Born on 25 April 1969 in Katy, Texas, to Kjellfrid Irene Andreassen, a Norwegian-born former nurse and midwife, and Emil Erich Zellweger, a Swissborn engineer, Renée grew up wanting to be a writer. In fact, she went to study English at the University of Texas, which is where, instead, she ‘fell’ into acting. Bit parts in ’90s hits Dazed and Confused (1993) and Reality Bites (1994) paved the way for bigger roles in Love and a .45, The Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre (co-starring fellow Texan and then unknown Matthew McConaughey) and Empire Records (1995).
‘Rather than continuing with my journalism degree, I finished up quickly with my lit degree so that I could just see where [acting] would go,’ she says. ‘I figured I could always go back and get a master’s, and finally submit something to The Daily Texan!’
Then, to everyone’s surprise, she was cast as Tom Cruise’s love interest in Jerry Maguire and overnight Renée was a star.
Next came the franchise that would make her a global name: Bridget Jones’s Diary. Her casting was met with massive controversy: how could she possibly play Helen Fielding’s iconic chainsmoking Brit? She was too pretty, too skinny and too Texan – co-star Hugh Grant called her casting ‘a stretch’. But audiences and critics alike loved her portrayal, which earned her an Oscar, a Bafta and a Golden Globe nomination.
This story is from the May/June 2023 edition of Fairlady.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May/June 2023 edition of Fairlady.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Easter with edge
Grant knows what it's like to miss out on the celebrations that anchor family life.
The MALE bias
Historically, medical studies were mainly done on male mice and on men; and then extrapolated to treat women, as if a female body were just a smaller version of a male one. Here’s why that doesn’t make sense, and how to work with your body’s natural rhythm for better health.
Wellbeing
How to sleep better, feel better and look better!
The other type of CHEATING
Lies about money can have devastating consequences in a relationship.
THE 'PEST' IN PESTICIDES
oe r Despite many highly Hs hazardous pesticides being banned in their countries of origin, 192 of them are still legally exported to South Africa
START A BUSINESS LIKE a Saffer
There's nothing quite like a South African entrepreneur. In the face of adversity, they innovate and persevere. But what fuels that determination? We chatted to some self-starters to find out.
How to take the MONOTONY OUT OF MONOGAMY
It's easy to get complacent in a long-term relationship. Before you know it, your partner is little more than your roommate. Here's how to shake things up.
SUPER TROUPER
At one point, Josie Borain was the most famous model in the world. Her face was on every magazine that mattered. And in the madness of all that attention, she never lost her sense of self. She talks to us about turning 60, being single, and starting her third act with a move to the platteland.
Little wonder
Over the years we have visited 16 Greek islands, but when we first set foot on Halki, the little-known gem just south of Rhodes, we knew we'd found the closest thing to the perfect one. And we vowed to return. Often.
HOME AFFAIRS
These three entrepreneurs are redefining the heartbeat of homes through their unique blend of creativity, sustainability and purposeful design.
