Renée Zellweger Discusses Her 6-Year Hiatus

Finding Balance and Rediscovering Life

Known for her standout performances in films like Bridget Jones’s Diary and Chicago, Renee is a powerhouse in the entertainment industry. However, sometimes the best of the talent needs a break.

And that’s what the actress did back in 2010.

Reason for Hiatus

Renee Zellweger’s six-year break from acting spanned from 2010 to 2016. Renee took this break because she wanted to take a minute and step back from the tiring demands of her career.

The actress wanted to prioritize her well-being. She acknowledged feeling “fatigued” and realized she wasn’t giving herself enough time to recover between projects.

Pursuing Music

During her six-year break from acting, Renee explored other passions, one of which was music. She got into writing music, allowing her to reconnect with her creative side.

This was Renee’s way of expressing her artistic side, providing her with a fresh avenue for creative expression. Music was something entirely different from acting, and Renee loved it.

Studying International Law

Renee took the opportunity of ample time to delve more into the academic side. This included the actress pursuing international law.

Renee, in an interview, stated that she “snuck into UCLA for a little while and did some public policy” driven by her intrigue for politics.

Building a House

Renee was nothing but productive during her time off and took over the responsibility of building a house. She found herself immersed in the project and “loved every second of it.”

This project presented Renee with a tangible goal and a sense of accomplishment. Such a hands-on project offered Zellweger the perfect creative outlet.

Rescuing Dogs

Renee is a sweetheart, and she loves dogs. She also used her time off to look after cute little pups.

She dedicated herself to animal welfare focusing on rescuing and caring for dogs. She was an active participant in rescue operations notably volunteering with Houston Pets Alive in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

Starting a Production Company

Renee Zellweger is a woman of many talents, and her time off from acting has highlighted this trait immensely. She co-founded the company Big Picture Co. in 2019 alongside producer and writer Carmella Casinelli.

This venture allowed Renee to get a more in-depth understanding of behind-the-scenes filmmaking. She was able to expand her role in the industry beyond acting.

Big Picture Co.’s Success

Big Picture Co. proved to be a successful venture for Renee. The company was involved in notable projects.

One of these included the partnership with Blumhouse Television and NBC on the limited series The Thing About Pam, in which Zellweger was able to make her network television debut by playing the character of Pam Hupp. The company was also able to secure a two-year first-look deal with MGM Television.

Spending Time with Loved Ones

Time off from acting meant more time for Zellweger’s loved ones. She prioritized her relationships, nurturing them and dedicating significant time to friends and family.

She was able to spend lots of time with her family and beloved children. She went on to embark on cross-country road trips with her dogs.

Reflecting on Fame

During this break, Renee was able to slow down and reflect on the evolving nature of fame and its impact on the way actors were expressing themselves. In a deep conversation with Hugh Grant for British Vogue, Renee noted the difference between being notorious and fame.

She stated that. “notorious and famous and known are now all the same thing.” She further expressed her concern that the thin line between celebrity and art has become “increasingly ambiguous.”

Embracing Anonymity

Renee was finally able to experience a life away from the public eye. She understood the value of anonymity and was able to interact with other humans more genuinely.

Renee, in an interview, stated that “I was able to engage in genuine human connections, being seen and heard just as a person and not as a celebrity.” This ended up enriching most of her personal relationships.

Personal Health

Time off meant more time for Renee to focus on her health and well-being. She acknowledged the fact that the demanding nature of her acting career had previously led to the actress completely neglecting her health.

A step back from her acting career left more time for self-care. This period of self-care ended up playing an instrumental role in her decision to return to acting.

Return to Acting

Renee, after a good six years, made a notable return to acting with the release of Bridget Jones’s Baby. The movie was the third installment in the beloved romantic comedy series.

The movie revolves around Bridget Jone, who, now in her 40s, discovers that she is pregnant and must identify the baby daddy. Her two love interests were Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) and Jack Qwant (Patrick Dempsey).

Recent Projects

Renee came back stronger than ever and won’t be stopping anytime soon. She’s reprised her iconic role as Bridget Jones in the upcoming film Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy .

The movie is set to release on February 14, 2025.

Bridget Jones’s Hugh Grant has still got the talent. Check out Hugh Grant’s ‘Heretic’ breaks box office records to find out about the actor’s latest hit.

Reflection on Hiatus

Renee Zellweger reflected on her six-year hiatus and acknowledged the fact that this period “enriched both her personal life” and ended up changing her approach to storytelling.

Like Renee Zellweger, Angelina Jolie also took a break from work to focus on personal growth. Check out  Angelina Jolie, who says aging brings better work,  and read about the actress’s experience and her reasons for the break.

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