Renée Zellweger, then and now: her transformation in 27 films (and two series)

Renée Zellweger has two Oscars and many film and TV roles on her name. See how she went from a young Texas girl-next-door to a global movie star.

On April 25, 1969, Renée Kathleen Zellweger was born. Also known as Zelly, she saw the light in Katy, a small town on the outskirts of Houston, Texas (United States).

Her father was a Swiss engineer, Emil Zellweger; her mother, a Norwegian nurse, Kjellfrid Zellweger.

There was no acting tradition in her family, but Renée Zellweger took part in some theater productions at school and discovered her vocation.

Convinced of wanting to be an actress, Renée Zellweger moved from her small hometown to Austin, Texas. There, she studied English Literature at the University of Texas.

Renée Zellweger graduated in 1991 and began looking for work in the acting industry. But before making the leap to Hollywood, she chose to stay close to Houston, where she worked as a waitress.

Renée Zellweger's first more or less important role was that of Tami in 'Reality Bites', a film with Ben Stiller, Winona Ryder, Ethan Hawke and Steve Zhan. The 24-year-old actress was not (by any means) the main character.

In the early years, she made occasional appearances in series such as 'Marriage with Children.' She also shared the limelight with a young Matthew McConaughey in 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation'.

In 'Empire Records' she brought to life the uninhibited Gina, Liv Tyler's best friend and partner. This role helped Renée Zellweger make a name for herself in Hollywood.

(Photo: still from 'Empire Records' with, on the left, Liv Tyler; right, Renée Zellweger)

Her first lead role came in 1996, with 'The Whole Wide World.' She played the writer Novelyn Pryce. Her romantic interest was Vincent D'Onofrio, who stepped into the shoes of Robert E. Howard.

And then came Jerry Maguire. "You had me at 'Hello'." Cameron Crowe gave Zellweger the part of Dorothy and her chemistry with Tom Cruise did the rest. The film was nominated for five Oscars, including Best Picture, and is considered one of the best romantic comedies of the '90s.

After the success of 'Jerry Maguire,' the actress opted for a crime thriller that passed through the box offices of half the world without any success.

Meryl Streep and William Hurt became Renée Zellweger's parents in 'One True Thing'. She plays Ellen, an ambitious journalist who leaves her beloved New York to return to her small hometown and help her parents.

Another starring role for Renée Zellweger, sharing the screen with Christopher Ecclestone and Julianna Margulies.

The actress said goodbye to the 20th century with another romantic comedy. In 'The Bachelor' she got Chris O'Donnell to form the leading couple. Interestingly, the actor was already beginning his decline, while Renée Zellweger kept climbing.

Betty Sizemore gave Renée Zellweger the ultimate leap in quality. This sweet, hard-working, somewhat demented nurse earned Zellweger her first Golden Globe and recognition as one of the great ladies of Hollywood comedy.

Being the queen of comedy, Zellweger couldn't avoid sharing a project with the king of comedy: Jim Carrey. The histrionic actor also became her first known partner off the screen.

Bridget Jones has arguably been Renée Zellweger's biggest and most important role. It led to a trilogy that swept the box office. Her love triangle with Colin Firth and Hugh Grant is film history, as is the first nomination she received for Best Actress. She was 32 years old and had to gain 40 pounds to play the part (which, interestingly, Kate Winslet had turned down).

The same year that she triumphed as Bridget Jones, Renée Zellweger released 'The Flower of Evil'. Despite a cast full of female stars, such as Michelle Pfeiffer and Robin Wright, the film did not succeed at the box office.

After almost a decade in the industry, Renée Zellweger had managed to enter the Golden Globe carrousel. The next few years were going to be a mad rush of nominations and awards for her.

(Image: with Lil' Kim at the 1999 MTV Music Awards)

The actress had to lose the weight she had gained for Bridget Jones in record time, while learning to dance and sing for 10 months. It was all worth it. 'Chicago' earned Renée Zellweger her second Oscar nomination.

A new comedy of romantic entanglement for Renée Zellweger. This time, she played a feminist writer who suggested that women in the 1960s should not waste their time thinking about love, but rather dedicate it to being successful. The chemistry she has with Ewan McGregor on screen is impressive.

Third time's the charm. Renée Zellweger's third major nomination came from an Anthony Minghella movie. He directed her brilliantly in the role of the rough but loyal Ruby. She shared the screen with Nicole Kidman and Jude Law.

Three years after 'Down With Love', the actress would repeat filming with Ewan McGregor. This time, Zellweger played illustrator and children's book writer Beatrix Potter. And there was yet another Golden Globe nomination.

Renée Zellweger likes vintage film. In 'Appaloosa', the two titans Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen accompanied her. And Ed Harris also directed the film.

From Ed Harris she went to George Clooney. Zellweger had these two great artists as directors in 2008. In 'Leatherheads,' she played Lexie Littleton, a journalist with a mission: to expose Carter Rutherford, a war hero turned football player whom she suspected did not deserve his hero status. A new love triangle to add to the actress' record.

Perhaps the worst film of Renée Zellweger's career, critics called this work "clichéd and charmless". The plot? An ambitious executive trades Miami for Minnesota where she discovers herself and the love of her life.

And then she got back into horror movies. In Case 39, she played a social worker who administers an adopted child / evil incarnate. The film was worth no more than 28 million euros at the box office, but it did help Zellweger to meet Bradley Cooper, with whom she had a relationship for two years.

Ann Deveraux made it possible for Renée Zellweger to become a mother on the big screen. She fled with her two children across the country after leaving her unfaithful husband. The goal of her escape? To find a man to support the children.

Another step up for Zellweger who gives life to a paralyzed singer in this film. Along with an injured wrestler, the singer travels to Memphis with the hope of starting over and getting their lives back. She is totally in tune with Forrest Whitaker.

The entire original cast, except for Hugh Grant, joined in the film that closed the Bridget Jones trilogy, 15 years after the first release. The premise is simple: Bridget is pregnant and the father can be either Colin Firth or Patrick Dempsey. The latter is Hugh Grant's replacement as 'the second man' in the film.

Jon Voigt, Greg Kinnear and Djimon Honsou join Renée Zellweger in this bizarre drama that went straight to the actress' collection of forgettable films.

Renée Zellweger's television return surprised everyone. Her character in this Netflix series is the female version of Robert Redford in 'An Indecent Proposal.' Unfortunately, critics have not been too generous with her performance here.

But who cares about the series when there's 'Judy,' the movie about Judy Garland? A biopic is synonymous with success in Hollywood and Renée Zellweger has made the best of it. Seeing her is seeing Judy and that's how she gets her glory.

So, of course Renée Zellweger earned that Oscar for Best Actress for her performance of Judy Garland.

After a brief absence from the screens, Zellweger starred in this limited series about the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria. She plays Pam Hupp, a woman at home with a disability who becomes involved in the crime. The actress's metamorphosis is impressive, but the critics had mixed feelings about the series.

The changes Renée Zellweger has gone through are remarkable. She's considered one of the best actresses of Hollywood and her different appearances keep surprising viewers and critics.

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