There are thousands of celebrities in Hollywood, and if you’re an actress, you know you’re a good one if you left an unforgettable mark in the hearts of people. Apart from being the best, these leading ladies are also known for causing a stir on set – whether it was their attitude or their wardrobe. Below is a list of the most memorable and iconic actresses in the entire history of film and television. Let’s get to know some of the biggest stars in history.
The Most Iconic Roles
Lea Thompson
The first celebrity on the list is the gorgeous 56-year old Lea Thompson who played the role of Lorraine Baines in the movie trilogy Back to the Future. Thompson started her acting career in commercials at the young age of 20 years old, but she reached the peak of her career when she played the iconic role of Lorraine Baines. Unlike other stars in the industry, Thompson still enjoys her fame at present, especially after starring in the family TV series Switched at Birth from 2011 to 2017. She also just finished appearing in the American TV series Dancing With The Stars
Lea Thompson
Bo Derek
You may think that you know a lot about Bo Derek, but you’ll realize you’re wrong as soon as you find out that Derek’s name is far from her screen name. Yes, that’s right. The celebrity’s real name is Mary Cathleen Collins. If you’re not surprised about that, you may be flabbergasted to know that our beloved Bo is 60 years old already! Derek is popular for her roles in Ghosts Can’t Do It, Bolero, 10, and Tarzan, the Ape Man. At the age of 60, Derek is semi-retired. This means that she will only occasionally make TV, movie, and documentary appearances.
Bo Derek
Jane Fonda
Although this actress is one of the most memorable, we’ll help you remember her just in case your memory plays tricks on you. Jane Fonda is an actress, former fashion model, fitness guru, political activist, and writer. She is a two-time Academy Award winner and a two-time BAFTA Award winner. With all these achievements, it’s hard to ever forget about this celebrity! She’s also made herself even more memorable when she said that she can go out in public and have no one to notice her as long as she’s not wearing makeup! Now that’s memorable!
Jane Fonda
Sophia Loren
Next on the list is the now 83-year old Sophia Loren. Loren was widely known as the “Italian Marilyn Monroe”. She entered the industry of acting and singing in the 50’s, and it’s great to know that she’s still slaying it. Loren may be popular for her stunning face, but there’s actually more to her than just a pretty face. She’s a foodie, for one thing! In fact, she admitted that “Everything you see I owe to spaghetti.”
Sophia Loren
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Everyone would agree that Buffy Summers is the embodiment of feminism. At only four years of age, Sarah Michelle Gellar was discovered at a local restaurant while dining out with her family. It’s no wonder, however, because she’s got both the face and the talent of a star. Apparently, she’s also got the personality for it as she’s considered one of the greatest female role models in history. Gellar doesn’t do a lot of acting these days. She’s busy enjoying life as a successful businesswoman, co-founding the food crafting brand Foodstirs, which offers kid-friendly baking kits.
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Nancy McKeon
If the name Nancy McKeon doesn’t ring a bell, Jo Polniaczek will surely do. Afterall, McKeon is popular for portraying the character in the 80’s hit TV series The Facts of Life. We last saw the actress on the big screen in 2011 in the movie Love Begins.
Nancy McKeon
Angie Harmon
Angie Harmon has a face that will have you staring way for longer than is considered polite. Even David Hasselhoff, who discovered her on a flight, will agree with the sentiment. Harmon was working as a model before she landed her first acting job. She even appeared on the covers of some of the most popular magazines, including Esquire, Cosmopolitan, and ELLE. She has since starred in Law & Order and Baywatch Nights, which kickstarted her acting career. The now 45-year old Harmon was last seen on TV on the series Rizzoli & Isles.
Angie Harmon
Pamela Anderson
Time flies so fast, doesn’t it? We didn’t even realize Pamela Anderson is now 50 years old! Anderson is best known for her roles in Baywatch, V.I.P., and Home Improvement. She’s also very popular for her crazy relationships with Kid Rock and Tommy Lee.
Pamela Anderson
Kim Richards
Kim Richards is famous for her role in the American sitcom Nanny and the Professor when she was a little girl. Aside from this, she also starred in various TV shows and films from the 70’s to the 90’s. Although her career went downhill for quite some time, she made a great comeback in 2002. Now 53 years old, Richards is a significant TV personality in The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
Kim Richards
Nancy Kerrigan
Nancy Kerrigan is a former figure skater with a fascinating Olympic history. Since she’s very popular, you might know about all this already, but let’s just talk about it anyway. Kerrigan won bronze at the Winter Olympics in 1992 and silver at the World Championships in the same year. This may have already impressed you, but that’s not all – she became the US National Champion in 1993. Aside from her athletic victories, Kerrigan is also famous for a scandal in 1994 when she was brutally attacked by the ex-husband of her rival. Fortunately, Kerrigan recovered and continued her journey in the Olympics, winning silver at the Winter Olympics in 1994. Since the accident, Kerrigan continued training and even had a stint as a contestant on the 24th season of Dancing with the Stars.
Nancy Kerrigan
Jaclyn Smith
Nothing really beats the original cast of Charlie’s Angels. After all, who didn’t love Jaclyn Smith as Kelly Garrett? Smith’s character was well-loved by many and she stayed on the series for its entire duration. In the 80’s, Smith opened her own clothing line and perfume brand. She’s still running the businesses until now!
Jaclyn Smith
Cheryl Ladd
Another cast member of the 70’s hit show Charlie’s Angels makes it to this list. After Farrah Fawcett left, Cheryl Ladd took the spot. At 66 years old, Ladd is still a familiar face on television. This is because she’s starred in over 30 made-for-television movies! Just recently, Ladd was featured as a guest star on TV shows like NCIS and Chuck.
Cheryl Ladd
Farrah Fawcett
Before Cheryl Ladd, Farrah Fawcett played the role of Jill Monroe in Charlie’s Angels. Although Ladd did a great job in portraying the role of Jill Monroe, many think that the Angels simply weren’t the same after Fawcett left. Moreover, Fawcett is a four-time Emmy Award nominee and a six-time Golden Globe Award nominee. She was well-known for her iconic poster where she wore a red bikini and a seductive hairstyle. She was also praised for her Off-Broadway plays. In 2009, Fawcett died of cancer at the age of 62.
Farrah Fawcett
Dawn Wells
It’s impossible for anyone to forget Mary Ann Summers from the American sitcom Gilligan’s Island. Because of her role in this hit series, TV Guide ranked Wells to be at number 50 on the list of “50 Sexiest Stars of All Time”. Now 79 years old, Wells recently appeared in one of the episodes of The Bold and the Beautiful last 2016.
Dawn Wells
Marina Sirtis
Actress Marina Sirtis also makes it to our list. Actress Marina Sirtis also makes it to our list. She was best known for her role as Deanna Troi on the American TV show Star Trek: The Next Generation as well as the feature films that followed. Since then, Sirtis has appeared in supporting roles on various TV shows and films such as and NCIS, Grey’s Anatomy, and Crash.
Marina Sirtis
Mary-Kate And Ashley Olsen
Fraternal twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen started their careers at the extremely young age of six months old when they were cast in the role of Michelle Tanner on Full House. Imagine that! The twins are now widely known as fashion icons. And thanks to their limited liability company Dualstar, the twins are now amongst the wealthiest women in the industry of entertainment at the age of 31 years old.
Mary Kate And Ashley Olsen
Melissa Rauch
We really can’t afford to miss Melissa Rauch on this list. Rauch is very well-known for her role as Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz on the popular American comedy show The Big Bang Theory. The 37-year-old actress is enjoying a successful career, thanks to The Big Bang Theory. In other news, she also lent her voice to Harley Quinn in the animated film Batman and Harley Quinn.
Melissa Rauch
Raquel Welch
How did we not realize that Raquel Welch is now 77 years old? I’m sure you didn’t expect that. The actress and singer is popular for her emergence as a sex symbol in the 60’s. She starred in many TV shows and movies, but it was her roles in the fantasy movie One Million Years B.C. and the American science fiction flick Fantastic Voyage that truly elevated her career. Today, Welch runs a successful beauty and fitness business.
Raquel Welch
Maureen McCormick
With her long list of accomplishments, Maureen McCormick is considered as some sort of Wonder Woman. Remember when she played the role of Marcia on the American sitcom The Brady Bunch? Aside from the hit TV show, she has also done some stage acting, released not just one but four studio albums, and published several books. Color us impressed!
Maureen McCormick
Justine Bateman
Justine Bateman is an actress whose figurative middle name is versatility. An actress, director, producer, and writer, it’s no wonder Bateman is considered an all-around talent. Bateman has appeared in various TV shows, including Californication, Satisfaction, Family Ties, and Desperate Housewives. In 2016, she earned a degree in Computer Science and Digital Media Management from UCLA. Now that’s quite an achievement!
Justine Bateman
Lisa Whelchel
Lisa Whelchel is popular for playing various iconic roles like Blair Warner on the American sitcom The Facts of Life and as a Mouseketeer on the TV program The New Mickey Mouse Club. In 1984, Whelchel was nominated for a Grammar Award for the Christian album All Because of You. And don’t forget that she won second place in Survivor: Philippines back in 2012.
Lisa Whelchel
Erika Eleniak
At the early age of 19, Erika Eleniak appeared in the men’s magazine Playboy. That would launch young Eleniak’s career. In 1989, Eleniak took big roles in shows Baywatch and Charles in Charge. Later, she appeared in various TV shows and movies, including The Beverly Hillbillies, The Blob, and Under Siege. Her last appearance on the screen was in Marilyn Monroe Back?.
Erika Eleniak
Jacqueline Bisset
The now 73-year old Jacqueline Bisset entered the world of show business in the year 1965. It’s amazing that she has managed to remain in the spotlight half a century later. In fact, the actress just worked on three recently-released movies: 9/11, Backstabbing for Beginners, and L’Amant Double.
Jacqueline Bisset
Elizabeth Berkley
If you’re a 90’s baby, you’ll surely appreciate the fact that Elizabeth Berkley made it on this list. Berkley played the beautiful and witty role of Jessie Spano on the American sitcom Saved by the Bell, which is one of the greatest 90’s TV shows to be ever made. At 45 years old, Berkley is not only an actress and dancer. She’s also a committed animal rights activist. She even has an online self-help program called Ask-Elizabeth, which she founded in 2006 for teenage girls.
Elizabeth Berkley
Jennifer Connelly
Jennifer Connelly started her career as a child model before entering the world of acting. When she starred in Requiem for a Dream and Dark City, that’s when her career exploded. Later, she starred in various TV shows and films along with iconic stars in the industry. In fact, she got the opportunity to work with Russell Crowe in the drama film A Beautiful Mind. Connelly is currently strongly involved in organizations that support human rights, children’s rights, and clean water.
Jennifer Connelly
Sasha Alexander
Suzana S. Drobnjaković Ponti, more commonly known as Sasha Alexander, is known for her role as Maura Isles on TV series Rizzoli & Isles, Gretchen Witter on the drama series Dawson’s Creek, and Caitlin Todd on TV series NCIS. The Serbian-American actress currently has a recurring role on the American comedy series Shameless.
Sasha Alexande
Ursula Andress
Once a Bond girl, always a Bond girl. Ursula Andress played the role of Honey Ryder in the first ever Bond movie Dr. No, and she was certainly memorable. She is presently in retirement after a successful acting and modeling career.
Ursula Andress
Elisabeth Shue
In her acting career, Elisabeth Shue has starred in various shows and movies, including Cocktail, Back to the Future, and The Karate Kid. From 2012 to 2015, the actress played the role of Julie Finlay in the police procedural CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Shue is now 54 years old.
Elisabeth Shue
Melissa Sue Anderson
American-Canadian actress Melissa Sue Anderson is best known for her role as Mary Ingalls on the Little House on the Prairie. She also starred in other great movies such as Which Mother Is Mine?, Midnight Offerings, and Happy Birthday to Me. Today, Anderson is still acting. In fact, her new movie The Brits Are Coming is expected to come out sometime this year.
Melissa Sue Anderson
Winona Ryder
Winona Ryder is one of the most successful actresses of the 90’s. She is best-known for playing her roles in Girl, Interrupted, Mermaids, Beetlejuice, The Age of Innocence, Edward Scissorhands, and so much more. The actress is said to have “retired” for a few years, but she made her “comeback” in 2006. It proved to be the right decision. After her comeback, she got the opportunity to appear in Black Swan, Star Trek, and When Love Is Not Enough: The Lois Wilson Story. Her most recent acting credit was in the popular Netflix show Stranger Things.
Winona Ryder
Christina Applegate
Christina Applegate is best known for playing the character of Kelly Bundy on the American sitcom Married… with Children. Or maybe we just remember her many scandalous outfits. However, only a few realize that she also starred in quite a number of films and Broadway productions. She’s also a very successful actress, as evidenced by her Emmy award and multiple nominations.
Christina Applegate
Jennifer Grey
Jennifer Grey has great acting skills, and her roles in the 80’s films Dirty Dancing and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off will show you just that. Grey was even nominated for a Golden Globe Award for her role in Dirty Dancing! Later, she was also declared the winner of the 11th season of Dancing with the Stars. She has since starred in Red Oaks.
Jennifer Grey
Phoebe Cates
The name Phoebe Cates usually brings back memories of the movies Gremlins and Fast Times at Ridgemont High. These two movies played a big part in Cates’ career as these ended up being her biggest jobs. She continued her acting career for a few years but decided to retire in the year 1994 to raise her children. Interestingly, she came back to the big screen in 2001 in the indie film The Anniversary Party to help out a friend.
Phoebe Cates
Jami Gertz
Jami Gertz starred in quite a lot of TV shows and movies. She is best known for playing roles in Quicksilver, Crossroads, Twister, Less Than Zero, The Lost Boys, and Square Pegs. The now 52-year old actress also played the role of Debbie Weaver in the American sitcom The Neighbors and Judy Miller in Still Standing. More recently, she has appeared in Difficult People and This Is Us.
Jami Gertz
Catherine Bell
Catherine Bell is popular for her roles as Denise Sherwood in the American drama TV series Army Wives, Major Sarah MacKenzie in the TV show JAG, and Cassandra “Cassie” Nightingale in the Hallmark TV series and movie The Good Witch. Bell has consistently landed lead roles in Hallmark movies.
Catherine Bell
Olivia Hussey
Olivia Hussey is an English-Argentine actress best known for her portrayal of Juliet in the 1968 film version of Romeo and Juliet by Franco Zeffirelli. In fact, she received international recognition for her role. She also won the David di Donatello Award and a Golden Globe Award. After her big movie role, she has since starred in a lot of great movies and did plenty of voice acting. Her latest acting credit was for the film Social Suicide.
Olivia Hussey
Susan Olsen
Susan Olsen is another jack of all trades on this list. She started her career as a child star but she would also become an artist, radio host, and animal welfare advocate. She’s popular for her role as the young Cindy Brady in the American sitcom The Brady Bunch. The star last appeared in the movie Mama Claus, Deck the Halls with Guts, which was released in the year 2015.
Susan Olsen
Eve Plumb
Speaking of the young Brady, middle daughter Jan is also on this list. Eve Plumb continued her acting career after The Brady Bunch, but her passion lies in painting. Her works of art have been exhibited in many galleries across the country. Plumb also recently made an appearance on the American drama series Blue Bloods.
Eve Plumb
Julie Benz
If you don’t know Julie Benz, you must have been living under a rock. That’s because Benz starred in tons of TV series and movies over the years. She played many roles in her entire career, but the most memorable ones are Rita Bennett from Dexter and Darla from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It’s no wonder she’s always on TV when she’s such a great actress. In fact, she earned two Saturn Awards for Best Supporting Actress. From the year 2015 to 2017, she had a recurring role on the American TV series Hawaii Five-0.
Julie Benz
Kristin Kreuk
Kristin Kreuk is a Vancouver-born actress who starred in many shows and films such as Beauty and the Beast and Smallville. The actress also appeared in movies like Eurotrip, Irvine Welsh’s Ecstasy, Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li, and Snow White: The Fairest of Them All. She presently stars in the Canadian drama series Burden of Truth.
Kristin Kreuk
Erin Moran
Erin Moran is best known for playing the role of Joanie Cunningham in Happy Days and Joanie Loves Chachi. After her successful role in Happy Days, the actress appeared in a number of TV shows and movies before she decided to retire in 2012. Unfortunately, Moran passed away last year.
Erin Moran
Erica Durance
Erica Durance is a Canadian actress who is popular for her roles as Lois Lane on Smallville and Dr. Alex Reid on Saving Hope. Later, she starred in movies like Island Heat: Stranded and The Butterfly Effect 2. She currently has a recurring role on Supergirl as Alura Zor-El.
Erica Durance
Roz Kelly
Roz Kelly is another star who played a role in the American sitcom Happy Days. She played as Carol “Pinky” Tuscadero, Fonzie’s girlfriend. She continued acting for a few years but decided to retire in 1983.
Roz Kelly
Michelle Trachtenberg
Everyone is probably familiar with Michelle Trachtenberg. After all, she was a popular 90’s star who starred in various shows and movies like Harriet the Spy, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Adventures of Pete & Pete, and Gossip Girl. Her last appearance was in Sister Cities, a TV movie released in 2016.
Michelle Trachtenberg
Hayden Panettiere
At the age of 11 months old, Hayden Panettiere already made several appearances in a commercial. This would mark the beginning of her acting career. She soon became a child actress, starring in movies like Remember the Titans. In later years, she pursued acting full-time, starring in shows like Nashville as Juliette Barnes and Heroes as Claire Bennet. In 2014, she gave birth to a daughter and revealed that she suffered from post-partum depression. The general public admired her bravery for opening up about such a sensitive topic.
Hayden Panettiere
Marilyn Chambers
Before shifting to the world of mainstream acting, Marilyn Chambers was a pornographic movie actress, an exotic dancer, and a model. Although she was known for her career in the adult filming industry, she developed her acting skills and started working on non-pornographic film projects. In 2009, Chambers passed away from an aneurysm and a cerebral hemorrhage.
Marilyn Chambers
Yvonne De Carlo
Yvonne De Carlo is a Canadian-American actress, singer, and dancer. Her acting career exploded after her debut acting role in the film Salome, Where She Danced in 1945. She continued her career and retired in 1995. She passed away a little over a decade ago.
Yvonne De Carlo
Linda Gray
Linda Gray is a successful television, film, and stage actress, former model, director, and producer. She is popularly known for her role as Sue Ellen Ewing in the American television series Dallas. Now 77 years old, Gray is still going strong.
Linda Gray
Anjelica Huston
Apparently, fame and success run in the Huston family. In fact, Anjelica Huston is the third Academy Award winner in her family and she deserves it after her great performances in The Addams Family, Prizzi’s Honor, The Grifters, and Enemies, A Love Story. In case you don’t know, Huston is also the published author of 3 books.
Anjelica Huston
Victoria Principal
Victoria Principal is widely known for her role as Pamela Barnes Ewing in the soap opera Dallas. After years of working as an actress, Principal retired in the year 2001. Although she has quit acting, she still enjoys plenty of success. She founded a production company, launched a skincare line, and wrote several books.
Victoria Principal
Betty White
Shame on you if the name doesn’t ring any bells. During her time, Betty White was in control of everything in front and behind the camera. The actress and comedian also holds the record for the longest career of any female entertainer. Plus, she’s the first woman to have ever produced a sitcom! Yep, that’s an impressive amount of records. White is still acting until this day.
Betty White
Beverley Owen
Beverley Owen is popular for playing the role of Marilyn in the first season of the American sitcomThe Munsters. Later, she left her role in the series to marry the producer and writer Jon Stone. The couple now has two children between them.
Beverley Owen
Priscilla Presley
Priscilla Presley might always be remembered as Elvis’s ex-wife but she deserves recognition for herself. She made herself famous by playing acting in Naked Gun and Dallas. In 2017, she also lent her voice in one episode of Family Guy.
Priscilla Presley
Hayley Mills
English actress Hayley Mills will always be remembered for her role in the Disney movie The Parent Trap. She started her career as a child actress but she later became a theatrical actress, taking on more serious and mature roles. The actress is still acting until now.
Hayley Mills
Sally Struthers
Sally Struthers is popular for her role as Gloria Stivic on All in the Family. This role suited her and it even earned her two Emmy awards! She also plays Babette on the American comedy series Gilmore Girls. Struthers is not only an actress but also a spokeswoman, voice artist, and activist.
Sally Struthers
Joyce DeWitt
Joyce DeWitt is best known for playing the role of Janet Wood on Three’s Company. One of the most interesting things about her is that she is an advocate for the hungry and homeless in America. She also narrated Street Signs: Homeless But Not Hopeless, which will come out later this year.
Joyce DeWitt
Suzanne Somers
Speaking of Three’s Company, let’s not forget to mention Suzanna Somers. She is also well-known for playing the role of Carol Foster-Lambert on the American sitcom Step by Step. Aged 71 years old, Somers is also a singer, an author, a health spokesperson, and a businesswoman.
Suzanne Somers
Margot Kidder
Margot Kidder will forever remain Lois Lane from Superman in our hearts. Aside from her iconic roles, Kidder is also famous for her outspoken personality, especially when it comes to politics, wars, and the environment. Being outspoken as she is, Kidder has been extremely open about her mental illness issues, making her an inspiration for many people. Unfortunately, Kidder passed away earlier this year at the age of 69.
Margot Kidder
Priscilla Barnes
We have another Three’s Company star in the house – Priscilla Barnes. She replaced Suzanne Somers in the role of Terri Alden. She later appeared in more shows and films, including The Devil’s Rejects, A Vacation in Hell, Mallrats, Licence to Kill, and Jane the Virgin.
Priscilla Barnes
Mary Tyler Moore
Two of the most memorable sitcoms Mary Tyler Moore starred in? The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. She is a great cultural icon who inspired many women by breaking stereotypes and gender norms. Unfortunately, she passed away in January 2017.
Mary Tyler Moore
Loretta Swit
Don’t forget to watch the classic TV show M*A*S*H if you haven’t seen it yet. It was also a great testament to Swit’s acting skills! While she has yet to retire, she doesn’t act as often anymore. Regardless, the 80-year old has a star of her own on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Loretta Swit
Melissa Gilbert
Actress and director Melissa Gilbert started her career as a child actress. In 2016, she ran for US Congress as Michigan’s 8th congressional district. She won but later dropped the position because of her neck injuries.
Melissa Gilbert
Karen Grassle
Now 76 years old, Karen Grassle is the original Caroline Ingalls from Little House on the Prairie. The actress last starred in the short film Where’s Roman?, which was released in 2017.
Karen Grassle
Marie Osmond
A member of the Osmond show business empire, she is an actress, author, and a doll designer! That’s unique, I know. Marie also has a great solo country singing career. If that’s not enough to impress you, she’s also a great TV personality who hosted the Variety show Donny & Marie with her brother Donny. Marie still continues to act.
Marie Osmond
Roxie Roker
Roxie Roker played the role of Helen Willis on the American sitcom The Jeffersons. What’s amazing is that her character was part of the first interracial couple on primetime television! Sadly, the actress died of breast cancer in 1995.
Roxie Roker
Barbara Feldon
Barbara Feldon’s resume is mostly filled with her theatre work. However, she was also on the sitcom Get Smart. Although we don’t see Feldon on TV or films these days, she’s still active in the scene. Aside from acting, Feldon is also a model and a published author.
Barbara Feldon
Lisa Bonet
Lisa Bonet played the memorable role of Denise Huxtable on The Cosby Show. Her last appearance was in the series Ray Donovan. She is now married to Jason Momoa of Game of Thrones fame. The couple has two children.
Lisa Bonet
Phylicia Rashad
Another The Cosby Show actor is also on this list. Phylicia Rashad was twice nominated for an Emmy Award for her portrayal of Clair Huxtable. Aside from acting, she has also demonstrated her singing and stage directing skills on Broadway.
Phylicia Rashad
Valerie Harper
With her four Emmy Awards, Valerie Harper is certainly deserving of a spot on our list. She is known for her roles in various shows and films, including The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Freebie and the Bean, Valerie, and more. The Broadway star is currently busy with her involvement in charity organizations.
Valerie Harper
Sandy Duncan
Another Broadway star made it to this list. Sandy Duncan is popular for her work in Peter Pan. The actress, singer, dancer, and comedienne has been nominated for two Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and three Tony Awards. If that’s not impressive enough, Duncan still continues to perform on Broadway at the age of 72.
Sandy Duncan
Christine Lakin
Christine Lakin is famous for her roles in many different TV shows and movies, including Reefer Madness, Step by Step, and The Kilborn File. She is presently the star of the new American comedy series Hollywood Darlings.
Christine Lakin
Staci Keanan
Staci Keanan made her debut in 1987 and retired in 2012. In that span of time, she became popular for acting in Step by Step and My Two Dads. In 2017, she married actor and producer Guy Birtwhistle.
Staci Keanan
Shelley Long
Shelley Long’s role on Cheers earned her five nominations for an Emmy Award. She won one of them and two Golden Globe Awards as well. Her recent appearance on the big screen was in a flick called Southern Christmas.
Shelley Long
Terry Farrell
Star Trek star Terry Farrell retired in 2003, but she made her fans happy with her 2015 comeback. More recently, the 54-year old actress appeared in the series Renegades.
Terry Farrell
Jane Leeves
Jane Leeves became famous for playing the role of Daphne Moon on the American sitcom Frasier. She did a great job at playing the role, something that her Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award nominations can prove to the world. Now 57 years old, Leeves recently appeared in the American sitcom The Great Indoors.
Jane Leeves
Claudia Cardinale
The amazing Claudia Cardinale is probably one of the most famous actresses to come out of Italy in history. Well, she was actually born in Tunisia, but won a contest and was named “Most Beautiful Italian Girl in Tunisia.” Her prize was a trip to Italy where she became a huge film star. Over her career she starred in more than 142 movies! After retiring from Hollywood, she’s worked as an activist, specifically as a UNESCO goodwill ambassador.
Claudia Cardinale
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
We all fell in love with the hysterical Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Elaine in the sitcom of the century, Seinfeld. Well, her career didn’t just cease to exist after the show ended. As you probably know, she has won Emmys for her hilarious HBO show, Veep. Sadly, she announced in September 2017 that she was diagnosed with breast cancer. We’re all rooting for you Julia!
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Shirley MacLaine
Back in 1955, MacLaine starred in her first move, The Trouble With Harry. This Alfred Hitchcock movie helped her become a star. Since then, she’s won five Golden Globes. Besides her expansive career, she’s known for her eccentric views. In the last 10 years, she has spoken out about her belief in UFOs and other unconventional things. Many criticized her in 2015 when she claimed that victims of the Holocaust just experienced karma and claimed Stephen Hawking subconsciously gave himself the disease ALS in order to focus better on physics.
Shirley MacLaine
Liv Ullmann
International star Liv Ullmann grew up everywhere from Tokyo and New York to Canada. Once she made her stage debut back in 1957, it wasn’t long after that director Ingmar Bergman snatched her up! Yes, she became one of the Swedish director’s muses. Nowadays, she enjoys retirement, but let’s not forget her recent work as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and for women refugees worldwide.
Liv Ullmann
Lauren Bacall
Ah, the lovely and talented Lauren Bacall. Bacall’s stardom spanned well beyond the 1960’s. Even more recently, she voiced for the animated show Family Guy. Sadly, she passed away only a month before her 90th birthday. On August 12, 2014, the world lost a Hollywood icon and legend.
Lauren Bacall
Ann Margret
Most people knew Ann Margret from either Bye Bye Birdie or Viva Las Vegas. Oh, how could we forget, she also starred in Carnal Knowledge! As recently as 2010, this star got her first Emmy, for a role on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Yet, it was her singing that had people claim she could become the female Elvis! In fact, she did have an affair with him while shooting Viva Las Vegas. Anyway, she was married to Roger Smith until his death in 2017.
Ann Margret
Dianne Wiest
From Footloose to The Lost Boys, Dianne Wiest became a classic of Hollywood easily. When she starred in The Purple Rose of Cairo, that marked the beginning of her career with Woody Allen. More recently, she was in Dan in Real Life and HBO’s In Treatment. She also became a regular on Life in Pieces.
Dianne Wiest
Geena Davis
Davis was an 80’s queen, starring in hit films like Beetlejuice and The Fly. Of course, her first role was in Tootsie. Although she almost ended her career entirely with the failed film Cutthroat Island, she recovered and starred in Thelma & Louise. Now, Davis continues to keep busy with everything from Fox’s The Exorcist to her recurring guest role on Grey’s Anatomy.
Geena Davis
Tina Louise
Of course, we had to include Tina Louise since we have Dawn Wells on this list. Anyway, her costar Tina Louise was already a Hollywood star before playing Ginger on Gilligan’s Island. However, after the show, she had trouble landing new roles due to typecasting. Louise did take her talents to Broadway though. Also she volunteers as an elementary school teacher in her current home state of New York.
Tina Louise
Jamie Lee Curtis
Clearly, we don’t need to remind you who Jamie Lee Curtis is! Everyone knew her name after her 1978 role in Halloween. Yes, she was one of the original scream queens. However, she proved her comedic talents in Trading Places. Since 1984, this star has been married to director/writer Christopher Guest. Did you know she’s Jake Gyllenhaal’s godmother?
Jamie Lee Curtis
Sissy Spacek
Recognize this star from the horror movie Carrie? Sissy Spacek also gained critical acclaim and an Academy Award for her role in Coal Miner’s Daughter. You probably didn’t know she also released a record in the 80’s because of her role in that film! She even starred with Reese Witherspoon in Four Christmases (2008). Spacek even had a part in The Help. Recently, she plays Sally Rayburn for Netflix’s Bloodline.
Sissy Spacek
Kathleen Turner
Another huge 80’s star, Kathleen Turner is most famous for voicing Jessica Rabbit and her roles in Romancing the Stone and Prizzi’s Honor alongside Jack Nicholson. Her debut was in the erotic Body Heat, which turned her into an international sex symbol. Later in life, she had roles on Friends and Californication. She’s worked as an advocate for Planned Parenthood since she was just 19! Also she regularly contributes to the Democratic Party.
Kathleen Turner
Jessica Lange
Jessica Lange is iconic. Back in 1976, she made her debut in King Kong. Over the years, she’s accumulated 2 Academy Awards, 5 Golden Globes, a Tony and 3 Emmy’s, but no big deal. Nowadays, she’s most famous for her role in American Horror Story. She’s also a UN Goodwill Ambassador. Beauty, talent and heart! She’s got it all.
Jessica Lange
Lori Singer
Another Footloose star, we have Lori Singer! Before that, she had the lead as Julie on Fame. Ever since those hit roles, her career has slowed down quite a bit. Well, she is a Juillard-trained cellist and unsurprisingly, has performed at both the Royal Albert Hall and Carnegie Hall! In addition, she produced Mea Maxina Culpa: Silence in the House of God.
Lori Singer
Elizabeth McGovern
By the young age of 20, Elizabeth McGovern had acted in Ordinary People, an Oscar-Winning movie. She was destined for success. Next, she was nominated for her own Oscar after her role in Ragtime! McGovern also had roles in Lovesick and Once Upon a Time in America. She also took her talents to the stage and television. Now, everyone is celebrating her for role as Cora on Downton Abbey. McGovern also fronted for the band Sadie and the Hotheads.
Elizabeth McGovern
Molly Ringwald
This 80’s poster child was in everything from The Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink to Sixteen Candles. Since then, she’s kept busy with things like Secret Life of the American Teenager. Now, she plays Mary Andrews on The CW’s Riverdale.
Molly Ringwald
Carrie Fisher
Yes, we had to include the people’s Princess, Carrie Fisher. This iconic Star Wars leading lady also appeared in The Blues Brothers and When Harry met Sally. Fisher even got to reprise her role as Leia for 2014’s Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens and film scenes for Star Wars Episode VIII. Tragically, she died from cardiac arrest in 2016.
Carrie Fisher
Sean Young
Sean Young starred in Blade Runner, Dune and Wall Street. Clearly, the 80’s were good to Ms. Young. However, things never really came to fruition for this star. She did see some success again in the 90’s with Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and later on, Bone Tomahawk. Let’s not forget her role in The Young and the Restless.
Sean Young
Karen Allen
Karen Allen’s career took off after roles in Cruising and Animal House. When she starred with Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark, she really hit her peak. Ever since those days, she’s dabbled in independent films and TV shows. Also she reprised the role of Marion for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. In recent years, Allen has worked extensively with a Massachusetts theater company.
Karen Allen
Helen Mirren
Living legend Helen Mirren began acting on stages around the world. This British actress began acting in films like Age of Consent, Excalibur and Midsummer Night’s Dream. Now, she has an Academy Award to her name for playing Queen Elizabeth II in Queen. She played a large part in both Red and Red 2. Anyway, many celebrate Mirren today for her work fighting for women’s rights.
Helen Mirren
Linda Kozlowski
Linda Kozlowski made her film debut in 1981, but it was in 1986 when her career exploded. This happened after she played the female lead character in the movie franchise Crocodile Dundee. We’re sure you remember her many sultry outfits, especially the bikini. After her hit movie role, she got a few more acting jobs. In 2001, she chose to retire from her acting career. Apparently, she was not satisfied with the roles given to her.
Linda Kozlowski