I’ve always been amazed by the incredible women who truly built Hollywood. It’s their talent and lasting careers – all those box office hits and awards! – that really set the standard for everyone who came after. Thinking about them, from the very first stars who defined the Golden Age to the modern icons who’ve redefined what it means to be a global superstar, is just inspiring.
Each profile showcases confirmed achievements like significant awards, memorable roles, record-setting successes, and a lasting influence on the film industry. While presented as a countdown, the emphasis remains on the concrete accomplishments that established these women as important figures in film history.
Mae West
As a classic film fan, I’m always amazed by Mae West. She wasn’t just a performer, she *wrote* a lot of her own movies! And during the Depression, her films like ‘She Done Him Wrong’ and ‘I’m No Angel’ were massive hits – they practically saved Paramount Studios. Of course, her bold, suggestive content also got the attention of censors and led to stricter rules about what could be shown on screen. What I really admire is that she was in control of her own image, carefully crafting her dialogue and the stories she told to perfectly fit the persona she wanted to project.
Before becoming a movie star, she established herself on stage, even appearing in Broadway shows so daring they were closed down for being inappropriate – which ironically made her even more famous and boosted ticket sales. Throughout her career, she continued performing in clubs, on the radio, and released albums, ensuring she remained a well-known figure in entertainment.
Rita Hayworth
Rita Hayworth rose to fame in the 1940s, becoming one of the most photographed actresses thanks to leading roles in films like ‘Gilda’ and ‘Cover Girl’. She was a talented performer, combining her dance skills with a captivating on-screen presence. This led to a string of hit movies for Columbia Pictures, helping the studio thrive during World War II. She was also a popular pinup and appeared on many wartime posters.
She worked with Fred Astaire in several movies known for their carefully planned dances, which made her famous around the world. Later, in the 1980s, her family openly discussed her Alzheimer’s disease, bringing more attention to the illness and helping to increase both understanding and money raised for research.
Grace Kelly
Grace Kelly’s acting career, though short, was incredibly impactful. She won an Academy Award for her role in ‘The Country Girl’ and became famous for starring in several suspenseful thrillers directed by Alfred Hitchcock, like ‘Rear Window’ and ‘To Catch a Thief’. She excelled in a variety of roles, from realistic dramas to glamorous romances, and consistently drew large audiences to the theaters.
Following her marriage to Prince Rainier III, Grace Kelly left her acting career behind and began her official responsibilities as Princess of Monaco. She dedicated herself to supporting the arts, particularly education, and championed many festivals and cultural initiatives that still thrive today in her memory.
Judy Garland
Judy Garland’s performance in ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ especially her recording of ‘Over the Rainbow,’ became a classic in film history. She began her career receiving a special Academy Award as a child in 1939 and went on to earn nominations for her roles in ‘A Star Is Born’ and ‘Judgment at Nuremberg.’ Garland also starred in popular musicals like ‘Meet Me in St. Louis’ and ‘Easter Parade.’
She had a successful career as both a recording artist and a live performer, creating innovative live albums and selling out famous venues like Carnegie Hall. Her popular TV shows and specials earned her Emmy nominations and broadened her reach beyond film.
Greta Garbo
Greta Garbo was nominated for several Academy Awards for her roles in films like ‘Anna Christie’, ‘Camille’, and ‘Ninotchka’. She successfully moved from silent films to talkies, maintaining her popularity by carefully choosing projects and keeping a distance from the press. For over ten years, her captivating performances were a major part of MGM’s most important films.
The Academy gave her a special award to honor her memorable work in movies, even though she had already retired at the peak of her career. Film scholars still analyze her performances as some of the earliest examples of subtle acting, and her films are frequently restored and shown at film festivals and in archives.
Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie is an Academy Award-winning actress, recognized for her role in ‘Girl, Interrupted’. She’s also become a major star through popular franchises like ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider’ and ‘Maleficent’. Beyond acting, she’s worked behind the camera as a producer and director on films like ‘Unbroken’ and ‘First They Killed My Father’. Many of her movies have been huge successes around the world, making her a globally recognized figure.
I’ve always been impressed by her dedication. For years, she wasn’t just a famous face, but a real force on the ground for the UN, traveling to crisis zones and bringing much-needed attention to the plight of refugees. What really sets her apart, though, is that she didn’t stop at awareness. She actively worked to create lasting change, investing in education and pushing for legal reforms to protect those forced to flee their homes. It’s inspiring to see a celebrity use their platform to genuinely impact global policy in such a meaningful way.
Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts won an Academy Award for her role in ‘Erin Brockovich’ and has starred in many successful films over the years, including ‘Pretty Woman’, ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’, and ‘Ocean’s Eleven’. She became known for leading popular romantic comedies that broke box office records both domestically and around the world.
Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, she was known for securing exceptionally high salaries in her field and consistently ranked among the highest-paid performers each year. Later in her career, she successfully transitioned to television, starring in acclaimed limited series and proving her ability to attract audiences across different media platforms, not just in movies.
Cher
Cher won an Academy Award for her role in ‘Moonstruck’ and received praise for her performances in ‘Silkwood’ and ‘Mask’. She successfully transitioned from a music career to become a leading actress in film, achieving box office success in both areas. Throughout her career, she’s also been recognized with Golden Globe and Cannes Film Festival awards for her work in film and television.
I’ve been a fan for years, and it’s amazing to see how successful she’s been! She’s had so many number one hits, spanning decades, and her Las Vegas show was incredibly popular and profitable. What really sets her apart, though, is that she’s consistently topped the music charts, won major acting awards, *and* continued to tour – very few artists can manage all three!
Barbra Streisand
Barbra Streisand is an Academy Award winner, recognized for her performance in ‘Funny Girl’ and for the original song from ‘A Star Is Born’. She’s also a talented director and producer, having worked on films like ‘Yentl’ and ‘The Prince of Tides’. Her directing work has earned her nominations for both Best Director and Best Picture, making her one of the few women to direct several large-scale studio films.
She’s had a hugely successful recording career, selling millions of albums and consistently selling out concerts. She’s also won several Emmy Awards for her TV specials and is one of the female singers with the most Grammy Awards, making her a rare performer who excels across different entertainment platforms.
Sophia Loren
Sophia Loren’s performance in ‘Two Women’ earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress – a historic win as it was the first Oscar given for a leading role in a non-English language film. Throughout her career, she continued to appear in movies made in both Italy and the United States, and later received an Honorary Academy Award. Her work with acclaimed directors like Vittorio De Sica and producers such as Carlo Ponti brought her critical praise and box office success.
She starred alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest actors in films like ‘El Cid’, ‘Arabesque’, and ‘Houseboat’, solidifying her status as an international star. Throughout the years, she remained in the public eye through endorsements and her writings, and her classic movies continue to find new audiences thanks to restorations and re-releases.
Cate Blanchett
I’ve always been captivated by Cate Blanchett. She’s just incredible – twice an Oscar winner for her work in ‘The Aviator’ and ‘Blue Jasmine,’ and she’s been nominated so many other times for all sorts of roles – everything from historical figures to characters in fantastical worlds and really complex, psychological studies. What I especially admire is how she can elevate an entire film, whether she’s part of a big cast or carrying a smaller, more artistic project herself. She really brings audiences in!
I’ve been a huge fan of her work for years! She was co-artistic director at the Sydney Theatre Company and put on some incredible shows that everyone was talking about – critics and audiences alike! It’s not just theatre though; she’s also made waves at film festivals like Venice, winning awards and consistently championing new filmmakers by helping them bring their visions to life. She really does it all!
Viola Davis
Viola Davis has achieved the prestigious EGOT—winning an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony Award—through her exceptional work in film, television, and theater. This includes an Academy Award for her performance in ‘Fences,’ and multiple Tony Awards for her Broadway roles. She’s also broken barriers, being the first Black actress to win in several of these categories, and earning an Emmy for her leading role in a popular TV drama.
She runs a production company focused on telling stories from communities that are often overlooked in film and television. She also creates memoirs and audiobooks, and is dedicated to arts and literacy programs that help people gain skills and find careers in these fields.
Nicole Kidman
As a critic, I’ve always been impressed by Nicole Kidman’s range. She’s an Oscar winner, of course – ‘The Hours’ rightfully earned her the Best Actress award – and she’s been nominated several other times, notably for films like ‘Moulin Rouge’ and ‘Lion’. What really stands out to me is her smart career choices; she effortlessly moves between big-budget blockbusters and smaller, critically acclaimed independent films that you’ll find at festivals all over the world. It’s a fantastic balance, and speaks to her dedication to the craft.
She’s won an Emmy Award for her work as both an actress and producer on critically acclaimed television series. She maintains a strong public presence through ongoing brand collaborations and film festival appearances, and she supports up-and-coming writers and directors through her production companies.
Ingrid Bergman
Ingrid Bergman was a highly acclaimed actress who won three Oscars: for leading roles in ‘Gaslight’ and ‘Anastasia,’ and for a supporting role in ‘Murder on the Orient Express.’ She was known for her performances in timeless films like ‘Casablanca’ and enjoyed a successful career both in America and Europe, working in theater and television as well.
As a huge film fan, I’m always amazed by the impact Ingrid Bergman had, especially her work with Roberto Rossellini. Those European films they made together really shaped what cinema became after the war. Even today, you see her movies celebrated with special showings and beautifully restored versions are constantly used to teach film history – and for good reason! They’re just timeless.
Elizabeth Taylor
As a film lover, I’ve always been captivated by Elizabeth Taylor. She wasn’t just a beautiful face; she truly earned her two Best Actress Oscars for roles in ‘Butterfield 8’ and the incredibly powerful ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’. And let’s talk about ‘Cleopatra’ – that movie was legendary, not only for its sheer scale and how much it cost to make, but also because it really grabbed the world’s attention. What I find particularly fascinating is that she was a pioneer when it came to getting paid – she really pushed for better salaries and a share of the profits, paving the way for other major stars to negotiate better deals.
She helped start a leading organization dedicated to HIV and AIDS research and support, and successfully raised a lot of money through events and merchandise. Her jewelry and collectible items have achieved impressive results at auction, and continue to be recognized as valuable in the art and luxury goods world.
Bette Davis
Bette Davis was a celebrated actress who won two Oscars and received numerous nominations for her roles in classic films such as ‘Jezebel’, ‘All About Eve’, and ‘Dark Victory’. She was also known for advocating for herself, pushing for better roles and fairer contracts, which ultimately helped actors gain more control over their careers.
She broke barriers as the first woman to lead the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and played a key role in creating the Hollywood Canteen during World War II. Later in her career, she found success on television, earning Emmy nominations and reaching new viewers through appearances in various TV shows and movies.
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe received a Golden Globe award for her role in ‘Some Like It Hot’ and starred in a string of successful comedies and musicals, such as ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ and ‘The Seven Year Itch’. Her movies were popular around the world and created iconic looks that film studios frequently used in their advertising.
She started her own production company to find more meaningful acting roles and trained with renowned instructors to move into dramatic performances, such as her role in ‘Bus Stop’. Even after her death, exhibits and media coverage still attract visitors to museums and keep sales of products featuring her image strong.
Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn famously won an Oscar for her role in ‘Roman Holiday’ and went on to star in beloved films like ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’, ‘Sabrina’, and ‘My Fair Lady’. She was one of the few people to achieve an EGOT – winning Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards – and was known for her unique and influential style, which has been widely studied by fashion professionals.
She worked with UNICEF as a Goodwill Ambassador, traveling to different locations to help raise money and awareness for their programs. Her clothing is now carefully preserved by photo archives and fashion designers, and exhibitions of her work continue to be very popular in museums and film centers.
Katharine Hepburn
Katharine Hepburn won four Best Actress Academy Awards, more than any other actor in film history. Her career lasted for decades, starting with films like ‘Morning Glory’ and ‘The Philadelphia Story’ and continuing with later hits such as ‘On Golden Pond,’ proving her lasting appeal through changes in Hollywood and what audiences wanted.
I’ve always been such a fan of her! She was amazing, moving effortlessly between theater and movies. What I really admire is that she fought to regain the rights to some important plays and then brilliantly turned them into films. And her work with Spencer Tracy? Magic! They made so many successful movies together, and Hollywood kept pairing them up for years – you could always count on a great film when they were together.
Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep is a highly decorated actress with three Oscars and the most Academy Award nominations of anyone in history. She’s known for iconic roles in films like ‘Kramer vs. Kramer’, ‘Sophie’s Choice’, and ‘The Iron Lady’, and continues to work in both major films and on streaming services.
She’s won more Golden Globe Awards than any other performer, and has received lifetime achievement awards from many important film festivals and cultural organizations. She originally trained for the stage and continues to work in theater and voice narration, maintaining a diverse and thriving career in film, television, and other media.
Share your picks for the ultimate Hollywood diva in the comments.
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2025-10-11 08:23