Here is a specially curated list of the top 15+ popular Hollywood actresses of all time who shine brighter by being the style icon irrespective of their Box Office bombs or successes.
Zendaya, Reese Witherspoon and Scarlett Johansson, can you guess the number 1?
Last Updated: 09.28 AM, Apr 29, 2024
Hollywood is synonymous with the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. Over the years, many popular Hollywood actresses have secured their place in the industry by reigning at the box office or with their style to influence the masses. Be it the iconic Meryl Streep or showbiz’ charismatic Barbie Margot Robbie – Here is a specially curated list of the top 15+ popular Hollywood actresses of all time who shine brighter by being the style icon irrespective of their Box Office bombs or successes.
Being the epicentre of all things creative, Hollywood has, since its inception, produced incredible actresses who have garnered global fame with their film choices and acting prowess. Here are some of the popular Hollywood actresses, who have carved a niche for themselves with their acting prowess and some of them have also won Academy Awards.
Known not just for her acting abilities, but her captivating beauty, Scarlett Johansson has iconic films such as Marriage Story, Black Widow, Under the Skin, Lucy and Lost in Translation in her filmography. Rising to fame with Peter Webber’s 2003 film, Girl with a Pearl Earring, Scarlett’s most iconic role will always be her portrayal of Black Widow, Natasha Romanoff, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Her heartwarming portrayal of a German woman in Taika Waititi’s 2020 film, Jojo Rabbit, left us sobbing. With a blend of talent, beauty and hard work, the actress has earned her place as one of the most popular Hollywood heroines.
She currently holds the title at No.1 spot!
The winner of Best Actress at Oscar 2024 for her performance in Poor Things, Emma Stone has carved a niche for herself since her breakout role in Superbad (2007). Emma has an incredible ability to transgress between different genres with each performance, from playing a serious journalist in The Help to playing a romantic love interest in La La Land, for which she won her first Oscar Award in 2017. Emma’s inherent charm and comedic timing never fail to leave an indelible mark on the psyche of the audience.
As much as Jennifer Lawrence is popular for her funny banters in interviews, her films showcase the hidden artist in her that leaves the audience hooked to the screens. After making her debut with Garden Party in 2008 where she played the role of a troubled teenager named Tiff, Jennifer continued to showcase her talent till she received her first Oscar nomination with Winter's Bone in 2010. Her most popular role to date is her portrayal of Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games where she played the leading lady in the trilogy. The actress is capable of effortlessly moving between intense drama films like Silver Linings Playbook to commercial drama films like X-Men: First Class.
Nominated for Best Actress supporting in 2024 Oscar for her portrayal of Kitty Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. The British-born actress is a global star who rose to prominence with The Devil Wears Prada, opposite Anne Hathaway. Since then, the actress has earned multiple BAFTA nominations for her acting ventures. She solidified her status as the leading lady with films such as Edge of Tomorrow, Mary Poppins Returns and Sicario. Due to her inherent grace and charm, Emily earned a Golden Globes Award for her portrayal of Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins Returns.
A fashion icon and a Gen-Z favourite, Zendaya made her on-screen debut with Disney channel’s Shake It Up, later making her way into the world of cinema and modelling. She is a multifaceted actress who keeps the audience hooked with her acting abilities and enigmatic personality. Zendaya showcased the depths in her acting by portraying the role of Ru in Euphoria, a drug-addicted teenager who is dealing with the loss of her father. Her standout roles in films have been in Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) and The Greatest Showman (2017).
An enchanting beauty, incredible actress and a charming personality, Anne Hathaway started acting in her teenage years and rose to fame with her portrayal of a teenage princess in The Princess Diaries. The actress won an Academy Award for her breakthrough performance in Les Misérables. Anne’s widespread popularity and ability to stay relevant through the years have made her one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood. Some iconic mentions from her filmography are The Devil Wears Prada, The Dark Knight Rises, Interstellar and her most recent film is The Idea of You.
Rose to fame with her portrayal of Rachel Green in television’s most iconic series, Friends, Jennifer was able to move past her cult-classic role and reinvent her personality to do different roles in Hollywood. The actress has delivered memorable performances on the big screen in films like The Break-Up and Cake. Also known for her infamous breakup with actor Brad Pitt, the duo shares a friendly bond now and continues to make headlines with their performances.
Named as the most beautiful woman in the world by People magazine, Julia Roberts has shown her acting prowess since her breakout role in Pretty Woman, playing the role of Vivian Ward, a spirited and endearing prostitute that earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress while her glamorous yet charming role in Notting Hill, opposite Hugh Grant, is etched in the audience's memory. Julia’s other acclaimed performances include films such as My Best Friend's Wedding and Erin Brockovich which won her the Academy Award for Best Actress.
When you hear about Reese Witherspoon, if Legally Blonde comes to mind, then you have witnessed one of the most cult classic performances in cinematic history. With Legally Blonde, Reese showcased her abilities to do comedy while playing the role of an intelligent and hardworking lawyer, Elle Woods. Some iconic mentions in her filmography are Walk the Line, Wild, Big Little Lies, Sweet Home Alabama, among others.
Actress, filmmaker, and humanitarian – Angelina Jolie has donned several key roles both in her professional and personal life. Apart from her box office success, she is a highly credited actress known globally for her philanthropic work. Her standout films include Girl, Interrupted (which also bagged her an Oscar for supporting role), Gia, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and many others.
Australian actress and producer Margot Robbie charmed her way into audiences’ hearts around the world with her riveting performance in the Oscar-nominated film Barbie. Last year, she cemented her status as a formidable star when she appeared as the world's highest-paid actress on the Forbes list. Beginning her career as a TV actor in 2008, Margot’s journey to sweet success was nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. She bagged her breakthrough role with Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street, and the rest as they say is history!
Not many know that Natalie is a gifted artist. She began her career at the tender age of 12 and showcased her acting craft by starring in massive hits. Natalie is a rare example of “beauty with brains,” as she is also a Harvard University graduate, apart from a renowned Hollywood career. Some of her greatest roles include the Star Wars prequel trilogy, Closer, and Black Swan, for which she was also bestowed with highly coveted Oscar honours.
Emma Watson is a forever crush for many millennials and still reigns in hearts despite her choosy screen presence. Her fame skyrocketed with the Harry Potter film franchise, where she played the female lead, Hermoine Granger. Apart from Harry Potter fame, Emma has given her career-defining performances by starring in Beauty and the Beast, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and Little Women. Emma is a beloved English model, actress, and activist who stands firmly for feminism and women's empowerment.
Meghan Fox is one of the most gorgeous and talented American actresses, whose on-screen presence will leave you hooked to the screens. Meghan is not just the pretty sex symbol in Hollywood; she also captivates attention with her bold acting craft. Debuting in a family film called Holiday in the Sun, Meghan paved her way to success with action mavericks like the Transformers franchise.
Turn back the wheel of time to 2010, and you’ll come across the golden era of Sandra Bullock, when she emerged as the world's highest-paid actress and Times influential figures. What began as a challenging journey of fame and name in the 1980s by appearing in supporting roles, Sandra got her first breakthrough role in 1994’s Speed. Following her magnificent success, she appeared in other hits, including Miss Congeniality, The Proposal, Bird Box, and The Blind Side, for which she also grabbed the Academy Award for best actress. Sandra’s versatile career and movies add to her glamourous beauty, which still gives major competition to young actresses today.
Kate Winslet is among those iconic actresses who are still loved for starring as Rose in the classic romance film Titanic. She fulfilled her big dreams to cement her name as one of the most acclaimed actresses by debuting in her teen years in the TV industry. Her notable performance came in 1995 with Sense and Sensibility, where she was lauded for her acting prowess. However, she waited two more years for her international fame, which came with James Cameron’s Oscar-winning movie Titanic. Her character and dialogues are still etched in people’s memories to date, and her talent has not fogged over the years but only managed to shine brighter.
Elizabeth Olsen may not have a long filmography or awards list, but she is still treasured by true Marvel fans. Elizabeth is a key part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe for playing Wanda Maximoff, a Scarlet Witch (Avengers: Endgame). She also made an indelible mark with other significant projects like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Godzilla, and Love & Death.
Hollywood’s critically acclaimed star, Meryl Streep, has had a spectacular career spanning four decades. Her fascinating performances include Sophie's Choice, Kramer vs. Kramer, The Devil Wears Prada, Little Women, and Mamma Mia!
Meryl Streep also holds the record for multiple Oscar wins and the most Oscar nominations (21) for different films. She has a green checklist of many coveted and prestigious awards, like the Oscar, BAFTA, Golden Globe, and others. Recently, she was seen in Hulu's Only Murders in the Building and still captures attention, defying all odds against her age. Can you believe she is the most beautiful, even at the age of 74!
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