She got her first leading role in a horror movie opposite Matthew McConaughey before going on to earn three Oscar nominations (including one win).
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'Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation' (1994)
Her first leading role, opposite Matthew McConaughey (the two had worked together before in smaller roles in "Dazed and Confused").
'Jerry Maguire' (1996)
Winona Ryder initially was set to star opposite Tom Cruise — but the two looked too much like siblings, so Cameron Crowe recast, making Zellweger's career.
'Nurse Betty' (2000)
In her first title role, she starred with Morgan Freeman, Greg Kinnear and Chris Rock as a waitress having a mental breakdown in Neil LaBute's dark comedy.
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