Ryder: I owe my career to Burton

Winona Ryder has revealed that Tim Burton kick-started her career.

The 40-year-old actress has reunited for a third time with director Tim Burton on his acclaimed animation Frankenweenie, in which she voices shy neighbour Elsa Van Helsing, more than 20 years since their last collaboration.

"There was no luring. He's just someone who is so special to me in so many ways and I do feel like I owe my career to him in a big way because of Beetlejuice," she said.

It was Tim who gave Winona her big break in film by casting her in 1988's Beetlejuice. Having already appeared in two unremarkable films, she was unsure whether she should look for more roles or head back to college.

"I feel that him giving me that role was the biggest gift and it led to other stuff. I can't really imagine what would have happened otherwise - I probably would have ended up back in school, and maybe I wouldn't have pursued acting."

Since 1990's Edward Scissorhands, in which she starred opposite then-boyfriend Johnny Depp, Winona has carved out a career playing the Goth type in Heathers, Reality Bites and Girl, Interrupted.

She later won praise for her performances in the Nineties in Mermaids opposite Cher, period drama The Age Of Innocence and Little Women.

:: Frankenweenie is in cinemas now.