The Definitive List: Top 35 Most Famous Hollywood Actresses of All Time

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For ages, the Famous Hollywood actresses have been shining in the entertainment world creating history with their strong presence. This list celebrates 35 iconic Hollywood actresses who’ve left an indelible mark on cinema.

From Academy Award winners to box office champions, this post will chronicle the top actresses in Hollywood history and their remarkable milestones. We’ll explore their extraordinary performances, as well as their unparalleled accomplishments both on-screen and off. 

Whether you’re a seasoned fan or just getting acquainted with film stardom, buckle up—this list is sure to captivate everyone! So without further ado, let’s dive into these famous Hollywood actresses list and the powerhouses of the silver screen!

Top 35 Iconic Hollywood Actress List With Photos, Movies & Tv Shows and More

These are 35 Hollywood actresses who have made a significant impact in Hollywood and have achieved great success in their careers.

From her native country of Australia to the silver screen, the one of the most famous Hollywood actress Cate Blanchett is renowned for iconic roles such as Queen Elizabeth I from “Elizabeth,” Marge Sherwood from “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” Galadriel from The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and Hela in Marvel’s blockbuster hit Thor: Ragnarok.

In the early 1990s, Blanchett launched her impressive acting career in Australia, quickly earning a place among the nation’s most celebrated talent. She gained global acclaim for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I in 1998’s “Elizabeth,” and was rewarded with BAFTA Award for Best Actress.

Throughout her prolific career, Blanchett has been honored with two Academy Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a staggering Four Golden Globe Awards.

Best known as the Hunger Games star, Jennifer Lawrence has captivated the audience with her impressive performance since her film debut in 2008. She is the second-youngest and the most beautiful Hollywood actress to be nominated for an Oscar. Her work has also gained recognition at the BAFTA and the Golden Globe Awards. 

Lawrence first captivated the attention of audiences with her performance as Ree Dolly in Winter’s Bone, for which she was nominated for an Academy Award. Subsequently, she achieved mainstream success playing Katniss Everdeen in the widely popular Hunger Games series. 

Jennifer Lawrence made history in 2012 when she earned the Academy Award for Best Actress at just 22 years old with her performance in Silver Linings Playbook. Since then, Lawerence has established herself as one of the most talented and celebrated actresses of modern Hollywood and was the highest-paid actress in 2015 and 2016. Apart from her on-screen performances, fans also love her goofy and sporty nature off-screen.

The popular and most beautiful Hollywood actress, Natalie Portman is an acclaimed director and producer as well who shot to global fame in the much beloved Star Wars prequel trilogy.

Portman’s portrayal of characters in her works has been recognized and lauded by many, particularly for Black Swan, which earned her the highly esteemed Academy Award for Best Actress. She is also renowned for performances in other iconic films such as V For Vendetta, The Other Boleyn Girl, and Thor. Her 2016 release, Jackie was nominated for Oscar further cementing her image as the most successful Hollywood actress.

Portman decided not to stop at her on-screen presence, further exploring her talent off-screen. Her directorial career has been met with rave reviews – her debut feature film, A Tale of Love and Darkness, was especially praised.

With a career spanning over three decades, Sandra Bullock has established herself as an icon in Hollywood. Her girl-next-door characters in romantic comedies like While You Were Sleeping. She has excelled in what she does to the extent that she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award. 

From her breakout role in the ’90s to her recent release Bullet Train, she continues to captivate audiences with her mastery of emotion and character depth. Additionally, she has generated numerous accolades from critics and audiences alike due to her stellar acting in films such as The Blind Side, Crash, and Miss Congeniality. 

In 2013, Bullock received international recognition for her award-winning performance in the blockbuster Gravity where she won an Academy Award for Best Actress. 

Aren’t we all lucky to be living in the same era as the goddess herself? Where do we even start? She has talent, a kind heart, and looks that anyone would kill to have. Angelina Jolie started her career as a child actor in 1982 alongside her father in Lookin’ To Get Out. 

Later on, she got recognition for her movies like George Wallace, Gia, Girl, Interrupted, and Maleficent. Jolie has won many awards throughout her career, including an Academy Award, three Golden Globe Awards, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.

She is one of the Hollywood actresses who never limited herself to being an on-screen diva. Jolie is a renowned filmmaker and a philanthropist as well. Her recent directorial work includes First They Killed My Father which was nominated for a BAFTA Award. 

Kate Winslet, the one who gifted us the cult classic Titanic. Kate Winslet has become a most famous English actress in Hollywood Industry for her defining performances in films such as Sense and Sensibility, Iris, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Finding Neverland, The Reader, and the list goes on and on. 

Winslet’s movies are prime examples of what a successful filmography career looks like. She fits into every character effortlessly be it a period drama or a romantic tragedy. Over the years she has cemented herself as one of the most influential Hollywood actresses. 

Winslet has been honored with numerous awards and honors, including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe award, and three BAFTA nominations. 

Winslet is also widely acknowledged for her benevolent efforts in helping children – particularly those dealing with health issues and academic challenges. 

Brie Larson is an American actress known for her portrayal of Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Since her first acting roles in the late 1990s and early 2000s, she’s established herself as one of Hollywood’s most versatile stars with acclaimed performances such as The United States of Tara, Short Term 12, and Room.

Larson gained wide recognition for her lead role in Room, culminating in her receiving the prestigious Oscar Award, Academy Award, BAFTA Award, and Golden Globe for Best Actress. She never let herself get typecasted and has always thrived to be a versatile actress with her conscious choice of movies. 

Apart from her acting chops, Larson is equally as talented behind the camera. Her first feature film as a director was Unicorn Store, and she has also produced acclaimed films such as The Arm and Basmati Blues. 

Emma Stone is considered one of the most beautiful Hollywood actresses. Her most recognized works include Zombieland, La La Land, Birdman, and The Favorite. 

The 2016 musical La La Land played a major role in making her an international star. Stone bagged numerous accolades for her work in the movie, including a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, and an Oscar. 

Emma Stone made her Hollywood debut in 2007 with Superbad and was instantly noted for her strong screen presence. Since then she has starred in some of the most prestigious projects eventually leading to her first Academy Award nomination for the 2014 release Birdman. 

Her relationship with actor Andrew Garfield was the talk of the town for years but the couple ended up splitting in 2015. They met on the set of The Amazing Spider-Man in 2011. Though fans loved their chemistry, Stone married comedian and writer Dave Mc Cary in 2020. 

Anne Hathaway is yet another famous Hollywood actress that has been ruling the industry for over two decades now. She has the kind of face that draws everyone’s attention effortlessly. The American actress’s film debut came with The Princess Diaries in 2001. She bagged a good deal of remarkable movies like The Devil Wears Prada, Becoming Jane, Rachel Getting Married, and Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland. 

Her portrayal of doomed Fantine in the 2012 release Les Miserables won her the Academy Award, Golden Globe, and BAFTA award for Best Supporting Actress. She has further won numerous awards and accolades over time for her work. But do you know Hathaway is a singer as well? She debuted in the New York stage music Carnival in 2002. 

Viola Davis is an American actress who is famous for her roles in movies like Doubt, Get on Up, Fences, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. She is among the rare actors who have won the four major entertainment awards: Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. 

Davis has grabbed the audience’s attention since her Broadway days but her journey towards Hollywood took a lot of work. She belonged to an underprivileged family and had to support herself and her studies. She started as a supporting actress in TV shows and eventually landed her breakthrough in the 2008 release Doubt. And at the end her most awating upcoming movie Kung Fu Panda 4 will be coming on March 8, 2024.

Charlize Theron is yet another name in most famous Hollywood actresses list, who has proved their talent and stood the test of time. Her most noteworthy movies include The Devil’s Advocate, The Yards, Monster, North Country, Mad Max: Fury Road, and The Old Guard. 

She won an Academy Award, Golden Globe, and SAG award for her portrayal of Aileen Wuornos in Monster. 

Theron was listed among the TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people in 2016. Not just her on-screen characters, her real life has also been a source of motivation. 

The actress did not have a smooth start and had to live from paycheck to paycheck but her trust in her talent brought her a long way in life. 

In 2007, she started her own production company, Denver and Delilah Productions. The company has produced some successful movies like Bombshell, The Old Guard, and Long Shot. 

Amy Adams is a Hollywood actress who has starred in many popular movies including Junebug, Enchanted, American Hustle, and Big Eyes. With her versatile range of movies, she has something for everyone. Be it a romantic comedy, a slice of life, or a sci-fi. 

Amy Adams started her acting career in the late 1990s debuting with the black comedy movie Drop Dead Gorgeous. She is a two-time Golden Globe winner, which speaks for her talent. 

She starred opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in Catch Me If You Can which gave her a major breakthrough in her acting career.

Renowned for her unconstrained, individual style of dress, Adams has also received much attention as a trendsetter.

Saoirse Ronan is well known for her versatile acting skills, particularly for her period movies. People know her from movies like Atonement, The Lovely Bones, The Way Back, Hannah, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Brooklyn, Lady Bird with Odeya Rush, Little Women and Death Defying Acts with Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Ronan started her acting career in the early 2000s and was quickly noticed for her work. Her way of portraying even the most complex emotions with simplicity never fails to impress us. 

She did a great job playing Eilis Lacey in Brooklyn and the titular Lady Bird McPherson in Lady Bird. For both of these roles, she was nominated for an Academy Award.

She won a Golden Globe and BAFTA award for her role in Atonement and a BAFTA award for her role in The Lovely Bones.

Scarlett Johansson has been an integral part of Hollywood for almost four decades. She started her career as a child actor in the fantasy comedy North in 1994. She gained international recognition with her MCU character of Black Widow. Some of Johansson’s notable movies include Lost in Translation, Match Point, The Prestige, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, The Avengers, Her, and Jojo Rabbit.

She has been recognized for her work and has received various accolades including a Tony Award for her role in the Broadway play A View from the Bridge. In 2018, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Johansson is also a singer and released an album titled Anywhere I Lay My Head in 2008. 

How can we forget the Barbie fever? Margot Robbie has emerged as the most Beautiful and Hottest Hollywood actress over time with her renowned movies like Wolf of the Wall Street, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood with Michael Madsen, The Suicide Squad,  I Tonya, and of course Barbie.

Robbie is often considered one of the most beautiful actresses in Hollywood but she never let her glam image stop her from taking up some challenging roles on-screen. She was nominated for the Academy Award, Golden Globe, and BAFTA for her performance in I, Tonya. 

Gal Gadot hails from Israel and started her acting journey with a local TV series. Today her name has become a synonym for her character Wonder Woman but her acting career spans beyond it. Her Hollywood debut came in 2009 with Fast and Furious Franchise. 

Gadot is also a former combat instructor in the Israel Defense Forces and has served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations. Gadot has also been honored for her contributions to the film industry, receiving the Rising Star award at the 2018 Critics’ Choice Awards.

Her movies are known for some high-end action sequences. There is something about watching this woman in an action-filled role, be it her latest release Heart of Stone, or Keeping Up With The Joneses, she has never failed to amuse us with her athletic abilities. 

All the Potter heads assemble! Emma Watson also started her acting career at a young age. She was just 10 when she nailed her renowned character of Hermione Granger in the 2001 release Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Sure she gained fame with the Harry Potter franchise but as she grew she made the conscious decision of not getting typecated. 

After Harry Potter, her first major role was in the 2012 release, The Perks of Being a Wall Flower. She then went on to star in some renowned films including The Bling Ring with Maika Monroe, Noah, Beauty and the Beast, and Little Women. 

Beyond her acting career, she is also known to raise he voice for social causes and issues. Watson was appointed as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador in 2014 and has worked towards making sure that the gender disparity that exists in modern society is resolved. 

Megan Fox is an American actress and model who became famous in the 2000s for her roles in different movies and TV shows. She was born on May 16, 1986, in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Her family has roots in Ireland, France, and Native American descent.

Fox began her acting career in 2001 with small roles in different TV shows and movies. But she became famous in 2007 for playing Mikaela Banes in the Transformers movie. Who can forget the scene that made her the official crush of every 90s kid? But soon she decided to take up more versatile roles.

Her hit movies include Jennifer’s Body, Jonah Hex, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. She has also been a special guest on TV shows such as Two and a Half Men and New Girl.

Alexandra Daddario gained popularity with her Percy Jackson film series. Born on March 16, 1986, in New York City her family includes lawyers and artists.

Daddario began her acting career in the mid-2000s. She started her career with small roles in TV shows like Law & Order, Damages, and White Collar. Then she started appearing in movies, such as Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief and more. Alexandra Daddario’s Texas Chainsaw movie is one of her celebrated works and this film made her popular among movie buffs. 

Daddario is not only a famous Hollywood actress, she has also modeled for major brands such as American Eagle and Armani – appearing in various magazines and ad campaigns all around the world.

Nicole Kidman is an Australian actress, producer, and singer. She is one of the most accomplished and respected Hollywood actresses of her generation with a wide range of versatile work in her filmography. She was born on June 20, 1967, in Honolulu, Hawaii but grew up in Sydney, Australia. 

Kidman rose to popularity in the 1990s with her movies like Days of Thunder, Far and Away, and Batman Forever. The actress was recognized for her work in To Die For and bagged a Golden Globe Award for the same. 

She further won an Academy Award in 2003 for her role in the film The Hours. Kidman has also been nominated for other awards, including multiple Golden Globe and Emmy Awards.

Nina Dobrev rose to international fame with the cult classic vampire drama. Ok even if you belong to the micro-population who has never watched Vampire Diaries, there’s no way you do not know Elena Gilbert. Dobrev was born in Bulgaria on January 9, 1989, but her family moved to Canada when she was two years old.

Dobrev started her acting career with small roles in TV shows and movies. Her breakthrough came with Vampire Diaries but as soon as the series ended, she used her popularity to land some more challenging and experimental roles. Her renowned movies include The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Let’s Be Cops, and XXX: Return of Xander Cage. 

Amber Heard was in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons recently but that does not change the fact that she is one of the best female hottest Hollywood actresses in the world. She grew up in a family of artists and activists and hence was interested in performing from a young age. 

Though she debuted in 2006 with All the Boys Love Mandy Lane, she got noticed within the industry in 2008 with her supporting role in the stoner comedy movie Pineapple Express. After that, she acted in other successful movies, such as Zombieland, 3 Days to Kill, and Aquaman. 

Her portrayal of Mera in the DC Comics superhero films Aquaman and Justice League paved the way for her international fame.

Penélope Cruz is an established actress and producer from Spain. The Ocar-winning actress was instantly recognized for her undeniable charm on-screen. Born on April 28, 1974, in Madrid, Spain, she started her acting career with local movies and series. 

She starred in various successful films, like All About My Mother and Blow eventually being nominated for an Academy Award for her part in the 2006 release Volver. She landed an Oscar for her 2008 release Vicky Cristina Barcelona. She created history by being the first Spanish actress to win an Oscar. The movie has become one of the cult classics over the years. 

Mila Kunis began her acting career in the late 1990s with small roles in various TV shows and films. From Black Swan to Forgetting Sarah Marshal she has never shied away from being experimental on-screen. Her filmography career is considered one of the most successful as she has never seen a downfall in her career. 

In 1998, Kunis grabbed the limelight when she was cast as Jackie Burkhart on the popular TV show That ’70s Show. She played that role for eight years and did a great job. The show holds a special place in her personal life as well. She met her now husband, Ashton Kutcher on the sets of the show. 

After That ’70s Show, Kunis started appearing in movies like Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Black Swan, and Ted. She has also showcased her skills as a voice actor in several animated films, including Family Guy and Robot Chicken. 

Hail the new gen queen! She can act, sing, dance, and model, literally nothing she can’t do and to top it off look drop-dead gorgeous while at it. Zendaya is considered one of the most successful young and beautiful Hollywood actresses. Born on September 1, 1996, she rose to fame at an early age with Disney’s Shake It Up aired in 2010.

After Shake It Up, she transitioned to movies instantly becoming critics and audience’s favorite. Her movies include some of the blockbuster hits of Hollywood like The Greatest Showman and Spider-Man: Homecoming. She has also continued to work in TV, appearing in some trending shows like Euphoria. 

Her portrayal of Rue Bennet, a troubled college student, won her an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series category. She also takes her singing career seriously and has released several singles and albums over the years. She also sang Rewrite the Stars in The Greatest Showman. 

The most beautiful actress in Hollywood Industry, Elizabeth Olsen was born on February 16, 1989, in Sherman Oaks, California. She has two sisters, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen who are considered one of the richest actresses in the world. Olsen started her acting career with small parts in some independent films. She became more famous in 2011 when she had a starring role in the movie Martha Marcy May Marlene.  

Olsen became famous after starring in Martha Marcy May Marlene. She was in many other successful films, like Silent House, Godzilla, Wind River and I Saw the Light with Tom Hiddleston. In 2015, she joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe and starred in Avengers: Age of Ultron and Captain America: Civil War.  

Ana De Armas is an actress from Cuba and she started her acting career with Spanish movies. People started to know Ana De Armas better with her breakthrough role in Knives Out. After that, she acted in other Hollywood movies like Hands of Stone and Blade Runner 2049. 

The actress initially struggled with the language as she was not fluent in English. But that did not stop her talent from shining on-screen. She debuted in Hollywood in 2015 alongside Keanu Reeves in Knock Knock. 

She garnered an Academy Award nomination for her performance in Blonde in which she starred as the legendary Marlyn Monroe. She made history by being the first Cuban actress to be nominated for the prestigious award. 

Emily Blunt has ruled the hearts of the audience since her debut days. After appearing in supporting roles alongside some big names like Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and Amy Adams she proved her ability to grab the attention of the audience. She was later cast as the lead in movies including A Quiet Place and the recent hit Oppenheimer. 

Blunt has showcased what staying consistent throughout the career means. Her filmography is filled with some blockbuster hits. Her work got her various accolades including the Golden Globe Award for Gideon’s Daughter and the Critic’s Choice Award for Edge of Tomorrow. Blunt has also worked on television, with roles in popular shows such as Sherlock and The Simpsons.

With her unique looks and talent, Zoe Saldana almost instantly grabbed the limelight. She hails from Passaic, New Jersey, and grew up in Queens, New York. She debuted in 1999 with the hit series Law & Order. She had her breakthrough with the 2000 release Center Stage. 

Saldana was soon cast in some big-budget movies like Avatar, Star Trek, and Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. She also has some promising upcoming projects on her hands. 

Kristen Stewart rose to fame with the vampire-drama series Twilight in which she played the lead character of Bella Swan. She started her acting career when she was young, appearing in films such as Panic Room and Catch That Kid. 

She has starred in a wide range of movies like The Runaways, Clouds of Sils Maria, and Personal Shopper. Besides acting, Stewart has proved her creative mind at direction. She directed a few short films including Come Swim and Spencer. They premiered at the 2021 Venice Film Festival.

Fans have always admired her unique sense of styling making her one of the style icons of Hollywood. 

Emma Roberts started at a young age as she belonged to a family of established actors Eric Roberts and Julia Roberts. She started at a young age and hence her life has been in the spotlight since then. She debuted with the 2001 release Blow in which she got to share the screen with Johnny Depp as his daughter. 

Roberts has a versatile filmography graph with some iconic movies and TV shows under her name like Scream Queens, Paradise Hills, and Nancy Drew. Her work received recognition as she was nominated for various awards including the People Choice Award and the Young Artist Awards. 

Jena Malone is one of the finest Hollywood actresses. Malone debuted at the young age of 12 with Bastard Out of Carolina. She played the character of Bone, the daughter of a struggling single mother. 

The character was not an easy one for a 12-year-old and might even be triggering to some audiences, but she played it with such finesse and was recognized for her talent instantly. 

Jena Malone’s movies are a testament to her undeniable talent. From Donnie Darko to The Messanger to Neon Demon, she has explored every genre and taken up all the possible challenging roles. 

She was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Hope. Malone has had a rough life since the beginning but it was her strong will and pure talent that helped her come so far in life. 

Vivica A. Fox is one of the most respected and successful black actresses in Hollywood with movies like Arkansas and Independence Day under her name. 

Fox has not just impressed the audience with her on-screen work but continues to impress us with her philanthropic works as well. 

The actress has been nominated for various awards and accolades for her impressive work. She is among the Hollywood actresses who decided to explore their talent beyond the on-screen work. 

Fox is a renowned director as well as a producer. She made her directorial debut with The First Lady of BMF: The Tonesa Welch Story. 

Though Anne Heche is no more among us, she has been one of the most phenomenal actresses in Hollywood. Her untimely death has left a void in the entertainment industry that can never be filled. 

She came into the spotlight when she played a double role in the soap opera Another World for which she bagged the Daytime Emmy Awards. 

The actress has documented her life, struggles, and thoughts in her memoirs Call Me Crazy and Call Me Anne. Apart from being recognized as an Emmy Award winner, she was also a New York Times best-selling author. 

Christina Ricci has been part of numerous cult classic movies and TV shows like The Addams Family, Penelope, and Casper. Starting as a child artist, Ricci witnessed success at a young age. She debuted at the age of 9 with Mermaids. 

Her portrayal of the morbid character, Wednesday, in The Addams Family became one of her cult classic characters which many actors have reprised to date. Ricci’s filmography has something for everyone thanks to her wide range of versatility. 

Conclusion

The list has been curated keeping in mind various factors. All the Hollywood actresses are special in their unique way and the list is made with the intention of honoring their contribution to the entertainment industry. Hope you were able to find your favorite names on the list and learn about them a bit more.