Winona Ryder sat down for an interview with AnOther Magazine on September 5, and touched on her path to stardom.
The 52-year-old actress, known for Beetlejuice and Stranger Things, entered the film industry at the age of 13. She revealed that her parents, however, never wanted her to move to Los Angeles. Rather, they'd drive back and forth from her home in San Fransisco to L.A. each time she had an audition.
The actress was born in Winona County, Minnesota, and her family relocated to California when she was seven. She made her debut with the film Lucas at the age of 15. In order to continue acting, her parents set some ground rules: she had to go to school and "keep up" her grades. If it coincided with school, it "wouldn't work." She also noted how her parents were "wary" of Hollywood:
"My parents – who are just my best friends – were very wary of Hollywood. They associated it with Judy Garland’s tragedy, and we never relocated there."
Ryder is grateful for their decision, because it helped her avoid burnout, unlike the other child-stars.
"That turned out to be such a gift, because I knew a lot of kids who did bear that. They relocated and were supporting their whole family, and it didn’t turn out so great. I knew a lot of kids who got burnout.”
Winona Ryder on how she got cast for Beetlejuice in the most unconventional way
During the interview, the actress also revealed how she landed a gig in the first Beetlejuice movie with director Tim Burton. She had instructed her mother to "wait in the car," because she wanted "to do it alone." Then, she happened upon a guy she described as "young" and "cool." The two spoke about their shared love for Peter Lorre, among other things. That's when Winona brought it up:
"And then I was like, ‘Do you know when Tim Burton is going to show up?’"
The man turned out to be the director himself. Winona apologized and asked him if she should audition, to which he simply said,
"No, I want you to do it."
The two then went on to make Beetlejuice, a movie about two ghosts, who take the help of a demon to drive out the family residing in their home. The massive hit remains one of Ryder's and Burton's best-known cult classics to date.
Winona Ryder on her character in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
An upcoming dark fantasy cum comedy horror film, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice sees the actress reprise her role as Lydia Deetz—except now, she's a mother. Speaking with Entertainment, Ryder revealed that she originally thought Lydia would fare better as a spinster.
"I never thought about Lydia ever being a mom. I thought she would just be this spinster by choice in that attic, but I think that's where the incredible Jenna Ortega comes in. She answered a ton of those questions, and it felt so right."
She also spoke about Lydia and Astrid would get together and confer about what Lydia would be doing in her life right now. Winona doesn't see it as a sequel but just the way life takes its course. She also wants "to know what's going on with them now."
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Beetlejuice Beetlejuice rolls out on the big screen on September 6, 2024. Winona Ryder stars alongside Catherine O'Hara and Jenna Ortega, among others.
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