Winona Ryder’s Beetlejuice Breakthrough: How a 15-Year-Old Stole the Show

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Her Christian Louboutin pumps may have been “Simple,” but her speech was anything but.

In September 2016, Beetlejuice actress Winona Ryder was honored to introduce Tim Burton as the director went through his hand and footprint ceremony in Los Angeles.

Winona Ryder starred in Tim Burton's films Beetlejuice in 1988 and Edward Scissorhands in 1990Winona Ryder starred in Tim Burton’s films Beetlejuice in 1988 and Edward Scissorhands in 1990 (Credit: FayesVision / Apega / WENN)

Winona Ryder and Tim Burton: A Creative Legacy

The director was honored for the iconic body of work he has produced over the years, including the roles that launched Winona’s Hollywood career.

He cast Ryder in his 1988 American fantasy comedy film Beetlejuice after being impressed with her performance as Rina in the 1986 American romantic comedy-drama film Lucas.

In Beetlejuice, she plays goth teenager Lydia Deetz, the daughter of Charles Deetz (Jeffrey Jones) and the step-daughter of Delia Deetz (Catherine O’Hara).

Her family moves to a haunted house populated by ghosts played by Geena Davis, Alec Baldwin, and Michael Keaton.

Winona Ryder was 15 when filming Beetlejuice as Lydia DeetzWinona Ryder was 15 when filming Beetlejuice as Lydia Deetz (Credit: Warner Bros.)

Principal photography for Beetlejuice began on March 11, 1987, when Winona Ryder was 15. She was born on October 29, 1971, in Winona, Minnesota, and turned 16 on October 29, 1987.

When Beetlejuice was released on March 30, 1988, Michael Keaton was 36, Alec Baldwin was 29, Geena Davis was 32, and Winona Ryder was 16.

In the 1988 movie Beetlejuice, Michael Keaton portrayed Betelgeuse, while Winona Ryder played Lydia Deetz and was 16 years old at the time of the film's premiereIn the 1988 movie Beetlejuice, Michael Keaton portrayed Betelgeuse, while Winona Ryder played Lydia Deetz and was 16 years old at the time of the film’s premiere (Credit: Warner Bros.)

Winona Ryder’s Struggle With Fame

In an interview with Marie Claire, she opened up about being bullied at school after making Beetlejuice.

“I remember thinking, ‘Ooh, it’s, like, the number-one movie. This is going to make things great at school,” she told Marie Claire U.K. “But it made things worse. They called me a witch.”

Winona Ryder at Tim Burton's hand and footprint ceremony in Los AngelesWinona Ryder at Tim Burton’s hand and footprint ceremony in Los Angeles on September 9, 2016 (Credit: FayesVision / Apega / WENN)

A Fashionable Tribute: Winona Ryder’s Look

Winona, who now has a new lease on her acting career with Stranger Things after her acting hiatus, wore a Givenchy by Ricardo Tisci studded A-line dress.

Winona Ryder shows off her feet in Christian Louboutin's "Simple" pumpsWinona Ryder shows off her feet in Christian Louboutin’s “Simple” pumps (Credit: FayesVision / Apega / WENN)

The actress styled her look with minimal jewelry — a few rings and a pair of earrings, to be exact — and her Christian Louboutin “Simple” pumps.

As straight-to-the-point as this look is, we must admit that Winona looked pretty good — she makes us want to turn understated beauty into a trend.

Winona Ryder honors the man who launched her career, Tim BurtonWinona Ryder honors the man who launched her career, Tim Burton (Credit: FayesVision / Apega / WENN)

A Heartfelt Introduction: Honoring Tim Burton

In her touching speech, Winona described Tim as someone with whom she would gladly agree to work, even without knowing the project details.

The American film director helped launch Winona into the actress she is today with his early blockbuster works, “Beetlejuice” and “Edward Scissorhands.”

“Tim understands the human heart in a way I have never seen certainly on screen,” Winona said during her speech.

“He knows the pain of the misunderstood, of the odd and even of the mad. He celebrates them in a way that is both totally unique, so very, very tender, sometimes terrifying, and very often hilarious.”

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