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Winona Ryder was born on October 29, 1971 in Olmsted County, Minnesota as Winona Laura Horowitz. Her father was author-editor Michael Horowitz, while her mother is Cindy Horowitz, a practicing Buddhist and writer of “Shaman Woman, Mainline Lady: Women’s Writings on Drug Experience”. She and her brother, Yuri had Jewish ancestry. She also had two half-siblings, a brother Jubal and a sister Sunyata.

In 1983, Winona Ryder, at age 12, enrolled at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. She graduated from Petaluma High School with a 4.0 GPA. Her first application as an actress was for a 1985 film Desert Bloom, which ended in rejection. However, David Seltzer noticed Winona’s beauty and talent and cast her for a small part in the 1986 film, Lucas. She then appeared in the 1987 movie, Square Dance, which gave her career a boost.

In 1988, Winona Ryder played a role in Tim Burton’s film, Beetlejuice, which became a success at the box office. Her performance in the film received positive reviews from critics. The following year, Winona Ryder starred in the independent film, Heathers, which became a commercial flop. However, the film achieved cult classic status due to high sales and rentals.

Winona Ryder appeared on three films in 1990. She played the lead role in Tim Burton’s Edward Scissorhands alongside then-boyfriend Johnny Depp. The film became 1990’s highest grossing films. In 1990, Winona Ryder starred alongside Cher in the family comedy, Mermaids. She received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.

In 1992, Winona Ryder starred in critically acclaimed Bram Stoker’s Dracula, co-starring Gary Oldman and Keanu Reeves. She then played in various movies including The Age of Innocence, How to Make an American Quilt and Little Women. It was in 1995 that Winona Ryder starred in Ben Stiller’s film Reality Bites. She played alongside huge actors like Michelle Pfeiffer, Daniel-Day Lewis, Ethan Hawke, Al Pacino, Joan Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Whoopi Goldberg, Angelina Jolie, Richard Gere and many more.

Winona Ryder played the lead role and as executive producer in the 1999 film Girl, Interrupted where she played opposite Angelina Jolie. The following year, she starred in Autumn in New York with Richard Gere. After being caught shoplifting in 2001, Winona Ryder had a hiatus from Hollywood, but then reappeared in Mr. Deeds with Adam Sandler and S1mone with Al Pacino. Today, Winona Ryder is said to appear in different movies, such as Sex and Death 101, The Ten, The Last Word and The Informers.