Reese Witherspoon reveals real name to fans’ surprise

6 June, 2024

Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon has revealed her real birth name, much to the surprise of many of her fans online.

In an interview alongside Nicole Kidman in Vanity Fair, the Walk The Line star confirmed that her first name is not in fact Reese when they were discussing their Big Little Lies co-star Laura Dern.

When Witherspoon referred to the Jurassic Park star as ‘Dern’, Kidman retorted: “I hate how you call her Dern”, saying that it “sounds weird”.

“I’m gonna tell you why,” Witherspoon replied. “Because my name is Laura, and her name is Laura and it’s confusing to me. My realy name is Laura Jeanne.”

Kidman seemed momentarily set back by the news, before saying, “That’s right! So you call her Dern.”

She was born Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon, with Reese being her mother’s maiden name. She chose to use it as her first name when she embarked on her acting career in the early ‘90s.

Several fans took to social media to express their shock at learning about Witherspoon’s real name, with one writing: “So this is how I learn her real name is Laura Jeanne Reese??? the way she said “cuz my name is Laura” is such a revelation to me, it’s giving Darth Vader’s “I am your father”.”

See some other reactions from X below:

The 48-year-old most recently starred in the 2023 romcom Your Place Or Mine alongside Ashton Kutcher, as well as the third season of Apple TV+ series The Morning Show, in which she stars alongside Jennifer Aniston and Steve Carell.

She is also a high-profile producer, having worked on recent films including Where The Crawdads Sing, Gone Girl and Wild, in which she also starred, picking up a Best Actress Oscar nomination.

Witherspoon had previously won the same award for her portrayal of June Carter Cash in the 2005 biopic Walk The Line.

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