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Reese Witherspoon turns 50, says her daily rule is simple: ‘Gotta laugh everyday you can’
By Sarah Sotoodeh
Published March 22, 2026
Reese Witherspoon turned 50 on Sunday, and rang in the big day with a carousel of highlights, noting that laughing every day is key.
The movie star pulled fun poses in each image for the Instagram carousel, captioning it: "Turning 50 today... just thought I would show you some highlights. Gotta laugh everyday you can."
In the cover image, Witherspoon wore a summer dress and was getting her hair fixed by a stylist, while posing with a goofy grin.
Another image showed Witherspoon looking gleeful as she held a colorful beverage in her hand.
Reese Witherspoon turned 50 on Sunday, March 22. (JC Olivera/Variety via Getty Images)
The "Legally Blonde" star also posted a photo while in the dentist's chair, pretending to take a nap while reading a script, and a number of other photos featuring her pulling silly facial expressions.
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Her celebrity friends took to the comments to wish her a happy birthday.
Natalie Portman wrote: "Happy birthday to the greatest of all time! You're such an amazing and inspiring human. Wishing you the most beautiful year yet!"
Ali Larter said: "Happy birthday!!! Only getting better!" adding heart emojis.
Kerry Washington told her: "LOVE YOU SO MUCH," alongside a balloon, heart eyes, decorations and heart emoji.
Reese Witherspoon shared an Instagram carousel of highlights for her birthday. (Reese Witherspoon/Instagram)
Two days prior, Witherspoon reflected on turning 50, and lessons she learned, as well as when she turned 40, 30 and 20 years old.
"I turn 50 on Sunday, and I can't help but reflect on the years that shaped me into who I am today. Feeling grateful," she wrote, adding a heart emoji.
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She continued, reflecting on her lessons from turning 40: "40, intentional, trying new things, embracing life fully."
"Turning 40 felt like my first deep exhale. I know who I am now – and I want I want. Producing, championing women's stories, and helping others find their voice lights me up. I still work hard, but now it's with purpose. I co-wrote my first novel, explored new projects, and pushed myself in ways I'd never done before," she wrote.
Reese Witherspoon holding up a drink and smiling ear-to-ear. (Reese Witherspoon/Instagram)
For turning 30 she wrote: "Finding my voice, balancing motherhood, shaping my path."
Adding: "I was learning to trust myself more – figuring out how to be a mom while having a career. I started producing because I wanted to tell stories that mattered, stories about women that weren’t being told. Wild and Big Little Lies felt like turning points. I realized I could create my own opportunities instead of waiting for them."
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For turning 20, she said: "Ambitious, anxious, and my first taste of fame."
Witherspoon continued: "I was scared of everything, but I kept going. I threw myself into roles like Election and Cruel Intentions, and then I won an Oscar at 29 for Walk the Line. I was working nonstop, trying to figure out life, how to be a mom, and I had no idea what I was doing half the time. But I was learning, and discovering that I could handle more than I thought."
https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/reese-witherspoon-turns-50-says-daily-rule-simple-gotta-laugh-everyday-you-can