Renée Zellweger Net Worth 2024: How Much is the ‘Bridget Jones’ Actress Worth?

Renée Zellweger net worth is estimated to be around $90 million as of 2024. Renée Zellweger is an American actress and producer born on April 25, 1969. He has received numerous awards including two Academy Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, and four Golden Globe Awards. She became one of the highest-paid actresses globally by 2007.

Originally from Texas, Zellweger studied English literature at the University of Texas at Austin. Although she initially aimed for a career in journalism, she discovered a passion for acting after performing in college theater. Her early roles included appearances in films like “Dazed and Confused” and “Reality Bites.” She gained attention as a lead actress in “The Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre.”

Renée Zellweger’s career took off with standout performances in “Jerry Maguire,” “One True Thing,” and “Nurse Betty” for which she received a Golden Globe Award. She achieved significant acclaim as Bridget Jones in “Bridget Jones’s Diary” and as Roxie Hart in “Chicago” earning consecutive Academy Award nominations for Best Actress. She won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in “Cold Mountain” as a spirited farmer.

After reprising her role as Bridget Jones in sequels and taking a break from acting, Zellweger returned in Bridget Jones’s “Baby.” In 2019, she starred in the Netflix series “What/If” and portrayed Judy Garland in Judy winning another Academy Award for Best Actress. Recently she appeared in the NBC crime miniseries “The Thing About Pam” as Pam Hupp.

What is Renée Zellweger Net Worth in 2024?

Renée Zellweger is an American actress and producer with a net worth of $90 million as of 2024, according to Celebrity Net Worth. She started acting in the early 1990s with small roles in low-budget movies and TV shows. Her big break came in 1996 when she starred in Jerry Maguire with Tom Cruise. The line “You had me at hello” from the movie became very popular.

In 2001, Zellweger took on the role of Bridget Jones in Bridget Jones’s Diary. She used a British accent and even gained weight to fit the character, which earned her an Oscar nomination. She played Bridget Jones in two more movies, making the character iconic in the 2000s.

Zellweger’s commitment to acting was clear again in “Chicago,” where she played Roxie Hart. She not only acted but also sang and danced, impressing both critics and fans. She won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in “Cold Mountain.”

After taking a break in the 2010s, Zellweger returned to acting with “Judy,” a movie about Judy Garland. Her powerful performance won her another Oscar, this time for Best Actress.

Renée Zellweger’s Early Life and Education

Renée Kathleen Zellweger was born on April 25, 1969, in Katy Texas. Her father Emil Erich Zellweger came from Au St. Gallen in Switzerland and worked as an engineer in the oil-refining industry. Her mother Kjellfrid is of Norwegian descent with roots in the Kven and Sámi communities growing up near Vadsø Norway. Kjellfrid moved to the United States to work as a governess after training as a nurse and midwife.

Zellweger attended Katy High School where she was involved in cheerleading sports like soccer and powderpuff football and academics. She wrote an award-winning paper titled “The Karankawas and Their Roots” during high school. After graduating she studied English Literature at the University of Texas at Austin discovering her passion for acting through a drama course.

During college, Renée Zellweger worked as a cocktail waitress in Austin due to financial difficulties after her father lost his job. This experience taught her valuable life lessons and contributed to her understanding of people and situations beyond stereotypes. She began her acting career with small roles including a Coors Light commercial and a brief appearance in the film “My Boyfriend’s Back.”

Her first job after college was in a beef commercial while she continued auditioning for acting roles in Houston Texas.

Renée Zellweger’s Career

Early roles

Renee Zellweger began her acting career in Texas appearing in low-budget films and TV miniseries. In the early 90s, she acted in movies like “A Taste for Killing” and “Murder in the Heartland”. She had small roles in films such as “Dazed and Confused” and “Reality Bites” before gaining attention in horror flicks like “The Return of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre”.

Breakthrough

Her breakthrough came with “Jerry Maguire” in 1996 where she played a single mom opposite Tom Cruise. The film was a huge success grossing over $273 million worldwide. Critics praised her chemistry with Cruise and her portrayal of a supportive partner.

Renée Zellweger continued to diversify her roles starring in dramas like “A Price Above Rubies” and “One True Thing”. She gained acclaim for her role in “Nurse Betty” winning her first Golden Globe Award. Her transformation into Bridget Jones for the film adaptation of Helen Fielding’s novel was met with skepticism but earned her critical acclaim and multiple award nominations.

In 2002, she starred in the musical “Chicago” which won numerous awards including Best Picture at the Oscars. Zellweger’s performance as Roxie Hart earned her several award nominations and marked a highlight in her career.

Cold Mountain

Following the success of “Chicago,” she appeared in films like “Cold Mountain” winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She continued with roles in comedies and dramas throughout the mid-2000s demonstrating her versatility as an actress.

Zellweger’s career has been marked by both critical acclaim and commercial success making her a prominent figure in Hollywood. Her roles span a wide range of genres showcasing her talent and ability to bring depth to her characters.

Renée Zellweger has been in a variety of films throughout her career. In “Leatherheads” directed by George Clooney she played a newspaper reporter. The movie got mixed reviews and didn’t do great at the box office. MTV.com liked her for her sarcasm but Jam! criticized her for not being the right fit for her role. In “Appaloosa” she starred alongside Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen.

The film did better financially earning $20 million in the U.S. Zellweger also produced “Living Proof” a TV movie about Denny Slamon which premiered on Lifetime in October 2008.

In “New in Town” Renée Zellweger played a consultant adjusting to life in a small town in Minnesota. The movie wasn’t well received and made only $16 million in the U.S. Box office. Critics like Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian criticized her performance. In the animated film “Monsters vs. Aliens” she voiced a supporting character. She also appeared in “My One and Only” a comedy where she played George Hamilton’s mother. Despite a limited release she received positive reviews.

Zellweger faced challenges with the supernatural thriller “Case 39” which was filmed in 2006 but released in 2010 to negative reviews. Critics speculated on her future in the industry. In “My Own Love Song” she starred as a paralyzed former singer which was shown at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Resurgence and Judy

After “My Own Love Song,” Renée Zellweger took a break from acting for four years to recharge. She returned to produce “Cinnamon Girl” a drama set in the 1960s-70s Hollywood scene but it didn’t get picked up by Lifetime. In 2014, she returned to acting in “The Whole Truth” a courtroom drama where she played a mother dealing with a murder accusation involving her son.

In 2016, Renée Zellweger reprised her role as Bridget Jones in “Bridget Jones’s Baby” which was well-received and earned over $211 million worldwide. She also starred in “Same Kind of Different as Me” and “Here and Now” both receiving mixed reviews.

Renée Zellweger made her TV debut in 2019 in the Netflix series “What/If” where she played a venture capitalist. Her standout performance was noted despite mixed reviews for the show. Her portrayal of Judy Garland in the biographical drama “Judy” garnered critical acclaim winning her several awards including an Academy Award.

In 2022, Zellweger starred in the NBC crime drama miniseries “The Thing About Pam” as Pam Hupp which received mixed reviews.

Renée Zellweger’s Personal life

Relationship

Renée Zellweger was engaged to comedian Jim Carrey from 1999 to 2000. In 2003, she briefly dated musician Jack White. In May 2005, Zellweger married singer Kenny Chesney but they annulled the marriage just four months later.

In 2009, Zellweger began dating actor Bradley Cooper after meeting him on the set of “Case 39” which was filmed in 2006. Their relationship ended in 2011.

She also had a relationship with musician Doyle Bramhall II. As of June 2021, Zellweger is dating English TV presenter Ant Anstead whom she met while filming “Celebrity IOU: Joyride.”

Activism

Zellweger supported a Swiss HIV prevention campaign in 2005.

She’s also involved with The GREAT Initiative a foundation promoting gender equality. In 2011, she traveled to Liberia with the charity.

In April 2011, Renée Zellweger teamed up with Tommy Hilfiger to create a handbag. The proceeds went to the Breast Health Institute to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. Zellweger emphasized her commitment to supporting breast health education and charitable causes inspired by her connections with loved ones affected by breast cancer.