Remember, I'm the kind of kid who used to get stuffed into a locker by school bullies. I've never felt like I'm a big star at any level of my life.

In 2000 Ryder received a star on the Walk of Fame in Hollywood California. " Ryder appeared in the comedy The Darwin Awards with Joseph Fiennes. Her next starring role was in How to Make an American Quilt (1995) an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Whitney Otto co-starring Anne Bancroft.

She made her film debut in the 1986 film Lucas. She has since revealed her personal struggles with anxiety and depression. She also reunited with Burton for Frankenweenie (2012).