Elle Woods is a fictional character created by Amanda Brown in her 2001 novel
Legally Blonde. Woods is known for her blonde hair and bubbly personality, and was received by many audiences as an inspiring character and “feminist icon”. The character was later portrayed by Reese Witherspoon in the 2001 film of the same name, which follows Woods’ transformation from a sorority girl focused on a future with her boyfriend, Warner Huntington III, to a successful student at Harvard Law School. Woods is also the protagonist in the 2007 Broadway adaptation of the film, a role portrayed by various actresses over time. The character of Woods also appears in other adaptations and pop culture references.