If You Can't Name These Big Screen Ladies, You're Out Of Touch
- by Chris Roberts
- – on
- in Movies and TV
Women have been cleaning up Hollywood for the past year, beginning with the takedown of womanizer and sexual abuser Harvey Weinstein, but the film industry still predominantly favors men, at least according to a list of the top paid actors and actresses. Mark Wahlberg, who might be considered as no more than a B-list action movie star in some alternate universe, made $68 million in 2017, while Emma Stone, the highest-paid actress, made $26 million, despite starring in the Oscar-winning La La Land and appearing in several other box office successes. It's clear there has been progress in regard to how women are viewed and treated in Hollywood, but there's plenty of work to do, especially considering you could probably name more prominent actresses than actors.
Let's be honest, there are a lot of actors that don't really stand out from the field; even the ones that do - Ryan Reynolds and Ryan Gosling - can easily be confused with each other. Conversely, Hollywood's leading ladies do their best to stand out from each other and, for the most part, each brings their own unique talents and looks to their respective roles. They're all memorable, but how many can you correctly identify?
Who is this Hollywood leading lady?
A 29 year old native of Scottsdale, Arizona, this Oscar-winning actress is widely regarded as one of the most talented of her generation and can play a diverse range of roles. She's comfortable in a comedic setting, having co-starred in films like Superbad and Zombieland, and stands out in dramatic roles in films like La La Land, Birdman, The Help, and Battle of the Sexes. She also starred in the Broadway music Cabaret in 2014. Her other credits include The Amazing Spider-Man and Easy A.
Who is this Hollywood leading lady?
This 36 year old actress has twice showcased her rapping ability on Saturday Night Live, but she's mostly known for her dramatic acting skills. While she has starred in a number of well-known films, she is best known for playing the lead role in Darren Aronofsky's Black Swan, for which she won a Golden Globe, Academy Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actress. Her other credits include V for Vendetta, The Other Boleyn Girl, Thor, and the Star Wars prequel trilogy.
Who is this Hollywood leading lady?
Like the two previous women, this 53 year old is an Academy Award-winning actress. She earned the honor for her portrayal of Leigh Anne Tuohy in The Blind Side, which was based on a true story. She has been acting on the big screen for more than 30 years and, in addition to The Blind Side, has starred in Miss Congeniality, Heat, The Net, Speed, Gravity, and Minions. She was named as one of Hollywood's highest-paid actresses in 2007 and, just three years ago, at 50 years old, was named to People's list of Most Beautiful Women.
Who is this Hollywood leading lady?
Before beginning her career in Hollywood, this 32 year old actress starred on Broadway and earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical in 1998 for her role in High Society. She was just 13 years old at the time. She has since earned a Best Actress nomination from the Academy and has appeared in films like Up in the Air, Pitch Perfect, End of Watch, and Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates. She was also in Twilight.
Who is this Hollywood leading lady?
Few actresses could even hope to have the career of this distinguished 52 year old South Carolina native. Throughout her career, she has played prominent roles in films such as Fences, Suicide Squad, The Help, Doubt, and It's Kind of a Funny Story. In addition to being recognized by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, she was the first black actress to be nominated for three Academy Awards; moreover, she was African-American to win a Tony, Emmy, and Oscar.
Who is this Hollywood leading lady?
This beautiful and talented 50 year old actress was born in Australia, but you would never know it based on watching her performances throughout the years as she has perfected the American accent. She made her Hollywood debut starring opposite Tom Cruise in Days of Thunder and later appeared in Far and Away, Batman Forever, and Eyes Wide Shut, among other popular films. More recently, she has appeared in the critically-acclaimed Lion, Rabbit Hole, and the HBO series Big Little Lies.
Who is this Hollywood leading lady?
A 42 year old native of South Africa, this talented actress most recently starred in the action film Atomic Blonde and, in the past, has had starring roles in Mad Max: Fury Road, A Million Ways to Die in the West, Prometheus, and Monster, for which she won the Academy Award and Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in her portrayal of serial killer Aileen Wuornos. Two years ago, she was named to Time Magazine's annual list of the top 100 most influential people in the world.
Who is this Hollywood leading lady?
This 37 year old Michigan native is currently starring in the ABC comedy series The Good Place and previously held starring roles in House of Lies and Veronica Mars. However, she has regularly stepped outside of the TV world to take on roles in major Hollywood motion pictures, including most notable voicing the character of Princess Anna in Frozen. She has also been in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Fanboys, Safety Not Guaranteed, and Bad Moms, and has her own web series, which launched this year.
Who is this Hollywood leading lady?
If there's any actress on this list that you might be more familiar with a character they played than the actress herself, it's this 42 year old English actress, who played Rose in Titanic. However, despite Rose being the biggest role of her career, she has since played lead roles in popular and critically-acclaimed films like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Finding Neverland, Steve Jobs, and Revolutionary Road. Beyond film, she is a passionate supporter of PETA and causes supporting autism research.
Who is this Hollywood leading lady?
A 39 year old native of New Jersey, you might best recognize this actress as Gamora, the love interest of Chris Pratt's character, Star-Lord, in Guardians of the Galaxy. She played the role in both the original and its sequel and has also had prominent roles in other science fiction-based films Star Trek and Avatar. She made her big screen debut in 2000 in the film Center Stage and her other credits include Vantage Point, The Losers, Live by Night, and The Book of Life.
Who is this Hollywood leading lady?
Best known for playing Elizabeth Swann in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, this 33 year old English actress has yet to win a major award, but has earned multiple Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations. She was also the highest-paid English actress as of the Forbes Celebrity 100 list in 2008. While she has turned her attention to Broadway following the success of the Pirates franchise, she has appeared in films such as Collateral Beauty, Colette, and Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit.
Who is this Hollywood leading lady?
Although this Canadian actress previously starred in Hard Candy and X-Men: The Last Stand, she really rose to prominence with her portrayal of a pregnant teenager opposite Michael Cera in Juno, for which she earned Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations for Best Actress and won Best Actress at the MTV Movie Awards and Independent Spirit Awards. In recent years, she has held prominent roles in films such as Flatliners, Into the Forest, To Rome with Love, Super, and Inception.
Who is this Hollywood leading lady?
A 48 year old native of Australia who resides in England, this actress has been in the business since 1992 and is a three-time Golden Globe winner and two-time Academy Award winner. Her first noteworthy role was in the 1998 film Elizabeth and she has since received nominations for her roles in Notes on a Scandal, I'm Not There, and Carol. Her other credits include roles in popular films such as The Talented Mr. Ripley, the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Babel, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
Who is this Hollywood leading lady?
One of the highest-paid actresses in the world, this 35 year old New York native has starred in films that have earned a combined $6.4 billion and is an Academy Award and Golden Globe winner. Her big screen debut saw her play the lead role in Disney's The Princess Diaries and she has since played a mixture of dramatic and comedic roles in films like Rachel Getting Married, Brokeback Mountain, The Devil Wears Prada, Love & Other Drugs, and The Intern.
Who is this Hollywood leading lady?
A 34 year old native of Russia who was raised in the United States, this actress got her start as Jackie on Fox's That 70's Show and currently voices the character of Meg on Family Guy. However, she has also become a leading Hollywood actress through her roles in comedic and dramatic films like Ted, Black Swan, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Max Payne, Bad Moms, and The Book of Eli. She's currently married to her That 70's Show co-star Ashton Kutcher, with whom she has two children.
Who is this Hollywood leading lady?
This 35 year old Golden Globe-winning actress stars in the recently-released A Quiet Place, for which she could very well earn additional accolades. Her past credits include The Girl on the Train, The Huntsman: Winter's War, Into the Woods, The Five-Year Engagement, and Charlie Wilson's War. She previously dated Canadian singer Michael Buble for three years, but is currently married to The Office actor John Krasinski, who is also her co-star, executive producer, and director in A Quiet Place. They have two daughters.
Who is this Hollywood leading lady?
A 43 year old native of Lincoln, Nebraska, this actress and producer made her big screen debut in the 1992 Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie, although she never appeared in the TV spin-off. She did, however, appear in one season of Beverly Hills 90210 before establishing herself as a successful leading lady in Hollywood. She earned a Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Actress in the 1999 film Boys Don't Cry and has since appeared in Million Dollar Baby, The Gift, Insomnia, P.S. I Love You, and Freedom Writers.
Who is this Hollywood leading lady?
This beautiful 36 year old is the wife of pop superstar and actor Justin Timberlake, although she is an accomplished actress herself, having starred in the long-running WB series 7th Heaven and earning a Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film in 1997 for her performance in Ulee's Gold. She predominantly plays the female lead in romantic comedies or action films and her recent credits include Shock and Awe, Hitchcock, The Truth About Emanuel, Valentine's Day, and, perhaps regrettably, I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry.
Who is this Hollywood leading lady?
This 55 year old American actress has been working in the industry since 1965, when she was just three years old, and received her first big break 12 years later, when she played a teenage prostitute in Martin Scorsese's Taxi Driver and earned a nomination for the Best Actress Academy Award. She was a teen idol of sorts during the 1970s and later gained more widespread recognition for her performances in The Accused, Silence of the Lambs, and Contact. Her most recent credits include The Brave One, Elysium, Inside Man, and The Beaver.
Who is this Hollywood leading lady?
This 28 year old English actress has done a good job at developing her career in recent years, but she'll forever be mostly known as Hermione Granger, a character she played in the extremely-popular Harry Potter franchise. She was in all eight films and reportedly earned upwards of $60 million for her work - all before she was 21 years old. Following Harry Potter, she earned acclaim for her performances in My Week with Marilyn, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and The Bling Ring.
Who is this Hollywood leading lady?
This 33 year old was the world's highest-paid actress from 2014 to 2016, during which time she appeared in films like Her, Under the Skin, and Lucy. In addition to her work in more serious films, she plays Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and, as such, has had co-starring roles in Avengers: Infinity War, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Age of Ultron, and Captain America: Winter Soldier, among others. Her other credits include Hitchcock, We Bought a Zoo, and He's Just Not That Into You.
Who is this Hollywood leading lady?
This 27 year old Australian actress is best known for her role as Harley Quinn in Suicide Squad, but has also gained acclaim for her performances in The Wolf of Wall Street, Focus, and, more recently, I, Tonya, in which she plays the titular role of controversial figure skating icon Tonya Harding and serves as producer. She was recently named as one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Forbes and featured in the magazine's 30 Under 30 list.
Who is this Hollywood leading lady?
This 39 year old Canadian actress starred opposite Ryan Gosling in The Notebook and played one of the lead roles in Mean Girls. While the majority of her roles early in her career were in comedies like The Hot Chick, Wedding Crashers, and The Family Stone, she has since earned critical acclaim for her performances in more serious and dramatic films like Married Life, The Time Traveler's Wife, and Spotlight, for which she earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. She most recently starred in Game Night.
Who is this Hollywood leading lady?
The highest-paid actress of 2016 and one of Time Magazine's most influential people in the world, this actress has accomplished more than most do in their entire career and she's still only 27 years old. Her films have grossed more than $5.5 billion worldwide and she has won multiple Golden Globe Awards as well as an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Silver Linings Playbook. Her other film credits include American Hustle, Joy, The Hunger Games, House at the End of the Street, Passengers, and Mother!
Who is this Hollywood leading lady?
A 44 year old native of London, England, this model and actress made her film debut in 1993 and later appeared in British dramas like Prince of Jutland, Emma, and the Golden Bowl. It wasn't until the turn of the century when she began gaining prominent roles in major Hollywood films, including Pearl Harbor and Serendipity. She has since appeared in the Underworld film series, Van Helsing, Whiteout, and Total Recall, among others. She hasn't been as active on the big screen as of late, but she's expected to star in the Amazon series The Widow later in 2018.
Who is this Hollywood leading lady?
Recognized by most critics as one of the best actresses of all-time, this American-born actress has won three Best Actress Academy Awards, but has been nominated a remarkable 21 times throughout her 40-plus year career. Her first film role was in 1977 in Julia and she has since become best known for her roles in films like Out of Africa, Doubt, The Devil Wears Prada, and Into the Woods. She won her Oscars for performances in The Iron Lady, Sophie's Choice, and Kramer vs. Kramer.
Who is this Hollywood leading lady?
The 49 year old California native is best known for playing Rachel Green on the long-running NBC sitcom Friends, but since the show ended in 2004 she has primarily appeared in a mixture of romantic comedies and dramas. She earned critical acclaim for her role of Claire Bennett in Cake, which earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in 2014, but can also be seen in the comedies We're the Millers, Horrible Bosses, The Bounty Hunter, Office Christmas Party, and Mother's Day.
Who is this Hollywood leading lady?
While this accomplished 40 year old actress recently showcased her comedic chops as the host of Saturday Night Live, you won't find her in any comedic roles in Hollywood. Her first acting credit came in 2004 on an episode of ER and, three years later, scored her first major role as the titular character of Jolene. She has since appeared in films such as The Tree of Life, Lawless, Zero Dark Thirty, Mama, The Martian, and Molly's Game. She's expected to play the role of Beverly Marsh in the sequel to Stephen King's It.
Who is this Hollywood leading lady?
A native of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, this 57 year old actress has 89 acting credits on her resume and recently reached the pinnacle of her career as she won the Best Actress Oscar in 2015 for her performance in Still Alice. It was her fifth nomination after coming up short for her performances in Far From Heaven, The Hours, The End of the Affair, and Boogie Nights. Her other well-known credits include The Hours, The Kids Are All Right, Far from Heaven, The Hunger Games, and Maps to the Stars.
Who is this Hollywood leading lady?
A 50 year old native of Smyrna, Georgia, this actress became a megastar after her performance opposite Richard Gere in the romantic comedy Pretty Woman. A decade later, she won the Academy Award for Best Actress for playing the titular character in Erin Brokovich. She has also won three Golden Globe Awards, while her films have grossed a combined $2.8 billion. Her other notable film credits include The Pelican's Brief, My Best Friend's Wedding, Ocean's Eleven, Charlie Wilson's War, and Money Monster.
Who is this Hollywood leading lady?
Like most high-profile actresses, this one started out on a popular TV show. She was a main character on the WB's Dawson's Creek before receiving her big break in Brokeback Mountain, for which she earned an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress nomination. While regarded as one of the most talented actress in Hollywood, she has prominently stuck to independent films like Blue Valentine and Manchester by the Sea. She also won a Golden Globe for Best Actress for her portrayal of Hollywood starlet Marilyn Monroe in My Week with Marilyn.
Who is this Hollywood leading lady?
This 42 year old actress is best known for playing comedic roles or starring as the female lead in romantic comedies, but she has also proved her versatility by earning accolades in dramatic roles. She won the Best Actress Oscar in 2006 for her performance in Walk the Line and earned both an Oscar and Golden Globe nomination for her performance in Wild. She also recently received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television for her performance in Big Little Lies.
Who is this Hollywood leading lady?
This 30 year actress is not only the husband of Ryan Reynolds; she's also an incredibly-talented dramatic actress who broke through into the mainstream consciousness with the role of Serena van der Woodsen in CW's Gossip Girl. She was the breakthrough talent of that series as she was able to break out of the teenage drama genre by earning acclaim for her performances in films like The Town, The Shallows, and Age of Adaline. Her other credits include Savages and Green Lantern.
Who is this Hollywood leading lady?
Despite having more than 120 acting credits on her resume and winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in The Help in 2011, this actress is only now becoming a household name through her breakthrough performances in Hidden Figures and The Shape of Water, both of which earned her additional Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress nominations. In the past, she appeared in films like Fruitvale Station, Insurgent, Paradise, Dinner for Schmucks, and Pretty Ugly People.
Who is this Hollywood leading lady?
Arguably one of the most well-known actresses of all-time due to a combination of her talent, philanthropy (she won the Academy Award's Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 2014), and personal life, this actress and director won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1999 for her performance in Girl, Interrupted and has since starred in a number of blockbuster films, including Maleficent, Salt, Wanted, Beouwulf, and Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. She also played Lara Croft in the original Tomb Raider franchise.