Born Winona Laura Horowitz in Winona, MN; educated at the American Conservatory Theatre, San Francisco. Teenage star of the late 1980s who enjoyed a "classic" alternative upbringing, spending some of her childhood on a Northern California commune. (Ryder boasts acid culture guru Timothy Leary as her godfather.) Discovered by a talent scout at the age of 13, during a performance at San Francisco's American Conservatory Theatre, Ryder has turned in some impressively mature roles, notably in Michael Lehmann's black comedy about teen suicide, HEATHERS (1989) and the otherwise lackluster MERMAIDS (1990). She has become one of Hollywood's most bankable stars and commands top dollar for her leading roles. Other notable credits include BEETLEJUICE (1988), EDWARD SCISSORHANDS (1990), BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA (1992), THE HOUSE OF THE SPIRITS (1993), REALITY BITES (1994), HOW TO MAKE AN AMERICAN QUILT (1995), BOYS, LOOKING FOR RICHARD and THE CRUCIBLE (all 1996), ALIEN: RESURRECTION (1997), CELEBRITY (1998), BEING JOHN MALKOVICH and GIRL, INTERRUPTED (also exec. producer) (both 1999), AUTUMN IN NEW YORK and LOST SOULS (both 2000), ZOOLANDER (2001), and MR. DEEDS and S1M0NE (both 2002). In December, 2001, she was arrested in Beverly Hills for allegedly stealing clothing items and carrying illegal pharmaceutical drugs without a prescription. Her lawyer denied the accusations, and Winona was released later that evening on $20,000 bail. In November, 2002, she was found guilty of vandalism and grand theft in connection with the shoplifting charges. She was acquitted of a third charge, burglary. She was sentenced to three years probation and 480 hours of community service for theft and vandalism convictions in connection to her $5,500 shoplifting spree. Though she could have faced three years behind bars, the sentence came as no surprise since prosecutors early on did not seek jail time for the actress. Ryder produced THE DAY MY GOD DIED (2003). Her more recent screen acting credits include THE DARWIN AWARDS and A SCANNER DARKLY (both 2006), THE TEN, SEX AND DEATH 101 and WELCOME (all 2007), THE LAST WORD, THE INFORMERS, STAR TREK and ALPHA NUMERIC (all scheduled for 2008), and THE PRIVATE LIVES OF PIPPA LEE (planned for 2009).  Nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role 1993: THE AGE OF INNOCENCE  Nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role 1994: LITTLE WOMEN 2 nominations