Winona Ryder

Who Is Winona Ryder?

Winona Laura Horowitz, better known as Winona Ryder, was born on October 29, 1971, in Winona County, Minnesota. She was named after the nearby town. Her parents, Cynthia and Michael Horowitz, were artists and activists. They befriended Beat poet Allen Ginsberg. Her father worked as an archivist for Timothy Leary, her godfather. The family moved to a commune in Mendocino County, California, when she was young. They lived without electricity. Books became her escape.

She read avidly. At seven, she moved again to Petaluma. There, she faced bullying at school. Classmates mistook her for a boy. This shaped her outsider roles. At 12, she joined acting classes. Her debut came in Lucas (1986). Breakthrough followed in Beetlejuice (1988). She played quirky Lydia Deetz. Tim Burton cast her perfectly. Roles in Heathers and Edward Scissorhands defined the ’90s. She earned Oscar nods for The Age of Innocence and Little Women. Later, Stranger Things revived her fame. Ryder embodies resilience. Her career spans decades. She inspires many.

Personal Details

• Date of Birth: October 29, 1971
• Height: 5 feet 4 inches
• Birthplace: Winona County, Minnesota
• Nationality: American

Winona Ryder: Net Worth

• Estimated net worth: $18 million (as of late 2025)

Interesting Facts

• Her middle name honors Laura Huxley, wife of Aldous Huxley.
• She dyed her hair blue and purple as a pre-teen rebel.
• Born in a farmhouse, not a hospital.
• Godfather Timothy Leary influenced her bohemian roots.
• She turned down roles in The Godfather Part III and Sleepy Hollow.

Socials

• Instagram
• TikTok
• Facebook

Winona Ryder: Video

Filmography

• Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) as Lydia Deetz
• Haunted Mansion (2023) as Pat
• Gone in the Night (2022) as Kath
• The Plot Against America (2020) as Evelyn Finkel
• Destination Wedding (2018) as Lindsay
• Stranger Things (2016 – 2022) as Joyce Byers
• Show Me a Hero (2015) as Vinni Restiano
• Experimenter (2015) as Sasha Menkin Milgram
• Homefront (2013) as Sheryl Mott
• The Iceman (2012) as Deborah Kuklinski
• Black Swan (2010) as Beth Macintyre
• Star Trek (2009) as Amanda Grayson
• Mr. Deeds (2002) as Babe Bennett
• Girl, Interrupted (1999) as Susanna Kaysen
• Beetlejuice (1988) as Lydia Deetz