Greatest American Actresses
The Top Ten
1 Katharine Hepburn
Katharine Houghton Hepburn was an American actress. Known for her fierce independence and spirited personality, Hepburn was a leading lady in Hollywood for more than 60 years.
Katharine Houghton Hepburn was an American actress. Known for her fierce independence and spirited personality, Hepburn was a leading lady in Hollywood for more than 60 years.
2 Meryl Streep
Mary Louise "Meryl" Streep is an American actress. Cited in the media as the "best actress of her generation", Streep is particularly known for her versatility in her roles, transformation into the characters she plays, and her accent adaptation.
Mary Louise "Meryl" Streep is an American actress. Cited in the media as the "best actress of her generation", Streep is particularly known for her versatility in her roles, transformation into the characters she plays, and her accent adaptation.
3 Bette Davis
Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis (April 5, 1908 – October 6, 1989) was an American actress of film, television and theater. Regarded as one of the greatest actresses in Hollywood history, she was noted for her willingness to play unsympathetic, sardonic characters and was reputed for her performances in a range of film genres, from contemporary crime melodramas to historical and period films and occasional comedies, although her greatest successes were her roles in romantic dramas.
Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis (April 5, 1908 – October 6, 1989) was an American actress of film, television and theater. Regarded as one of the greatest actresses in Hollywood history, she was noted for her willingness to play unsympathetic, sardonic characters and was reputed for her performances in a range of film genres, from contemporary crime melodramas to historical and period films and occasional comedies, although her greatest successes were her roles in romantic dramas.
4 Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie is an American actress, filmmaker, and humanitarian. She has received an Academy Award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and three Golden Globe Awards. She has also been cited as Hollywood's highest-paid actress. ...read more.
Angelina Jolie is an American actress, filmmaker, and humanitarian. She has received an Academy Award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and three Golden Globe Awards. She has also been cited as Hollywood's highest-paid actress. ...read more. It's kind of surprising this list wasn't created earlier unfortunately I don't know enough about who could be considered great actors and actresses to really contribute much.
5 Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe (born Norma Jeane Mortenson Baker; June 1, 1926 – August 5, 1962) was an American actress, singer and model. Decades after her unexpected death, she has remained one of Hollywood's greatest sex symbols with her eye-catching style, champagne blond hair, and breathless manner of speaking. She continues to be considered a major popular culture icon. ...read more.
Marilyn Monroe (born Norma Jeane Mortenson Baker; June 1, 1926 – August 5, 1962) was an American actress, singer and model. Decades after her unexpected death, she has remained one of Hollywood's greatest sex symbols with her eye-catching style, champagne blond hair, and breathless manner of speaking. She continues to be considered a major popular culture icon. ...read more.
6 Jane Fonda
Jane Fonda is an American actress, writer, political activist, former fashion model and fitness guru.
Jane Fonda is an American actress, writer, political activist, former fashion model and fitness guru.
7 Viola Davis
Viola Davis is an American actress and producer. After graduating from the Juilliard School in 1993, Davis began her career on stage and won an Obie Award in 1999 for her performance as Ruby McCollum in Everybody's Ruby.
Viola Davis is an American actress and producer. After graduating from the Juilliard School in 1993, Davis began her career on stage and won an Obie Award in 1999 for her performance as Ruby McCollum in Everybody's Ruby.
8 Betty White
Betty White Ludden (January 17, 1922 - December 31, 2021), known professionally as Betty White, was an American actress, animal rights activist, author, comedian, radio host, singer, and television personality.
Betty White Ludden (January 17, 1922 - December 31, 2021), known professionally as Betty White, was an American actress, animal rights activist, author, comedian, radio host, singer, and television personality.
9 Sandra Bullock
Sandra Annette Bullock is an American actress and producer. She is one of Hollywood's highest-paid actresses, and is an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award winner.
Sandra Annette Bullock is an American actress and producer. She is one of Hollywood's highest-paid actresses, and is an Academy Award and Golden Globe Award winner.
10 Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Shrader Lawrence is an American actress. Lawrence began her career in television, playing her first major role as a main cast member on the TBS sitcom The Bill Engvall Show.
Jennifer Shrader Lawrence is an American actress. Lawrence began her career in television, playing her first major role as a main cast member on the TBS sitcom The Bill Engvall Show.The Contenders
11 Julia Roberts
Julia Fiona Roberts is an American actress and producer. She became a Hollywood star after headlining the romantic comedy Pretty Woman, which grossed US$464 million worldwide.
Julia Fiona Roberts is an American actress and producer. She became a Hollywood star after headlining the romantic comedy Pretty Woman, which grossed US$464 million worldwide.
12 Jessica Chastain
Jessica Chastain is an American actress and film producer. She is known to prepare extensively for her roles, which are typically emotionally grueling ones.
Jessica Chastain is an American actress and film producer. She is known to prepare extensively for her roles, which are typically emotionally grueling ones.
13 Bryce Dallas Howard
Bryce Dallas Howard is an American film actress and director. The daughter of director Ron Howard, she made her acting debut as an extra in her father's film Parenthood and went on to have small roles in films and make stage appearances for the next several years.
Bryce Dallas Howard is an American film actress and director. The daughter of director Ron Howard, she made her acting debut as an extra in her father's film Parenthood and went on to have small roles in films and make stage appearances for the next several years.
14 Anne Hathaway
Anne Jacqueline Hathaway is an American actress and singer. Born in Brooklyn, New York and brought up in Millburn, New Jersey, Hathaway was inspired to act by her mother and as a high school student, was nominated for the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Award for Best Performance by a High School Actress for her performance in Once Upon a Mattress.
Anne Jacqueline Hathaway is an American actress and singer. Born in Brooklyn, New York and brought up in Millburn, New Jersey, Hathaway was inspired to act by her mother and as a high school student, was nominated for the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Award for Best Performance by a High School Actress for her performance in Once Upon a Mattress.
15 Elizabeth Olsen
Elizabeth Chase "Lizzie" Olsen is an American actress. She is known for her roles in the films Silent House, Liberal Arts, Godzilla, Avengers: Age of Ultron and Captain America: Civil War. She was also critically acclaimed for her role in Martha Marcy May Marlene.
Elizabeth Chase "Lizzie" Olsen is an American actress. She is known for her roles in the films Silent House, Liberal Arts, Godzilla, Avengers: Age of Ultron and Captain America: Civil War. She was also critically acclaimed for her role in Martha Marcy May Marlene.
16 Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth Kate Paltrow is an American actress, model, writer, businesswoman, singer, and author. She has received numerous accolades throughout her career, including an Academy Award, an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award.
Gwyneth Kate Paltrow is an American actress, model, writer, businesswoman, singer, and author. She has received numerous accolades throughout her career, including an Academy Award, an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award.
17 Melissa McCarthy
Melissa Ann McCarthy (born August 26, 1970) is an American actress, comedian, writer, producer, and fashion designer. McCarthy was named by Time as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2016, and she has been featured multiple times in annual rankings of the highest-paid actresses in ...read more.
Melissa Ann McCarthy (born August 26, 1970) is an American actress, comedian, writer, producer, and fashion designer. McCarthy was named by Time as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2016, and she has been featured multiple times in annual rankings of the highest-paid actresses in ...read more.
18 Maya Rudolph
Maya Khabira Rudolph is an American actress, comedian, and musician. She rose to prominence on the NBC television show Saturday Night Live, where she was a cast member from 2000 to 2007. She has also starred in films such as Idiocracy, Away We Go, Grown Ups, Bridesmaids, Grown Ups 2, and Sisters.
Maya Khabira Rudolph is an American actress, comedian, and musician. She rose to prominence on the NBC television show Saturday Night Live, where she was a cast member from 2000 to 2007. She has also starred in films such as Idiocracy, Away We Go, Grown Ups, Bridesmaids, Grown Ups 2, and Sisters.
19 Judy Garland
Judy Garland, born Frances Ethel Gumm (June 10, 1922 – June 22, 1969) was an American singer, actress, and vaudevillian. The American Film Institute named her 8th greatest female star of classic American cinema. She's also the mother of actress and singer Liza Minnelli.
Judy Garland, born Frances Ethel Gumm (June 10, 1922 – June 22, 1969) was an American singer, actress, and vaudevillian. The American Film Institute named her 8th greatest female star of classic American cinema. She's also the mother of actress and singer Liza Minnelli.
20 Lucy Liu
Lucy Alexis Liu is an American actress and artist. She became known for playing the role of the vicious and ill-mannered Ling Woo in the television series Ally McBeal, for which she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series.
Lucy Alexis Liu is an American actress and artist. She became known for playing the role of the vicious and ill-mannered Ling Woo in the television series Ally McBeal, for which she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series.
21 Ellie Kemper
22 Kristen Wiig
Kristen Carroll Wiig is an American actress, comedian, writer, and producer. She is known for her work on the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live, and films such as Bridesmaids, The Martian, and Ghostbusters.
Kristen Carroll Wiig is an American actress, comedian, writer, and producer. She is known for her work on the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live, and films such as Bridesmaids, The Martian, and Ghostbusters.
23 Frances McDormand
Frances Louise McDormand is an American actress. She is the recipient of numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Tony Award, making her one of the few performers to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting.
Frances Louise McDormand is an American actress. She is the recipient of numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Tony Award, making her one of the few performers to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting.
24 Joan Crawford
Joan Crawford, born Lucille Fay LeSueur (March 23, c. 1904 – May 10, 1977) was an American film and television actress who began her career as a dancer and stage showgirl. The American Film Institute ranked Crawford 10th on their list of the greatest female stars of Classic Hollywood Cinema .
Joan Crawford, born Lucille Fay LeSueur (March 23, c. 1904 – May 10, 1977) was an American film and television actress who began her career as a dancer and stage showgirl. The American Film Institute ranked Crawford 10th on their list of the greatest female stars of Classic Hollywood Cinema .
25 Cicely Tyson
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