After featuring in the Disney production A Far Off Place (1993), she starred as a violent youth in Freeway (1996).
She then rose to prominence in 1999 with Cruel Intentions and for her portrayal of Tracy Flick in the black comedy Election, which earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical nomination.
She achieved fame for her work on romantic comedies with her role as Elle Woods in the comedy Legally Blonde (2001) and its 2003 sequel, as well as her starring role in Sweet Home Alabama (2002).
She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of June Carter Cash in the 2005 biographical musical film Walk the Line.
Launching Hello Sunshine in 2014, Witherspoon has served as producer on several of her films and shows, in addition to the 2014 psychological thriller Gone Girl.