Winona Ryder's Journey: From 'Beetlejuice' to Hollywood's Harrassment and Her Comeback

Winona Ryder, the iconic actress from films like "Beetlejuice" and "Edward Scissorhands," recounts her experiences with sexual harassment in the entertainment industry, which led to her stepping away from the spotlight and her subsequent return to fame with "Stranger Things."

Winona Ryder, renowned for her captivating performances in films like "Heathers" and "Edward Scissorhands," has recently opened up about the unsettling experiences that prompted her to reconsider her path in the entertainment industry. In an illuminating interview with Esquire U.K., the actress candidly shared how "difficult experiences" on set tainted her perspective on the industry.

"I had a couple of difficult experiences with a couple of people who were just blatantly sexually harassing me," Ryder confided. "And then it happened again in my thirties. It wasn’t an assault. But it was incredibly inappropriate. It was wild."

Winona Ryder's Journey: From 'Beetlejuice' to Hollywood's Harrassment and Her Comeback

Ryder elaborated on the pervasive feeling of "negotiation" and apprehension she carried while filming, wondering about the consequences if she dared to express her discomfort. She described trying to "work it out while" enduring the unwanted advances of "extremely creepy" individuals.

The realization of the gravity of her experiences came only when she confided in her "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" co-star, Jenna Ortega. "Jesus Christ, that’s really f---ed up," she exclaimed.

Winona Ryder's Journey: From 'Beetlejuice' to Hollywood's Harrassment and Her Comeback

Ultimately, these incidents, coupled with a broader cultural shift, led Ryder to disillusionment with filmmaking. "I think in retrospect, it really soured [her on making movies]. All the great actors always told me that when it stops being amazing, you gotta get out. I really took that to heart," she said.

Elaborating further on her experiences, Ryder described the inappropriate behavior she faced on set, including "being inappropriate or drunkenly hitting on" her. While she often attempted to laugh it off, she acknowledged the invasive nature of such unsolicited advances.

Winona Ryder's Journey: From 'Beetlejuice' to Hollywood's Harrassment and Her Comeback

"It felt very invasive when people would touch me," she confided.

Ryder's remarkable career took off at the tender age of 15, when she landed the iconic role of Lydia Deetz in the original "Beetlejuice" (1988). She went on to star in a string of critically acclaimed films, including "Little Women," "Girl, Interrupted," and "Alien: Resurrection." However, a watershed moment in 2001 led to a significant shift in her trajectory.

Winona Ryder's Journey: From 'Beetlejuice' to Hollywood's Harrassment and Her Comeback

In December 2001, Ryder was arrested for shoplifting $5,500 worth of clothes from a Beverly Hills retail store. The incident had a profound impact on her career, and she decided to step away from Hollywood.

"It’s so funny, because there’s so much lore around that story, but it really couldn’t have been more of me thinking I’m going to my car to get something," Ryder said. "I just remember being told I was going to go to prison. I was like, ‘Huh? What are you talking about?’"

Following her arrest, Ryder withdrew from the spotlight. She moved from Los Angeles to San Francisco, where she acted sparingly during that time. Upon her return to Los Angeles, she noticed a significant shift in the entertainment industry's culture.

"There was a shift in the industry. There was a period when I was not in season. It was like 10, 12, 15 years, and it did coincide with everything that happened [in her life] but also, if you look at the period from 2000 to 2010: wow! It was the most degrading time to be a woman. Even the cool people were participating in what felt like it should be off-limits," she observed.

Ryder's return to mainstream fame came in 2016 with her role as Joyce Byers in Netflix's hit show "Stranger Things." She reflected on the cyclical nature of her career, from being the youngest on set to the oldest, acknowledging the nostalgia factor that influenced her casting.

"I’ve gone from being the youngest person on set to being the oldest. And I’m not oblivious in any way about the reason they came to me for it. I know there is an element of nostalgia [to her casting]. I am aware," she said.

Winona Ryder's journey is a testament to her resilience and determination. Despite facing adversity, she has emerged as a respected and beloved actress, inspiring countless fans with her performances and her unwavering spirit.