Renée Zellweger

Biography: This Texas-born actress had only a handful of roles under her belt when she won the part of a plucky single mom in the smash hit Jerry Maguire in 1996. An overnight star, Zellweger found continued success with roles that showcased her acting range: a young writer nursing her ailing mom in One True Thing, a fugitive in love with a mentally ill man in Me, Myself & Irene, and a critically acclaimed turn as a woman who retreats into a fantasy world in Nurse Betty. In 2003, Hollywood honored the versatile actress---who even gained weight for her role in the Bridget Jones films---with an Oscar for her work in Cold Mountain. Although the famously private Zellweger is something of a reluctant tabloid subject, she has also received media attention for her high-profile romances, including a brief 2005 marriage to country star Kenny Chesney.