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Winona Ryder

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Ryder's Representative Fires Back at Shoplifting Report
20 March 2008 (WENN)
Winona Ryder's publicist has blasted reports the actress has been caught up in another shoplifting scandal as "not accurate." The Heathers star, who was convicted of stealing $6,000 worth of clothes from a Saks Fifth Avenue store in Beverly Hills in 2002, reportedly tried to leave a Hollywood pharmacy with make-up items she hadn't paid for. Staff members claim the actress appeared stunned when security bosses confronted her as she left the CVS store and set alarms off. A pharmacy worker reveals, "A security guard stopped her and found make-up she hadn't paid for." The actress, 36, allegedly insisted she had no idea how the items ended up in her bag. According to tabloid the National Enquirer, Ryder returned the items and the police were not called to the store. But the actress' publicist has dismissed the story, stating, "There's no truth to this. It's not accurate."

Winona Ryder Not Engaged
4 March 2008 (WENN)
Winona Ryder's publicists have hit back at reports the actress is set to wed boyfriend Blake Sennett, insisting a picture caption went too far. Ryder and Sennett reportedly revealed their news to guests at the Valentino show, which marked the end of Paris Fashion Week in France, on Thursday - before most of the world even knew they were dating. But Ryder's spokeswoman Mara Buxbaum has denied the engagement story. She tells Wenn, "It's not accurate. They're dating and they have been dating for some time, but they're not engaged." Ryder and Rilo Kelly guitarist Sennett met on the set of new movie Water Pill.

Brad Renfro Dead at 25
16 January 2008 (WENN)
Troubled movie star Brad Renfro has died, according to U.S. reports. The 25-year-old actor was found dead at his home in Los Angeles on Tuesday morning, according to Tmz.com. The cause of death has not been determined, however, Renfro has a history of drug abuse. The Client star had been working to stay clean and sober after a string of drug offenses, including attempted heroin possession. Renfro was accused of violating his probation after failing to enroll in a drug treatment program, following his conviction for attempted possession of heroin last summer. A Los Angeles Superior Court Judge and LA Deputy District Attorney warned the actor that if he failed to enroll in a 18-month to three-year outpatient program he would be jailed. This was the second time Renfro had violated his probation. Renfro pleaded guilty to the charge of attempted possession in February 2006 after he was caught in a police sting in December 2005. At one point, Renfro was considered among the hottest celebrities in Hollywood; he was named The Hollywood Reporter's Young Star and one of People magazine's Top 30 Under 30 in the mid 1990s. Ironically, he was inspired to become an actor after starring in a school production sponsored by drug organization DARE, aimed at teaching kids about the dangers of drugs, according to imdb.com. He first found himself in trouble with the law for his drug habit in 1998 after he was arrested in his native Tennessee, when police pulled him over and allegedly found cocaine and marijuana in his pants and socks. Despite his troubled personal life, Renfro starred in a number of cult films; as well as The Client, he also appeared in Ghost World, Apt Pupil and The Jacket. He was reportedly still filming an adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis' The Informers with Winona Ryder when he died.

Actor Brad Renfro Dies at 25
15 January 2008 (WENN)
Actor Brad Renfro, who became a child star at 14 in The Client but in recent years was plagued by numerous drug problems and arrests, was found dead at his Los Angeles home Tuesday morning; he was 25. While the Los Angeles County coroner confirmed to Access Hollywood that Renfro had died, a cause of death was not named. The Tennessee-born actor snagged an amazingly high-profile part for his first role, that of a young boy sought by the mafia in the 1994 adaptation of the John Grisham novel The Client, opposite established stars Susan Sarandon and Tommy Lee Jones. His impressive performance in the box office hit made him a high-profile young actor, and roles in such films as Tom and Huck, Sleepers and Telling Lies in America followed; he also appeared opposite Ian McKellen in Bryan Singer's controversial Apt Pupil, about a young student who blackmails his elderly neighbor, whom he believes is a Nazi war criminal. Despite a string of successful roles, including solid performances in Bully and Ghost World, Renfro reportedly found adapting to Hollywood difficult, and was arrested on a number of drug and theft charges. In 2000, he was arrested in Florida on grand theft charges for allegedly trying to steal a 45-foot yacht, and while on probation for the crime was jailed for underage drinking. Other arrests followed, and last year he was found in violation of his probation for failing to enroll in a drug treatment program. Most recently, Renfro had appeared in The Jacket as well as an episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent. He had just wrapped filming on The Informers opposite Winona Ryder, Mickey Rourke, Billy Bob Thornton and Kim Basinger.

Ryder To Play Spock's Mother
12 November 2007 (WENN)
Hollywood actress Winona Ryder has signed up to star in the new Star Trek movie - as the mother of Mr. Spock. The Heathers star will join Chris Pine as Captain Kirk, British funnyman Simon Pegg as Scotty and Heroes actor Zachary Quinto as Spock for the 11th big screen outing of the cult TV show. It remains to be seen if Ryder will be playing the Vulcan mother of Spock, as initially reported by Variety. According to Star Trek lore, Spock's mother was human, played by Jane Wyatt in the original series and in one of the feature films. Directed by JJ Abrams, the film will focus on the early journey of the original Enterprise crew and is due for release in December next year.

Ryder: "I Didn't Feel Guilty After Shoplifting Arrest"
23 July 2007 (WENN)
Actress Winona Ryder refused to feel guilty in the aftermath of her infamous 2001 shoplifting arrest, because she didn't harm anyone. The Little Women star, who was convicted of trying to steal clothing from a Beverly Hills, California department store, insists painkillers she was taking for a broken arm were to blame for her bizarre behavior. She tells the American edition of Vogue magazine, "I didn't have this tremendous sense of guilt because I hadn't hurt anyone. Had I physically harmed someone or caused harm to a human being, I think it would have been an entirely different experience."

Ryder Embarrassed by Shoplifting Attention
18 July 2007 (WENN)
Painkillers were to blame for Winona Ryder's infamous shoplifting controversy, according to the actress herself. Ryder shocked Hollywood when she was convicted of trying to steal clothing from the Beverly Hills, California branch of department store Saks Fifth Avenue in December 2001. But the Heathers star insists painkillers she was taking after breaking her arm were responsible for her bizarre behavior. Speaking to American magazine Vogue, she says, "Two months prior to that, I broke my arm in two places and the doctor was giving me a lot of stuff (Oxycodone) and I was taking it at first to get through the pain. And then there was this weird point when you don't know if you are in pain but you're taking it. Have you ever taken painkillers? It isn't a reckless (state) like you're out of your head. It's just confusion. The attention was what was embarrassing. It was the December after September 11th 2001. So much attention was being paid to me, when we had just been attacked, and there was all this really important news going on."

Ryder Still Traumatized by Shoplifting Conviction
1 June 2006 (WENN)
Winona Ryder boycotted this month's Cannes Film Festival because she hasn't yet recovered from her shoplifting conviction four years ago, according to her co-star Keanu Reeves. Reeves and Robert Downey, Jr were left to promote A Scanner Darkly at the festival without Ryder, who has avoided the limelight since she was found guilty of stealing from a Beverly Hills department store in 2002. Reeves explains, "Robert and I were speaking of how we miss her and wish she was here because she's such a delightful person and really good actress. But, for her to be here and have to deal with all these other kinds of questions - I don't know if she's quite ready to do that."

Animated Movies for Adults?
25 May 2006 (StudioBriefing)
Director Richard Linklater has suggested that the animation process called rotoscoping, in which artists trace over live-action scenes frame by frame, then add subtle alterations, may provide a low-cost method to bring complicated, adult-oriented science-fiction tales to the screen. Linklater, whose rotoscoped A Scanner Darkly is screening out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival (his Fast Food Nation is also screening in competition, making him the only director ever to have two films at the festival simultaneously), told a news conference that while the film was shot in just 23 days, the artists took more than a year and a half to complete it. Nevertheless, its total budget came to just $20 million, despite the lengthy post-production and the fact that its cast includes Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr., Woody Harrelson, and Winona Ryder. At a news conference, Reeves and Downey indicated that they agreed to appear in the film because they were fascinated by the script, based on a novel by Philip K. Dick, and because they were intrigued by the rotoscoping process. Reeves commented that it allowed him to work "without limitations," while Downey noted that he could jot down his dialogue on Post-It notes and stick them to objects on the set, knowing that they could be removed by the artists later. The film is due to be released in a handful of theaters on July 7. But when Linklater remarked, "I had no delusions about it being a mainstream film," Reeves interjected, "I did."

Ryder Pays Tribute to Penn
27 January 2006 (WENN)
Winona Ryder has paid tribute to actor Chris Penn, her co-star in new movie The Darwin Awards, whose body was found on Tuesday. The 40-year-old was found dead in his Santa Monica, California, apartment by a housekeeper. Coroners have yet to determine a definite cause of death, but suspect he died of natural causes, related to his size and history of drug abuse. Speaking at a screening of The Darwin Awards at the Sundance Film Festival last night, Ryder said, "I really hope people go back and watch his movies. He was such a fantastic actor. He's not just Sean's little brother. He was Chris Penn." Director Finn Taylor added that Penn "gave an incredible performance in the film that's going to make a lot of people laugh for a years to come."

Damon Asks Barroso To Marry Him
14 September 2005 (WENN)
Hollywood star Matt Damon is engaged to marry his girlfriend Luciana Barroso, following a 17 month romance. The Oscar winner proposed to pretty Floridian Barroso "shortly before Labor Day", according to his publicist. No date has been set yet for their wedding. The Good Will Hunting actor gave the interior designer a "beautiful big diamond ring" he bought from jeweler Alvin Goldfarb in Seattle, Washington, the representative tells American magazine Us Weekly. Damon, who has dated a series of beauties including Minnie Driver, Winona Ryder and Claire Danes, has not been married before. Barroso has a six-year-old daughter, Alexa, from a previous relationship.

Ryder: "I'm Still Treated Like a Criminal"
5 January 2005 (WENN)
Troubled actress Winona Ryder is furious she's still being discriminated against for her shoplifting criminal record, despite serving 480 hours of community service. The Girl, Interrupted star was arrested in 2001 for stealing designer clothes worth more than $7,600 from New York department store, Saks Fifth Avenue. But she recently discovered the public still regards her as a felon, when she was banned from signing a letter encouraging President George W. Bush to sign the environmentally-friendly Kyoto agreement, because of her criminal record. She fumes, "I was all ready to sign, then this girl said, 'Hey, hold on, aren't you a convicted felon?' I said, 'Yes, so what?' and she told me I'm not eligible to sign official Senate petitions because of my criminal record, which was pretty embarrassing."

Ryder Back in the Spotlight
20 September 2004 (WENN)
Actress Winona Ryder has signed up for her first lead role since being convicted on shoplifting charges. The Hollywood beauty - who was forced to take a break from her career while on trial for stealing goods from plush Los Angeles store Saks Fifth Avenue in 2002 - is reuniting with director Michael Lehmann in independent comedy Mary Warner. Ryder will play a slacker actress who experiences a series of life-changing misadventures after eating a batch of marijuana-laced brownies made by her roommate. Lehmann directed Ryder in 1989 black comedy Heathers, which is often credited as the film that transformed the aspiring actress into an A-list star. Shooting on Mary Warner is expected to begin in Los Angeles in January.

Damon Will Only Date "Civilians"
7 September 2004 (WENN)
Hollywood hunk Matt Damon has vowed only to date "civilians" in the future, following the media circus surrounding best pal Ben Affleck's ill-fated romance with Jennifer Lopez. Affleck and Lopez were bombarded with fervent attention during their 18 months together, and Damon has decided he'll never date a fellow celebrity again after observing it all. He says of his romances with Winona Ryder and Minnie Driver, "That was early on. These days I definitely only date, as we say, 'civilians'." Damon is currently dating former bartender Luciana Barroso.

Winona Stuns Restaurant Patrons with Outburst
23 July 2004 (WENN)
Hollywood wildchild Winona Ryder shocked onlookers in a trendy Los Angeles restaurant - by having a loud argument on her mobile phone and then fleeing in tears. The Heathers beauty, 32, was dining with a couple of pals when she suddenly insisted on borrowing a mobile phone. One onlooker tells Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper, "Winona was sitting with two women and they seemed quite happy. But towards the end of the meal she began to look a bit agitated and told one of her companions to give her the mobile phone. The lady seemed reluctant to hand it over but gave in - and Winona ran with it into the ladies toilets." While in the bathroom, sources say Winona argued with a mystery caller before shouting, "No no Ricky, you promised." The source continues, "Some of the women went into the ladies' to check what was going on and found Winona squatting on the floor looking very upset. She screamed at them to leave her alone before locking herself in a cubicle." Minutes later, Winona fled the restaurant in tears.

Ryder Back in Court
21 June 2004 (WENN)
Actress Winona Ryder was back in court in Beverly Hills on Friday to discuss her shoplifting arrest and it was all good news. A Los Angeles judge reduced criminal theft charges against her to misdemeanors - after noting she has served 480 hours of community service at a California hospital after being sentenced for shoplifting for her December 2001 incident. Ryder, who was in court for her latest hearing, thanked the judge for his time. She's now on unsupervised probation. The Girl, Interrupted star was sentenced to three years probation in December 2002, following her arrest for stealing $5,500 worth of clothing from Beverly Hills' Saks Fifth Avenue store.

Ledger and Watts Confirm Split
14 May 2004 (WENN)
Australian supercouple Heath Ledger and Naomi Watts have officially ended their turbulent on/off romance - and close friends blame the 10-year age gap between them for the split. The 21 Grams beauty's publicist Emma Cooper confirmed the pair had gone their separate ways but refused to comment on the reasons behind their break-up. However, sources close to the couple blame 25-year-old Ledger's wild lifestyle and wandering eye for cooling his 35-year-old belle's affections. And insiders say the Oscar-nominated actress is keen to settle down and start a family, and believes Ledger is not yet ready for such responsibility. Ledger and Watts embarked on a relationship after meeting on the set of Ned Kelly in 2002 but split in September 2003 before reconciling shortly afterwards. In recent weeks Heath has been spotted enjoying the company of rising star Scarlett Johansson and smooching with movie wild child Winona Ryder.

Ryder Comes Out To Honor Gere
23 April 2004 (WENN)
Reclusive Winona Ryder came out to honor Richard Gere in New York on Tuesday night , and referred to the veteran actor as her "favorite person". American Gigolo star Gere was being honored with a Lifetime Achievement gala dinner at the American Museum of the Moving Image. And Ryder, who played Gere's lover in movie flop Autumn In New York, told her former leading man, "It's completely an honor for me to be here to honor you, Richard - my favorite person." But it wasn't such a fun night for the private Gere. He said, "I hate these things, especially when it's focused on me." Ryder wasn't the only celebrity who turned up to honor the 54-year-old - Sharon Stone, Kim Cattrall, Liam Neeson and Denzel Washington were also among the guests.

Basinger Sells Off Baldwin Ring at Auction
21 April 2004 (WENN)
Actress Kim Basinger has sold her 3.7 carat diamond engagement ring from ex-husband Alec Baldwin for $59,750. The 8 Mile star, a noted animal rights activist, auctioned the modern Tiffany & Co ring and some other jewelry at Christie's to raise money for The Performing Animal Welfare Society. The group runs a California refuge for abused, retired and surplus elephants, lions, bears and other captive wildlife. The engagement ring, estimated to fetch between $30,000 and $40,000, was the top-priced item in the auction. The only other gift on offer from actor Baldwin - whose nine-year marriage to Basinger ended in 2002 - was a multi-gem necklace which went for $20,315. Christie's had predicted it would fetch $8,000 to $10,000. Yossi Dina of South Beverly Wilshire Jewelry & Loan, who says his clients include George Hamilton, Liza Minnelli and Winona Ryder, estimates he paid 30 per cent more than the ring was worth. He says, "I got it for a fan. They'll pay crazy money for that."

Matt Damon Finds New Love
19 April 2004 (WENN)
Hollywood hunk Matt Damon has turned away from Hollywood women in his pursuit of romance - he's now fallen for interior decorator Luciana Barroso. The Stuck On You star was spotted hugging and kissing his new girlfriend outside Chicago's Peninsula Hotel. An onlooker says, "They were both obviously upset she was leaving, they were hugging and kissing, and when she got into the car, he screamed out, 'Bye baby. Have a good trip.'" Damon, 33, has previously been linked to series of big screen stars including Penelope Cruz, Minnie Driver and Winona Ryder.

Winona Snubbed by Defense Attorney
19 December 2003 (WENN)
Hollywood actress Winona Ryder has been rudely snubbed by her defense attorney Mark Geragos - who failed to invite her to his Christmas bash. Geragos - who failed to clear Ryder's name of shoplifting charges at Los Angeles boutique Sak's Fifth Avenue last year - invited other clients Michael Jackson, murder suspect Scott Peterson and rapper Nate Dogg to the glitzy bash but left Ryder off the guest list. And sources close to the legal eagle cite Ryder's guilty verdict as the reason Geragos is trying to distance himself from her. One whispers, "I think he left her out because he lost her case and he looked bad losing. He had a really bad case with her. Here's a guy who has a potential pedophile and killer on his invitation and he won't put a shoplifter on it. It's hilarious." Gossip site Page Six also notes that Geragos sent one of his fellow lawyers to accompany Ryder for a progress report on her community service that took place on Monday.

Ryder Back in Court
17 December 2003 (WENN)
Winona Ryder was back in court in Beverly Hills Monday for a probation update on her shoplifting conviction. The Girl, Interrupted actress was caught stealing clothing from Beverly Hills' Saks Fifth Avenue store in December, 2001, and she was sentenced a year ago. But her return to the courthouse was a happier one yesterday - a judge complimented her on her conduct and thanked her for complying with all the terms and conditions of her probation. Ryder, dressed in black and wearing a hunting cap, is now due back in court for another progress hearing on 26 May , and again in a year - when she has been told the sentence will be reduced to a misdemeanor if she continues to behave herself.

Woody Forced To Drop Two Stars From Next Film
9 September 2003 (StudioBriefing)
Two weeks after being forced to drop Robert Downey Jr. from his next film because of the high cost of completion insurance, Woody Allen has had to drop Winona Ryder from the film as well -- for the same reason, the New York Post "Page Six" column reported today (Tuesday). Ryder is on probation for shoplifting. Downey has been battling drug addiction.

Winona Fights for Convicted Murderers
9 September 2003 (WENN)
Troubled actress Winona Ryder has taken to wearing a bracelet honoring three convicted murderers that she's convinced are innocent. The names of Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Miskelley, aka The Memphis Three, and the dates of their arrest are etched on the bracelet she wears around her right wrist. Ryder, who has been fighting for the convicted men's freedom along with fellow stars like Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder and ex-love Johnny Depp, plans to add the trio's release date to the bangle. She says, "They are in my hearts every day, and I will never give up until they're out." The three men were teenagers when they were arrested for the ritualistic murder of three eight-year-old boys in West Memphis, Arkansas, in 1993, and Echols was sentenced to death. A 1996 TV documentary, Paradise Lost: The Child Murders At Robin Hood Hills, raised questions about the guilt of the three men, and prompted a number of stars to fight for the release of the trio. Ryder, who was found guilty of shoplifting a Beverly Hills store last year and placed on three years probation, attended an exhibit to raise awareness for the release campaign in Los Angeles at the weekend.

Winona Joins Death-Row Battle
14 August 2003 (WENN)
Troubled actress Winona Ryder is fronting an art show campaign to save three death-row inmates in America - nine months after her own courtroom conviction. The 'West Memphis Three' were found guilty of murdering a young boy in a Satanic ritual, but Winona believes they're innocent and is supporting the art show next month to raise money for their legal defense fund. Cruel And Unusual Punishment at the Sixspace Gallery in Los Angeles will include artwork by a series of stars including shock rocker Marilyn Manson. The 'West Memphis Trio' are also the topic of an upcoming movie starring Ricki Lake, Jason Lee and Michael Madsen.

Downey Jr. and Ryder Wanted by Woody
25 July 2003 (WENN)
Troubled screen stars Robert Downey Jr. and Winona Ryder are wanted once again - this time by legendary film-maker Woody Allen. Former drug-taker Downey Jr. and convicted shoplifter Ryder are in talks to join the cast of Allen's next movie, which is scheduled to being filming this autumn. But in typical Woody Allen style, the title, script and plot are all being kept secret. Downey Jr. recently wrapped filming on Gothika alongside Halle Berry and Penelope Cruz, while Ryder will next hit screens in Ember opposite Sean Connery.

Winona Ryder's Doctor Charged
24 July 2003 (WENN)
The doctor who had his license revoked for prescribing painkillers to troubled Hollywood starlet Winona Ryder has been charged with illegally practicing medicine. Jules Lusman lost his license in December after he was shamed for prescribing addictive painkillers to a number of Hollywood luminaries, including the pretty Edward Scissorhands actress. In the latest twist in Lusman's story he is accused of illicitly injecting two women with Botox and Perlane at his palatial home in Brentwood, California.

Depp's Upset at Ryder's Trial Treatment
24 June 2003 (WENN)
Blow star Johnny Depp has expressed his disgust at the way his ex-fiancee Winona Ryder was treated during her shoplifting trial. The Heathers beauty was sentenced to 480 hours of community service, three years' probation and charged thousands of dollars in fines last year, after she was caught shoplifting at Beverly Hills' Saks Fifth Avenue in 2001. And Depp, now settled with French singer and actress Vanessa Paradis, was horrified to see how she was handled during the very publicized trial. He says, "I haven't talked to Winona for a while. The way they dragged her through the... I would say mud, but it was broken glass..." But Depp is sure his ex-lover will bounce back in no time. He adds, "She's a good girl and she's also very strong. She'll make her way through it."

Adam Sandler Marries in Secret Ceremony
24 June 2003 (WENN)
Hollywood funnyman Adam Sandler has evaded the world's media by marrying his girlfriend Jackie Titone in a secret ceremony. The Anger Management star was expected to wed the pretty model later this summer, but they instead exchanged vows in a private but star-studded Malibu, California ceremony Sunday. Adam, 36, and Jackie, 28, walked down the aisle inside a huge marquee in the grounds of an oceanfront mansion while guests including Jack Nicholson, Winona Ryder, Sharon Osbourne, Dustin Hoffman and Quentin Tarantino looked on. The happy couple started dating in 1999 after meeting on the set of comedy film Big Daddy.

Debra Messing's Denim Mishap
24 June 2003 (WENN)
Will & Grace beauty Debra Messing risked sparking another Hollywood shoplifting scandal - when she mistakenly walked out of a posh store with a pair of pricey jeans she'd forgotten to pay for. The actress was shopping at Beverly Hills' Saks Fifth Avenue - the same store where Girl, Interrupted star Winona Ryder was caught stealing goods - where she took a shine to a $370 pair of jeans. But a staff error caused Messing to leave the store without paying for the denim item. A source explains, "The clerk who waited on Debra was so excited by the sight of his favorite sitcom star that he forgot to charge her for one of the items she selected. Debra realized the mistake when she got home and looked at the receipt." The honest actress quickly phoned the store from her home and arranged for the store to charge her account.

Winona's Shoplifting Trial Turned Into Musical
2 June 2003 (WENN)
Actress Winona Ryder's shoplifting woes have been put under the spotlight once more - in the form of a musical. Students at Point Loma High School in San Diego, California, have put together Sticky Fingers: A Tale Of Saks, Lies And Videotape. It satirizes the trial in which Ryder was convicted of taking about $6,000 worth of items from Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills. The production is the culmination of a year's worth of work by several dozen students and is directed by teacher Larry Zeiger, who plays piano for the show and stars as interviewer Larry King. The musical follows a missile-factory employee and tango dancer who travels to Rodeo Drive, where she has a fateful meeting with her idol, Ryder, at Saks. The department store donated shopping bags for the set. Ryder was invited to see the show, which opens this week, but the school hasn't received a response.

Nicolas Cage Set for 'Wicker Man' Remake
27 May 2003 (WENN)
Hollywood star Nicolas Cage is gearing up to lead a remake of the classic British horror movie The Wicker Man. In the original 1973 Wicker Man, Edward Woodward plays a Christian policeman sent to a remote Scottish island to investigate a child's disappearance. While there, he inadvertently gets tangled up in pagan rituals. The Shape Of Things director Neil LaBute - who is behind the remake - says, "I'm moving the story from Britain to America. Nick Cage will play a cop who is looking into the disappearance of a young girl and stumbles on a pagan society existing in the modern world. Nick's character ends up on an island that has a very matriarchal society whose members are direct descendants of the Pilgrims. Angelina Jolie and Winona Ryder would be two great choices. It's a great film for actresses."

Worst-Ever Cannes Film?
22 May 2003 (StudioBriefing)
Vincent Gallo, whose The Brown Bunny is one of three U.S. films competing for the coveted Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, enthusiastically recounted Thursday how he fired both Winona Ryder and Kirsten Dunst from the movie, replacing Ryder with the first woman he encountered in the small New Hampshire town where he was filming. "She [Ryder] ball-busted me over her wardrobe, her make up," he said. Then, when she failed to show up for a 9:00 shoot, he claimed, he went to her room and found her with a mask over her eyes and in what he suggested was a semi-drugged state. "And I told my two-man crew, 'I'm going to fire Winona Ryder!'" he said animatedly. (His remarks did not appear to generate much amusement among reporters, and actress Chloe Sevigny, who sat next to him at the press conference appeared to show increasing distaste for his remarks.) Gallo's film has also failed to generate much enthusiasm among critics. Today's (Thursday) Hollywood Reporter observed that "seldom has any competition film at Cannes been treated to such a hostile reception as The Brown Bunny." The Reporter itself described as it as a film of "crude technique and thundering banality." Variety, too, reported that the critical reaction to the film was "derisive/dismissive" and said that its presence in the prestigious competition "prompted major questioning." Screen International said that it was "the worst-rated competition film ever to be judged by Screen International's critics' jury," The London Daily Telegraph called it "staggeringly self-indulgent."

Rockwell Turns Down Winona
1 May 2003 (WENN)
Hollywood actress Winona Ryder has reportedly been romantically snubbed by up-and-coming actor Sam Rockwell. The attractive pair were spotted in New York hotspot Tai where they danced together to Stevie Wonder's hit "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life." Gossip column Page Six reports that Winona asked the Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind star to escort her home, but he politely declined remarking, "But all my friends are here!" Ryder is still reportedly stepping out with Bright Eyes star Conor Oberst.

Court Frowns on Winona's Auction Plan
8 April 2003 (WENN)
Actress Winona Ryder's plan to hold a charity auction to sell the $5,500 worth of clothes and accessories she stole is now looking unlikely - Beverly Hills Superior Court Judge Elden Fox is reluctant to buy into the idea. Although Judge Fox praised the 31-year-old Edward Scissorhands star for completing the community service part of her three-year-probation ahead of schedule, he sparred with her lawyer Mark Geragos over whether she could dispose of the merchandise by holding a charity auction. Ryder - sentenced on December 6 last year for shoplifting from the Saks Fifth Avenue store in Beverly Hills, California - had to pay $10,000 in fines and restitution, and became the owner of the property. Judge Fox told Mr. Geragos, "Your client should not benefit from her crime." However, he postponed making a final ruling. Mr. Geragos told the judge it was "ironic" that the court would turn down such a money- making opportunity in the face of the county court system's steep budget problems. He said, "It seems awful silly to take thousands of dollars of merchandise and burn it in a bonfire."

Winona Set to Sell Stolen Goods?
24 January 2003 (WENN)
Troubled actress Winona Ryder is planning to keep the luxury items she was found guilty of stealing from Saks Fifth Avenue - so that she can sell them. Sources tell showbiz website Page Six that she plans to auction the clothes off for charity and burnish her image in the process. Ryder is said to feel that since she has to pay Saks restitution, the items are rightfully hers. But at the moment, the clothes - $5,500 worth - are still locked up in the Beverly Hills courthouse's exhibit room, according to Los Angeles Superior Court clerk's office representative Kyle Christopherson. He says, "Ryder's lawyers haven't filed anything yet. As far as we know everything is the property of Saks, but they haven't claimed it. If no one does, it will eventually be destroyed." After she was found guilty of felony grand theft and vandalism, Ryder was ordered to pay $10,000 in fines, make restitution to Saks for the stolen goods, perform 480 hours of community service and directed to take drug and psychological counseling.

Ryder Lands New Role
22 January 2003 (WENN)
Elfin Winona Ryder is set to make her first movie since being convicted of shoplifting last year - a comedy called Eulogy. The Girl, Interrupted actress will join Everybody Loves Raymond star Ray Romano, plus Debra Winger and Hank Azaria in the black comedy. It follows three generations of a family who come together for the funeral of the patriarch - unveiling a litany of family secrets and covert relationships.

Actor Pleads Innocent to Child Porn Charges
10 January 2003 (WENN)
Actor Jeffrey Jones has pleaded innocent to child pornography charges. Jones, 56, is accused of hiring a 14-year-old boy to take sexually explicit photos - no sexual act was performed, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. He faces up to three years in jail if he's found guilty and would have to register for life as a sex offender. Due to return to court on February 3, Jones told reporters at his first appearance in November, "All I want is for the truth to come out and for this matter to be resolved as quickly as possible." Jones's most notable roles include the principal trying to hunt down truant Matthew Broderick in the 1986 teen comedy Ferris Bueller's Day Off and the malignant Puritan landowner Thomas Putnam in the 1996 film adaptation of The Crucible starring Winona Ryder.

Ryder on Suicide Watch
30 December 2002 (WENN)
Troubled star Winona Ryder has been put on suicide watch at Los Angeles' Cedars Sinai hospital. The actress has reportedly been overheard saying, "Sometimes I feel like doing myself in," in the wake of her conviction on shoplifting charges earlier this month. Her weight has plummeted to less than 98 pounds and the Heathers actress has cut herself off from her family after a row with mother Cindy over her addiction to prescription drugs. A friend says, "She feels folks in and out of the movie industry are laughing and sniggering behind her back. Her confidence has gone and she's become a recluse. Now she's made these remarks, which some people find scary."

Drugs Denial for Ryder
20 December 2002 (WENN)
Shoplifting Hollywood star Winona Ryder doesn't believe she has a drug problem, despite evidence that she has been caught with vast amounts of prescription pills. The 31 year-old Girl Interrupted actress received 37 separate prescriptions from 20 doctors between January 1996 and December 1998, as revealed in her probation report. And according to American tabloid The National Enquirer, troubled Ryder still won't admit she has an addiction. A source says, "She still maintains that she injured a disc in her back while making the 1997 movie Alien: Resurrection and has been taking prescription drugs to combat the pain." Ryder was arrested last December on shoplifting charges and drugs including Vicodin, Diazepam and morphine sulphate amongst others were found in her handbag. She was sentenced this month to 480 hours community service, three years probation and drug and psychological counseling. The source adds, "Those close to her insist she has a whopper of a painkiller addiction."

Winona Won't Work for the Cameras
18 December 2002 (WENN)
Shoplifting screen beauty Winona Ryder will carry out her community service like any other citizen - but will be shielded from "interference from outside media." 31 year-old Ryder was convicted of grand theft and vandalism in November and has been ordered to carry out 480 hours of community service as part of her sentence. She will work for three months from January at a number of organizations specializing in the treatment and prevention of serious diseases. One of these is Caring for Children and Families with Aids, whose spokesperson Jackie Gelfrand says, "We're going to do everything we can to treat her like all volunteers." Dark-haired Ryder will also work at the Foundation for the Junior Blind and The City of Hope Medical Center in Durante, California.

Winona Wears It Well
17 December 2002 (WENN)
Convicted shoplifter Winona Ryder has found that any publicity is good publicity - she's been lined up to advertise a designer whose clothes she stole. Chic fashion guru Marc Jacobs has approached troubled Ryder to front a new promotional campaign. Company president Robert Duffy, says, "We would like to use her. She's been a very good customer of ours." Girl Interrupted star Ryder wore Jacob's clothes throughout her recent trial. However, one of the items she was found to have stolen from ritzy store Saks Fifth Avenue was a $825 Marc Jacobs top. Despite her conviction and the revelation of a prescription drug addiction, it seems 31-year-old Ryder is still a bankable star. Advertising expert Donny Deutsch explains, "We live in a world where notorious is good."

Love's Drugs Exposed
12 December 2002 (WENN)
Hell raising rock chick Courtney Love is threatening to sue a celebrity gossip website that revealed details of her drug prescriptions online. Earlier this week American site The Smoking Gun posted the Medical Board of California's report on Dr. Jules Lusman, whose patients also include Winona Ryder. Although the Hole rocker's name never actually appears in the report, it refers to a "Patient C.L, a fairly well-known musician, age thirty-six, also known as Ms. C. L-C, as she had at one point been married to Mr. C, who had passed away." Mr. C refers to Courtney's former husband the late Nirvana front man Kurt Cobain. The report describes how Patient C.L received prescriptions for painkillers, including Vicodin, Demerol and Xanax. Smoking Gun editor William Bastone explains, "I spoke to their lawyers, and what they're trying to argue is that the California Medical Board made an unauthorized release of information contained in her medical files. But (Love's) history with narcotics is fairly well known. At one point, she joked about becoming addicted to Vicodin." And the site remains defiant in the face of impending legal action saying that the offending documents will remain posted.

More Details About Ryder Doctor
11 December 2002 (WENN)
The shamed doctor who has lost his license after prescribing addictive narcotics to Winona Ryder has also been linked to the disgraced star's pal Courtney Love. Jules Mark Lusman lost his license last week when the Medical Board of California declared the Santa Monica physician catered to "the demands of wealthy and famous drug seekers." The 49-year-old doctor, whose stated specialty is laser surgery, may now face criminal prosecution after being found partly responsible for helping Ryder gain the drugs she was found carrying when she was arrested for shoplifting last year. A Medical Board investigation also discovered Lusman charged thousands of dollars for house calls to celebrities and the well-to-do, and in one case he received a $3,000 retainer charged to a sick patient's credit card. A board spokesman says, "It's like the sub-plot of a Raymond Chandler novel." The board's report identifies other patients by initials only. One was identified as C.L., whom the report went on to describe as "a fairly well known musician", who at one time "had been married to Mr C, who had passed away." Meanwhile, Lusman, speaking from South Africa, insists the decision to revoke his license is "grossly unfair." He has denied any wrong doing in his treatment of Ryder.

Ryder Warned About "Tough" Community Service
9 December 2002 (WENN)
Convicted shoplifter Winona Ryder has been warned her 120 hours of community service working in a childrens' AIDS clinic will be a tough experience. The actress, who was ordered to complete 480 of community service as part of the sentence handed down to her on Friday, will have to help out at Los Angeles' Children And Families With AIDS center, who look after the children infected with the HIV virus through drug-abusing parents. And the executive director of the centre Jackie Gelfand, has warned Ryder of the hard work ahead of her - despite her Hollywood fame. She says, "If she thinks she'll have an easy time she's in for a shock. Her responsibilities will include reading to the children, helping them with homework, doing art projects, playing with them and cooking meals."

Ryder Receives Probation in Shoplifting Case
6 December 2002 (WENN)
Actress Winona Ryder was sentenced today to three years' probation and community service by a Beverly Hills judge for shoplifting more than $5,500 worth of merchandise from Saks Fifth Avenue. The Oscar-nominated actress was spared jail time by Judge Eldon Fox, who followed the recommendations of the L.A. prosecutors' office and sentenced Ryder to 480 hours of community service to be served by April 7. Ryder was also ordered to pay $6,300 to Saks Fifth Avenue, $3,700 in court fines, and to undergo court-approved drug and psychiatric counseling, as the actress was in possession of eight powerful painkillers when she was arrested. Ryder, 31, was convicted of grand theft and felony vandalism on Nov. 6 in a trial that received extensive media coverage; she had no prior convictions. --Prepared by IMDb staff

Winona Set for Probation
5 December 2002 (WENN)
Prosecutors seeking justice in the Winona Ryder shoplifting case are calling for Judge Elden Fox to sentence the star to three years probation. The actress was found guilty of shoplifting a month ago and is now preparing to go before the Beverly Hills court again for sentencing on Friday. But, true to their word, the prosecutors led by Los Angeles District Attorney Ann Rundle will not be pushing for jail time for the actress. They want her to serve probation and pay $3,000 in restitution to Saks Fifth Avenue, where she stole items last year. Also, according to court papers, Ryder had eight different types of drugs on her person when arrested. The Girl, Interrupted star also had used "at least two different names" to obtain the prescription drugs, state papers collated by the Beverly Hills police stated.

Russell Crowe Voted "Coldest Person in Hollywood"
27 November 2002 (WENN)
New Zealand-born actor Russell Crowe has been named the "Coldest Person In Hollywood." The Gladiator star topped the annual poll by the independent movie website Film Threat. Previous celebrities who have topped the list include Robin Williams and Freddie Prinze, Jr. According to Film Threat, Crowe is "a wild boor, whose bad-boy Big Mouth and Redwood-sized chip-on-the-shoulder easily cost him an Oscar for A Beautiful Mind." Second in this year's poll was Winona Ryder followed by Cuba Gooding Jr., Robert De Niro and Woody Allen.

New Woe for Winona
19 November 2002 (WENN)
Winona Ryder has been hit by a new trauma - she's the subject of a cheeky Christmas card. Internet shoppers are snapping up the humorous cards, which show convicted shoplifter Winona carrying bags with the slogan "Let Winona Shop For Christmas." Printed inside is the message, 'Nothing Says The Holidays Like A Bargain' and a $4,850 price tag crossed out and replaced with the word "Free." The cards, being sold by website bettybowers.com, are the latest trend to come out of Winona's trial. The clothes she tried to pinch are already must-have items. The Heathers beauty was found guilty of felony grand theft and vandalism earlier this month after failing to pay for thousands of dollars worth of classy clothes from the Saks Fifth Avenue store in Los Angeles.

Berry's Words of Support for Ryder
15 November 2002 (WENN)
Die Another Day beauty Halle Berry feels great sympathy for convicted shoplifter and fellow actress Winona Ryder - and has even sent her letters of support. Berry, who plays Jinx in the twentieth installment of the Bond series, particularly feels for the Heathers star because she's been through a similar public trial herself. In February 2000, Berry sped off after she ran a red light and crashed her rental car into another driver on Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles - leaving the driver of the damaged vehicle with a broken wrist. In a judgment which may give hope to Winona, Berry was not jailed, but forced to pay $13,500 and given 200 hours of community service. The Swordfish star says Ryder "lives at the corner of my street, so I left her a couple of notes along the way. I just wanted to tell her, 'Hang in there. Hold your head up, and it's all going to be okay - no matter how it works out.'"

Ryder Would "Rather Die" Than Go Behind Bars
15 November 2002 (WENN)
Light-fingered actress Winona Ryder has pleaded with a judge not to send her to jail - and revealed her terror of prison to a close friend. The Heathers actress, who was found guilty of grand theft of personal property and vandalism in a Beverly Hills court last week, has made a personal plea to presiding judge Elden Fox ahead of her sentencing. According to British tabloid The Daily Sport, Ryder was distraught while talking to a close friend about the incident. She told the pal, "I just want to curl up in a ball, open my eyes and everything goes away. I really can't take any more. This is the worst experience of my life. How could anyone come to terms with being locked up. I really, really don't want to go there. I would be the victim of sexual abuse and God knows what else. My career in Hollywood is on the line, surely that's enough punishment in the circumstances?" She concludes, "I would sooner die rather than face the prospect of being kept behind bars like some sort of caged animal."

History Repeating for Ryder
14 November 2002 (WENN)
Heathers star Winona Ryder fled sobbing from a department store after an assistant cruelly taunted her. The convicted shoplifter visited the Los Angeles branch of Macy's and ran up a total of $3,500 at the checkout. But, she didn't have her purse with her and a less than charitable check out clerk didn't show her any sympathy. According to Scottish tabloid The Daily Record the assistant said, "Don't tell me your rehearsing for another movie role, right?" Winona was found guilty of grand theft of personal property and vandalism in a Beverly Hills court last week.

Winona's Accessory Winner
13 November 2002 (WENN)
One winner has already emerged from the media frenzy that was Winona Ryder's shoplifting trial - the manufacturers of accessories she was convicted of stealing. According to sources, sales of $140 Frederic Fekkai hair clips have soared since they were revealed as one of the 20 items the actress left the Saks Fifth Avenue department store in Beverly Hills without paying for last December. A company insider says, "We've seen a huge demand for them since the trial."

Ryder Report "Missing" from Police
11 November 2002 (WENN)
A preliminary report on the recent Winona Ryder shoplifting trail has gone missing, according to Los Angeles court officials. The Girl, Interrupted star, 31, was convicted of grand theft and vandalism from a Beverly Hills department store last week after a high profile court case. However, Ken Kondo, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Probation Department, admitted on Saturday that a pre-preliminary report has gone missing from a locked filing cabinet at the department's office in Santa Monica. Kondo said the incident was "unusual" as the department had successfully dealt with several high profile cases in the past. He added that the loss of the file, which contains personal information such as the actress's marital status and medical history, as well as a possible probation recommendation, is currently being investigated.

Ryder's "Under Duress" Confession Suppressed by Judge
8 November 2002 (WENN)
Following actress Winona Ryder's conviction for shoplifting Wednesday it was revealed the judge kept a full confession from the trial's jury. The Girl, Interrupted star was found guilty of grand theft of personal property and vandalism from Beverly Hills' department store Saks Fifth Avenue last December after a high profile trial. Following the conclusion of the jury's deliberations it emerged that Ryder had signed a full confession listing the stolen goods an hour after being seized by the store's security guards. However, the key piece of evidence was withheld from the trial by Judge Elden Fox after the star claimed the confession was made "under duress." Ryder is now awaiting sentencing, but the prosecution team has stated that they are not pressing for a custodial term.

Winona Guilty
7 November 2002 (WENN)
Hollywood star Winona Ryder has been found guilty of grand theft of personal property and vandalism in Beverly Hills. The Oscar-nominated actress escaped a charge of commercial burglary as the week-long trial wrapped up in California on Wednesday. The jury was unanimous after a full day of deliberating. Ryder, dressed in burgundy and black and appearing pale and pensive in court, listened to the verdict and then turned to chat to her lawyer Mark Geragos, who is expected to appeal. In declaring the actress not guilty of commercial burglary, the jury agreed that there was no evidence to support claims that Ryder had entered Beverly Hills' Saks Fifth Avenue store last December with the intent to steal. The movie star must now wait until December 6 to be sentenced. Legal experts feel sure Ryder will not be given jail time and expect her to be handed probation for her shoplifting spree. The actress has no previous convictions.

Winona Ryder Found Guilty
6 November 2002 (WENN)
A jury in the Winona Ryder shoplifting trial today found the actress guilty of grand theft and vandalism, but not guilty of burglary. The decision came at 2:45pm EST, after 5 ½ hours of deliberation that took place over two days. The verdict was considered a victory for the L.A. district attorney's office, which had aggressively argued that the actress had shoplifted over $5,500 worth of goods from Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills last December, citing testimony from Saks personnel as well as surveillance videotape purportedly showing Ryder concealing various clothing items. The defense claimed that Saks and the district attorney's office had overzealously pursued Ryder because of her celebrity status. Ryder, who celebrated her 31st birthday during the trial, is scheduled for sentencing on December 6, almost a year after her arrest on December 12, 2001. The actress could face up to three years in prison for each count, but given her spotless record, the possibility is considered unlikely; prosecutor Ann Rundle has also stated that her office would ask only for probation, community service and restitution to Saks Fifth Avenue. Ryder currently remains free on bail, as the court has determined that the Oscar-nominated actress is not a flight risk. --Prepared by IMDb staff

Jury Finds Winona Ryder Guilty of Felony Grand Theft
6 November 2002 (IMDb News Flash)
A jury in the Winona Ryder shoplifting trial today found the actress guilty of grand theft and vandalism, but not guilty of burglary. The decision came at 2:45pm EST, after 5 ½ hours of deliberation that took place over two days. The verdict was considered a victory for the L.A. district attorney's office, which had aggressively argued that the actress had shoplifted over $5,500 worth of goods from Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills last December, citing testimony from Saks personnel as well as surveillance videotape purportedly showing Ryder concealing various clothing items. The defense claimed that Saks and the district attorney's office had overzealously pursued Ryder because of her celebrity status. Ryder, who celebrated her 31st birthday during the trial, is scheduled for sentencing on December 6, almost a year after her arrest on December 12, 2001. The actress could face up to three years in prison for each count, but given her spotless record, the possibility is considered unlikely; prosecutor Ann Rundle has also stated that her office would ask only for probation, community service and restitution to Saks Fifth Avenue. Ryder currently remains free on bail, as the court has determined that the Oscar-nominated actress is not a flight risk

Winona Jury Hears Closing Arguments
5 November 2002 (WENN)
The prosecutor in Winona Ryder's shoplifting trial told the jury yesterday that the actress may have been stealing "for the sheer thrill" and warned them not to give her special consideration because of her fame. The 31-year-old Mr. Deeds beauty has pleaded not guilty to charges of grand theft, burglary and vandalism for allegedly stealing $5,570 worth of goods from the Saks Fifth Avenue store in Beverly Hills, California last December. The closing arguments began Monday after the defense rested without calling the actress to testify. Superior Court Judge Elden Fox refused Ryder's attorney Mark Geragos' last-minute request to call another witness and the prosecution's attempt to bring in an admission allegedly written by the actress while she detained by security guards at Saks. In her closing argument, prosecutor Ann Rundle said, "The law does not say there is a higher standard of proof for celebrities. The law is the law is the law, no matter who you are. The law doesn't say only poor people steal. It must have occurred to some of you, 'Why would Winona Ryder steal?' Nowhere does it say people steal because they have to. People steal out of greed, envy, spite, because it's there or for the thrill." And Rundle dismissed claims that the actress allegedly shoplifted as research for a forthcoming film role. Rundle said, "The law doesn't say crime is OK if your director told you to do it. And there is no evidence that a director told her to do it." In Geragos' final statement, he accused staff at the prestigious store of "a multitude of inconsistencies" in their testimony and suggested they had fabricated evidence to convict Ryder. Geragos noted how there was no footage of Ryder being detained in the security room and accused staff of planting scissors in the actress' possession. He asked the jury to come back with a not guilty verdict on all three charges, adding, "There is no shame in coming back with a not guilty verdict for Winona."

Work Offers Flood in for Winona
4 November 2002 (WENN)
She may be in the middle of an ugly court case, but Winona Ryder's profile has improved dramatically since her arrest. The Reality Bites beauty, who is being tried for allegedly shoplifting in Saks Fifth Avenue store, has received many work offers in the last year and now has choices to make about her next project. Movie critic George Rush says, "It's an open secret that Winona has been offered several movie scripts over the past few months. As far as producers are concerned, she is golden right now." The Edward Scissorhands star's agent agrees with Rush. She says, "Yes, I can tell you we have been getting a steady stream of offers. Of course, it's been a pretty traumatic personal time for Winona, but on a work level things are looking very good indeed."

Winona's "Theft" Haul Revealed
1 November 2002 (WENN)
The incredible designer haul allegedly stolen by Winona Ryder has been revealed in court. The $5,704 list included a Gucci dress worth $1,609 and items by fashion legends Yves St Laurent and Calvin Klein. The 31-year-old Heathers star is charged with stealing 20 pieces from top Beverly Hills store Saks. As well as the white Gucci frock, prosecutors claim she took: A Marc Jacobs top worth $766, a white Yves Saint Laurent blouse worth $755, a black Natori handbag at $544 (£348), a black Dolce & Gabbana handbag worth $528 and two black beaded Pierre Urbach bags priced at $54 each. She is also accused of taking a black Eric Javits hat costing $226 and another black hat worth $352. On top of that she is alleged to have stolen four hair accessories including a headband, a rhinestone bow and a clip with a total value of $583 and seven pairs of socks - including three by Calvin Klein - with a total value of $227.30. The Gucci dress was not included in the list at first because Ryder claimed she had bought it at another shop. Security guard Colleen Rainey - who claims she saw Ryder's shoplifting binge - believed her. But Saks staff later found a Gucci dress was missing and it was added to the charge-sheet. After her arrest, Ryder is alleged to have said she went shoplifting as "research" for a film role - then gave the names of two different movies. First, she claimed she was practicing for a role in a romantic comedy called Shopgirl. But she later insisted the movie she was involved with was a crime drama called White Jazz, the court heard. Shopgirl is due to be made next year starring Claire Danes and comic Steve Martin. A novel entitled White Jazz is yet to be made into a movie. Ryder denies theft, burglary and vandalism. The case continues.

Drama for Winona Trial
31 October 2002 (WENN)
The third day of Winona Ryder's shoplifting trial was drama-packed yesterday as investigator Colleen Rainey took the stand and revealed she watched the actress stuffing items into shopping bags. Rainey told the Beverly Hills courthouse she watched through the slats of a dressing room door as Ryder knelt, sucked on a bleeding thumb, took a pair of scissors out of her bag and cut off the sensor tags on two handbags. The investigator said she also saw Ryder take tissue paper and wrap up hats, socks and hair accessories and stuff them into a shopping bag. A sales clerk, who went to fetch the actress a Band-Aid for her bleeding thumb corroborated Rainey's story. But, perhaps even more dramatic was a cross-examination by Ryder's attorney Mark Geragos on Saks Fifth Avenue store security guard Kenneth Evans. The lawyer spotted photographs of his client when Evans leaned over to look at his file and asked what they were. Evans explained they were Polaroids taken of "Miss Ryder" in the security room after she was apprehended allegedly trying to leave the store with stolen goods. Geragos asked if the snaps had been turned over to the District Attorney's office, to which Evans said, "No." Geragos also asked Evans if Ryder was searched while in the security room. Evans said, "Not in my presence." A shocked Ryder's jaw dropped wide open to this comment. Ryder's aides insist the actress is coping well, despite her legal worries - she celebrated her 31st birthday on Tuesday night with a quiet dinner with friends.

Winona: "Director Told Me To Shoplift"
30 October 2002 (WENN)
Troubled actress Winona Ryder claimed she was told to steal clothes from a Los Angeles department store, to help her prepare for a movie role, a court heard today. Ryder is standing trial at Beverly Hills Superior Court in California, charged with grand theft, burglary and vandalism, after she was allegedly caught leaving a Saks 5th Avenue department store without paying for clothes worth $5,500 last December. A security guard from the store today told the court the actress insisted a director told her to steal. Giving testimony, Ken Evans said he confronted Ryder after watching her acting suspiciously, and that when caught, she apologized for stealing. He said, "She was polite but apologetic. She said, 'I'm sorry for what I did' and kept her head down. Then she said, 'I did it because a movie director told me to shoplift to prepare for a movie role.'" Evans said he became suspicious of the star when he realized she wasn't checking the sizes and prices of items she selected. He then claims he watched her enter a changing room, and then leave carrying fewer clothes than she entered with. He says, "When the defendant came out, all the items were no longer in her possession. I also noticed that one of the shopping bags she had been carrying was a lot fuller." Evans says he and colleague Coleen Raney apprehended Ryder after Raney had spotted the actress cutting security tags from clothes she had picked up. He adds, "She (Raney) said she saw the defendant take out a pair of scissors and cut the sensor tags out of the clothing. Coleen also said he witnessed her concealing several of those items into a shopping bag." The pair waited until Ryder had left the store before apprehending her. The trial continues.

Winona Topless in Front of Security Guards
29 October 2002 (WENN)
Overzealous security guards got more than they bargained for when they lifted Winona Ryder's top while searching for alleged stolen shopping items - as she wasn't wearing a bra. The actress' defense team is claiming their client was humiliated by guards at the Saks Fifth Avenue store in Beverly Hills while she waited for police to arrive last December when she was charged with shoplifting. As the delayed trial gets underway, Ryder's legal team claim security staff lifted the movie star's top to reveal her breasts and then cheekily asked her for tickets to see an upcoming film. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles District Attorney's legal eagles are laughing off the defense's claims, and are instead trying to portray Ryder as a cool, calculated and brazen shoplifter, who came to the store prepared for a shoplifting spree. They claim she brought scissors and five plastic bags full of tissues so she could cut tags off items and smuggled them out of the store. They also claim one of their witnesses is a security guard who peeked through slats in a dressing room door and saw the actress cutting off tags and stashing clothes into her bags. Ryder, dressed all in black and wearing a headband, sat quietly through the first day of the trial, occasionally shaking her head in disbelief as the prosecutors made their opening statements.

Winona Ryder Jury Includes Producer
28 October 2002 (WENN)
The jury in Winona Ryder's alleged shoplifting case should at least know who the actress is - one of them is her former boss. Several of the jurors, sworn in on Friday, work in the entertainment industry and among them is former Sony Entertainment Pictures Chairman Peter Guber. During his tenure, Sony released the 1992 Francis Ford Coppola thriller Dracula, in which Ryder starred. Lawyers on both sides accepted the eight-woman, four-man panel after questioning whether their occupations might prevent them from being fair. Defense attorney Mark Geragos asked them whether the fact Ryder is "pretty and rich" would prejudice her in their eyes. No one answered affirmatively. Addressing the former Sony executive, he said, "Mr. Guber, you're not afraid of working in this town again if you get on this case, are you?" There was laughter in the courtroom as Guber answered, "No." Other jurors included a legal secretary who works at Sony Studios, a man who is involved in program development for television and a doctor the judge said he knew from the local Rotary Club. Heathers star Ryder, 30, was arrested last December at a Saks Fifth Avenue store for allegedly stealing nearly $5,000 worth of designer merchandise. She could face up to three years in prison if convicted of three counts of grand theft, second-degree burglary and vandalism. She denies all the charges. Opening statements are to begin tomorrow.

Ryder Trial Starts with Jury Inquisition
25 October 2002 (WENN)
Potential jurors in Winona Ryder's shoplifting trial are being quizzed to find out what they know about the case, in a bid to keep the court battle as fair as possible. The actress' legal team claim there's little chance Ryder will get a fair trial because her shoplifting arrest in December has garnered so much publicity. But court officials in Beverly Hills, where Ryder's trial began this morning, are going out of their way to make sure jurors aren't tainted by what they've already read and seen on TV. Meanwhile, prosecutors have asked for evidence of past shoplifting acts to be taken into account during the trial. They claim they have evidence to prove Ryder has a pattern of kleptomania and plan to bring forward three employees from Barneys and Neiman Marcus to back their arguments. Ryder was arrested in December after allegedly trying to leave Beverly Hills' Saks Fifth Avenue store without paying for items worth $6,000.

Ryder's Good News
17 October 2002 (WENN)
Winona Ryder has been given a boost as she prepares to fight shoplifting charges against her - one of the four felonies against her has been dropped. The actress was told in a pre-trial hearing in court in Los Angeles yesterday morning that Judge Elden Fox was prepared to drop a charge of illegally possessing a prescription drug. But Ryder will face three other charges resulting from her shoplifting arrest last December, when she allegedly tried to steal $6,000 worth of items from Beverly Hills' Saks Fifth Avenue store. The actress' attorney Mark Geragos, who has been critical of the over- zealous ways prosecutors have been fighting his client, admits Ryder is happy to be in court at last after a series of delays. He says, "Winona's holding up tremendously. This has been extremely trying for her and her family - it has been 10 months of having people mock her and say awful things about her. The thing that has been most comforting for her is there has been a tremendous outpouring of support from fans and from people who think this has been completely heavy handed." Ryder's trial will begin next Wednesday and is likely to last a week. If convicted on any of the three charges that hang over her, the actress could face three years in jail.

Winona Drug Charges May Be Dropped
10 October 2002 (WENN)
Prosecutors in Winona Ryder's forthcoming shoplifting trial have requested the dismissal of a felony drug charge against the actress. The Edward Scissorhands beauty, 30, had been charged with felony possession of a controlled substance since it was alleged she was carrying the painkiller Oxycodone when arrested on charges of shoplifting $6,000 worth of goods from Saks Fifth Avenue department store in Beverly Hills last December. Today the Los Angeles District Attorney said they were making the request "in the interests of justice" after receiving a sworn statement from a defense witness. The actress' attorney Mark Geragos had always maintained his famous client had a prescription for the painkillers. Winona has pleaded not guilty to all the charges of second degree burglary, grand theft, vandalism and possession of a controlled substance and was released on $20,000 bail. The trial, which has been delayed several times, is due to start on Tuesday. Deputy District Attorney Ann Rundle said in a statement today that she was ready to go ahead with the trial on the remaining three felony counts of grand theft, commercial burglary and vandalism.

Winona's Trial Starts... And Is Delayed
8 October 2002 (WENN)
Winona Ryder's long-awaited trial on shoplifting charges has been delayed yet again. The actress was due in court today to face accusations she tried to steal clothes worth $5,000 from the Saks Fifth Avenue department store in Beverly Hills last December. The case has been plagued by a catalogue of pre-trial hearing delays, but when judge Elden Fox last month scheduled the trial proper to begin today, it looked like Winona would finally get her day in court. But the case has been put back for just over a week - October 15 2002 - when the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office insists the process of selecting jurors will begin. Ryder has pleaded not guilty to charges of second degree burglary, grand theft, vandalism and possession of a controlled substance, the painkiller Oxycodone. Ms Ryder's defense has said it plans to show she paid for the goods and has receipts as proof. It will also try to show that security staff targeted her because of her star status.

Winona's Court Date Set After Plea Bargain Fails
19 September 2002 (WENN)
Winona Ryder has been served her day in court to face shoplifting charges against the actress after a plea bargain was considered and thrown out by prosecutors. The Oscar nominated star failed to show in court in Beverly Hills, California yesterday morning after a series of pre-trial hearing delays, but Judge Elden Fox didn't want to wait any longer and scheduled the trial proper to begin on October 7. Ryder is charged with attempting to steal $5,000 worth of goods from Beverly Hills store Saks Fifth Avenue in December and the illegal possession of a prescription narcotic.

Ryder Trial Delayed Again
13 September 2002 (WENN)
Winona Ryder's trial date has been pushed back again after the actress and her lawyer failed to show in court in Beverly Hills this morning. The movie star faces charges of shoplifting after allegedly trying to make off with $6,000 of merchandise from Beverly Hills' Saks Fifth Avenue store in December. The pretrial hearing was due to start this morning but it will now start next Wednesday due to her attorney Mark Geragos having scheduling conflicts. Also today, a judge said a document filed under seal is missing from the court file. Sandi Gibbons, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County district attorney's office claimed the missing papers are a prosecution motion, but the contents had not yet been released due to a sealing order.

Winona Ryder Had Shoplifted Before
12 September 2002 (WENN)
Prosecutors in the Winona Ryder shoplifting case have confirmed they have evidence the Heathers actress had stolen from shops before. Following a range of reports that the star was no first time thief, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office has filed a motion declaring it has the evidence to prove the stories true. According to entertainment site E! Online, there is no news yet of what such evidence might constitute, or whether it will be brought up in the actress' much-delayed trial when it eventually reaches court. Ryder was arrested on December 12 for allegedly lifting nearly $6,000 worth of handbags, hair bows and assorted goodies from the Saks Fifth Avenue department store in Beverly Hills, California. She faces felony counts of grand theft, second-degree burglary, vandalism and unlawful possession of the prescription painkiller oxycodone. The star has pleaded innocent to all charges. A trial date in her case could be set tomorrow, although Ryder's attorney is currently tied up in another trial and may ask for another postponement.

Will Winona Ever Get To Court?
6 September 2002 (WENN)
Actress Winona Ryder's shoplifting court case has been set for September 12 - perhaps. The movie star was due in court yesterday for a preliminary hearing but that date was bumped to today, when the start date was set. It's far from a definite though - court officials state the details of the case are such that the trial date could be delayed. Ryder was arrested and charged with shoplifting after leaving a Beverly Hills store last December.

Winona To Plead Guilty?
30 August 2002 (WENN)
Troubled actress Winona Ryder may plead guilty to shoplifting charges in a plea deal to avoid jail time, reports claim. Sources report the actress' attorney, Mark Geragos, and Los Angeles prosecutors are close to agreeing to a deal which would see her receive a sentence of community service in exchange for a guilty plea. Indeed, Gereagos indicated his client wished to avoid going to trial when he spoke outside a Beverly Hills, California Superior Court hearing last Thursday. He said, "I don't know if anybody welcomes going through a trial. A lot of that depends on factors beyond her control." And now a source adds that Ryder "definitely doesn't want to go to trial" as "there are a lot of things she'd never want discussed in court." The insider reasons, "Prosecutors were overcharging her to begin with. To bring it down to misdemeanor would be appropriate." Ryder's spokeswoman, Mara Buxbaum, adds, "I would be surprised if her attorney is not working on (a possible plea bargain), as well as preparing for a trial."

Ryder Angling For Plea?
28 August 2002 (WENN)
Actress Winona Ryder is thought to be attempting to strike a deal over her current shoplifting case. Legal experts were surprised the star successfully asked for another postponement of a hearing in the long-running case last week, whilst at the same time insisting through her lawyer she was seeking a swift conclusion to the legal action. However, it is now believed the time granted by the postponement, from yesterday to the September 5, will be used by her legal team to plea bargain. A spokeswoman for the District Attorney's office believes secret negotiations have been going on for some time. The Reality Bites star is due to stand trial on four serious charges - grand theft, second-degree burglary, vandalism and possession of a controlled substance after being arrested after removing security tags on clothing in a Beverly Hills, California boutique, and then attempting to leave the shop without paying. The September hearing is expected to set a date for a trial - but Ryder is said to be keen to avoid a "messy" court process.

Ryder Court Date Delayed Again
15 August 2002 (WENN)
Winona Ryder's trial date on shoplifting charges has been set back by a Beverly Hills judge. The 30-year-old Heathers star is accused of leaving a Saks Fifth Avenue department store in December without paying for nearly $6,000 worth of goods. But Judge Elden S. Fox yesterday ruled that a pre-trial hearing to decide what evidence can be admitted must be staged before the full trial can go ahead. That hearing will now take place on August 26. Ms Ryder, who has pleaded innocent to charges of second-degree burglary, grand theft, vandalism and possession of a controlled substance and is free on $13,000 bail, did not attend the hearing. She could face more than three years in prison if convicted. Ryder's lawyer Mark Geragos said at an earlier hearing that the actress had a prescription for a generic form of the painkiller Percocet when she was arrested outside the Wilshire Boulevard store on December 12.

Natalie Portman Dates Comic For A Week
9 August 2002 (WENN)
Star Wars beauty Natalie Portman is dating American funnyman Jimmy Fallon for a week - to help boost TV ratings for the upcoming MTV Video Movie Awards. Funnyman Fallon, who has been romantically linked with Winona Ryder recently, explains in a series of hilarious TV commercial that he had three conditions for hosting the show on August 29 - and dating Queen Amidala was one. The comic, a regular on America's Saturday Night Live, also asked for a signed photograph of Jesus Christ and a talking punk dog. In the hilarious ads, a bored Portman asks Fallon, "Can I go now?" to which he responds, "You've got four more days, little lady," and then tells his mohawked pooch, "She's mean, she's an actress."

Winona Will Face District Attorney's Experts
16 July 2002 (WENN)
Winona Ryder will face Los Angeles' toughest legal team in court when her shoplifting case goes to trial after her attorney's bid to have the District Attorney's hotshots removed was denied this morning. The actress' lawyer Mark Geragos asked to have the District Attorney's office removed from the case at a pre-trial hearing Monday. Geragos claims his client is not receiving fair treatment. But the judge said the defense did not show sufficient cause for the DA to be replaced and denied the motion.

Ryder: I'm Mocking Myself, Not Trial
26 June 2002 (WENN)
Winona Ryder's spokesperson has tried to placate prosecutors in her current shoplifting case - after they expressed anger at the actress' supposedly flippant attitude to the legal proceedings. Ryder has poked fun at her arrest earlier this year on several TV shows, and on the front cover of a magazine by wearing a T-Shirt emblazoned with the legend 'Free Winona' - which has brought her a stern rebuke from the Los Angeles County district attorney. Spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons says, "This is a criminal case, these are serious charges and not really a joking matter." However, Ryder's own publicist Mara Buxbaum has tried to defuse the situation by stating, "The jokes that were made were self-mocking. She was trying to joke about herself and at no level was she trying to be disrespectful to the courts and legal system." Ryder has pleaded not guilty to all charges related to her alleged shoplifting from a Beverly Hills store, and is awaiting trial.

Stressed Winona Skips Premiere
21 June 2002 (WENN)
Alleged shoplifter Winona Ryder snubbed the New York premiere of her new movie Mr. Deeds because she is nervous about her court case. The Dracula beauty was arrested in December for allegedly stealing $4,900 worth of designer goods from Beverly Hills store Saks Fifth Avenue, and faces charges of theft and possession of a controlled sunbstance. When the romantic comedy opened in the Big Apple on Tuesday, Winona was nowhere to be seen. Her representative explains, "She is in the heart of other issues going on. I think she has done her best to support the picture."

Winona Pleads Not Guilty
17 June 2002 (WENN)
Actress Winona Ryder was formally arraigned in court on Friday and pleaded not guilty to charges of shoplifting thousands of dollars worth of designer clothes and accessories from a posh Beverly Hills store. Ryder, appearing in court with her arm in a sling after injuring her elbow in a scuffle with cameramen, entered her plea in a soft voice and was ushered out of court by sheriff's deputies and her lawyer, avoiding the press. The Oscar-nominated actress, who starred in the 1999 movie Girl, Interrupted, is accused of shoplifting $4,800 worth of goods from a Saks Fifth Avenue store on December 12. She is also charged with drug possession relating to painkillers for which she allegedly did not have a prescription. She was ordered to stand trial last week after store security officer Colleen Rainey testified to witnessing Ryder kneeling on the floor of a Saks dressing room cutting security tags from merchandise. Ryder's lawyer Mark Geragos has accused Saks of targeting the actress because she is a celebrity. He has also accused the District Attorney's office of "having an axe to grind" with Ryder and filed a motion to have the DA removed from the case. Rainey said, "She was using a pair of scissors. She cut a sensor tag off the black ... purse and a handbag," adding that she observed the actress through the slats of Ryder's dressing room door after the store's security chief sent her to check on the celebrity, who appeared to be behaving suspiciously.

Winona Shoplifted Before?
11 June 2002 (WENN)
Actress Winona Ryder's December arrest for alleged shoplifting wasn't the first time she had been caught, according to Newsweek magazine. The publication claims the Los Angeles district attorney's office has evidence that the Little Women star was discovered stealing before her arrest at Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills. Winona is to attend court on Friday, when she'll have to enter a plea on four felony counts related to the arrest.

Security Guard "Thought Winona Was Homeless Person"
7 June 2002 (WENN)
The security chief at the store where Winona Ryder was arrested on shoplifting charges mistook her for a homeless person at first. As the preliminary hearing in the case resumed Thursday, Kenneth Evans, the security manager at Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills, also said six anti-theft sensor tags that had been cut off of merchandise were found concealed in the store after Ryder's arrest. Evans testified he found four of the tags stuffed in the pockets of a designer coat, three of them still bearing material and cut-out marks that matched two handbags and a hair bow that had been found in Ryder's possession when she was arrested. He said the two other tags turned up in the chair padding of a fitting room that the Girl, Interrupted, star had used on the day. Store security officer Colleen Rainey also testified, telling the court that she saw Ryder cut security tags from merchandise. She said, "She was using a pair of scissors. She cut a sensor tag off the black ... purse and a handbag." Ryder, 30, has pleaded innocent to shoplifting and drug possession charges stemming from her December 12 arrest. The Heathers star, who has remained free on bail, was accused of trying to steal goods worth about $4,800. Evans testified that when he first noticed Ryder on store video cameras, "I thought she was a homeless person." In questioning Evans, Geragos suggested security personnel had targeted the film star, but Evans denied that was the case. Late Thursday, the judge in the case decided there's enough evidence to move the trial from a preliminary hearing to an arraignment. The movie star and her legal team must now decide whether she's going to plead guilty or not guilty when an arraignment date is set.

Winona's Unlucky Break Confirmed
5 June 2002 (WENN)
TV and paparazzi cameramen have been ordered to stay at least ten feet away from Winona Ryder when she returns to court on Thursday after an arm break controversy. Gossips were cynical when Ryder's preliminary hearing to set a date for a possible shoplifting trial was cut short in Beverly Hills on Monday so the actress could seek medical help for a suspected broken arm. But it seems her concerns have been realized--her attorney claims three different doctors have confirmed the actress has broken her right arm. Attorney Mark Geragos says, "It turns out that she has a broken arm, a fracture on the elbow and acute swelling." Ryder's scheduled return to court Tuesday was postponed as a result of her injury, a repeat of one she suffered on the set of her new film Mr. Deeds. Although press cameramen are being blamed for the crush outside the court that led to the injury, it seems the break came as a sheriff's deputy fell on Ryder, pinning her against her attorney.

TV Crews Mob Ryder, Fracture Her Elbow
4 June 2002 (StudioBriefing)
Winona Ryder suffered a fractured elbow as she was struck by a TV camera and a sheriff's deputy was hit on the head by another TV camera Monday as TV crews mobbed her as she arrived at a Beverly Hills courthouse for a hearing on her shoplifting case. As Ryder sat in court holding an icepack to her elbow later, L.A. Superior Court Judge chastised the reporters and photographers, then ordered them to stay 10 feet away from the actress.

Arm Injury Breaks Up Ryder's Return To Court
4 June 2002 (WENN)
Winona Ryder's messy shoplifting drama took a new turn yesterday when the actress was allowed to leave a Beverly Hills courtroom despite an unfinished preliminary hearing so a doctor could take a look at her injured arm. Ryder returned to court after a forty-five minute lunchbreak with her right arm bandaged, claiming she had been badly injured in a paparazzi crush outside. The judge took pity on the actress--despite ordering her to appear in person for the hearing after she sent her attorney to court ahead of her--and allowed her to leave the courthouse to seek medical help. Ryder is charged with grand theft, vandalism, commercial burglary and possession of a controlled substance following an arrest outside Saks Fifth Avenue department store in Beverly Hills in December. Store detectives claim the actress was caught with nearly $5,000 worth of stolen items. The movie star, who has already delayed the hearing four times, will be back in court later today, when it's hoped the preliminary hearing will be completed and the judge will decide whether to press on with a shoplifting trial.

Kelly Osbourne Gets Her Live Debut At MTV Movie Awards
31 May 2002 (WENN)
Rock heiress and MTV star Kelly Osbourne will sing live for the first time at this weekend's MTV Movie Awards. The daughter of former Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne has become a cult figure among fans since the MTV documentary about the wacky family first aired earlier this year. The pink-haired 17-year-old recently announced she is releasing a cover version of Madonna's hit record "Papa Don't Preach." And she will get her first chance to sing the track live before a star-studded crowd and a TV audience of millions at Saturday night's movie bash at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Kelly will be joined at the ceremony by hosts Jack Black and Sarah Michelle Gellar and presenters including Ben Affleck, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman and Winona Ryder.

Winona's Anger At Charity Pranksters
30 May 2002 (WENN)
Hollywood babe Winona Ryder is fuming after discovering pranksters are cashing in on her shop-lifting charges. The sexy actress - who has been accused of trying to steal clothes from a Hollywood store - was furious when she found that clothes she autographed for an charity are being auctioned on internet site eBay. According to British tabloid the Daily Star, the items appear on the sale site with "shoplifted by" printed above the star's signature. Winona - who earlier this month herself poked fun at the accusations in a sketch on TV comedy show Saturday Night Live - is due to appear in court next Monday.

Winona Pokes Fun At Shoplifting Charges
20 May 2002 (WENN)
Winona Ryder had a laugh at her own expense while hosting the season finale of Saturday Night Live - by poking fun at her shoplifting charges. The actress, who was arrested and accused of shoplifting at Los Angeles' Saks Fifth Avenue store in December, must wait until later this month to face the charges in court - but she remains defiant. After appearing on the cover of fashion magazine W wearing a 'Free Winona' T- shirt, she teamed up with musician pal Moby on the satirical late-night show to make light of her shoplifting troubles. The odd couple were teamed with SNL regular Chris Kattan for a skit about shopping in swanky Barney's New York. When all three realize they've left home without their credit cards, Kattan's character suggest they make a dash for it. Winona raised laughs when she said, "Stealing is wrong." The fun-loving actress started the show by joking about SNL producer Lorne Michaels' decision to install security cameras backstage during her rehearsals for the show. She joked, "I've noticed people acting a little strange - there's lots of locking of doors, shifty eyes and a lot of frisking. To my face, everyone is so sweet and nice but I feel they're looking over their shoulders at me." A joke meeting between Michaels and Ryder caught on a security camera also featured the producer checking for his wallet as he left the actress' dressing room. The season finale was advertised earlier in the week with the line, "Winona Ryder, she'll steal your heart. She'll steal everything."

Winona Fights The Pain
9 May 2002 (WENN)
Movie star Winona Ryder loved working with comic Adam Sandler on new film Mr Deeds, so much she almost ignored the fact she'd broken her arm. Ryder took a nasty fall from a bicycle during one scene in the movie and shattered bones in her arm, but Sandler made her feel so good she laughed through the pain. She says, "I've never broken a bone in a movie until I did Deeds. We were shooting a scene where Adam and I are riding bikes down a long flight of stairs in Central Park. "I was in heels and my heel got caught in the pedal. The funniest thing is we were just standing there, but I was totally showing off like an idiot. Suddenly, I was on the ground and he was like, 'Are you OK?' "I got up and I was like, 'Yeah, I'm fine. No problem!' And in the morning, 'Oh, God, my arm hurts.'"

Winona Mocks Arrest
2 May 2002 (WENN)
Winona Ryder is poking fun at her recent shoplifting arrest - sporting a T-shirt that proclaims "Free Winona!". The 30-year-old actress will appear in the next issue of America's W magazine wearing the T-shirt, which had initially gone on sale in Los Angeles soon after her arrest in December for allegedly shoplifting $5,000 worth of clothing from Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills. Ryder, who insists that she did not break the law, is still waiting to attend court on the charges.

Ryder Approaches Court Date
15 April 2002 (WENN)
Actress Winona Ryder will appear in court later this month accused of shoplifting from a Beverly Hills, California store. The troubled star is to facing charges of theft, burglary, vandalism and possession of Oxycodone, a controlled drug, after being intercepted last December leaving top department store Saks Fifth Avenue. Ryder, 30, who denies all charges, is alleged to have stolen several items valued at between $4,000 and $5,000 from the store. She will appear in Beverly Hills Court on April 23 for a preliminary hearing of the case, according to a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles District Attorney's office. Lawyers for the prosecution and defense have been struggling to set a date for the preliminary hearing, ever since Ryder appeared at a pre-trial hearing in February.

No Court Date For Winona Ryder
15 March 2002 (WENN)
Prosecution and defense attorneys in actress Winona Ryder's shoplifting case failed to agree on a preliminary court hearing Thursday morning. Prosecutors turned over discovery items to the defense in Los Angeles, including a booking video tape from the Beverly Hills Police Department and a medical report. Ryder, who did not attend the discussion, stands charged with a felony theft, burglary, vandalism and possession of a un-prescribed drug following her arrest at Saks Fifth Avenue store in Beverly Hills on December 12. Prosecutors and defense attorneys will return to court on March 19 in a bid to set a date for the preliminary hearing.

Ryder Tape Conflicts With Police Claims
13 March 2002 (WENN)
Winona Ryder seems to be in a stronger position with her shoplifting case - in-store tapes of the actress do not show her removing security tags. Prosecutors in the case, brought about after the Girl, Interrupted star was stopped walking out of a Los Angeles boutique with $4,800 worth of clothes she had allegedly failed to pay for, had claimed Ryder was filmed cutting tags from the items with scissors. However, while the surveillance recording shows Ryder's shopping spree in Saks Fifth Avenue, as she moves from different racks of designer clothing, it reportedly does not include any footage of malicious intent. Ryder's lawyer Mark Geragos claims the tape will now prove his client's innocence. He says, "Contrary to the public perception, this tape exonerates her. I'd say this is a prosecution, interrupted." A preliminary hearing for Ryder is set for Thursday.

Sadie Frost Warned Of "Cruz Curse"
12 March 2002 (WENN)
Actress Sadie Frost has been warned that sultry star Penelope Cruz carries a "Cruz curse" that could destroy her marriage to Jude Law. Cruz is set to star alongside the hunky Brit in upcoming flick Diary Of A Young London Physician. And American columnist Gayle Gee has warned Frost that when male actors star alongside the Latina lovely, their relationship usually ends in tears. Gee says, "Co-starring with Penelope has been hazardous to actor's love lives. "Need we remind you that Matt Damon and Winona Ryder called it quits after he filmed All The Pretty Horses with Cruz?" As a final warning, Gee points out, "And then there's Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman who split after Vanilla Sky. Cruz went on to become Tom's girlfriend."

Winona Angry Over T-Shirts
19 February 2002 (WENN)
Winona Ryder is fuming at an Los Angeles store profiting from her alleged shoplifting incident by selling Winona-themed merchandise. Ryder was arrested at Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills in December after being accused of stealing $4,800 of clothing. The Y Que store in the exclusive Silverlake district made thousands of dollars from sales of t-shirts and stickers proclaiming "Free Winona." And when the pretty actress, currently free on bail, found out, she stormed to the store and demanded the entrepreneur quit immediately.

Winona Charged With Felonies
4 February 2002 (WENN)
Actress Winona Ryder has been charged with four felony counts stemming from her alleged shoplifting spree. The pixieish beauty, 30, was charged on Friday on grand theft, commercial burglary, vandalism and possession of a controlled substance, which carry a maximum penalty of three years, eight months. The star denies stealing $5,000 of clothing and accessories from Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills, California on 12 December. Ryder is due to appear in court this Friday for arraignment. Her publicist said Friday, "We are shocked at what appear to be grossly exaggerated charges. We look forward to the opportunity to explain and resolve these allegations."

Driver Kept Busy With Double Dating
28 January 2002 (WENN)
Hollywood starlet Minnie Driver is dating fellow actress Winona Ryder's ex-boyfriend - despite also romancing Harrison Ford. Minnie, 30, has started a high-profile romance with sugar-daddy Harrison, 59, after splitting from her fiance, actor Josh Brolin. But the busy Brit is enjoying the advantages of single life so much she has also reportedly started dating Winona's old flame, singer-songwriter Pete Yorn.

Winona Ryder Dumped By Boyfriend
22 January 2002 (WENN)
Troubled actress Winona Ryder's woes are increasing - she's been dumped by her boyfriend. Following the humiliation of being accused of shoplifting from Beverly Hills' Saks Fifth Avenue store last month, Winona has now been ditched by her latest love, singer/songwriter Pete Yorn. According to a source quoted in Britain's Daily Star newspaper, "Pete broke up with her at the time of the incident." Winona's trial date on the shoplifting charges has been set for next month.

Winona's 'Shoplifting' Boosts Saks
15 January 2002 (WENN)
Actress Winona Ryder's profile has suffered since her alleged shoplifting incident in Saks Fifth Avenue - but the posh store is benefiting financially. Ryder was arrested in December after she was caught with prescription drugs and $5,000 worth of tagless merchandise in the Beverly Hills store. In the past month, staff in the department store have noticed the amount of customers have increased with people questioning employees about Winona. While some sales assistants refuse to discuss the actress, many advisers find the incident funny and start telling their own theories.

Winona Dodges The Press At Pre-trial Hearing
11 January 2002 (WENN)
Troubled Winona Ryder was desperate to avoid the press as she faced up to alleged shoplifting charges in Los Angeles that she brought the trial opening forward a day. The actress, 30, who was arrested for allegedly stealing items from Saks Fifth Avenue department store in Los Angeles, California, last month, was in court in Beverly Hills briefly Thursday - a day before she was scheduled to appear. Ryder stood quietly as her trial date was set for next month and then left the courthouse via an underground car park. Dressed simply in a black skirt and cardigan and accompanied by her attorney Mark Geragos, a healthy-looking Winona betrayed a mixture of emotions as she made a quick getaway to try and escape the gathering press - first pensive, then tearful and relieved. Ryder was arrested on December 12 and booked on charges of felony grand theft and possessing pharmaceutical drugs without a prescription. She was released from custody after posting $20,000 bail. According to her attorney, she actually did have a prescription for the drugs and he believes she will be cleared of the shoplifting charges.

Meg Disbands Production Company
21 December 2001 (WENN)
Meg Ryan has disbanded her movie production company because she didn't like the films her partners were planning to make. Ryan was responsible for bringing Jennifer Lopez's The Wedding Planner and Winona Ryder's Lost Souls to the big screen via her Prufrock Films company - named after a character from a T.S. Eliot poem. But she has since spent more time away from the company's offices, looking after her son Jack and she no longer agrees with what is being discussed there in her absence. She says, "They were producing things that I didn't really like, particularly because I wasn't there. I felt like it didn't reflect me, and my name was on it and I wasn't happy about that."

Hotel Staff: "Ryder Stole Before"
18 December 2001 (WENN)
Staff from hotels frequented by actress Winona Ryder are claiming the starlet often took mementos from the accommodation with her when she left. Ryder was arrested last Thursday and charged with stealing over $5,000 of goods from Saks Fifth Avenue department store in Beverly Hills. A former security staffer from a hotel the beauty regularly stayed in was not surprised by Friday's news. The employee says, "It wasn't just towels and bathrobes and the usual stuff. Things like silverware were missing. Decorative things, too, like vases. Anything that wasn't nailed down. But it was no big deal. There was nothing criminal or anything. We just put it all on her bill."

Shoplifting Winona Says It Was Research
17 December 2001 (WENN)
Troubled actress Winona Ryder was acting out a role when she was caught shoplifting in Los Angeles. The 30-year-old star was arrested last week after surveillance cameras allegedly caught her cramming clothes, hair accessories and a handbag worth an estimated total of $4,900 into a bag. But the millionairess, stopped by security staff in the Saks Fifth Avenue department store in Beverly Hills, snapped back, "I'm doing this for research for my job." According to British tabloid the News Of The World a source close to the investigation told how Winona stunned guards by claiming a movie director had advised her to try shoplifting for a forthcoming screen role. He adds, "She told them the director had suggested she do this for research." Pals say Winona, who was released on $20,000 bail, will now seek treatment at the exclusive Promises clinic in Malibu, California. Fellow movie stars Ben Affleck, Robert Downey, Jr. and Charlie Sheen have all been treated at the $20,000-a-week clinic.

Winona Ryder Arrested!
14 December 2001 (WENN)
Actress Winona Ryder has been arrested for allegedly shoplifting items from the Saks Fifth Avenue department store in Beverly Hills, California, less than three blocks away from the offices of her agency, CAA. The 30-year-old movie star was held for questioning by Beverly Hills police on Wednesday evening after security guards at the Wilshire Boulevard store allegedly caught her pinching goods. Cops say she was caught with several articles of clothing and jewellery, worth about $5,000 in total, which clerks reported seeing her stuff into a bag after removing the security tags. Ryder was arrested and booked on charges of felony grand theft and possessing pharmaceutical drugs without a prescription. It's not yet known exactly what kind of drugs she was allegedly carrying. She was released from custody later