Red Carpet Flashback! 20 Years of Renée Zellweger

  • <p>After roles in such ’90s films as ‘Dazed and Confused,’ ‘Reality Bites,’ and ‘Empire Records,’ Zellweger’s breakthrough comes as love interest opposite Tom Cruise in this Cameron Crowe film. (Photo: Richard Corkery/Getty Images) </p>
    1/22

    ‘Jerry Maguire’ Premiere (1996)

    After roles in such ’90s films as ‘Dazed and Confused,’ ‘Reality Bites,’ and ‘Empire Records,’ Zellweger’s breakthrough comes as love interest opposite Tom Cruise in this Cameron Crowe film. (Photo: Richard Corkery/Getty Images)

  • <p>Zellweger reunites with her ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation’ co-star Matthew McConaughey backstage at the event on Sept. 6, 1997. (Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic) </p>
    2/22

    MTV Movie Awards (1997)

    Zellweger reunites with her ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation’ co-star Matthew McConaughey backstage at the event on Sept. 6, 1997. (Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)

  • <p>Zellweger on the carpet for the family drama in which she stars opposite Meryl Streep. (Photo:Frank Trapper/Getty Images) </p>
    3/22

    ‘One True Thing’ Premiere (1998)

    Zellweger on the carpet for the family drama in which she stars opposite Meryl Streep. (Photo:Frank Trapper/Getty Images)

  • <p>Zellweger and Chris O’Donnell arrive at the premiere of their romantic comedy in November 1999. (Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage) </p>
    4/22

    ‘The Bachelor’ Premiere (1999)

    Zellweger and Chris O’Donnell arrive at the premiere of their romantic comedy in November 1999. (Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage)

  • <p>After meeting on the set of ‘Me, Myself and Irene’ a year earlier, Zellweger is briefly engaged to Jim Carrey in 2000. (Photo: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage) </p>
    5/22

    The Golden Globes (2000)

    After meeting on the set of ‘Me, Myself and Irene’ a year earlier, Zellweger is briefly engaged to Jim Carrey in 2000. (Photo: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage)

  • <p>Despite objections over her being neither British nor overweight, Zellweger is cast in the coveted lead role in the film adaptation of the bestselling Helen Fielding book series. She arrives at the U.K. launch with co-stars Colin Firth (left) and Hugh Grant. (Photo: Justin Goff/Getty Images) </p>
    6/22

    ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’ London Premiere (2001)

    Despite objections over her being neither British nor overweight, Zellweger is cast in the coveted lead role in the film adaptation of the bestselling Helen Fielding book series. She arrives at the U.K. launch with co-stars Colin Firth (left) and Hugh Grant. (Photo: Justin Goff/Getty Images)

  • <p>Following her Oscar-nominated success in ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary,’ Zellweger continues her sizzling run as Roxy in the musical adaptation with Catherine Zeta-Jones and Richard Gere. (Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic) </p>
    7/22

    ‘Chicago’ Premiere (2002)

    Following her Oscar-nominated success in ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary,’ Zellweger continues her sizzling run as Roxy in the musical adaptation with Catherine Zeta-Jones and Richard Gere. (Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)

  • <p>The busy actress with co-star Nicole Kidman at the premiere of their Civil War drama on Dec. 7, 2003. (Photo: Lester Cohen/WireImage) </p>
    8/22

    ‘Cold Mountain’ Premiere (2003)

    The busy actress with co-star Nicole Kidman at the premiere of their Civil War drama on Dec. 7, 2003. (Photo: Lester Cohen/WireImage)

  • <p>Zellweger with co-stars David Hyde Pierce, Sarah Paulson, and Ewan McGregor on the carpet for their 1960s-set rom-com. (Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage) </p>
    9/22

    ‘Down With Love’ Premiere (2003)

    Zellweger with co-stars David Hyde Pierce, Sarah Paulson, and Ewan McGregor on the carpet for their 1960s-set rom-com. (Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

  • <p>After being nominated three years in a row, Zellweger finally scores an Oscar for her supporting role in ‘Cold Mountain’. She poses with fellow winner Charlize Theron on Feb. 29, 2004. (Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage) </p>
    10/22

    The Academy Awards (2004)

    After being nominated three years in a row, Zellweger finally scores an Oscar for her supporting role in ‘Cold Mountain’. She poses with fellow winner Charlize Theron on Feb. 29, 2004. (Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage)

  • <p>Zellweger and Angelina Jolie attend the animated film’s debut on Sept. 27, 2004 in New York City. (Photo: Evan Agostini/Getty Images) </p>
    11/22

    ‘Shark Tale’ Premiere (2004)

    Zellweger and Angelina Jolie attend the animated film’s debut on Sept. 27, 2004 in New York City. (Photo: Evan Agostini/Getty Images)

  • <p>Reprising their roles as Bridget Jones and her boss/love interest Daniel Cleaver, Zellweger and Grant attend the London premiere on Nov. 9, 2004. (Photo: Antony Jones/Getty Images) </p>
    12/22

    ‘Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason’ Premiere (2004)

    Reprising their roles as Bridget Jones and her boss/love interest Daniel Cleaver, Zellweger and Grant attend the London premiere on Nov. 9, 2004. (Photo: Antony Jones/Getty Images)

  • <p>Russell Crowe and Zellweger star as husband and wife in the Ron Howard-directed biopic of boxer James Braddock. (Photo: Robin Platzer/FilmMagic) </p>
    13/22

    ‘Cinderella Man’ Premiere (2005)

    Russell Crowe and Zellweger star as husband and wife in the Ron Howard-directed biopic of boxer James Braddock. (Photo: Robin Platzer/FilmMagic)

  • <p>After a decade on screen, Zellwegger receives a star on Hollywood Blvd. She brings along her brother, Drew, to help celebrate. (Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage) </p>
    14/22

    Star on the Walk of Fame (2005)

    After a decade on screen, Zellwegger receives a star on Hollywood Blvd. She brings along her brother, Drew, to help celebrate. (Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage)

  • <p>Zellweger reunites with her ‘Down With Love’ co-star McGregor at the premiere of film about Beatrix Potter. The actress would receive her sixth Golden Globe nomination for her portrayal of the beloved children’s author. (Photo: Gareth Davies/Getty Images) </p>
    15/22

    ‘Miss Potter’ Premiere (2006)

    Zellweger reunites with her ‘Down With Love’ co-star McGregor at the premiere of film about Beatrix Potter. The actress would receive her sixth Golden Globe nomination for her portrayal of the beloved children’s author. (Photo: Gareth Davies/Getty Images)

  • <p>Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, and Zellweger pose at the premiere of the animated film on June 19, 2007 in New York City. (Photo: Evan Agostini/Getty Images) </p>
    16/22

    ‘Bee Movie’ Premiere (2007)

    Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, and Zellweger pose at the premiere of the animated film on June 19, 2007 in New York City. (Photo: Evan Agostini/Getty Images)

  • <p>Zellweger gets a smooch from director and co-star George Clooney at the premiere on March 31, 2008. (Photo: Lester Cohen/WireImage) </p>
    17/22

    ‘Leatherheads’ Premiere (2008)

    Zellweger gets a smooch from director and co-star George Clooney at the premiere on March 31, 2008. (Photo: Lester Cohen/WireImage)

  • <p>Director Richard Loncraine, Zellweger, and Mark Rendall at the 59th Berlin Film Festival on Feb. 12, 2009. (Photo: Sean Gallup/Getty Images) </p>
    18/22

    ‘My One and Only’ Premiere (2009)

    Director Richard Loncraine, Zellweger, and Mark Rendall at the 59th Berlin Film Festival on Feb. 12, 2009. (Photo: Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

  • <p>Zellweger stars with Forest Whitaker in ‘My Own Love Song’ ? her final film before a six-year hiatus from acting. (Photo: Jamie McCarthy/WireImage) </p>
    19/22

    9th Annual Tribeca Film Festival, ‘My Own Love Song’ Screening (2009)

    Zellweger stars with Forest Whitaker in ‘My Own Love Song’ ? her final film before a six-year hiatus from acting. (Photo: Jamie McCarthy/WireImage)

  • <p>The cast of the 2003 Best Picture winner ‘Chicago’ ? Richard Gere, Zellweger, Queen Latifah, and Catherine Zeta-Jones ? reunite onstage during the Oscars on Feb. 24, 2013. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images) </p>
    20/22

    The Academy Awards (2013)

    The cast of the 2003 Best Picture winner ‘Chicago’ ? Richard Gere, Zellweger, Queen Latifah, and Catherine Zeta-Jones ? reunite onstage during the Oscars on Feb. 24, 2013. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

  • <p>Zellweger appears with her boyfriend, musician Doyle Bramhall II, on Oct. 20, 2014. Many noted that the actress <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.yahoo.com/movies/renee-zellweger-on-aging-in-hollywood-gender-173818090.html" data-ylk="slk:looked noticeably different;elm:context_link;itc:0;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">looked noticeably different</a>, which has compelled her to speak out about aging and gender equality in Hollywood. (Photo: Axelle/FilmMagic) </p>
    21/22

    Elle Women in Hollywood Awards (2014)

    Zellweger appears with her boyfriend, musician Doyle Bramhall II, on Oct. 20, 2014. Many noted that the actress looked noticeably different, which has compelled her to speak out about aging and gender equality in Hollywood. (Photo: Axelle/FilmMagic)

  • <p>Despite the attention given to her appearance, Zellweger manages to smile with co-star Patrick Dempsey as they kick off the press tour for the third film in the series on Aug. 22, 2016 in Sydney. (Photo: Gaye Gerard/WireImage) </p>
    22/22

    ‘Bridget Jones’s Baby’ Photocall (2016)

    Despite the attention given to her appearance, Zellweger manages to smile with co-star Patrick Dempsey as they kick off the press tour for the third film in the series on Aug. 22, 2016 in Sydney. (Photo: Gaye Gerard/WireImage)

<p>After roles in such ’90s films as ‘Dazed and Confused,’ ‘Reality Bites,’ and ‘Empire Records,’ Zellweger’s breakthrough comes as love interest opposite Tom Cruise in this Cameron Crowe film. (Photo: Richard Corkery/Getty Images) </p>
<p>Zellweger reunites with her ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation’ co-star Matthew McConaughey backstage at the event on Sept. 6, 1997. (Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic) </p>
<p>Zellweger on the carpet for the family drama in which she stars opposite Meryl Streep. (Photo:Frank Trapper/Getty Images) </p>
<p>Zellweger and Chris O’Donnell arrive at the premiere of their romantic comedy in November 1999. (Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage) </p>
<p>After meeting on the set of ‘Me, Myself and Irene’ a year earlier, Zellweger is briefly engaged to Jim Carrey in 2000. (Photo: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage) </p>
<p>Despite objections over her being neither British nor overweight, Zellweger is cast in the coveted lead role in the film adaptation of the bestselling Helen Fielding book series. She arrives at the U.K. launch with co-stars Colin Firth (left) and Hugh Grant. (Photo: Justin Goff/Getty Images) </p>
<p>Following her Oscar-nominated success in ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary,’ Zellweger continues her sizzling run as Roxy in the musical adaptation with Catherine Zeta-Jones and Richard Gere. (Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic) </p>
<p>The busy actress with co-star Nicole Kidman at the premiere of their Civil War drama on Dec. 7, 2003. (Photo: Lester Cohen/WireImage) </p>
<p>Zellweger with co-stars David Hyde Pierce, Sarah Paulson, and Ewan McGregor on the carpet for their 1960s-set rom-com. (Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage) </p>
<p>After being nominated three years in a row, Zellweger finally scores an Oscar for her supporting role in ‘Cold Mountain’. She poses with fellow winner Charlize Theron on Feb. 29, 2004. (Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage) </p>
<p>Zellweger and Angelina Jolie attend the animated film’s debut on Sept. 27, 2004 in New York City. (Photo: Evan Agostini/Getty Images) </p>
<p>Reprising their roles as Bridget Jones and her boss/love interest Daniel Cleaver, Zellweger and Grant attend the London premiere on Nov. 9, 2004. (Photo: Antony Jones/Getty Images) </p>
<p>Russell Crowe and Zellweger star as husband and wife in the Ron Howard-directed biopic of boxer James Braddock. (Photo: Robin Platzer/FilmMagic) </p>
<p>After a decade on screen, Zellwegger receives a star on Hollywood Blvd. She brings along her brother, Drew, to help celebrate. (Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage) </p>
<p>Zellweger reunites with her ‘Down With Love’ co-star McGregor at the premiere of film about Beatrix Potter. The actress would receive her sixth Golden Globe nomination for her portrayal of the beloved children’s author. (Photo: Gareth Davies/Getty Images) </p>
<p>Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, and Zellweger pose at the premiere of the animated film on June 19, 2007 in New York City. (Photo: Evan Agostini/Getty Images) </p>
<p>Zellweger gets a smooch from director and co-star George Clooney at the premiere on March 31, 2008. (Photo: Lester Cohen/WireImage) </p>
<p>Director Richard Loncraine, Zellweger, and Mark Rendall at the 59th Berlin Film Festival on Feb. 12, 2009. (Photo: Sean Gallup/Getty Images) </p>
<p>Zellweger stars with Forest Whitaker in ‘My Own Love Song’ ? her final film before a six-year hiatus from acting. (Photo: Jamie McCarthy/WireImage) </p>
<p>The cast of the 2003 Best Picture winner ‘Chicago’ ? Richard Gere, Zellweger, Queen Latifah, and Catherine Zeta-Jones ? reunite onstage during the Oscars on Feb. 24, 2013. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images) </p>
<p>Zellweger appears with her boyfriend, musician Doyle Bramhall II, on Oct. 20, 2014. Many noted that the actress <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.yahoo.com/movies/renee-zellweger-on-aging-in-hollywood-gender-173818090.html" data-ylk="slk:looked noticeably different;elm:context_link;itc:0;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">looked noticeably different</a>, which has compelled her to speak out about aging and gender equality in Hollywood. (Photo: Axelle/FilmMagic) </p>
<p>Despite the attention given to her appearance, Zellweger manages to smile with co-star Patrick Dempsey as they kick off the press tour for the third film in the series on Aug. 22, 2016 in Sydney. (Photo: Gaye Gerard/WireImage) </p>
Yahoo Movies Staff

Renée Zellweger became a Hollywood sensation 20 years ago as the woman who completed Tom Cruise’s obsessive sports agent in Jerry Maguire. After a six-year hiatus from acting, Zellweger, now 47, is about to reprise her most famous role in the threequel Bridget Jones’s Baby, which opens next month.

With Zellweger back in the limelight promoting the film ? and taking on critics focused on her physical appearance ? we look back at the Oscar winner’s red carpet moments over the past two decades.