You are certainly going to be familiar with the names on this list. The following list features iconic Hollywood actresses who helped shape the current entertainment industry. Their incredible performances in television and film have propelled them to greatness. Their acting prowess has endeared them to moviegoers and the general public.
Aside from their awesomeness, their roles caused some magnificent moments both in real life and in front of the camera. In addition, most of the women have contributed to making the world a better place as activists, authors, and role models. Below, we revisit some of Hollywood’s biggest stars who changed TV and film into its current glory.
Lea Thompson
Lea Thompson is best known as Lorraine Baines from the Back to the Future trilogy. The 56-year old star began her career at the age of 20 acting in commercials. She has previously starred in TV series Switched at Birth, which ran from 2011 to 2017. Lea also finished 6th in the 19th season of Dancing With The Stars.
Lea Thompson
Mary Cathleen Collinsk
Catherine is best remembered from movies like 10, Tarzan, the Ape Man, Bolero, and Ghosts Can’t Do It. These days, she occasionally makes film, TV, and documentary appearances as she is semi-retired.
Bo Derek
Jane Fonda
You probably remember Jane Fonda as an Academy Award-winning actress. The 80-year-old writer, former model, political activist, and fitness guru also boasts two BAFTA awards to her name.
Jane Fonda
Sophia Loren
The 83-year-old singer and actress got into the Hollywood scene in the 50’s and she is still killing it to date. The actress has been dubbed as the Italian Marilyn Monroe and attributes her stunning looks to the magic of spaghetti!
Sophia Loren
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Sarah Michelle Gellar was discovered at the age of four while eating out if you can believe it. She is best known as Buffy Summers in the iconic American teen show from the turn of the millennium. The co-founder of Foodstirs is definitely a great role model for young women.
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Nancy McKeon
Nancy McKeon is best remembered for her role as Jo Polniaczek in the 80’s hit series The Facts of Life. Her last role on the big screen was in 2011 when she featured in the film Love Begins.
Nancy McKeon
Angie Harmon
45-year-old Angie Harmon was discovered by David Hasselhoff while they were aboard a plane! The former model has appeared on the covers of popular magazines including Esquire and ELLE. She has since appeared in TV shows like Baywatch Nights and Law & Order. Her latest work was in the series Rizzoli & Isles.
Angie Harmon
Pamela Anderson
The 50-year-old superstar is best known for her roles in Baywatch, Home Improvement, and V.I.P. Her rocky relationships with Tommy Lee and Kid Rock also put her in the spotlight!
Pamela Anderson
Kim Richards
Kim Richards began her acting career as a child actress in Nanny and the Professor. The 53-year-old actress was propelled to fame for her numerous roles in TV shows from the 70’s to the 90’s. At the moment, you can watch her on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
Kim Richards
Nancy Kerrigan
The former figure skater earned bronze at the 1992 Winter Olympics and silver medal at the World Championships of the same year. She went on to emerge as the U.S National Champion in 1993. The source of her celebrity status is quite bizarre as she was thrust into the limelight following an attack by the ex-husband of her rival Tonya Harding. Astoundingly, Kerrigan recovered and went on to win silver at the 1994 Winter Olympics. She also contested in season 24 of Dancing with the Stars.
Nancy Kerrigan
Jaclyn Smith
Jacklyn Smith carries a special place in the hearts of fans of Charlie’s Angels. Her character was a fan favorite and she was the only original Angel to have stayed with the show for its entire duration. The actress has since ventured into business and owns her own clothing and perfume brands.
Jaclyn Smith
Cheryl Ladd
Cheryl Ladd also made her name in the hit 70’s show Charlie’s Angels. The 66-year-old star has since starred in various films. Her most recent work was as a guest star in Chuck and NCIS.
Cheryl Ladd
Farrah Fawcett
Farrah Fawcett is best remembered for her role in Charlie’s Angels. The four-time Emmy nominee and six-time Golden Globe nominee is renowned for her roles in Off-Broadway plays. Farah Fawcett sadly passed away in 2009 at the age of 62.
Farrah Fawcett
Dawn Wells
Dawn Wells is best known for her role as Mary Ann Summers in the hit series Gilligan’s Island. The star has even been ranked No. 50 on TV Guide’s “50 Sexiest Stars of All Time” in 2005. Presently 79 years old, she last appeared in the soap opera The Bold and The Beautiful.
Dawn Wells
Marina Sirtis
The 63-year-old actress is renowned for playing Deanna Troi on Star Trek: The Next Generation. She has since played numerous supporting roles in films and TV shows like Crash, Grey’s Anatomy, and NCIS.
Marina Sirtis
Mary-Kate And Ashley Olsen
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen began their acting careers at just six months old! At just 31, the fraternal twins are among the wealthiest women in the industry. They’ve retired from acting and now run their fashion business.
Mary Kate And Ashley Olsen
Melissa Rauch
Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz from the hit series The Big Bang Theory is a familiar face. Melissa enjoys massive success thanks to her role in the American sitcom. The 37-year-old actress recently voiced Harley Quinn in the Batman and Harley Quinn movie.
Melissa Rauch
Raquel Welch
77-year-old Raquel Welch took the world by storm after her superb performance in Fantastic Voyage and One Million Years B.C. These two movies propelled Raquel to stardom. These days, she is more focused on her beauty and fitness business.
Raquel Welch
Linda Kozlowski
Linda Kozlowski made her debut in film in 1981, but she did not immediately get her big break. It would only come in 1986 when she was cast as female lead in Crocodile Dundee. She continued to act for a short while. She eventually decided to cut her career short in 2001 after dissatisfaction with the roles she received.
Linda Kozlowski
Maureen McCormick
Maureen McCormick is definitely a woman to look up to. The actress, who also has four studio albums to her name, is a published author. It’s fair to say that she has come a long way since she first appeared on the hit show The Brady Bunch.
Maureen McCormick
Justine Bateman
Justine Bateman juggles responsibilities as an actress, director, writer, and producer. She has starred in popular shows including Family Ties, Satisfaction, and Desperate Housewives. In 2016, she even graduated from UCLA with a degree in Computer Science and Digital Media Management. We know a jack of all trades when we see one.
Justine Bateman
Lisa Whelchel
She is well-known for her role as Blair Warner on The Facts of Life. Whelchel was also nominated for the Grammys in 1984 after she released a contemporary Christian album called All Because of You. In 2012, the star finished second in the TV show Survivor: Philippines.
Lisa Whelchel
Erika Eleniak
Erika has come a long way since she first graced the pages of Playboy magazine at the age of 19. She has previously starred in the hit dramas Charles in Charge and Baywatch. She has also starred in The Beverly Hillbillies, The Blob, and Under Siege. Her last acting credit was for Marilyn Monroe Back?
Erika Eleniak
Jacqueline Bisset
The 73-year-old English actress Jacqueline Bisset entered the scene in 1965. Don’t be surprised to hear that she has been going strong ever since! She recently appeared in 9/11, Backstabbing for Beginners, and L’Amant Double.
Jacqueline Bisset
Elizabeth Berkley
Elizabeth Berkley is best remembered for portraying the smart and beautiful Jessie Spano in the 90’s hit series Saved by the Bell The 45-year-old actress is also a dancer, self-help guru, and animal rights activist.
Jennifer Connelly
Jennifer Connelly worked as a child model before she transitioned into film. She shot into stardom after starring in Dark City and Requiem for a Dream. Her role in A Beautiful Mind alongside Russell Crowe was also impeccable. It’s also worth noting that she is an outspoken champion for worthy causes.
Jennifer Connelly
Sasha Alexander
Sasha Alexander is a Serbian-American actress who is renowned for her portraying Caitlin Todd on NCIS, Gretchen Witter on Dawson’s Creek, and Maura Isles on Rizzoli & Isles. She currently plays a recurring character in Shameless.
Sasha Alexande
Ursula Andress
Ursula Andress is one of the most famous Bond girls. Not to mention the fact that she was the very first one! The 81-year-old appeared in the first Bond film, Dr. No. She has since retired from acting and modeling.
Ursula Andress
Elisabeth Shue
54-year-old Elisabeth Shue earned fame for her starring roles in Cocktail, The Karate Kid, and the second and third installments of the Back to the Future trilogy. Shue also plays the role of Julie Finlay in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
Elisabeth Shue
Melissa Sue Anderson
The American-Canadian actress is best known for her role in Little House on the Prairie. She has also appeared in Happy Birthday to Me, Midnight Offerings, and Which Mother Is Mine? More recently, she was also in the film The Brits Are Coming.
Melissa Sue Anderson
Winona Ryder
Winona Ryder doesn’t require an introduction, does she? The iconic actress is best remembered for her roles in Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Mermaids, The Age of Innocence, and Girl, Interrupted. Ryder came back from retirement in 2006 and she has since appeared in Star Trek, When Love Is Not Enough: The Lois Wilson Story, and Black Swan. Don’t forget about her performance in Netflix’s Stranger Things.
Winona Ryder
Christina Applegate
The actress is best known as Kelly Bundy on Married… with Children. Aside from film and television work, she has also appeared on the stage. The star has previously won an Emmy and earned nominations for the Tony and Golden Globe Awards.
Christina Applegate
Jennifer Grey
The icon is best remembered for her roles in 80s movies Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Dirty Dancing. Jennifer earned a Golden Globe Award nomination for her superb performance in Dirty Dancing! This Red Oaks star went on to win season 11 of Dancing With The Stars.
Jennifer Grey
Phoebe Cates
Phoebe Cates’ name is practically synonymous with Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Gremlins. Tha actress retired in 1994 to focus on her family. She returned to acting in the 2001 film The Anniversary Party, but only as a courtesy to her friend.
Phoebe Cates
Jami Gertz
The 52-year-old actress is famed for her roles in The Lost Boys, Crossroads, Less Than Zero, Quicksilver, Square Pegs, and Twister. She has also appeared in Still Standing as Judy Miller and The Neighbors as Debbie Weaver. She recently starred in This Is Us and Difficult People.
Jami Gertz
Catherine Bell
Catherine Bell is well-known for her portrayals of Major MacKenzie in JAG, Denise Sherwood in Army Wives, and as Cassie in The Good Witch. She is still active in the industry and occasionally lands lead roles in Hallmark films.
Catherine Bell
Olivia Hussey
The English-Argentine actress is best remembered for her performance as Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 screen adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. Hussey went on to win a Golden Globe and the David di Donatello Award for the role! She has since starred in various movies including 2015 thriller film Social Suicide.
Olivia Hussey
Susan Olsen
Olsen began her acting career as a child actress. How can we forget her after the role of Cindy in the hit series The Brady Bunch thrust her into the limelight? Her last appearance on the screen was in Mama Claus, Deck the Halls with Guts in 2015.
Susan Olsen
Eve Plumb
Here’s another child actor from The Brady Bunch. After portraying Jan in the show, the actress was able to enjoy fame as a painter. She has even showcased her works in numerous galleries all over the country! She recently made a guest appearance on the TV show Blue Bloods.
Eve Plumb
Julie Benz
Julie Benz is best known for her roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Dexter. She also received two Saturn Awards when she portrayed the role of Rita Bennet in Dexter. More recently, she was on Hawaii Five-0.
Julie Benz
Kristin Kreuk
Kristin Kreuk gained popularity for portraying Lana Lang in Smallville and Catherine Chandler in Beauty and the Beast. The Vancouver-born star has also featured in numerous films including Snow White: The Fairest of Them All, Eurotrip, and Irvine Welsh’s Ecstasy. She currently stars in Burden of Truth.
Kristin Kreuk
Erin Moran
Erin Moran is best recognized for her portrayal of Joanie Cunningham in Happy Days. She went on to appear in various movies before she announced her retirement in 2012. Sadly, the actress passed away in 2017.
Erin Moran
Erica Durance
Erica Durance is best known for her roles in Smallville and Saving Hope. The Canadian actress has appeared in films such as The Butterfly Effect 2 and Island Heat: Stranded. Rather appropriately, she plays the recurring role of Alura Zor-El on the CBS show Supergirl.
Erica Durance
Roz Kelly
Roz Kelly is best remembered for her role as Pinky in the series Happy Days. The actress went on to appear in a few shows before retiring in 1983.
Roz Kelly
Michelle Trachtenberg
Michelle is best remembered for playing Harriet M. Welsch in Harriet the Spy. Let’s not forget that she was also in Gossip Girl and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She was last seen in Sister Cities last 2016.
Michelle Trachtenberg
Hayden Panettiere
Hayden Panettiere began her career as a child actress in Remember the Titans. She’s best known for her role as Claire Bennet on Heroes and Juliette Barnes in Nashville. More recently, she has revealed that she suffered from post-partum depression. Her openness about the topic was appreciated by her fans.
Hayden Panettiere
Marilyn Chambers
Marilyn Chambers is best remembered for transitioning from adult films to mainstream movies. Impressively, she also chose to run as a vice-presidential candidate. Sadly, Marilyn died of an aneurysm in 2009.
Marilyn Chambers
Yvonne De Carlo
Yvonne De Carol enjoyed massive success in the 40’s and 50’s both as an actress and singer. She was thrust into the limelight after starring in the 1945 film Salome, Where She Danced. The Canadian-American actress retired from a successful acting career in 1995 and passed away in 2007.
Yvonne De Carlo
Linda Gray
The 77-year-old former model, actress, director and producer has enjoyed massive success after appearing in film, television, and theater projects. She recently appeared in the hit series Dallas as Sue Ewing. She still has an active acting career.
Linda Gray
Anjelica Huston
Anjelica Huston comes from an acting family. Can you believe that she is the third generation of her family to have won an Academy Award? She has previously starred in a number of movies including Prizzi’s Honor, The Grifters, and The Addams Family. Anjelica is also a published author. Color us impressed!
Anjelica Huston
Victoria Principal
Victoria is best known for her role as Pamela Barnes Ewing from the TV show Dallas. With a solid amount of work in television, Principal retired in 2001. Principal owns her own production company, Victoria Principal Productions. Let’s not forget that she is also a published author.
Victoria Principal
Betty White
It’s always a pleasure to see Betty White on both the big and small screen. She has enjoyed the longest TV career of any female entertainer! The actress who doubles as a comedian was also the first woman to have produced a sitcom. We sure are lucky that she still acts at the age of 96.
Betty White
Beverley Owen
Beverley Owen is best known for her role as Marilyn Munster in the TV show The Munsters. The actress left the series to marry writer-producer Jon Stone. The couple is blessed with two children together.
Beverley Owen
Priscilla Presley
Priscilla might be best remembered as the ex-spouse of Elvis Presley. But don’t forget that she is an extraordinary woman as well! She has shown her talent after starring in the Naked Gun films and the soap opera Dallas.
Priscilla Presley
Hayley Mills
She is best remembered from the Disney film The Parent Trap. The English actress has also acted on stage. The former child actress is still active in the industry right now.
Hayley Mills
Sally Struthers
Sally Struthers appeared in All in the Family. Her portrayal of Gloria Stivic, the daughter of Archie Bunker, earned her two Emmy awards! The actress is also known for playing Babette on Gilmore Girls.
Sally Struthers
Joyce DeWitt
The actress is best remembered from Three’s Company, where she played the character Janet Wood. When she is not acting, DeWitt is busy championing for the hungry and homeless in America. As a matter of fact, she narrated the documentary Street Signs: Homeless But Not Hopeless.
Joyce DeWitt
Suzanne Somers
Suzanne is best known for her roles in Three’s Company and Step by Step. Now 71 years old, she is also a businesswoman, health spokesperson, singer, and writer.
Suzanne Somers
Margot Kidder
The actress is best known for her role in film series Superman. Kidder’s openness about her struggles with mental illness has served as an inspiration to many people. Sadly, she passed away earlier this year.
Margot Kidder
Priscilla Barnes
The 63-year-old actress is best remembered for playing Terri Alden on Three’s Company. She has starred in various movies including The Devil’s Rejects, A Vacation in Hell, License to Kill, and Mallrats. She has also appeared in the comedy-drama show Jane the Virgin.
Priscilla Barnes
Mary Tyler Moore
Moore is best known as the star of her own show The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Dick Van Dyke Show. Her depiction of women on the screen has served as an inspiration to many women across the world! Sadly, the cultural icon succumbed to pneumonia in 2017.
Mary Tyler Moore
Loretta Swit
Swit is best known for her role as Major Margaret Houlihan in M*A*S*H. If the name doesn’t ring a bell, it might be because you know the character by the nickname “Hot Lips”. The 80-year-old actress also has a spot on the Hollywood Walk of Fame!
Loretta Swit
Melissa Gilbert
Actress and director Melissa Gilbert launched her career as a child actress. Her most famous role is that of Laura Ingalls Wilder on Little House on the Prairie. The actress also ran for U.S. Congress in 2016. Although she won the Democratic primary, she dropped out due to health reasons.
Melissa Gilbert
Karen Grassle
Karen Grassle is best remembered for her role in Little House on the Prairie as Caroline Ingalls. She recently appeared in the 2017 short film called Where’s Roman?
Karen Grassle
Marie Osmond
The singer, actress, author and doll designer is part of the show business clan the Osmonds. She had a successful run in the 70’s and 80’s as a country musician. She co-hosted the TV show Donny & Marie with her brother, Donny. We’re glad that she’s still performing now.
Marie Osmond
Roxie Roker
Roxie Roker is best known for her role as Helen Willis in the hit series The Jeffersons. The Bahamian American actress is also the mother of Lenny Kravitz passed away. She succumbed to breast cancer in 1995.
Roxie Roker
Barbara Feldon
Barbara Feldon is best known for her role in the sitcom Get Smart. The former model is also a published author. She has not appeared in any work for some time, but she is usually seen at various Hollywood events.
Barbara Feldon
Lisa Bonet
Lisa Bonet is a fairly big name in Hollywood. Bonet is perhaps best known as Denise Huxtable from The Cosby Show. The 50-year-old actress recently appeared in the 2016 series Ray Donovan. Though she keeps her personal life quiet, we do know that she is married to Jason Momoa and that they have two kids together.
Lisa Bonet
Phylicia Rashad
Phylicia Rashad was similarly propelled into stardom by The Cosby Show, where she played the role of Clair. She went on to be nominated twice in the Emmys for her portrayal of the Huxtable mother. The 69-year-old actress is also a singer and Broadway stage director.
Phylicia Rashad
Valerie Harper
Valerie Harper is best known for her role as Rhoda Morgenstern in The Mary Tyler Moore Show. The Broadway star has also appeared in Valerie, Chapter Two, and Freebie and the Bean. You will find that she is more concerned about charity work these days.
Valerie Harper
Sandy Duncan
Sandy Duncan is best remembered for her role in the Broadway production of Peter Pan. The 72-year-old singer and dancer has previously received nominations for Tony Awards, Emmy Awards, and Golden Globe Awards. That’s talent for you! We’re sure that Broadway and theater fans are happy that she is still performing to this day.
Sandy Duncan
Christine Lakin
Christine Lakin is best known for her role as Alicia Lambert on Step by Step. Similarly, how can we forget that she played Joan of Arc on Reefer Madness? The star also lends her voice to Joyce Kinney in Family Guy. More recently, she has appeared in the TV series Hollywood Darlings.
Christine Lakin
Staci Keanan
Staci Keanan is best known for the shows My Two Dads and Step by Step. She made her debut in 1987 and retired in 2012. Just last year, she married actor-producer Guy Birtwhistle.
Staci Keanan
Shelley Long
Shelley Long earned Five Emmy Nominations for her portrayal of Diane Chambers on Cheers. She went on to win an Emmy and two Golden Globe Awards for the role! She has also appeared on Modern Family and Southern Christmas.
Shelley Long
Terry Farrell
Terry Farrell is renowned for her performances in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Becker. The 54-year-old actress retired in 2003 only to make a comeback in 2015. She recently starred in the TV show Renegades.
Terry Farrell
Jane Leeves
The English actress, dancer, comedienne, producer, singer and model is best known for her role on Frasier. She went on to receive a nomination in the Emmys and Golden Globe awards for her superb performance as Daphne Moon in the aforementioned TV show. The 57-year-old has also appeared in Hot in Cleveland and The Great Indoors.
Jane Leeves