There’s an inspiring group of women referred to as the best actresses in Hollywood, and they’ve earned that accolade based on their spectacular acting skills, their versatile ability to tackle any role, and, of course, the sheer number of awards they’ve collected over the years. Here are the great actresses of all time throughout film history that you should know about.
1. Meryl Streep
Starring in movies like “Sophie’s Choice,” “Kramer vs. Kramer,” and “The Devil Wears Prada,” this icon from New Jersey is often considered the greatest of all time by multiple generations of movie lovers. Meryl Streep has over 20 Academy Award nominations and engrosses herself in every role, no matter how different, to provide the performance of a lifetime. She’s the queen of versatility and the best in the biz. Her long career has recently landed her an honorary Palme d’Or at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.
2. Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn always carried herself like royalty through memorable roles in films like “My Fair Lady,” “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and “Roman Holiday,” which earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress. This effortlessly elegant beauty is a legend in both acting and fashion. Her undeniably charming personality has made her a fan favorite and a timeless emblem of talent and grace. After passing, she was honored with the Hersholt Humanitarian Award, which honored her work as a good Samaritan.
3. Katharine Hepburn
Showing off her acting chops in movies like “Bringing Up Baby” and “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” the stunning Katharine Hepburn stood out from the submissive female personalities of her generation with her fierce and determined attitude, which set an example of independence for other women in her generation. Receiving eight award nominations and winning four Best Actress Oscars in the 1930s, she was considered one of Hollywood’s greatest gems.
4. Maggie Smith
Maggie Smith’s CV is lengthy, making her one of the best actresses who has always landed consistent work. From “Gosford Park” to “A Room with a View,” Maggie is known for taking on complex and varied roles, like Professor McGonagall in “Harry Potter” or the very blunt Dowager Countess from “Downton Abbey.” Like Meryl Streep, she’s a chameleon when it comes to tackling different roles, and no matter what new territory she explores, she always masters it with ease.
5. Helen Mirren
Helen Mirren’s presence is that of a queen, and she always manages to rivet audiences with her regal attitude; it makes sense she was cast in “The Queen” in 2006, playing the role of Queen Elizabeth II with nuance. This member of British acting royalty starred alongside Maggie Smith in “Gosford Park” and also played memorable characters in “The Last Station” and “Trumbo.” Her career is tough to summarize, but she’s been a household name for decades, with multiple Emmy nominations and BAFTA awards.
6. Judi Dench
Dame Judi Dench, who debuted in 1957, never fails to beguile audiences, whether on stage or screen. Her most famous roles include “Philomena,” “Notes on a Scandal,” and “Shakespeare in Love.” The latter, released in 1988, earned Dench a well-deserved Academy Award. Her impressive career took place over seven decades and has led to numerous nominations, a Tony Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and a whopping 10 wins for British award ceremonies. Despite her unfortunate loss of vision, her legacy will endure.
7. Kate Winslet
Although she’s one of the younger women on this list, Winslet’s illustrious performances channel her inner power, making us hold our breath whenever we see her onscreen. She’s never given up on challenging herself with roles – it all started with “Titanic,” where she played the role of Rose, followed up by flicks like “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” ‘The Reader,” and most recently, the TV series “The Regime” on HBO Max. Winslet isn’t afraid to dig deep into the emotional well for raw, truthful performances that consistently connect with movie lovers.
8. Jodie Foster
Foster’s gritty and empowering role portraying a cunning female detective in the movie “The Silence of the Lambs” got her on everybody’s radar, but she first showed up on screens when she was only 14 years old, appearing in “Taxi Driver.” The actress has won two Academy Awards for her roles in “The Silence of the Lambs” and “The Accused.” Although she’s mastered the thriller genre, she delivered a brilliant performance in the drama “Nyad” as Bonnie Stoll.
9. Bette Davis
A pioneer who paved the way for women in Hollywood, Davis was a force to be reckoned with. Starring in iconic movies like “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” and “All About Eve,”
her style was unlike anyone else’s. She received a Best Actress nomination five years in a row, starting in 1938, when she won an Academy Award for playing Julie Marsden in “Jezebel.” Known for portraying empowered women onscreen, Davis was never one to conform, which ultimately paid off.
10. Cate Blanchett
A contemporary icon who’s still dominating Hollywood with her magnetic take on roles, Blanchett is one of Hollywood’s most captivating stars, with dozens of awards and nominations under her belt. Starring alongside Judi Dench in “Notes on a Scandal,” her long list of accomplishments also includes movies like “Blue Jasmine,” “Carol,” “The Aviator,” and the 2022 film “Tar.” After Meryl Streep and Jessica Lange, she’s the only actress who won Best Actress right after she won Best Supporting Actress. Like many of the women on this list, she’s known for adapting to any role and excelling in it.