Hollywood is known for its iconic leading ladies, but some of the most memorable movie moments come from actresses who appeared briefly on screen. These talented women, even in small or supporting roles, brought such personality and emotion that they often outshone the main stars. Whether through funny appearances or powerful scenes, they proved that every role offers a chance to make a lasting impression. This list honors the late actresses who left a significant mark on film history despite their limited screen time.
Beatrice Straight
Faye Dunaway gave a remarkably impactful Oscar-winning performance in ‘Network,’ despite only being on screen for under six minutes. As Louise Schumacher, she delivered a stunning monologue about her husband’s infidelity – a scene considered a perfect example of acting. In just a few minutes, she powerfully conveyed years of pain and betrayal, becoming the emotional core of the film’s sharp satire.
Gloria Grahame
Diana Grahame made a lasting impression in ‘The Bad and the Beautiful’ with a roughly nine-minute performance as Rosemary Bartlow. She skillfully portrayed a character who was both captivating and heartbreakingly flawed. Though seemingly superficial, Rosemary plays a crucial role in the story, ultimately impacting the film’s producer and driving the plot forward. This short but powerful performance won her an Academy Award and established her as a standout actress in classic noir films.
Thelma Ritter
Agnes Ritter was known for playing witty, down-to-earth women from working-class backgrounds who often served as the voice of reason in films. Even in a supporting role like Birdie Coonan in ‘All About Eve’, her sharp and honest comments cut through the artificiality of the theater world. She was the first to recognize the villain’s manipulative nature, something others missed, and her realistic portrayal balanced out the more dramatic performances of the main characters.
Elsa Lanchester
Elsa Lanchester had a double role in ‘Bride of Frankenstein,’ but she’s most famous for her portrayal of the Bride herself. Although she was only on screen for a few minutes, her unique, bird-like movements and memorable hissing created a monster that was both frightening and strangely pitiable. That short appearance resulted in one of the most enduring and iconic images in horror film history.
Margaret Hamilton
Margaret Hamilton became infamous for playing the Wicked Witch of the West in ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ frightening children for decades. Despite not being on screen as much as the other main actors, she powerfully dominated every moment she appeared in. She crafted a truly unforgettable villain using her physical presence and her incredibly distinctive laugh. In fact, some of her scenes were actually cut from the movie because they were considered too frightening for younger viewers.
Ruth Gordon
Ruth Gordon was brilliantly unsettling in ‘Rosemary’s Baby,’ playing the nosy neighbor Minnie Castevet. She expertly mixed humor with a creepy undertone, making the character both memorable and frightening. Her flamboyant style and constant meddling created a truly unforgettable performance, which earned her an Academy Award and demonstrated that true horror can hide behind a friendly face.
Hattie McDaniel
Hattie McDaniel made history as the first African American to win an Academy Award, recognized for her portrayal of Mammy in ‘Gone with the Wind.’ She powerfully commanded attention in every scene, delivering her lines with both authority and wit. Often, her character provided a grounding, sensible counterpoint to the film’s more impulsive lead. Even though acting opportunities for Black performers were limited then, McDaniel brought remarkable dignity and strength to the role.
Agnes Moorehead
As a critic, I have to say Agnes Moorehead absolutely kills it in ‘Citizen Kane.’ There’s this one flashback, and she plays Kane’s mother – it’s brief, but devastating. She perfectly captures this mother’s fierce love and the heartbreaking decision to give her son away, hoping for a better future for him. It’s a short scene, but it’s the emotional bedrock of the whole movie. Honestly, her stern, sad face lingers throughout the film, and you instantly understand the root of Kane’s lifelong isolation. It’s a truly haunting performance.
Jo Van Fleet
Jo Van Fleet received an Academy Award for her very first film role in ‘East of Eden’. Though she only appeared in a few scenes as the distant mother of the main characters, her performance was incredibly impactful. She played a tough brothel owner, and her raw, honest portrayal of a woman with a painful past and strong will was considered shocking for the time. She communicated a wealth of emotion and backstory without relying on a lot of dialogue.
Estelle Reiner
Rob Reiner cemented her place in pop culture with a single line from ‘When Harry Met Sally…’. As the woman in the deli witnessing a famously faked orgasm, her dry delivery of “I’ll have what she’s having” became one of the most quoted movie lines ever. What started as a small, background role instantly became iconic thanks to this perfectly timed comedic moment.
Hermione Baddeley
Simone Baddeley holds the record for the briefest performance ever to receive a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination. She was in ‘Room at the Top’ for just about two and a half minutes, playing a music teacher named Elspeth. Despite the short screen time, her portrayal of kindness and emotional depth really impressed voters, proving that a performance doesn’t need to be long to be powerful.
Sylvia Miles
Miles had a remarkable talent for making a strong impact, even with limited screen time. She earned an Oscar nomination for her small role in ‘Midnight Cowboy’, where she played a sophisticated Park Avenue woman. In a single scene, she perfectly conveyed the isolation and unique character of New York City.
Eileen Heckart
Goldie Heckart received an Academy Award for her performance in ‘Butterflies Are Free’. She portrayed a mother who starts out overly controlling but gradually learns to give her blind son the space he needs. Despite having limited screen time, her transformation felt genuine and well-deserved. Heckart skillfully balanced a clever sense of humor with emotional depth, preventing what could have been a one-dimensional, negative character from becoming truly sympathetic.
Lila Kedrova
Kedrova stepped into the role of Madame Hortense in ‘Zorba the Greek’ after another actress left, and her performance was critically acclaimed, even earning her an Oscar. She beautifully portrayed the aging courtesan, bringing a touch of sadness and sweetness to the character. Her acting emphasized both the lost beauty of the past and the character’s deep longing for connection, captivating audiences with a sense of delicate hope.
Wendy Hiller
Hiller was part of a large cast in ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ and truly shined as the Russian Princess Dragomiroff. Her interrogation scene was particularly impressive, showcasing her character’s strong will and proud, upper-class attitude. She captivated viewers with her intense gaze and perfectly delivered lines, bringing a sense of weight and intrigue to the film’s already exciting mystery.
Zelda Rubinstein
Dominique Dunne became a defining figure in 1980s horror thanks to her role as Tangina Barrons in ‘Poltergeist’. Her small size and unique voice made the character, an unusual psychic, instantly recognizable. She explained complicated ideas about ghosts with a calm confidence that made the fantastical parts of the movie feel believable. Her line about the house being clear of spirits is still one of the most famous moments in the film.
Alice Drummond
Drummond is instantly recognizable as the frightened librarian who begins the iconic film ‘Ghostbusters.’ Her scream at the very start perfectly captured the movie’s spooky atmosphere. She portrayed genuine fear in a way that made the idea of ghosts believable, and this memorable performance in a small role helped kickstart a hugely successful franchise.
Anne Ramsey
Anne Ramsey became well-known later in her career for playing Mama Fratelli in ‘The Goonies.’ She perfectly portrayed the villainous mother figure with a tough voice and a scary demeanor. While frightening enough to create tension for the young heroes, her performance also had a playful quality that suited the film’s adventurous spirit. She was later recognized with an Oscar nomination for a similarly striking role in ‘Throw Momma from the Train’.
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin, known as the Queen of Soul, famously played a waitress in ‘The Blues Brothers’. Her performance of “Think” was a standout moment, showcasing a strong and independent character who wouldn’t be intimidated. It’s still considered one of the greatest musical appearances in movie history.
Kathleen Freeman
Ethel Freeman was a seasoned character actress best known for her memorable role as the stern nun, The Penguin, in ‘The Blues Brothers’. She was a master of physical comedy and brought an amusingly strict presence to the film, creating a funny contrast with the wilder main characters. Even with limited dialogue, she was incredibly intimidating, and her impeccable comedic timing really captured the movie’s chaotic spirit.
Lupe Ontiveros
Ontiveros gave a heartbreaking performance as Yolanda Saldívar in the film ‘Selena’. She skillfully showed the character’s unsettling combination of obsession and desperation. While playing a villain many people despised, she managed to make Saldívar feel human, but never lessened the sense of threat she represented. The performance was deeply unsettling and stayed with viewers long after the movie ended.
Marilyn Monroe
Before becoming a world-famous star, Marilyn Monroe had a minor role in the film ‘All About Eve’. As Miss Caswell, she showed off her talent for comedy and how comfortable she was in front of the camera. Her character, a graduate of the Copacabana school of acting, provided a lighthearted contrast to the more dramatic performances. Even early in her career, she confidently acted alongside established stars like Bette Davis.
Gloria Foster
Gloria Foster’s portrayal of the Oracle in ‘The Matrix’ was both dignified and insightful. She brought a surprisingly warm, grandmotherly quality to the role of a computer program. Instead of delivering complicated explanations like a lecture, she guided both the hero and the viewers through the film’s deep ideas as if they were having a friendly chat over cookies.
Judith Anderson
Judith Anderson terrified audiences with her portrayal of the chilling Mrs. Danvers in Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Rebecca’. Her character’s unsettling fixation on her late former employer fueled the film’s psychological horror. Anderson played Mrs. Danvers as ghostly and almost never blinked, creating a truly haunting presence. Her performance became the defining example of the ‘evil housekeeper’ character in movies.
Mercedes McCambridge
Brenda McCambridge received an Academy Award for her performance in ‘All the King’s Men’. She portrayed a clever and somewhat jaded political assistant, and her powerful acting stood out alongside the film’s charismatic but forceful lead. Her performance demonstrated that women could be just as ambitious and determined in politics as men.
Gale Sondergaard
Janice Sondergaard won the very first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in ‘Anthony Adverse’. She played Faith Paleologus, a manipulative housekeeper, bringing a quiet but intensely malicious energy to the role. Her work was key in establishing the significance of the Best Supporting Actress award when the category was first introduced.
Katina Paxinou
Katina Paxinou received an Academy Award for her portrayal of Pilar in ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’. She powerfully depicted a determined leader fighting in the Spanish Civil War. Her performance was intensely emotional and realistic, grounding the glamorous Hollywood film in a sense of genuine struggle.
Josephine Hull
Helen Hull recreated her successful stage performance in the movie ‘Harvey’. She played the sister of a man who believes he has an invisible rabbit friend. Her portrayal of frustration and bewilderment perfectly balanced the film’s lighthearted and fantastical story. She received an Academy Award for skillfully bringing real emotion to such a quirky and unusual plot.
Kim Hunter
Kim Hunter gave a powerfully honest and moving performance as Stella in ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’. She connected the fiery personalities of the two main characters and created incredible on-screen chemistry with Marlon Brando, resulting in some of cinema’s most memorable moments. Her portrayal of a woman struggling with love and duty earned her an Academy Award.
Miyoshi Umeki
Umeki made history as the first Asian actress to win an Academy Award for her performance in ‘Sayonara’. She played Katsumi, and her sensitive and subtle depiction of a woman in a difficult interracial love story deeply moved viewers. She powerfully communicated deep sadness with grace and poise.
Margaret Rutherford
Maggie Rutherford won an Academy Award for her performance as the Duchess of Brighton in ‘The V.I.P.s.’ Despite acting alongside stars like Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, she truly stood out and captivated audiences. Her character, a delightful mix of confusion and energy, provided much of the film’s humor, and she managed to make even a small part of the story incredibly memorable.
Sandy Dennis
Dennis portrayed Honey, the delicate young wife, in ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’. Despite the intense and loud arguments between the main characters, she delivered a compelling performance. Her character’s anxious behavior and incoherent speech added to the sadness and turmoil of the disastrous dinner party. She received an Academy Award for her realistic depiction of a woman falling apart before our eyes.
Cloris Leachman
Cloris Leachman gave a deeply moving performance in ‘The Last Picture Show’ as Ruth Popper, a lonely and heartbroken housewife. Her final speech is incredibly powerful, conveying intense sadness and feelings of being betrayed. Leachman transformed a seemingly pitiable character into someone the audience truly felt for, and she rightfully won an Oscar for it.
Madeline Kahn
As a huge movie fan, I always think Madeline Kahn in ‘Young Frankenstein’ is just brilliant. She totally stole the show as Elizabeth, the demanding fiancée. The way she screamed – seriously, her voice was amazing and her comedic timing was perfect! She took what could have been a really flat character and turned her into something wild, funny, and surprisingly… vibrant. She was a total force of nature!
Carrie Fisher
Carrie Fisher intentionally moved away from her glamorous, princess-like roles when she played the determined and dangerous woman in ‘The Blues Brothers’. She showed up in multiple scenes attempting to eliminate the main characters using powerful weapons. Her serious, emotionless anger, combined with her silence, made the running joke even more hilarious. The role demonstrated her talent for physical comedy and her perfect sense of timing.
Brittany Murphy
Winona Ryder delivered a deeply moving performance as Daisy in ‘Girl, Interrupted,’ despite having a relatively small role. She played a young woman dealing with the trauma of sexual abuse and an eating disorder. Daisy’s heartbreaking story was the most emotionally devastating part of the film, and Ryder portrayed her fragility so convincingly that her eventual fate felt truly shocking.
Butterfly McQueen
Hattie McDaniel is widely remembered for her role as Mammy in ‘Gone With the Wind,’ a performance that continues to be talked about. Her unique voice and anxious portrayal were instantly recognizable. Although the character relied on common stereotypes of the time, McDaniel’s acting was remarkably skilled and left a lasting impression, especially considering the film’s large cast.
Billie Whitelaw
Billie Whitelaw is remembered for her chilling performance as Mrs. Baylock in the horror film ‘The Omen.’ She played the fiercely devoted caretaker of the Antichrist, and her powerful physicality and intimidating presence – especially in the fight scenes and through her intense gaze – made her a truly frightening villain.
Maureen Stapleton
Maureen Stapleton won an Academy Award for her performance as anarchist Emma Goldman in the film ‘Reds’. Though she was only in a few scenes, she brought a sense of world-weary intelligence to the movie. Her speeches were powerfully delivered, embodying the energy of the revolutionary period, and she made the complex political ideas feel deeply personal and relatable.
Peggy Ashcroft
Peggy Ashcroft received an Academy Award for her role as Mrs. Moore in ‘A Passage to India’. She played an older woman traveling in India who felt increasingly lost and confused by the unfamiliar culture. Ashcroft’s performance was captivating because of its subtlety; she brilliantly showed Mrs. Moore’s inner struggles and weariness with very few lines of dialogue.
Olympia Dukakis
Olympia Dukakis was captivating in ‘Moonstruck’ as the mother, stealing every moment she appeared on screen. Her sharp and realistic comments about men and marriage were central to the film’s message. She brilliantly dominated every scene at the breakfast table with her dry humor and insightful advice. This performance rightfully earned her an Academy Award and the lasting affection of movie fans.
Shelley Winters
As a classic movie fan, I always admired Shelley Winters’ performance in ‘The Diary of Anne Frank.’ She actually won an Oscar for playing Mrs. Van Daan, and it’s a really complex role. She wasn’t playing the ‘good guy’ at all – Mrs. Van Daan was vain and often scared, and Winters brought all that to life. What I really appreciated was how she showed Mrs. Van Daan’s desperation through something as simple as her clinging to her fur coat. It really drove home how awful their situation was. She took a potentially unlikeable character and made you understand her, which is a mark of a truly great actor.
Dorothy Malone
Dorothy Malone reinvented herself for the role of a rebellious oil heiress in ‘Written on the Wind’. She portrayed a character who was both a dynamic dancer and a manipulative schemer, often clashing with her family. Her powerful performance overshadowed the film’s more conventional female lead, and she received an Academy Award for brilliantly capturing the intense and chaotic spirit of the story.
Helen Hayes
Helen Hayes charmed audiences as a sweet, elderly stowaway in the movie ‘Airport’. Her character had a knack for sneaking onto airplanes and brought a heartwarming presence to the film, which was filled with drama from mechanical problems and a bomb threat. Hayes won an Academy Award for making such a mischievous character completely endearing.
Angela Lansbury
Angela Lansbury began her film career with a memorable role as a cheeky maid in ‘Gaslight’. Despite being a young teenager, she commanded attention on screen with a bold and confident attitude. Her character contributed to the unsettling atmosphere and the main character’s feelings of isolation. This performance launched her legendary career and immediately earned her an Academy Award nomination.
Piper Laurie
Man, Piper Laurie’s performance as Carrie’s mother still gives me chills. She absolutely nailed that terrifying, overbearing religious fanatic. It wasn’t just about being scary; her character’s obsession with sin and punishment was the core of the whole horror, really. She made their home feel like a cage for Carrie, and honestly, it’s one of the most memorable and brilliantly acted villain roles in horror – a true classic!
Ingrid Bergman
Ingrid Bergman won an Academy Award for her brief but memorable performance in ‘Murder on the Orient Express’. She played a timid missionary harboring a secret, and her entire scene consisted of a single, unbroken interrogation. It was a showcase of subtle acting, particularly her convincing portrayal of nervousness through small gestures and mannerisms.
Edie McClurg
You know, one of my favorite small but brilliant performances is from Edie McClurg in ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’. She played the school secretary, Grace, and honestly, she absolutely killed it. The way she explained why Ferris was so popular was just perfect comedic timing. I always remember her pulling pencils out of her hair while delivering her lines – it was so charming and distinctly Midwestern. She made what could have been a totally boring desk job the funniest thing in the movie, in my opinion.
Jessica Walter
Clint Eastwood’s ‘Play Misty for Me’ featured Jessica Walter as a frighteningly persistent stalker. Her character’s descent from an ordinary admirer to a violent and unstable threat was truly terrifying. Walter essentially defined the tropes of the obsession-driven thriller, paving the way for many similar films in the years that followed. Her powerful and unsettling performance is still the most memorable part of the movie.
Ruby Dee
Dee played the mother of a drug lord in ‘American Gangster’. Though she wasn’t on screen for long, her performance, especially a memorable slap, made a strong impact on audiences. The scene where she confronted her son was a particularly powerful moment, showcasing a mother’s moral struggle. She earned an Oscar nomination for her impressive work in the relatively small role.
Let us know in the comments which performance you liked best, or if there’s a great cameo we didn’t mention!
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2026-02-05 00:27