30 Most Popular Actresses Of All Time

Sandra Bullock at the 2013 San Diego Comic Con International in San Diego, California. Author Gage Skidmore. Wikimedia Commons

30 Most Popular Actresses Of All Time

The entertainment industry is one of the most lucrative money making ventures and also offers a road to fame. This is the reasons as to why many people young and old have always aspired to be actors and actresses. The world over has produced millions of actresses who have gone ahead to thrill audiences with their incredible performances, alluring beauty, and unmistakable talent for decades.

Out of all these, there are a good number of legendary leading females who have been part of our screens for decades and have left a big mark and revolutionized the whole entertainment industry. Some have gone on to become household names as a result of their extraordinary skills, captivating performances and enduring popularity, making it difficult to come up with a substantive list of the most popular actresses of all time.

Following an extensive research we bring you the 30 Most Popular Actresses Of All Time. These are women who have been honored and celebrated worldwide and we are glad that you are part of this journey.

1. Lupita Nyong’o

Lupita Nyong’o..Author Daniel Benavides. Wikimedia Commons

Lupita Amondi Nyong’o is a Kenyan-Mexican actress, was born on March 1, 1983.  She has received numerous honors, such as an Academy Award, and has been nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards and a Tony Award for Outstanding Narrator for narrating two episodes of the docu-series Serengeti. In 2020, Nyong’o was named one of Africa’s 50 Most Powerful Women by Forbes.

A graduate of Yale School of Drama, she has previously worked as a production assistant in Hollywood. For her portrayal of Patsey in the historical drama movie “12 Years a Slave” (2013), Nyong’o won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, making history as the first actress from Kenya and Mexico to receive the honor. Since then, she has appeared in a number of other movies, such as “Us,” “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” and “Black Panther.”

Outside acting, Nyong’o is known to be a philanthropist. She supports historic preservation and is is a strong advocate against sexual harassment, and, women’s and animal rights. In 2014, she was named the most beautiful woman by People. In 2019, Nyong’o wrote a children’s book named Sulwe, which became a number-one New York Times Best-Seller.

Find more exciting stories here

2. Marilyn Monroe

Photo of Marilyn Monroe from the front cover of the New York Sunday News.magazine. Wikimedia Commons

Marilyn Monroe was an American actress, model, and singer. At some point, Hollywood’s most popular personality was viewed as a sex symbol. During her career of almost two decades she appeared  in over 30 movies. She was truly an icon who is remembered upto this time.

Monroe’s trademark was her comedic timing and  seductive screen presence.”Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” (1953), “The Seven Year Itch” (1955), and “Some Like It Hot” are a few of her most well-known movies (1959). She stands out as a gifted performer and a global cultural icon who captured the attention of viewers wherever she went.

3. Holly Hunter

Holly Hunter. Author Gage Skidmore. Wikimedia Commons

Holly Hunter is an American actress and producer. She was born on March 20, 1958, in Conyers, Georgia. Her career peak was in the 1980s where she appeared in numerous films and television shows, earning critical acclaim for her performances. She won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in “The Piano” (1993), and has been nominated for several other awards, including Emmys and Golden Globes.

Broadcast News (1987), Raising Arizona (1987), Crash (1996), The Incredible (2004), and its sequel “The Incredibles 2” (2018) are some of her other well-known film roles. In these films, she voiced the character Elastigirl. She is also remembered to have played a lead role in the television series “Saving Grace.”

4. Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn. Author Hans Gerber. Wikimedia Commons

Audrey Hepburn was a British actress and humanitarian. She was born in Belgium and later emigrated to the UK, where she started her acting career in tiny roles on British television and theatrical productions. Hepburn earned the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1953 for her role in the movie “Roman Holiday,” which brought her widespread acclaim.

She also starred in a number of other popular movies such as “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” “Funny Face,” and “Sabrina” (1954), among others. She rose to prominence as a fashion star and an inspiration to several women all over the world thanks to her elegance, beauty, and unique sense of style.

The late Hepburn was also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and devoted a lot of her time to humanitarian causes.

5. Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway (2017). Author ONU Brasil. Wikimedia Commons

Anne Hathaway is an American actress who  was born on November 12, 1982, in Brooklyn, New York. Inducted into the world of acting at an early age, her breakthrough came in 2001 when she appeared in Disney film “The Princess Diaries.”

Since then, Hathaway has starred in several popular movies, such as “Brokeback Mountain” (2005), “The Devil Wears Prada” (2006), “Rachel Getting Married” (2008), “Les Misérables” (2012), and “Ocean’s 8.” (2018). For her contributions she has received various awards  including the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her work in “Les Misérables.”

6. Julia Roberts

Julia Roberts is an American actress and producer rose to fame in the late 1980s and early 1990s with roles in films such as “Mystic Pizza” (1988), “Steel Magnolias” (1989), and “Pretty Woman” (1990),”The Pelican Brief” (1993), “Notting Hill” (1999), “Erin Brockovich” (2000), and “Eat Pray Love” (2010). 

Known for her infectious smile and charismatic screen presence, she is recognized as one of the most talented and successful actresses of her generation, and is known and has also been named one of People magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People in the World” multiple times.

Besides acting, Roberts has also worked as a producer, and has served as executive producer for several films and television series. She is known for her philanthropic work as well, and has supported various charitable causes, including UNICEF and the American Red Cross.

7. Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor is a British-American actress and philanthropist, who is well-known for her talent, lifestyle, and beauty. She has featured in films such as “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” and “Butterfield 8” (1960) and also won two Academy Awards for Best Actress (1966).

As a philanthropist she was deeply involved in HIV/AIDS research and treatment, and is credited for founding the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation in 1991, which has done alot of work upto today in fighting the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

8. Jessica Chastain

Chastain is a household name in the American entertainment industry. She comes in as one of the most respected  actresses,  producers and TV personalities. Her career began  in the early 2000s, and,  was catapulted to fame after making appearances in “The Help” (2011), “Zero Dark Thirty” (2012), and “Molly’s Game” (2017). Apart from acting she is also a champion for gender equality in the entertainment industry.

9. Charlize Theron

Charlie Theron speaking at the 2017 San Diego Comic Con International. Wikimedia Commons

Charlize Theron is a South African-American actress and producer who was born on August 7, 1975. She sits among the most talented and successful actresses of her generation being aided by her ability to portray a wide range of characters with depth and authenticity. She continues to be a prominent figure in Hollywood, and is widely respected for her talent and her advocacy work supporting various charitable causes, including HIV/AIDS research and animal welfare.

She began her career in the 1990s, and gained recognition for her roles in films such as “The Devil’s Advocate” (1997) and “Mighty Joe Young” (1998). She is a beneficiary of numerous awards and nominations for her performances, including three Golden Globe Awards and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.

She rose to prominence in 2003after making an appearance in the film “Monster,” for which she won an Academy Award for Best Actress. She has since acted in numerous other successful films, including “North Country” (2005), “Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015), and “Bombshell” (2019).

10. Bette Davis

Bette Davis. Author Alexander Kahle (1886–1968) for RKO Radio. Wikimedia Commons

Bette Davis was an American actress who is seen as one of the greatest actresses in the history of Hollywood. She was born on April 5, 1908, in Lowell, Massachusetts, and began her acting career in the 1930s. During her acting career spanning decades she won two Academy Awards for Best Actress, for her roles in “Dangerous” (1935) and “Jezebel.”

11. Judi Dench

Judi Dench DBE unveiling ‘The Conversion of St Paul’ at St Paul’s Covent Garden in 2015. Author The National Churches Trust. Wikimedia Commons

English actress, Dame Judi Dench was born on December 9, 1934 andas one of the greatest actresses of her generation.  

Dench’s career spanning six decadesbegan in the 1950s, working in, film and finally television. She has appeared in numerous successful films, including the James Bond franchise, where she played the character of “M,” and “Shakespeare in Love” (1998), for which she won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Still active in the entertainment industry, Dench is also known for her humanitarian work, including her support for numerous charities and organizations.

12. Susan Sarandon

Susan Sarandon at the premiere of Speed Racer at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival. Wikimedia Commons

Susan Sarandon is an American actress, political and social activist. She was born on October 4, 1946, in New York City, USA, and,  started her acting career in the late 1960s. She came to the limelight after her performances in the films “Atlantic City” (1980) and “Thelma & Louise” (1991), for which she received an Academy Award nomination. 

In addition to her acting career, Sarandon is also known for her political and social activism. She has been a longtime advocate for various causes, including LGBTQ rights, environmentalism, and anti-war efforts. She is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, actively involved in numerous humanitarian efforts around the world.

13. Emma Watson

Emma Watson is an English actress, model, and activist. She was born on April 15, 1990, in Paris, France, and is best known for her role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series. She continued her acting career with roles in films such as “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” (2012), “Noah” (2014), “Beauty and the Beast” (2017), and “Little Women” (2019). In addition to her acting career, Watson is also known for her activism and advocacy work.

A woman of many caps, she has served as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador and has been involved in various campaigns promoting gender equality and women’s rights, besides being a strong of sustainable fashion and ethical consumerism, launching her own fashion line, “The Pure Threads.”

As an English literature graduate of Brown University, she has been utilizing her knowledge promoting education and literacy around the world, and, her efforts have earned her the Britannia Award for British Artist of the Year in 2014 and the MTV Trailblazer Award in 2013.

14. Greta Garbo

Greta Garbo was a Swedish-American actress who excelled in both dramatic and comedic roles. She was born on September 18, 1905, in Stockholm, Sweden. In addition to the above, she also left a mark as among the strong, independent women who challenged traditional gender roles.

Garbo appeared in a string of successful films, including “Anna Christie” (1930), “Grand Hotel” (1932), “Queen Christina” (1933), and “Ninotchka” (1939).

15. Diane Keaton

Diane Keaton is an American actress, director, and producer who is mostly associated with wearing men’s clothing and accessories more than acting. She is also known for her strong advocacy work fighting for women’s rights and LGBTQ rights. Bborn on January 5, 1946, in Los Angeles, California, she began her acting career on stage and television before transitioning to film in the early 1970s. 

16. Sigourney Weaver

Weaver is one of the renowned American actresses who played a very big role in shaping the entertainment industry and rose to become one of the most respected actresses of her era. Her name will always be mentioned in the same paragraph with science fiction films due to her unique acting abilities. The “Alien” franchise, in which she played the iconic character of Ellen Ripley, catapulted her to fame.

During her acting career she received has received three Academy Award nominations, three BAFTA nominations, and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress for her role in “Gorillas in the Mist.”

In addition to being an accomplished actor, Weaver is also an environmental activist and has been involved in various conservation efforts, including serving on the board of directors for the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International. She also doubles up as a political activist, supporting various causes such as gun control and women’s reproductive rights.

17. Angelina Jolie

From the records Jolie’s birthday is listed as June 4, 1975.  She is an American actress, filmmaker, and humanitarian and is one of the most prominent and respected actresses in Hollywood. She is known for her performances in films such as “Girl, Interrupted” (1999), for which she won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” (2005), “Changeling” (2008), and “Maleficent” (2014).

As a philanthropist, she has was a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and has been recognized for her work in contributing to humanitarian causes and promoting human rights. She received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 2013, for her efforts.

Her personal life has also had its fair share of controversies, particularly the much publicized marriages to actors Jonny Lee Miller, Billy Bob Thornton, and Brad Pitt, with whom she has six children. Media has also reported her widely criticized Vanity Fair photoshoot with photographer Annie Leibovitz in 2008, in which she was pictured breastfeeding one of her children.

18. Grace Kelly

Grace Kelly was born on the November 12, 1929. She is a well-known American actress and Princess of Monaco. Though she had a brief stint in the entertainment industry her impact has been felt for a long time. In fact, she was posthumously awarded the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in “The Country Girl” (1954), making her the first posthumous recipient of an Oscar in an acting category. She appeared in films such as “High Noon” (1952), “Dial M for Murder” (1954), and “Rear Window” (1954).

Interestingly she retired in 1956, to marry Prince Rainier III of Monaco, becoming the Princess of Monaco. As princess, she focused on charitable work and was widely admired for her poise, elegance, and beauty. Kelly also continued to be involved in the arts, establishing the Princess Grace Foundation to support emerging artists. Tragically, Kelly died in a car accident on September 14, 1982, at the age of 52.

19. Sandra Bullock

Sandra Bullock is considered one of the best actresses and producers in America. She began her acting career in the 1980s, but it was not unil her1994 action film “Speed,”  that made her popular in Hollywood. She has also appeared in other films such as “Miss Congeniality” (2000), “The Blind Side” (2009), for which she won an Academy Award for Best Actress, “Gravity” (2013), and “Bird Box” (2018). In addition to her acting work, Bullock has also produced several films, including “The Proposal” (2009) and “Ocean’s 8” (2018).

20. Halle Berry

Halle Berry is an American actress and former beauty queen, born on August 14, 1966. She is primarily recognized for her performance as Bond girl Jinx in “Die Another Day” (2002) and her portrayal of Storm in the “X-Men” film series. She also won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in “Monster’s Ball” (2001), making her the first African American woman to win the award.

Berry is also known to be an accomplished  model and has launched her own production company, 606 Films. She continues to act in film and television, with recent roles in films such as “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum” (2019) and “Bruised” (2020), which she also directed.

21. Vivien Leigh

Vivien Leigh. Author Vivien_Leigh_Gone_Wind2. Wikimedia Commons

Vivien Leigh was a British actress, born on the 5 November 1913. She was also known as Lady Olivier. She received the Academy Award for Best Actress twice for her iconic portrayals of Blanche DuBois in the 1951 film adaptation of A Streetcar Named Desire, a part she also originated on stage in London’s West End in 1949, and Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind (1939). She was also honored with a Tony Award for her performance in the Tovarich Broadway musical (1963). She was named as the 16th best female movie star of classic Hollywood cinema by the American Cinema Institute in 1999, despite having periods of inactivity in her career.

22. Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman. Author Georges Biard. Wikimedia Commons

Nicole Kidman was born on June 20, 1967. She is an Australian actress and producer, having begun her acting career in Australia in the late 1980s, and her breakout role came in the 1990 film “Days of Thunder.” She gained further recognition for her performances in “Far and Away” (1992) and “Batman Forever” (1995).

Kidman’s other notable film roles include “Moulin Rouge!” (2001), for which she received her first Academy Award nomination, “The Others” (2001), “Cold Mountain” (2003), for which she won an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, and “The Hours” (2002), for which she received another Academy Award nomination. She has also worked in television, performing in the miniseries “Big Little Lies” (2017-2019) and “The Undoing” (2020).

Apart from the excelling in the entertainment industry, Kidman is also known for her philanthropic work and has been involved in various charities and organizations, including UNICEF and the Sydney Children’s Hospital.

23. Viola Davis

Viola Davis is an American actress and producer who is best remembered for her powerful rolesper in films such as “The Help” (2011), “Prisoners” (2013), and “Fences” (2016), for which she won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.  Besides this, she has also appeared in popular television shows like “How to Get Away with Murder,” for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.

In addition to her acting work, Davis is a prominent activist and advocate for social justice and women’s rights. She is also known for her philanthropic work, particularly in the areas of hunger relief and education.

Read about 10 of the Most Famous  American Actresses.

24. Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence.Author Kurt Kulac. Wikimedia Commons

Jennifer Lawrence is an actress from the United States. She rose to fame with her portrayal of Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games film series (2012-2015). She has also starred in several other popular films such as X-Men: First Class (2011), Silver Linings Playbook (2012), American Hustle (2013), Joy (2015), and Passengers (2016).Her movies have totally freaked over $6 billion globally, making her the world’s top paid performer in 2015 and 2016. She was named to Time’s list of the 100 most notable individuals worldwide in 2013 and the Forbes Celebrity 100 from 2013 to 2016.

Read more stories here

25. Scarlett Johansson

American actress Scarlett Ingrid Johansson was born November 22, 1984. She was the highest-paid actress in the world in 2018 and 2019 and has appeared on the Forbes Celebrity 100 list numerous times. She was listed among the top 100 important persons in the world by Time magazine in 2021. Johansson is the all-time highest-grossing movie star thanks to her films, which have brought in over $14.3 billion globally. She has been nominated for two Academy Awards and five Golden Globe Awards, and she has won other honors, including a Tony Award and a British Academy Film Award.

Read about the Top 25 British Actresses.

26. Jane Fonda

Jane Fonda at the Cannes Film Festival. Author Georges Biard. Wikimedia Commons

Jane Fonda is recognized as an American actress, author, and activist. She began her acting career in the early 1960s and rose to fame after acting in. films such as Cat Ballou (1965) and They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? (1969).  She was a recepient of Academy Awards for Best Actress for her roles in Klute (1971) and Coming Home (1978).

As a political activist, she played a big roleI in the anti-Vietnam War movement and was famously photographed sitting on a North Vietnamese anti-aircraft gun during a visit to Hanoi in 1972. Fonda has also been a vocal advocate for women’s rights, environmental issues, and the prevention of adolescent pregnancy.

She is still active in films and television shows throughout her career, and in recent years, she has also become a fitness guru with her series of workout videos. 

27. Kathy Bates

Kathy Bates is an accomplised actress and director from America. actress and director.  She has had a long and successful career in film, television, and theater, and, is best known for her roles in several popular movies, including “Misery” (1990), for which she won an Academy Award for Best Actress, “Fried Green Tomatoes” (1991), “Titanic” (1997), “Primary Colors” (1998), and “About Schmidt” (2002).

She has also had a successful career on television, with notable roles in shows like “American Horror Story” and “The Office”. Bates has also worked extensively in theater, both as an actress and a director.

28. Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston at the He’s Just Not That Into You premiere. Author Angela George at https://www.flickr.com/photos/sharongraphics. Wikimedia Commons

Jennifer Aniston, stands as one of the most prominent American actresses, producers, and businesswomen. She came to the limelight  in the 1990s when she played the role of Rachel Green on the popular television sitcom “Friends” (1994-2004).She has also performed and won awardss in many successful films, including “Marley & Me” (2008), “The Break-Up” (2006), “Horrible Bosses” (2011), “We’re the Millers” (2013), and “The Morning Show” (2019-present).

29. Glenn Close

Glenn Close is an American actress, singer, and producer. She was born on March 19, 1947. She is widely regarded as one of the most talented and versatile actresses of her generation. She is best known for her performances in movies such as “Fatal Attraction” (1987), for which she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress, “Dangerous Liaisons” (1988), “101 Dalmatians” (1996), and “Albert Nobbs” (2011), for which she received another Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.

30. Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett during an interview in 2016.Author New Shiloh. Wikimedia Commons

Cate Blanchett is an Australian actress and theatre director. She was born on May 14, 1969, and is known for her versatility and range as an actress, having played a wide variety of roles on stage, in films, and on television. Blanchet has won two Academy Awards for Best Actress, one for her role in “The Aviator” (2004) and another for her role in “Blue Jasmine” (2013).

In addition to her film work, Blanchett has also been involved in theater productions as an actress and a director. She has appeared in productions of “Uncle Vanya,” “The Maids,” and “The Present,” among others, and has directed productions of “The Tempest” and “Blackbird.”

Besides entertainment, she performs a lot of humanitarian work, serving as a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) since 2015.

Get more exciting stories here.

These are women who have contributed alot to the entertainment industry and made it a profession that many young and old people aspire to be associated with.