Most Favorite Female Actresses

Over the course of history, Hollywood has seen some amazing actresses make their mark on the big screen. They have all brought something new to our lives, and while everyone has their own taste when it comes to acting style, movies, and television shows, many of these women have become icons in their own right.

Many of these actresses have become universally known as some of the best in the business, and YouGov Ratings data from 2017 and 2019 shows that these 50 actresses are the most favorite of all time. Does your favorite actress make the cut?

Even those who haven’t seen The Hunger Games will know that this franchise is one of the biggest franchises to hit Hollywood – and that’s why Jennifer Lawrence became as big as she is today. After showing off her talents as Katniss Everdeen, it wasn’t long before she was being asked to take on other movies, and now it seems as though everyone knows her name. From X-Men movies to horrors and rom-coms, this woman can do it all. Is she one of your favorite female actresses of all time?

Let’s be honest; Meryl Streep was made for the limelight. While she was often knocked down in the early stages of her career, she has since proved all of her doubters wrong to become one of the most iconic actresses of all time. One of the main reasons why she has been so successful over the course of her career is because she isn’t afraid to try something new. She is dubbed as a hugely versatile actress who can work within different genres and even bring different accents to the table. We haven’t seen the last of her yet.

Julia Roberts entered the world of Hollywood in the 1980s, and while she was just like any other struggling actress, it didn’t take people long to realize that she was kind of a big deal. Her shining glory came in 1990 when she donned her really tall boots to take on the leading role in Pretty Woman – a movie that has since become iconic. Because of this, she became the highest-paid actress in the world for much of the ‘90s and ‘00s, and it seems as though nothing can stop her. Everyone loves her.

According to the results, Betty White is the world’s most famous female actress – and it’s not really hard to understand why. This actress has become America’s sweetheart thanks to her work within the world of comedy, and her shows will forever go down in history. One of the main reasons for this is because she worked on countless sitcoms over the course of her career, including Life With Elizabeth, Date with the Angels, To Tell The Truth, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and The Golden Girls. She’s a deserving winner.

What’s so amazing about Audrey Hepburn is that her acting career was relatively short-lived – but that didn’t stop her from becoming one of the most iconic actresses of all time. All in all, Audrey Hepburn starred in 31 movies over the course of her life in the limelight, but her acting talent, her beauty, and the movies themselves proved to be legendary. That’s because Audrey was able to put her name to movies such as Breakfast At Tiffany’s, Roman Holiday, and My Fair Lady. As if that wasn’t enough, she was also a special ambassador for UNICEF.

Then there’s Sandra Bullock, and everyone knows who this actress is, right? Although this actress made her debut when she was just five years old, she really made her mark back in the 1980s and ‘90s when she was able to show off her talent in the likes of Speed, A Time To Kill, and Hope Floats. Since then, she has taken on iconic roles in movies such as Miss Congeniality and The Blind Side, but that’s not all she has to offer. Sandra is also a philanthropist who has raised money for countless causes.

Lucille Ball sadly passed away in 1989. Over the course of her career, Lucille proved to everyone that she was more than a one-trick pony. She was an actress, she was a comedian, she was a producer, she was a model, and she was a woman who would change the world. She did that through her numerous self-produced sitcoms, including I Love Lucy and The Lucy Show. As if that wasn’t enough, Lucille also became the first woman ever to run her own studio, and that’s something the world thanks her for.

Whether you know her as an actress or producer, there’s no doubt about the fact that Michelle Pfeiffer is kind of a big deal. This leading lady has been in the business since the late 1970s, and it seems as though she doesn’t show any signs of slowing down anytime soon. While some people know her for her failed attempt to bring a Grease sequel into our lives, it’s fair to say that she redeemed herself in 1983 when she took on the role of gangster Elvira Hancock in Scarface. Since then, she has continued to be the world’s favorite.

Not many people can say that they were scouted out to become an actress, but that’s certainly something that Cameron Diaz can brag about. She was discovered when she was still at high school, and it wasn’t long before this leading lady was thrust into the spotlight. Since then, she has worked on movies such as There’s Something About Mary, Charlie’s Angels, The Holiday, and so much more. However – much to her fans’ dismay – Cameron confirmed that she would be retiring from the acting world in 2014. That doesn’t mean we’ve forgotten her, though.

If you’re familiar with the life and times of Reese Witherspoon, you’ll know that this woman just doesn’t like to keep still. Not only is she an actress, but she’s also a mother, a business owner, and an activist. She doesn’t stop, but that’s one of the main reasons why she’s one of the world’s favorite female actresses. To date, some of her biggest movies have come in the form of Legally Blonde, Walk the Line, and Wild. We have a feeling that we’ll be seeing more of her over the years, too.

Most people are familiar with Jennifer Aniston, as this woman starred in arguably one of the most famous sitcoms of all time. Her role in Friends thrust her into the limelight, and while some of her co-stars struggled to make their mark outside of the show, Jennifer flourished. She has since worked on countless movies and continued to reign supreme, and there’s no doubt about the fact that fans are also pretty interested in her personal life. After all, she has had some pretty high-profile relationships in the past, including with Brad Pitt.

The fabulous Tina Fey has made a name for herself as one of the funniest women that Hollywood has to offer. Thanks to her work on Saturday Night Live and her work as a screenwriter and producer, Tina Fey has won everyone over. In fact, we have this lady to thank for bringing the likes of 30 Rock, Mean Girls, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and the upcoming sitcom, Girls5Eva. As if that wasn’t enough, Tina has also made us all laugh out loud with her best-selling autobiography and her overall acting ability.

Although she passed away in 2019, there’s no doubt about the fact that Debbie Reynolds will forever go down in history. After all, she worked in the world of show business for a whopping 70 years, and she amassed a huge number of fans during that time. Just four years after her professional debut, Debbie became a household name when she took on the leading role as Kathy Selden in Singin’ in the Rain – and that was the moment she truly became a star. Not only was she an actress, but she was also a singer, dancer, businesswoman, and humanitarian.

If you cast your mind back to the 1960s and ‘70s, you may remember that Florence Henderson was one of the most famous actresses that the world had to offer. She had the hugely famous sitcom, The Brady Bunch, to thank for that, as she took the world by storm as Carol Brady. However, her career didn’t end when the show did, as Florence continued to win over fans with her reality cooking shows such as The Florence Henderson Show and Who’s Cooking With Henderson. Her passing in 2016 left many fans with an ache in their hearts.

Angela Lansbury has been in the business for so long that she has been able to adopt fans of all ages. Her young fans know her for her role as Mrs. Potts in Beauty & The Beast, her musical fans know her for her impressive parts in The King and I, Sweeney Todd, and Gypsy, and her older fans know her as the eponymous Jessica Fletcher in Murder, She Wrote. At 94 years old, Angela Lansbury is still going strong as an actress in theatre, television, and film – so it’s no wonder that she’s one of the world’s favorite female actresses.

If you’re a fan of sci-fi movies, there’s a high chance that you’re extremely familiar with Sigourney Weaver. This actress has built up the nickname as “The Queen of Sci-Fi” over the course of her career, and it’s really not hard to see why. She showed the world what she was made of within the Alien franchise, and it was this role as Ellen Ripley that thrust her into the limelight. Since then, she has continued to work within countless sci-fi movies, including Ghostbusters, Avatar, Paul, and The Defenders. She’s one of the coolest chicks on the block.

Over the course of her career, Beatrice Arthur showed the world that she was not only an incredible actress but that she was also full of funny bones. This lady made her mark both on the stage and on the screen, and there’s no doubt about the fact that she really shone through her character of Maude Findlay in All in the Family, alongside the subsequent spin-off show, Maude. Of course, most people now know her as the one and only Dorothy Zbornak from the titular comedy show, Golden Girls, which is still incredibly iconic today.

It should probably come as no surprise to learn that Kate Hudson is on the list of the world’s most favorite female actresses because this lady is truly something special. With Goldie Hawn as her mom, how could she not be something special? Since making her way into the limelight, Kate Hudson has easily been able to slip into the “Girl Next Door” category. This has allowed her the chance to bag numerous roles in some of the biggest rom-coms of all time – but her talents don’t end there. Kate is also the co-owner of the fitness brand, Fabletics.

While it seems as though most people know this woman for her extremely high-profile marriage to Michael Douglas, there is definitely more to this actress than just the ring on her finger. Catherine knew that she wanted to be a star from a young age, and she truly rose to the occasion in 2002 when she took on the famous character of Velma Kelly in the musical crime-drama, Chicago. This role earned her an Academy Award, and she has since continued to prove to everyone that she’s a force to be reckoned with.

It was a sad day for everyone when Bette Davis passed away in 1980, as she is regarded as not only one of the most famous actresses in the world but also one of the most decorated. Over the course of her career, Bette took on countless roles within her genre-bending life in the limelight. She became the first actor to obtain a whopping ten Academy Award nominations. One of the main reasons why people still love Bette Davis so much is because she could put her talent to any genre, from horror movies to romantic dramas.

Everyone knows who Demi Moore is, right? This actress first made her mark on the professional world of acting in 1981, and while she scored some early fame, it wasn’t until the late ‘80s that she really flourished in the spotlight. After all, she married Bruce Willis in 1987, and in 1990 she had the chance to star alongside Patrick Swayze in one of the most iconic movies of all time; Ghost. By the time 1996 came along, she had taken the crown as the highest-paid actress in Hollywood, and she’s not just as famous as she once was.

When you think of Meg Ryan, there’s a high chance that you immediately think of When Harry Met Sally. This film instantly became one of the most impressive rom-coms to make its way to the big screen, and this subsequently put Meg Ryan at the center of our attention. Since then, she has become known as “The Queen of Rom-Coms,” and everyone seems to love her. Meg’s filmography includes some of the greats, including Sleepless in Seattle, You’ve Got Mail, French Kiss, and more. As if that wasn’t enough, Meg is also a director!

If you’re a fan of Natalie Portman, you probably don’t need to think too hard about why she’s one of the world’s most favorite female actresses. After all, this woman has it all. Not only does she have a degree from Harvard University, but she also earned this degree after making her mark as a professional actress. That’s because Natalie started acting when she was just 12 years old, and she gained global recognition in 1999 for taking on a major role in the Star Wars franchise. Since then, she has continued to prove to everyone that she’s a star.

When it comes to Queen Latifah, this woman will give you anything you want. Do you want her to become a rapper and singer? She’s already nailed it. Do you want her to be an actress? Well, she’s one of the most famous actresses in the world. Thanks to her work as a double-threat, Queen has been able to show off her talent within many movie musicals, including Chicago and Hairspray – and she even appeared as Ursula in the television special of The Little Mermaid Live! As if that wasn’t enough, Latifah has also released a whopping seven albums.

Whether you knew her for her hair or her talent, it’s fair to say that Farrah Fawcett had an impressive life. While she sadly passed away in 2009, Farrah’s legacy will continue to live – especially as she starred in one of the most legendary shows of all time. This actress took on the role of Jill Monroe in the first season of Charlie’s Angels, and this was the role that truly thrust her into the limelight. She was soon everyone’s favorite actress, and everyone wanted a piece of her. Of course, she was also a model and artist.

While there are a huge number of people who will always remember Elizabeth Taylor for the many times that she walked down the aisle, there’s no doubt about the fact that her talent will always reign supreme. As one of the most impressive and most popular actresses of the 1950s and 1960s, Elizabeth took on major roles in movies like Father of the Bride, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Cleopatra. This wasn’t all that Elizabeth had to offer, though, as she was a keen advocate for equal rights, and she even founded the American Foundation for AIDS Research.

You’re probably pretty familiar with Emma Stone, as she is one of the most recognizable women that the world of Hollywood has to offer. Since making her way into the limelight, Emma has charmed fans across the world with her beauty, her wit, her singing talent, and her acting talent, and this has allowed her the chance to take on varied roles within countless different genres. You can see her singing and dancing in La La Land, you can see her making everyone laugh in Superbad, and you can even see her getting dark and mysterious in Maniac.

Emma Watson is one of those women that’s an inspiration to others, and that’s not just because she proved that being a know-it-all can actually save the Wizarding World. Since making her way into the world of fame and fortune through the role of Hermione Granger, Emma has since continued her acting career – but that’s not all she gets up to. Emma has also used her platform for good, and she has since become an ambassador for the United Nations, she has fought for what she believes in, and she has fought for equal rights.

As a huge name in the acting world, we don’t have to question why Jennifer Garner is on the list of the world’s favorite actresses. After all, she’s pretty awesome. Jennifer landed her first professional gig in 1995, and she has since used the last two and a half decades to prove to everyone that she has what it takes to make it big. In fact, she has even scored huge roles in the process. Fans now know her for her part in films such as 13 Going on 30, Elektra, Love, Simon, and more.

Scarlett Johansson has not only made her mark on this list, but did you know that she’s also been the highest-paid actress in the world since 2018? Since making her debut in the mid-90s, Scarlett has just continued to get better and better with age, and it seems as though she is really shining at the moment. Not only has she worked on rom-coms and sci-fi movies, but it’s fair to say that most people now know her as the Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Her character has even been able to bag her own movie.

If you’re a film buff, you’ve probably seen Kathy Bates on your screen on countless occasions. After all, this actress has starred in more movies than we could count, and they have all been pretty impressive. There are many who know her for her role in Titanic, there are others who know her for her role in American Horror Story, and there are even those who know her for her role in Fried Green Tomatoes. After battling cancer herself, Kathy has also worked tirelessly to raise awareness and money for cancer research.

Helen Hunt is the kind of woman who doesn’t stop. Although she has been in the acting game since the early ‘70s, she has been working non-stop as an actress and director ever since – and it makes us tired just thinking about her work schedule. Most of her fans know her playing the iconic Jamie Buchman in the original series of Mad About You, alongside the 2019 revival of the show, but that isn’t all she has to her resume. She has also starred in major movies such as Cast Away, As Good As It Gets, and more.

Olivia Newton-John has always been the one that we want, as it seems as though this woman has a ridiculous amount of talent that she has been able to share with the world. This Australian singer and actress has not only worked hard as a recording artist, but she has also shown us all that we could rock latex if we really want to. Of course, she will be forever known for her role as Sandy in Grease, but that doesn’t mean that she hasn’t worked on anything else. She’s been pretty quiet recently, but she’s still awesome.

English actress Kate Winslet has won over many hearts over the years, and one of the main reasons for this is because her breakout role is considered to be one of the most incredible movies to ever grace Hollywood with its presence. Yes, Kate starred in Titanic, but this was just the start of her career. Since then, she has continued to work within various different genres, and she has movies such as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Finding Neverland, and The Divergent Series to her name. Alongside this, Kate Winslet is also a keen humanitarian.

We’ve already seen her daughter on the list, so it would have been rude to not include Goldie Hawn in this, right? It seems as though this lady has been in our lives for as long as we can remember, and she has certainly made her mark. After making her acting debut in the late 1960s, Goldie quickly rose through the ranks to become one of the most beautiful actresses, dancers, and singers in the business. While she is still acting on and off today, Goldie spends most of her time advocating for those in need through The Hawn Foundation.

We don’t know what’s in the water Down Under, but Hollywood is full of amazing Australian actresses who have all taken the world by storm – and Nicole Kidman is one of them. After catching her big break back in the late ‘80s, Nicole has continued to score epic movies within genre-bending sections of Hollywood. Most people know her for iconic roles in the likes of Moulin Rouge, The Hours, Lion, Aquaman, and so much more. As if that wasn’t enough, Nicole is also a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF, so she’s pretty awesome.

Many actresses on this list had to wait until they were adults to bag their big break, but this wasn’t the case for Jodie Foster. In fact, she was just six years old when she was thrust into the limelight. Before too long, she was making many people question the role of children in the world of show business, but she didn’t take any notice of the criticism. She continued working hard to get to the top, and there’s no doubt about the fact that this became a reality when she landed her role in Silence of the Lambs.

If you cast your mind back to 2001, you might remember a little movie by the name of The Princess Diaries. It was this movie that made us all open our eyes to the talents of Anne Hathaway, and there’s no doubt about the fact that she has stormed ahead ever since that role. Some of her biggest movies to date have included The Devil Wears Prada, Les Miserables, and The Intern, and her fans absolutely love her. That’s probably because she is also a United Nations Women’s Goodwill Ambassador.

Even if you weren’t alive when Mary Tyler Moore was alive and kicking, you’ve probably heard of her. That’s because this actress changed the course of history – especially for women. Rather than giving in to the minor roles that were offered to women over the course of her career, this actress opted to create her own show where she was the star. This instantly became one of the most popular shows of the 1970s, and it’s still considered to be one of the greatest shows to ever make its way onto our screens. Sadly, she passed away in 2017.

As the daughter of Debbie Reynolds, it was only a matter of time before Carrie Fisher followed in the footsteps of her mother and made her way into the limelight. She really stole the show when she donned her hair buns and her robe to become Princess Leia in the Star Wars franchise, and she became an icon. What was even more amazing about this woman, however, was the fact that she used her own personal struggles to help the rest of the world, and she became a keen advocate for issues close to her heart.

It should probably come as no surprise to you to learn that Sally Field takes a crown as one of the world’s most favorite female actresses, as this lady has starred in some of our favorite movies. Yes, Sally has had the pleasure of working in movies such as Forrest Gump, Mrs. Doubtfire, Steel Magnolias, and so much more. What’s even better is the fact that she is still going strong today, and we have a feeling that she won’t be going away anytime soon. After all, she’s a legend in the game.

Katharine Hepburn not only has the honor of appearing on this list but in 1999, the American Film Institute also gave her the honor of being the “Greatest Female Star of Classic Hollywood Cinema.” Known for her fierce and sassy personality, Katharine soon became a great comedian and actress, and that’s probably why she was able to stay at the top for a whopping 50 years. She became an icon for modern women everywhere because she didn’t want to conform to society, so it’s no wonder why she became everyone’s favorite actress.

We probably don’t need to tell you too much about Judy Garland, because this woman truly stole the show over the course of her career. Not only could she act, but she was also the ultimate triple-threat with her singing and dancing talent. Because of this, she was cast in countless movie musicals, including The Wizard of Oz, Meet Me In St. Louis, and more. As if that wasn’t enough, Judy also showed that she could take on serious roles on the screen, and she even recorded a whopping eight studio albums.

Halle Berry is a huge name in the world of Hollywood, and one of the main reasons for this is because she got to take on the role of a superhero – and very few women have been given that chance over the years. Since the early 2000s, she has kept up her role as one of the highest-paid actresses in the business, and it seems as though everyone loves her beauty and her talent. What’s so amazing about this woman, though, is that she takes time out of her busy schedule to be an environmental advocate, and that’s pretty awesome.

Although most people are familiar with the drink of the same name, did you know that this drink was actually named after a former child star? Shirley Temple made her professional debut when she was just three years old, and it wasn’t long before she was one of the most in-demand actresses in the whole of Hollywood. She became known for roles in the likes of Heidi and Curly Top, but then she decided to retire altogether aged 22. After that, she made her move to politics and diplomacy, and she became a United States ambassador to various international countries.

The passing of Marilyn Monroe truly hit the world hard, and most were of the same opinion that an icon had been taken too soon. After all, over the course of her short life, Marilyn had already been able to establish herself as one of the most legendary and most beautiful actresses of all time. The blonde bombshell worked on movies such as The Seven Year Itch, Some Like It Hot, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes became instant hits. She steered Hollywood away from their preconceptions of the “perfect” woman, and fans loved her for that.

Not many actresses can say that they got their big break when they were seven years old, but that’s exactly what Drew Barrymore could say when she was cast in E.T: The Extra-Terrestrial. Although the world of fame and fortune seemed to push her towards unhealthy habits, Drew was able to overcome these demons and come back fighting – and fans have congratulated her for that. Because of this, it makes sense that she has gone on to become one of the world’s most favorite female actresses. After all, she’s starred in some of the coolest movies of all time.

Carol Burnett’s name is incredibly famous, and one of the main reasons for that is because she was given the opportunity to have her very own show – and it ran for a whopping eleven years. What made this show incredible was the fact that it became the very first of its kind to have a woman at the helm, and she has paved the way for female actresses and comedians ever since. Carol has been honored with countless awards and accolades for her role in the world of Hollywood, so it should come as no surprise to see her here.

It should probably come as no surprise to learn that Julie Andrews has made it onto the list of the most favorite actresses in the world, as this woman really can do everything. As someone who knows how to sing, dance, and act all at once, Julie stole the show when she was younger with roles in movies such as Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music. Since then, she has continued to entertain us all with various roles in legendary films like The Princess Diaries, Shrek 2, and Despicable Me. She’s an icon.

After making her professional debut in 1977, it wasn’t long before Jamie Lee Curtis had shown the head honchos in Hollywood what she was made of. In fact, she rose to fame in the famous horror movie, Halloween – and that started her career as the “Scream Queen.” Jamie has since proven that she can break outside of that genre, though, and she has worked on countless movies and television shows over the years. As if that wasn’t enough, she’s also a writer and blogger who loves to make her voice heard.