Reese Witherspoon in Legally Blonde: Unveiling the Age of Hollywood’s Beloved Elle Woods

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In 2001, Reese Witherspoon became famous internationally for her role as Elle Woods in the American comedy film Legally Blonde. She starred in the 2003 sequel Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde.

Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods in the 2001 American comedy film Legally BlondeReese Witherspoon as Elle Woods in the 2001 American comedy film Legally Blonde (Credit: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)

Balancing Motherhood and Filming

One year before filming started, Reese gave birth to her daughter, Ava Elizabeth Phillippe, on September 9, 1999.

“I couldn’t have done it without Ryan’s support. I was worried that I wasn’t getting enough sleep because my daughter Ava was sick quite often during the shoot and there were a lot of days when I didn’t think I could pull it off,” Witherspoon told Cinema.

“Ryan was there every day for me and to take care of Ava. He kept telling me that everything was going to work out fine and that I should stop freaking out. That’s exactly the kind of reassurance I needed. I didn’t think I could juggle being a mother and looking after a young baby.”

Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods, Alanna Ubach as Serena McGuire, and Jessica Cauffiel as Margot in Legally BlondeReese Witherspoon as Elle Woods, Alanna Ubach as Serena McGuire, and Jessica Cauffiel as Margot in Legally Blonde (Credit: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)

Critical Acclaim and Character Impact

“She’s one of our marvelous actresses who has brought a number of roles that will be indelible culturally, and this is one of them. It was just a classic case of playing a professional person who had real resonance with the audience,” Holland Taylor, who played Professor Elspeth Stromwell in the movie, said about Reese in an interview with Vulture.

Challenges Behind the Scenes

Reese, who had changed her hair for her role in The Importance of Being Earnest, had to wear a wig when reshooting scenes for a new ending taking place at graduation. She wore forty different hairstyles throughout Legally Blonde.

Remembering Bruiser Woods

Moonie, the Chihuahua who played Bruiser Woods in the films Legally Blonde and Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde, died at the age of 18 in 2016.

Reese Witherspoon and her Chihuahua named Bruiser Woods in Legally BlondeReese Witherspoon and her Chihuahua named Bruiser Woods in Legally Blonde (Credit: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)

“He was a sweet little Chihuahua who was very loved,” Reese wrote when announcing Moonie’s death on Instagram. “I will never forget all the days we spent together.”

Filming Locations and Production Details

Since Harvard University does not allow commercial filming on campus, the university campus scenes were filmed at USC, University of California, Los Angeles, California Institute of Technology, and Rose City High School in Pasadena, California.

Actress Reese Witherspoon attends the premiere of Legally BlondeActress Reese Witherspoon attends the premiere of Legally Blonde on June 26, 2001, at Mann Village Theatre in Westwood, California (Credit: WENN)

Filming started on October 10, 2000, and wrapped on December 19, 2000. Born on March 22, 1976, in New Orleans, Reese celebrated her 24th birthday on March 22, 2000.

Other Contenders for the Role of Elle Woods

Other actresses considered for the role of Elle Woods include Charlize Theron, Gwyneth Paltrow, Alicia Silverstone, Katherine Heigl, Christina Applegate, Milla Jovovich, and Jennifer Love Hewitt.

Reese Witherspoon’s Fashion Choices

Reese Witherspoon smiled to the cameras in a very busy dressReese Witherspoon smiled to the cameras in a very busy dress (Credit: Nicky Nelson / WENN)

In November 2014, Legally Blonde actress Reese Witherspoon hit the red carpet at the 2014 Lupus LA Hollywood Bag Ladies Luncheon at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills.

Reese Witherspoon in a vibrant blue metallic floral dress from Self-PortraitReese Witherspoon in a vibrant blue metallic floral dress from Self-Portrait (Credit: WENN / FayesVision)

At the 12th annual Hollywood Bag Ladies luncheon, the then 38-year-old actress donned a vibrant blue metallic floral dress from Self-Portrait featuring lace panels.

Reese Witherspoon at the 2014 Lupus LA Hollywood Bag Ladies Luncheon at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills on November 21, 2014Reese Witherspoon at the 2014 Lupus LA Hollywood Bag Ladies Luncheon at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills on November 21, 2014 (Credit: WENN)

She carried an Edie Parker clutch and completed the outfit with white Christian Louboutin “Iriza” pumps. Some fashion critics said her dress was too busy, while others found it ugly. What do you think?

Reese Witherspoon reveals toe cleavage in white Christian Louboutin "Iriza" pumpsReese Witherspoon reveals toe cleavage in white Christian Louboutin “Iriza” pumps (Credit: WENN)

We’ve previously spotted numerous celebrities in the “Iriza” pumps, including Jennifer Aniston and Hilary Swank. You can find white pumps from Christian Louboutin at Nordstrom and Mytheresa.