Reese Witherspoon left fans astonished after admitting that “Reese Witherspoon” isn’t actually her birth name.
The 49-year-old actress and producer has used Reese Witherspoon throughout her entire Hollywood career — including when she landed her breakout role as Dani Trant in The Man in the Moon at just 14 years old. She has always been credited simply as Reese.
So viewers were caught off guard when she revealed in a recent interview with LADbible Entertainment that Reese isn’t her real first name.
The moment came during a segment called Do You Even Know Me?, where Reese appeared alongside her friend and Friends star Jennifer Aniston. The game tests how well celebrity pals know each other — but it was Reese’s own revelation that stole the spotlight.
While asking Jennifer to guess her middle name — choosing between Jane, Jeanne, or Joan — Aniston confidently picked “Jane.”
“Jane?” Reese responded. “It’s Jeanne.”
Jennifer looked both confused and disappointed — but things escalated when Reese added, “I’m Laura Jeanne. That’s my real name.”
“Laura Jeanne?” Jennifer repeated in disbelief.
Reese confirmed it with a laugh, prompting Aniston to stare at her in shock. “Laura? Who’s Laura?” she joked to the camera. “Who the hell’s Laura? I’m not calling you that from now on! Where did Reese come from?”
Reese explained that Reese is actually her middle name — her full name is Laura Jeanne Reese Witherspoon — and she simply went by Reese from the beginning. She clarified that she didn’t formally change it; it’s just what she has always been called.
Jennifer then revealed that her own middle name is Joanna, which prompted Reese to joke that she had just learned that fact herself.
Fans flooded the comments section, laughing at Jennifer’s priceless reaction. “Jen’s reaction to Laura Jeanne is priceless,” one wrote, while others chimed in with, “Who’s Laura?” and “Funniest duo ever.”
Witherspoon is best known for her roles in Legally Blonde, Walk the Line, and Cruel Intentions, and has collected numerous accolades over the years, including an Academy Award, BAFTAs, Golden Globes, and Teen Choice Awards.
She is also set to appear in a new season of The Morning Show alongside Aniston — though it seems fans may now be tempted to call her Laura Jeanne instead.
