Actresses Who Are In Their 40s

A fashion icon, acclaimed actress, influential humanitarian and Special Envoy for the UNHCR, Angelina Jolie is a highly noted celebrity in Hollywood. She has been hailed for her philanthropic efforts around the globe and praised for her power packed performances. Mother of six, of whom three are adopted, Angelina Jolie is a role model for the women of this generation.

Actress Kate Winslet’s most enduring character remains that of the protagonist in the 1997 blockbuster film Titanic, which made her an international star. She’s also known for doing period roles in films like Sense and Sensibility, Jude and Hamlet. Some of her other notable films are Iris, Little Children, Steve Jobs and The Reader. She won an Oscar for her performance in The Reader. 

One of the highest-paid actresses in the world in the 2010s, Anne Hathaway is the recipient of many awards, including an Academy Award. She began acting as a teenager in the early 2000s and often portrayed princesses in her initial films. She started taking up versatile roles as her career progressed. She campaigns for gender equality and supports LGBTQA+ rights.

Debuting at the age of thirteen, Israeli American actress Natalie Portman is today one of the most successful actresses in Hollywood. Her movie list is impressive with successful projects like Black Swan, Jackie, Star Wars, Closer and Thor. While pursuing her passion for acting, the Academy award winning actress also ensured to complete her studies and graduated from Harvard University.

Best known for her comedic and romantic film roles, Canadian actress Rachel McAdams is a very popular figure in Hollywood. Rising to fame in the 2000s, she has worked in many critically acclaimed movies. A socially responsible person, she believes in leading a lifestyle that is eco-friendly and sustainable. She is actively involved with several charities.

Kristen Bell started her career by acting in stage productions and gained recognition when she starred in the 2004 film Spartan. She’s starred in popular television series like Veronica Mars, Gossip Girl, House of Lies and The Good Place and films like Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Couples Retreat, When in Rome and The Boss. She’s had issues with depression and anxiety.

Charlize Theron is a former model and was an aspiring ballerina whose career came to a halt after a knee injury. However, an unexpected encounter brought her in the world of acting and she went on achieve tremendous success including winning an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award. She is currently one of the world's highest-paid actresses.

Aubrey Plaza is an American actress, writer, producer, and comedian. She is best known for her portrayal of April Ludgate in the sitcom Parks and Recreation for which she earned a couple of nominations at the ALMA Award. Plaza is also known for playing Allison in the 2020 film Black Bear which earned her the Imagen Award for Best Actress.

American actress, Zoe Saldana, is best known for starring in fantasy-adventure films like Star Trek, Avatar, Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, which were massive worldwide hits. She faced flak in 2016 when she used skin-darkening makeup to play jazz musician Nina Simone in the biopic Nina, which led to debates about colour bias in society.

Zooey Deschanel is an American actress known for her deadpan roles in successful comedy films, such as The Good Girl, Elf, Failure to Launch, Yes Man and 500 Days of Summer. She also acted in the popular sitcom New Girl. She is also a singer and songwriter and plays keyboards, percussion, banjo, and ukulele. Zooey is a co-founder of the female-focused website, HelloGiggles.

Actress Jessica Alba is is known as a successful businesswoman. She acted in films like Honey, Fantastic Four, Valentine’s Day, Little Fockers and the Sin City franchise and while she was appreciated in some, she often received flak for her acting from critics. She hit the jackpot when she founded the company 'Honest', which sells baby care products and household goods.

Australian actress, Rebel Wilson, started her acting career with television in Australia and then gained wider recognition after appearing in Hollywood films. Struck by Lightning, Bachelorette, Isn't It Romantic, The Hustle, Cats and Jojo Rabbit are some of the notable films she has acted in. She received critical appreciation for the 2012 film, Pitch Perfect, and subsequently acted in its two sequels.

Actress Anna Faris is known for her comedic roles, especially as the lead in the commercially successful Scary Movie films. Lost in Translation, Brokeback Mountain, Just Friends, The House Bunny, The Dictator, Calgary and Overboard are some of her other notable films. She has also acted in television sitcoms like Friends and Mom. Anna Faris has been featured on the covers of several magazines.

Actress, producer, and director Drew Barrymore is daughter of prominent actor, John Drew Barrymore, and was introduced to show business as a baby. In the wake of her early stardom, she went through a difficult phase as a teenager and struggled with drug abuse. She was eventually able to resurrect her career and proceeded to act in many popular films.

Lupita Nyong'o is one of the most popular black actresses of all time. The first Kenyan-Mexican actress to receive the prestigious Academy Award, Lupita Nyong'o has often been named in lists, such as the world's most beautiful woman. In 2020, she was named by Forbes magazine as one of Africa's 50 Most Powerful Women.

Liv Tyler is one of the most popular American actresses. Apart from acting, she is also known for her activism; she is an ardent supporter of the United Nations Children's Fund. She also donates to the Women's Cancer Research Fund. Tyler practices transcendental meditation as she believes it helps her make better decisions.

Actress Kirsten Dunst gained recognition for her performance in the 1994 horror film Interview with the Vampire. Later she attained more fame when she acted in the Spiderman, its sequels Spiderman 2 and Spiderman 3. The Virgin Suicides, Elizabethtown, Marie Antoinette, Melancholia and The Beguiled are some of her other notable films. She has also acted in television series like Fargo.

The quintessential action queen of Hollywood, Michelle Rodriguez is known for appearing in many successful action films, including the Fast & Furious franchise. Regarded as a Hollywood bad girl, Michelle has had many brushes with the law. An openly bisexual actress, she also serves as an inspiration to the LGBT community.

Known for playing emotionally grueling roles, Jessica Chastain often chooses to act in films with feminist themes. A feminist who voices her opinion on gender and racial equality, Jessica started the Time's Up initiative with 300 women in Hollywood. She also supports charities that promote mental health and was named in Time magazine's 100 most influential people list in 2012.

Cobie Smulders is one of the most recognized celebrities across the world, thanks to her role as Robin Scherbatsky in one of the most popular TV series of all time - How I Met Your Mother. She also serves as an inspiration to people suffering from cancer as she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer when she was 25 years old.

French actress, Eva Green, gained instant fame in 2003 with her first film The Dreamers, directed by the eminent Bernardo Bertolucci. Subsequently she went on to act in a number of notable films like Kingdom of Heaven, Casino Royale, Dark Shadows, Home for Peculiar Children, Franklyn, Cracks and Proxima. She has also acted in television series like Penny Dreadful and Luminaries.

Entering the entertainment world as a teenager in the early 1990s, actress Alicia Silverstone became internationally famous with her role in her film debut in The Crush. Despite gaining mainstream success in the 1990s, she chose to focus on smaller-scale films and theater in the next decade. She is a vegan and has published a vegan cookbook.

A popular actress, producer, and activist, Rosario Dawson is known as much for her involvement in politics and philanthropy as for her work in films and television. A strong supporter of various charitable organizations, such as One Campaign and Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, Rosario came out as member of the LGBT community in 2020.

Australian actress Isla Fisher attained widespread fame in 2005 when she starred in the commercially successful Hollywood film Wedding Crashers. Some of her other notable films are The Great Gatsby, Now You See Me, I Heart Huckabees, Bachelorette, Rango and Rise of the Guardians. She has also acted in television series and is an author of children’s books.

Mexican-American actress, producer and director, Eva Longoria gained global recognition after portraying Gabrielle Solis in the ABC’s hit series Desperate Housewives. Prior to this, she was also a part of the popular series, The Young and the Restless. A multitalented personality, Eva has also been a face of L'Oreal Paris, has written a cookbook and participates in numerous philanthropic activities.

Considered a popular sex symbol, Jennifer Love Hewitt serves as an icon to an entire generation; a famous magazine stated that every girl wanted to emulate her, while boys had posters of her on their wall. Apart from being a popular actress, she is also a successful singer, having released studio albums, such as BareNaked.

Well known actress Jessica Biel gained immense recognition with the television series 7th Heaven and film Ulee’s Gold. The actress, who initially began as a vocalist and model, later proved her acting skills by working in movies of diverse genres like horror, action thriller, romantic comedy and historical drama. Her notable work include The Sinner, Total Recall and The Illusionist. 

Rebecca Ferguson achieved international recognition after playing Elizabeth Woodville in the TV miniseries, The White Queen. Her performance in the miniseries was so impressive that Tom Cruise handpicked her to star in Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation after watching her portray Elizabeth Woodville. Thanks to her impressive stunts, she was chosen to reprise her role in Mission: Impossible – Fallout.

Sarah Michelle Gellar, who was a prolific actress during her childhood and in her teens, is best known for her work on the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, from 1997 to 2003. I Know What You Did Last Summer, Cruel Intentions and The Grudge are some of her notable films. She’s also starred in many other prominent television series.

Actress and model Alexis Bledel is best known for her role in the TV series Gilmore Girls. Her mother encouraged her to act when she was a child. She made her TV debut in the early 2000s and eventually ventured into films.

English actress Felicity Jones started her career as a child and went on to take up more mature roles as a teenager. One of her uncles is an actor, and he influenced her to take up the profession herself. She appeared in many TV shows in the initial years of her career before venturing into films as well.

American actress, Sophia Bush, garnered recognition when she starred in the television series One Tree Hill, which ran from 2003 to 2012. Later she went on to act in a number of films like John Tucker Must Die, Stay Alive, The Hitcher and The Narrows. She is also an activist and raises awareness about issues like cancer, poverty and environmental degradation.

The quintessential action heroine of Hollywood, Milla Jovovich was rightly called the reigning queen of kick-butt by VH1 in 2006. Milla Jovovich is synonymous with the Resident Evil film series as the series revolves around its central character Alice, played by Milla. The Resident Evil film franchise is the highest-grossing movie series to be adapted from video games.

Canadian actor Katheryn Winnick is best known for her multiple award-nominated performance as Lagertha in Vikings. Fans also loved her as Hannah Burley in Bones and as Christine "C.G." Gavin in Wu Assassins. She has guest-starred in numerous projects and has also appeared in many short films.

Bryce Dallas Howard is an American actress and filmmaker, who attained fame after starring in the psychological thriller, The Village. Some of her other notable films are Lady in the Water, As You Like, Spiderman 3, Terminator Salvation, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, Jurassic World and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. She is the daughter of famous and celebrated director and producer, Ron Howard.

Named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2017, actress Sarah Paulson has been appearing in theater productions, TV shows, and films since the mid-1990s. She has appeared in both comedic and dramatic roles and has received numerous awards and accolades, including the Primetime Emmy Award.

Christina Ricci's name is synonymous with the character, Wednesday Addams,, thanks to her wonderful portrayal of the iconic character in the movie The Addams Family. She then became a teen icon before graduating to adult-oriented roles. Apart from being an actress, Christina Ricci also serves as the national spokesperson for a nonprofit anti-sexual assault organization called Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN).

Kelly Reilly began her career as a stage artist and then graduated to acting in television series, some of which became very popular. Considered a natural actress, she has worked in acclaimed projects like The London Cuckolds, Above Suspicion, True Detective, Britannia and Yellowstone. She did some notable films too like A Single Shot, Sherlock Holmes, Orson Welles and Calvary.

Popular actress and filmmaker, Olivia Wilde shot to fame with the award winning medical drama, House. Since then, she has appeared in numerous movies and television productions like TRON: Legacy, Richard Jewell and Bickford Shmeckler’s Cool Ideas; made her Broadway debut with 1984 and directorial debut with Booksmart. She is also a board member of Artists for Peace and Justice.

Evangeline Lilly is a Canadian actress who has played prominent roles in films like Ant-Man and the Wasp. Also a well-known humanitarian, Lilly has made numerous trips to Rwanda, where she has touched the lives of many, as part of her charity work. She has also worked with nonprofit organizations like GO Campaign and supports Task Brasil and Sierra Club.