90s hair, a red lip, a floor-length slip dress, strappy heels, and a cream knit for the evening, a 25-year-old Renée Zellweger attended the 10th Independent Spirit Awards in LA. She was nominated in the best-debut-performance category for C.M. Talkington’s indie road movie Love and a .45. (In reality, it was her sixth onscreen appearance, after small parts in the likes of Dazed and Confused and Reality Bites.)
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Jerry Maguire. The role earned her a SAG nomination as well as the Critics’ Choice Awards’ prize for breakthrough artist.”,”contentType”:”photo”,”credit”:”Photo: Getty Images”,”segmentedSources”:{“sm”:[{“height”:497,”width”:320,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b8b/master/w_320,c_limit/GettyImages-168580412.jpg”},{“height”:994,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b8b/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-168580412.jpg”}],”md”:[{“height”:994,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b8b/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-168580412.jpg”},{“height”:1987,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b8b/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-168580412.jpg”}],”lg”:[{“height”:1590,”width”:1024,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b8b/master/w_1024,c_limit/GettyImages-168580412.jpg”},{“height”:3180,”width”:2048,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b8b/master/w_2048,c_limit/GettyImages-168580412.jpg”}],”xl”:[{“height”:1987,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b8b/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-168580412.jpg”}],”xxl”:[{“height”:1987,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b8b/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-168580412.jpg”}]}}}” data-testid=”GallerySlideWrapper”>
Photo: Getty Images
1996
At 27, looking luminous on set as she plays the effervescent Dorothy in Jerry Maguire. The role earned her a SAG nomination as well as the Critics’ Choice Awards’ prize for breakthrough artist.
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Jerry Maguire.”,”contentType”:”photo”,”credit”:”Photo: Getty Images”,”segmentedSources”:{“sm”:[{“height”:463,”width”:320,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b8c/master/w_320,c_limit/GettyImages-75506984.jpg”},{“height”:926,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b8c/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-75506984.jpg”}],”md”:[{“height”:926,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b8c/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-75506984.jpg”},{“height”:1853,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b8c/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-75506984.jpg”}],”lg”:[{“height”:1482,”width”:1024,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b8c/master/w_1024,c_limit/GettyImages-75506984.jpg”},{“height”:2965,”width”:2048,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b8c/master/w_2048,c_limit/GettyImages-75506984.jpg”}],”xl”:[{“height”:1853,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b8c/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-75506984.jpg”}],”xxl”:[{“height”:1853,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b8c/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-75506984.jpg”}]}}}” data-testid=”GallerySlideWrapper”>
Photo: Getty Images
1996
Barefaced and with a layered bob at the LA premiere of Jerry Maguire.
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Photo: Getty Images
1997
In an easy ’90s slip dress at 28 for the AIDS Project Los Angeles Fashion Benefit Gala, presented by Tom Ford.
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Jerry Maguire. Her fellow nominees included Ewan McGregor for Trainspotting and Courtney Love for The People vs. Larry Flynt, though they all lost out to a young Matthew McConaughey for A Time to Kill.”,”contentType”:”photo”,”credit”:”Photo: Getty Images”,”segmentedSources”:{“sm”:[{“height”:484,”width”:320,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b8e/master/w_320,c_limit/GettyImages-111160672.jpg”},{“height”:968,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b8e/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-111160672.jpg”}],”md”:[{“height”:968,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b8e/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-111160672.jpg”},{“height”:1935,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b8e/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-111160672.jpg”}],”lg”:[{“height”:1548,”width”:1024,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b8e/master/w_1024,c_limit/GettyImages-111160672.jpg”},{“height”:3097,”width”:2048,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b8e/master/w_2048,c_limit/GettyImages-111160672.jpg”}],”xl”:[{“height”:1935,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b8e/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-111160672.jpg”}],”xxl”:[{“height”:1935,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b8e/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-111160672.jpg”}]}}}” data-testid=”GallerySlideWrapper”>
Photo: Getty Images
1997
Dabbling in naked dressing alongside a 29-year-old Ashley Judd at the MTV Movie Awards in LA. At the ceremony, Zellweger acted as a presenter, and was nominated for best breakthrough performance for Jerry Maguire. Her fellow nominees included Ewan McGregor for Trainspotting and Courtney Love for The People vs. Larry Flynt, though they all lost out to a young Matthew McConaughey for A Time to Kill.
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Photo: Getty Images
1997
At the low-key 1997 Met Gala, a celebration of Gianni Versace, in a CBK-coded strapless gown.
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A Price Above Rubies.”,”contentType”:”photo”,”credit”:”Photo: Getty Images”,”segmentedSources”:{“sm”:[{“height”:495,”width”:320,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b90/master/w_320,c_limit/GettyImages-82837200.jpg”},{“height”:990,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b90/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-82837200.jpg”}],”md”:[{“height”:990,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b90/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-82837200.jpg”},{“height”:1980,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b90/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-82837200.jpg”}],”lg”:[{“height”:1584,”width”:1024,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b90/master/w_1024,c_limit/GettyImages-82837200.jpg”},{“height”:3169,”width”:2048,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b90/master/w_2048,c_limit/GettyImages-82837200.jpg”}],”xl”:[{“height”:1980,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b90/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-82837200.jpg”}],”xxl”:[{“height”:1980,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b90/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-82837200.jpg”}]}}}” data-testid=”GallerySlideWrapper”>
Photo: Getty Images
1998
Supremely casual for the premiere of her latest star vehicle, A Price Above Rubies.
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One True Thing, in which she starred with Meryl Streep.”,”contentType”:”photo”,”credit”:”Photo: Getty Images”,”segmentedSources”:{“sm”:[{“height”:447,”width”:320,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b91/master/w_320,c_limit/GettyImages-115350436.jpg”},{“height”:893,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b91/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-115350436.jpg”}],”md”:[{“height”:893,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b91/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-115350436.jpg”},{“height”:1786,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b91/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-115350436.jpg”}],”lg”:[{“height”:1429,”width”:1024,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b91/master/w_1024,c_limit/GettyImages-115350436.jpg”},{“height”:2858,”width”:2048,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b91/master/w_2048,c_limit/GettyImages-115350436.jpg”}],”xl”:[{“height”:1786,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b91/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-115350436.jpg”}],”xxl”:[{“height”:1786,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b91/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-115350436.jpg”}]}}}” data-testid=”GallerySlideWrapper”>
Photo: Getty Images
1998
In a cozy jumper for the LA premiere of One True Thing, in which she starred with Meryl Streep.
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One True Thing.“,”contentType”:”photo”,”credit”:”Photo: Getty Images”,”segmentedSources”:{“sm”:[{“height”:472,”width”:320,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b89/master/w_320,c_limit/GettyImages-155505136.jpg”},{“height”:945,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b89/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-155505136.jpg”}],”md”:[{“height”:945,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b89/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-155505136.jpg”},{“height”:1890,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b89/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-155505136.jpg”}],”lg”:[{“height”:1512,”width”:1024,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b89/master/w_1024,c_limit/GettyImages-155505136.jpg”},{“height”:3024,”width”:2048,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b89/master/w_2048,c_limit/GettyImages-155505136.jpg”}],”xl”:[{“height”:1890,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b89/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-155505136.jpg”}],”xxl”:[{“height”:1890,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b89/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-155505136.jpg”}]}}}” data-testid=”GallerySlideWrapper”>
Photo: Getty Images
1998
Sporting a form-fitting bright blue shift for the New York premiere of One True Thing.
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Photo: Getty Images
1999
Nothing says ’90s New York more than Zellweger—in brown leather, a white T-shirt, and a chunky knit—seated front row at the spring 2000 Matt Nye show beside…Yoko Ono.
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The Bachelor, in which she co-starred with Chris O’Donnell.”,”contentType”:”photo”,”credit”:”Photo: Getty Images”,”segmentedSources”:{“sm”:[{“height”:436,”width”:320,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b93/master/w_320,c_limit/GettyImages-85822473.jpg”},{“height”:872,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b93/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-85822473.jpg”}],”md”:[{“height”:872,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b93/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-85822473.jpg”},{“height”:1744,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b93/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-85822473.jpg”}],”lg”:[{“height”:1395,”width”:1024,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b93/master/w_1024,c_limit/GettyImages-85822473.jpg”},{“height”:2790,”width”:2048,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b93/master/w_2048,c_limit/GettyImages-85822473.jpg”}],”xl”:[{“height”:1744,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b93/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-85822473.jpg”}],”xxl”:[{“height”:1744,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b93/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-85822473.jpg”}]}}}” data-testid=”GallerySlideWrapper”>
Photo: Getty Images
1999
Bringing back the defined red lip for the LA premiere of The Bachelor, in which she co-starred with Chris O’Donnell.
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Me, Myself & Irene co-star Jim Carrey, whom she dated for a year after meeting in 1999. Here, the pair are pictured at the LA premiere of Carrey’s latest comedy, Man on the Moon.”,”contentType”:”photo”,”credit”:”Photo: Getty Images”,”segmentedSources”:{“sm”:[{“height”:447,”width”:320,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b94/master/w_320,c_limit/GettyImages-104601327.jpg”},{“height”:895,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b94/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-104601327.jpg”}],”md”:[{“height”:895,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b94/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-104601327.jpg”},{“height”:1790,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b94/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-104601327.jpg”}],”lg”:[{“height”:1432,”width”:1024,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b94/master/w_1024,c_limit/GettyImages-104601327.jpg”},{“height”:2863,”width”:2048,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b94/master/w_2048,c_limit/GettyImages-104601327.jpg”}],”xl”:[{“height”:1790,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b94/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-104601327.jpg”}],”xxl”:[{“height”:1790,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b94/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-104601327.jpg”}]}}}” data-testid=”GallerySlideWrapper”>
Photo: Getty Images
1999
All smiles with her Me, Myself & Irene co-star Jim Carrey, whom she dated for a year after meeting in 1999. Here, the pair are pictured at the LA premiere of Carrey’s latest comedy, Man on the Moon.
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Man on the Moon.“,”contentType”:”photo”,”credit”:”Photo: Getty Images”,”segmentedSources”:{“sm”:[{“height”:471,”width”:320,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b95/master/w_320,c_limit/GettyImages-2220971.jpg”},{“height”:942,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b95/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-2220971.jpg”}],”md”:[{“height”:942,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b95/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-2220971.jpg”},{“height”:1884,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b95/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-2220971.jpg”}],”lg”:[{“height”:1507,”width”:1024,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b95/master/w_1024,c_limit/GettyImages-2220971.jpg”},{“height”:3014,”width”:2048,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b95/master/w_2048,c_limit/GettyImages-2220971.jpg”}],”xl”:[{“height”:1884,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b95/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-2220971.jpg”}],”xxl”:[{“height”:1884,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b95/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-2220971.jpg”}]}}}” data-testid=”GallerySlideWrapper”>
Photo: Getty Images
2000
The couple at the 57th Golden Globe Awards in LA, where she acted as a presenter, and he scooped the best actor in a musical or comedy prize for Man on the Moon.
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Photo: Getty Images
2000
Laughing together at the NATO/Showest Convention in Las Vegas.
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Vanity Fair Oscars after-party. That year she was a presenter, but in 2002 she would return as a first-time nominee for her lead turn in Bridget Jones’s Diary. She was nominated again the year after that, for Chicago, and won her first statuette, for best supporting actress, for Cold Mountain in 2004. Her second Oscar, best actress for Judy, came 16 years later.”,”contentType”:”photo”,”credit”:”Photo: Getty Images”,”segmentedSources”:{“sm”:[{“height”:480,”width”:320,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b97/master/w_320,c_limit/GettyImages-2307918.jpg”},{“height”:960,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b97/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-2307918.jpg”}],”md”:[{“height”:960,”width”:640,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b97/master/w_640,c_limit/GettyImages-2307918.jpg”},{“height”:1920,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b97/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-2307918.jpg”}],”lg”:[{“height”:1536,”width”:1024,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b97/master/w_1024,c_limit/GettyImages-2307918.jpg”},{“height”:3072,”width”:2048,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b97/master/w_2048,c_limit/GettyImages-2307918.jpg”}],”xl”:[{“height”:1920,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b97/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-2307918.jpg”}],”xxl”:[{“height”:1920,”width”:1280,”url”:”https://assets.vogue.com/photos/69e22a0f5c1fd3324b317b97/master/w_1280,c_limit/GettyImages-2307918.jpg”}]}}}” data-testid=”GallerySlideWrapper”>
Photo: Getty Images
2001
In her lemon yellow Oscars gown at the Vanity Fair Oscars after-party. That year she was a presenter, but in 2002 she would return as a first-time nominee for her lead turn in Bridget Jones’s Diary. She was nominated again the year after that, for Chicago, and won her first statuette, for best supporting actress, for Cold Mountain in 2004. Her second Oscar, best actress for Judy, came 16 years later.
