Top 50 Most Popular Lesbian Actresses Of All Time [2024]

 

The first indication that our society is open, accepting, and tolerant would be the kind of film, television shows, and artists we idolize.

 

Hollywood and movie audiences are becoming more accepting and proud of its lesbian and gay community over the years.

 

The credit for this progress should go to the actors and actresses who have stepped out and proudly proclaimed their identity to fight against the taboos of society.

 

Earlier this year, ENTOIN curated a list of top gay actors in Hollywood that we all admire.

 

Now, it is time to look at the list of the best lesbian actresses whom we idolize.

 

These actresses have braved public shame, ostracization, and a possible end to their career, yet they accepted the truth about themselves.

 

They faced an equally daunting struggle to be accepted for being themselves. To normalize the situation and get equal rights for the LGBTQIA community, these women have used all mediums like theater, music, films, television, stand-up comedy, etc.

 

They have directed, produced, acted, wrote, and composed works of art to promote inclusivity. For all their laudable efforts, ENTOIN salutes them and offers a brief look at the lesbian and bisexual actresses who have worked in Hollywood over the years.

 

Countless other performers have contributed a lot, but for this list, we are only considering actresses from the film and television world.

 

Let us start the list of the best lesbian actresses from the TV and film world; over the years.

 

 

 

1. Jodie Foster

 

 

 

Alicia Christian ‘Jodie’ Foster is an actress, director, and producer. She started work as a child artist, and by fourteen years, she received her first Academy Award nomination for her role in Taxi Driver.

 

She has gathered an enviable collection of 199 nominations and won 76 awards, including two Oscars, three BAFTAs, three Golden Globes, a Cecil B DeMille Award, etc.

 

Jodie’s filmography is filled with critical and commercial hits. They are Napoleon and Samantha, Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Taxi Driver, Bugsy Malone, Freaky Friday, Foxes, The Accused, The Silence of the Lambs, Nell, Little Man Tate, Contact, Panic Room, Inside Man, etc.

 

In recent years, she has appeared in films like Carnage, Elysium, Hotel Artemis, The Mauritanian, etc.

 

She has also ventured into film direction with movies like Little Man Tate, The Beaver, Orange is the New Black, Money Monster, Black Mirror, House of Cards, Tales from The Loop, etc.

 

Jodie never officially came out as gay or lesbian. However, during her acceptance speech for the Cecil B DeMille award, she alluded to the fact.

 

She was in a relationship with producer Cydney Bernad till 2008. In 2014, she married actress and photographer Alexandra Hedison.

 

 

 

2. Kristen Stewart

 

 

 

Kristen Stewart is the daughter of John Stewart and Jules Mann-Stewart, who work in the film industry.

 

Despite being close to the entertainment industry all her childhood, Kristen never chose to become an actress.

 

She did not like the attention it brought to her. In 2017, Kristen came out as bisexual.

 

Kristen got her first breakthrough role in Panic Room as the daughter of Jodie Foster.

 

This role garnered her acclaim and more film roles. She went on to work in films like Cold Creek Manor, Speak, Catch That Kid, Zathura: A Space Adventure, Into The Wild, etc.

 

Kristen Stewart tasted true global stardom when she was cast as Bella Swan in the Twilight franchise.

 

She reprised the role in all the movies of the Twilight saga. Later, she continued playing fantasy roles with Snow White and the Huntsman.

 

After this, Kristen started concentrating only on independent films and did Camp X-Ray, Still Alice, Equals, Clouds of Sils Maria, Personal Shopper, Come, Swim, etc.

 

In 2019, she came back to mainstream films with Charlie’s Angel, Happiest Season, and played Princess Diana in Spencer.

 

 

 

3. Sarah Paulson

 

 

 

Sarah Paulson is an actress who won several accolades for her dramatic roles on television and in films.

 

She started with roles in Horton Foote plays at the Signature Theater. Sarah graduated from The American Academy of Dramatic Arts and worked in Hallmark television shows.

 

After a long period of working in minor and forgettable roles, Sarah was cast in short-lived TV series like American Gothic and Jack and Jill.

 

She also appeared in films like What Women Want, Down with Love, Path to War, The Notorious Bettie Page, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, The Spirit, etc.

 

Sarah worked on Broadway with plays like The Glass Menagerie and Collected Stories. In 2011, she started working in dramatic films like Martha Marcy May Marlene, The Game Changer, etc., which got her nominated for awards.

 

Her most memorable performances have been in 12 Years a Slave, Carol, The Post,  Serenity, New Year’s Eve, Mud, Blue Jay, Ocean’s 8, Bird Box, Glass, Run, American Horror Story, American Crime Story, Ratched, and more.

 

Sarah Paulson has been in a relationship with Cherry Jones from 2004 to 2009 and is currently in a relationship with Holland Taylor since 2015.

 

She refused to be identified as that would make her feel straitjacketed. She said she feels gender fluid.

 

 

 

4. Kate McKinnon

 

 

 

Kate McKinnon Berthold is an actress, comedian, and writer. She is most famous for the SNL sketch shows that she writes and presents.

 

Kate does an impeccable impression of many celebrities, voices, and accents, which she uses in her various sketch comedy shows.

 

Some of Kate’s most notable shows are The Big Gay Sketch, Saturday Night Live, The Awesomes, The Venture Bros., Nature cat, The Magic School Bus Rides Again, Joe Vs. Carole, etc. She also appeared in many films, including  Balls Out, Ghostbusters, Office Christmas Party, Rough Night, The Spy Who Dumped Me, Yesterday, Bombshell, etc.

 

During the 2020 Golden Globes, Kate McKinnon announced that she was a lesbian and that she got encouragement from watching Ellen DeGeneres come out during her TV show Ellen.

 

While at Columbia University, she dated the journalist Beri Weiss but separated later. She is currently in a relationship with photographer and actress Jackie Abbot.

 

 

5. Raven-Symoné

 

 

 

Raven Symoné is an actress, singer, and songwriter who is famous for her various roles in Disney shows and more.

 

She started in The Cosby Show and appeared in shows like Hangin With Mr. Cooper, Blindsided, Queen, etc. Disney Channel launched a new show, titled That’s So Raven, and cast Raven Symoné in the title role.

 

While working for Disney, she appeared in their other shows like Zenon: The Girls of the 21st Century, Zenon Z3, Kim Possible, The Cheetah Girls, The Cheetah Girls 2, Tinker Bell, etc.

 

She also worked in films like  Dr. Dolittle, Dr. Dolittle 2, The Princess Diaries 2, College Road Trip, For One Night, Revenge of the Bridesmaids, and more.

 

In 2014, in an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Raven discussed her dislike of being identified with a label.

 

She said that she is not a black American or a gay American. She would prefer to be recognized as an American and a human who loves humans.

 

 

6. Jane Lynch

 

 

 

Jane Lynch is a talented theater actress, comedian, and author. She has appeared in many film and television roles that have won her multiple awards and nominations.

 

She won 5 Primetime Emmy Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a Golden Globe, apart from several other wins.

 

Jane Lynch worked in the Steppenwolf theater company for many years and practiced her improvisational skills at the Annoyance Theater.

 

She was one of the two women selected for the Second City comedy troupe. She also acted in TV commercials directed by Christopher Guest.

 

He was impressed with her work, and he cast her in many of his future works.

 

They include  Best in Show, A Mighty Wind, and For Your Consideration. Her other notable performances were in Glee, Two and a Half Men, The L-Word, The Good Fight, Criminal Minds, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Role Models, Paul, The Three Stooges,  Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, Shrek Forever After, Rio, Wreck-It Ralph, and its sequel.

 

 

7. Cynthia Nixon

 

 

 

Cynthia Nixon is the daughter of Walter Elmer Nixon Jr and Anne Elizabeth Knoll. Her mother was an actress who worked as a coach for imposters in the game show, To Tell The Truth.

 

Cynthia credits her love for theater to her mother, who encouraged her to act from a young age as it was also Cynthia’s chance to earn money for her college.

 

After studying theater at Barnard College, Cynthia got involved in theater full-time. She worked in Broadway and off-broadway plays, which won her multiple Tony Awards and nominations.

 

She also balanced her theater work with film and television roles. She appeared in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Tanner 88,  Tanner on Tanner, Sex and The City, And Just Like That…., Tanner on Tanner, etc.

 

She also appeared in films, including Amadeus, James White, A Quiet Passion, Warm Springs, Too Big to Fail, Killing Raegan, Ratched, Sex and The City, Sex and the City 2, etc.

 

She contested against Andrew Cuomo for Governor of New York in 2018 and lost. She is also an activist for gay and LGBTQ rights.

 

 

8. Cara Delevingne

 

 

 

Cara Delavingne is a model, singer, musician, and actress. She is the daughter of stylist and personal shopper Pandora Anne and Charles Hamar Delevingne, a property developer.

 

Cara was advised by her mother to make her eyebrows her trademark look as a model.

 

At 16 years, Cara followed her sister Poppy into the modeling world. Cara walked the runway for many prestigious fashion houses, including Burberry, Chanel, Moschino, Donna Karen, Oscar De La Renta, and more.

 

She is also a talented singer who can play drums and guitar with proficiency. She can also beatbox.

 

Cara ventured into acting with her role in Anna Karenina in 2012. She went on to work in Paper Town, Pan, Valerian and The City of a Thousand Planets, Suicide Squad, Kids in Love, etc.

 

Cara has always been open about being bisexual or pansexual. In a 2018 interview, she said she considered herself gender fluid.

 

Cara has been in a relationship with actress Ashley Benson till 2020.

 

 

9. Lily Tomlin

 

 

 

Lily Tomlin is a writer, stand-up comic, actress, and producer. She accidentally discovered her love for acting when she was cast in a play while in college.

 

Soon, Lily changed her major from biology to drama and started working in off-broadway plays and sketch comedies at the HB Studio.

 

She also worked as a stand-up comedian at nightclubs in Detroit for experience and income.

 

When Lily graduated, she started work by hosting the ABC series Music Scene. She was cast in the sketch comedy show, The Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In, where she played a variety of eccentric and mundane characters.

 

She also worked for a while in the Garry Moore Show. In 1975, Robert Altman cast Lily in Nashville, for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe and an Academy Award.

 

Although she lost out on the award, she continued to play great roles in acclaimed films like The Late Show, 9 to 5, All of Me, Big Business, Flirting with Disaster, Tea with Mussolini, I Heart Huckabees, Grandma, Grace & Frankie, etc.

 

 

10. Ellen DeGeneres

 

 

 

Ellen DeGeneres is a talk show host, actress, stand-up comedian, and producer. She is a stand-up comedian who is well-loved for her observational humor and is referred to as the female Seinfeld.

 

She came out as a Lesbian in 1997 and has been a vocal supporter and campaigner for LGBTQ rights.

 

After building a steady following with her stand-up career, Ellen started work in television series.

 

Her notable film and TV roles include Open House, Mr. Wrong, EDTv, Ellen, The Love Letter, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Finding Nemo, Finding Dory, American Idol, etc.

 

Ellen won 30 Emmy Awards, 20 People’s Choice Awards, Saturn Awards, and more. She hosted the Academy Awards ceremony, Grammy Ceremony, Primetime Emmy Awards, etc.

 

After she came out as a lesbian, Ellen dated actress Anne Heche, and photographer Alexandra Hedison before she settled down with Portia De Rossi, whom she married in 2015.

 

 

11. Sarah Ramirez

 

 

 

Sarah Ramirez is a Mexican American actress who moved to California as a child. After their mother recognized Sarah’s talent for performing arts, they were enrolled in the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts.

 

Seeing their performance in the musical plays, Sarah was sent to Juilliard School in New York, where they trained as a vocalist.

 

While at Juilliard, Sarah was cast in Paul Simon’s Broadway show, The Caperman. While the play was critically panned, Ramirez’s performance was praised.

 

They went on to play the Lady of the Lake in Eric Idle’s Spamalot. They also appeared in other Broadway shows and won a Tony Award for best actress in a play.

 

In 1998, Sarah debuted on the silver screen with a small part in You’ve Got Mail.

 

Later, they went on to play the first and only LGBT doctor on the ABC medical drama Grey’s Anatomy.

 

Their other roles include Madame Secretary, And Just Like That…., Sex and The City, etc.

 

Ramirez came out as bisexual and adopted the They/them pronouns.

 

 

12. Wanda Sykes

 

 

 

Wanda Sykes is a stand-up comic, writer, and actress. Initially, she earned her Bachelor of Science in marketing and followed in her father’s footsteps to work in the NSA.

 

But, Wanda was unsatisfied with her job and did stand-up gigs on the side. She had her first break when she opened for Chris Rock at his stand-up show.

 

In 1997, she joined the Chris Rock Show as a writer and has steadily grown since then.

 

Wanda appeared in successful comedy series and films, including Pootie tang, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Black-ish, The Upshaws, the Good Fight, etc.

 

She also appeared in Monster-in-Law, My Super Ex-Girlfriend, Evan Almighty, License to Wed,  Ice Age: Continental Drift, Ice Age: Collision Course, UglyDolls, etc Wanda was married to Dave Hall, a record producer, but they separated in 1998.

 

In 2008, Wanda came out as a lesbian at a gay rights rally and subsequently married her longtime girlfriend, Alex Niedbalski.

 

 

13. Drew Barrymore

 

 

 

Drew Barrymore is one of the most famous child actresses who had a troubled life due to over-exposure to fame at a young age.

 

She was born into an acting family, where most of her uncles, aunts, and siblings were involved in the art world.

 

She got her first job at 11 months old and did her first acting job in the Altered States at 2 years old.

 

She appeared in acclaimed films like E. T the Extra-Terrestrial,  Firestarter, Irreconcilable Differences, and more.

 

Off-screen, Barrymore’s volatile behavior and frequent breakdowns and rehab trips made it difficult to work.

 

Despite them, Drew made multiple comebacks in comedies and drama films like Charlie’s Angels, Never Been Kissed, Poison Ivy, Boys on the Side, Mad Love, Batman Forever, Scream, Ever After, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, etc.

 

She worked with Adam Sandler in many films like The Wedding Singer, 50 First Dates, and Blended.

 

In a 2003 interview, Barrymore accepted that she is bisexual. She finds a woman’s body fascinating.

 

 

14. Gillian Anderson

 

 

Gillian Anderson, born on August 9, 1968, is a celebrated American-British actress known for her iconic roles, including Agent Dana Scully in “The X-Files.” She also played other iconic roles in The Crown, The Last King of Scotland, The Fall, etc.

 

Anderson is an LGBTQIA+ advocate. Open about her bisexuality, she actively supports various LGBTQIA+ causes. She has used her platform to raise awareness about issues like equal rights, visibility, and acceptance. Anderson’s involvement includes supporting organizations like GLAAD and participating in events that champion LGBTQIA+ rights. 

 

Her advocacy work demonstrates a commitment to fostering inclusivity, and her visibility as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry has contributed to positive discussions and increased awareness around LGBTQIA+ issues.

 

 

15. Miriam Margolyes

 

 

 

Miriam Margoyles is a British Australian actress who splits her time between England, Australia, and Italy.

 

She is a renowned theater actress and transitioned into films and television, playing versatile roles over the years.

 

She also has the dubious distinction of being the first person to swear on British television using the word ‘F***’.

 

Miriam started her career doing voice acting for Japanese television shows like Monkey, The Water Margin, etc.

 

She also appeared in other tele-series like The Black Adder, The Black Adder II, Black Adder: The Christmas Carol, Frannie’s Turn, The Life and Death of Peter Sellers, etc.

 

She also appeared in many acclaimed films like the Harry Potter franchise, Romeo + Juliet, Age of Innocence, Wicked,  Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole, etc.

 

Miriam has been openly lesbian since the start of her career. She has been in a relationship with the Australian professor of Indonesian Studies, Heather Sutherland.

 

 

16. Linda Hunt

 

 

 

Linda Hunt is an award-winning actress who has appeared in theater plays, films, and on television in a variety of roles.

 

She studied arts at the Interlochen Arts Academy and graduated from drama school at the Art Institute of Chicago.

 

She amassed a great name for herself as a performer on stage in her theater works with a Tony nomination for best actress.

 

Linda debuted in films with Robert Altman’s Popeye. With her second film, The Year of Living Dangerously, Linda won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

 

She played a man called Billy Kwan. She followed it up with more powerful performances in Dune, Kindergarten Cop, Silverado, Pocahontas, Pocahontas II: Journey to the New World, Stranger Than Fiction, etc.

 

Linda was diagnosed with hypopituitary dwarfism, which stunted her growth. But she overcame that to make a career in Hollywood.

 

Linda has been in a relationship with a psychotherapist, Karen Kline, since 1978. She married her in 2008.

 

 

17. Evan Rachel Wood

 

 

 

Evan Rachel Wood is an actress, model, and singer. She is the daughter of actor, singer, and acting coach Sara Lynne Moore and Ira David Wood.

 

Evan Rachel Wood and her siblings were actively involved in theater play from a young age.

 

She started acting in made-for-TV films in 1994. He appeared in American Gothic, Profiler, Once and Again.

 

In 1997, Evan worked in the highly acclaimed film Digging to China. She also worked in Practical Magic.

 

Her other acclaimed films include Little Secret, Simone, Thirteen, Pretty Persuasion, Down in the Valley, Running With Scissors, Across the Universe, The Wrestler, Whatever Works, Ide of March, etc.

 

Other notable works of Wood are the TV series True Blood, Mildred Pierce, Westworld, Frozen II, etc.

 

She has won many accolades for her work, including Young Artist Award, the Young Hollywood Award, Critics Choice Television Award.

 

She was nominated for three Golden Globes and two Critic Choice Movie Awards.

 

 

18. Tig Notaro

 

 

 

Tig Notaro is a writer, stand-up comic, actress, and radio personality. She started work as a band manager, and as part of their promotion work, Tig came to Los Angeles and stayed back.

 

She tried stand-up comedy and enjoyed the work. Tig recorded her stand-up shows and released the comedy albums, Live and Tig Notaro: Boyish Girl Interrupted.

 

Both of these were successful, and she was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album.

 

Tig also wrote for TV shows like Inside Amy Schumer, Laugh Factory, One Mississippi, etc.

 

As an actress, Tig worked in the shows Dog Bites Man, The Sarah Silverman Program, Community, Transparent, One Mississippi, Star Trek: Discovery, Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas, etc.

 

Tig Notaro has been married to Stephanie Allynne since 2015.

 

 

19. Portia De Rossi

 

 

 

Portia De Rossi is the professional name of Amanda Lee Rogers, and she adopted this name after realizing she needed to reinvent herself.

 

Portia started her career with TV commercials and print ads. She also worked on the stage in Shakespearean plays in Australia before she made her debut on television with the series Sirens.

 

After landing a few roles on American television, Portia relocated to Los Angeles. She got her breakthrough with her role in Ally McBeal as Nelle Porter.

 

She followed it up with strong performances in successful shows like Arrested Development, Scandal, Nip/Tuck, Better Off Ted, Ally, America’s Prince: The John F. Kennedy Jr. Story, etc. Currently, Portia is the CEO of an art company, General Public.

 

In 2005, she opened up about her homosexuality in the magazines, Details, and Advocate. She was engaged for a few years to Francesca Gregorini, but they called off the engagement in 2004.

 

In 2008, she married Ellen DeGeneres.

 

 

20. Janelle Monáe

 

 

 

Janelle Monáe is an artist who sings, composes music, acts, and raps. She has listed Dorothy Gale from The Wizard of Oz as her inspiration.

 

She was also hugely inspired by the album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, and she performed the songs from this album to win three consecutive Juneteenth talent shows.

 

After training at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, Janelle moved to Atlanta to join the Perimeter College at Georgia State University.

 

She composed her demo album, The Audition. After that, she made a Conceptual EP titled, Metropolis: Suite I (The Chase).

 

She followed it up with another concept album, her first album titled, The ArchAndroid. Later, she also made The Electric Lady and Dirty Computer.

 

While making music, Janelle also branched into acting and appeared in multiple successful and award-winning projects.

 

Some of her films are The Hidden Figures, Moonlight, Rio 2, Antebellum, etc., and TV roles like Saturday Night Live, Sesame Street, The Dirty Computer, Homecoming, etc.

 

 

21. Tessa Thompson

 

 

 

Tessa Thompson is a singer, songwriter, actress, and producer. She debuted on stage with Shakespearean plays from her time in school.

 

For her roles as Ariel in The Tempest and Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, she won critical acclaim and the NAACP Image Theater Award.

 

She debuted on television in 2002 and went on to act in successful films like Mississippi Damned, For Colored Girls, Dear White People, Selma, Creed, Creed II, Sorry To Bother You, Little Woods, Annihilation, Sylvie’s Love, etc.

 

She also starred in TV shows like Veronica Mars, Copper, Westworld, etc. However, the most famous role of Tessa Thompson has been in the MCU’s Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers Endgame, and Thor: Love and Thunder.

 

In 2018, Thompson revealed that she was attracted to both men and women. However, she refused to be labeled as bisexual.

 

She is a vocal supporter of LGBTQ rights.

 

 

22. Ruby Rose

 

 

 

Ruby Rose Langenheim describes herself as a gender-fluid person. Growing up, Ruby strongly believed she was a boy and wanted to undergo gender transformation surgery.

 

As she grew up, she dropped the idea, as she desired to have children one day.

 

Yet to this day, Ruby opined that if given an option, she would choose to be a boy.

 

Due to her unconventional thinking, Ruby was severely bullied as a child. In 2002, she took part in the model hunt by Girlfriend Magazine and finished second overall.

 

This opened up opportunities for her as a model and an MTV Australia VJ. She also created her line of fashion wear for the brand Milk and Honey.

 

Eventually, in 2011, Ruby Rose ventured into acting. Some of her memorable performances have been in the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black,  action flicks, XXX: Return of Xander Cage, John Wick 2, Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, The Meg, etc.

 

Currently, she is working as Batwoman in the Arrowverse.

 

 

23. Samira Wiley

 

 

 

Samira Wiley is the daughter of co-pastors who are considered the pillars of the LGBT  religious community.

 

They worked as pastors in the Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ. This gave Samira a strong support system growing up.

 

She attended Duke Ellington School of Arts in Washington DC and later the Juilliard School in New York.

 

While attending the Juilliard, she worked in theater arts and performed in plays. She went to the audition for a new Netflix series titled Orange Is the New Black, for which her friend was a co-writer.

 

After getting the part of Poussey Washington, there was no turning back. She went to work in other prominent shows like A Handmaid’s Tale, Detroit, Nerve, The Sitter, Social Animals, a Night On Earth, etc.

 

Samira Wiley has actively campaigned for LGBTQ rights and human rights, and for this, she was awarded the Human Rights Campaign’s Visibility Award.

 

She is married to her OITNB writer, Lauren Morelli.

 

 

24. Kelly McGillis

 

 

 

Kelly McGillis is an actress from the 1980s. She attended the  Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts at Allan Hancock College.

 

After graduating from there, Kelly moved to New York to attend the Juilliard School of Arts.

 

Soon after graduating from Juilliard, she made her film debut with Rueben, Reuben. Kelly McGillis appeared in several acclaimed and memorable films  Witness, Top Gun, Made in Heaven, House on Carroll Street, The Accused, and more.

 

Her other successful films include, At First Sight, North, The Babe, Rabbit Ears: Thumbelina, Rabbit Ears: The Noah’s Ark, etc.

 

Kelly married her batchmate from Juilliard, Boyd Black, but soon they divorced. Next, she married Fred Tillman from 1989 to 2002.

 

In 2009, Kelly came out as a lesbian. She appeared in the LGBTQ drama The L-Word.

 

 

25. Michelle Rodriguez

 

 

 

Michelle Rodriguez is an actress and screenwriter. She is famous for playing action-packed roles. Since a young age, Michelle has been a rule-breaker and has been expelled from five different schools before earning her GED.

 

She enrolled in a business school but quit it once her acting career took off.

 

Michelle debuted as a boxer and street fighter in the film Girlfight. Her performance as a troubled teenager in this film earned her nods from Independent Spirit Awards, Gotham Awards, etc.

 

She later appeared in other action-packed roles in the Fast and Furious franchise, The Resident Evil franchise, and more.

 

Her other notable performances have been in the TV series Lost, films S. W. A.T, Avatar, Battle: Los Angeles, Tropico De Sangre, Machete, Machete Kills, Smurfs: The Lost Village, Widows, Immortal: The Grand Prix, etc.

 

In a 2013 interview, Michelle came out, and she informed me that she is attracted to both men and women.

 

 

26. Aubrey Plaza

 

 

 

Aubrey Plaza is a comedian, actress, writer, and producer. She started her career with the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, doing Improv comedy and sketch comedy.

 

She is known for her deadpan delivery, as seen in Parks and Recreation. Aubrey has studied film at  New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.

 

Aubrey disclosed in an interview with the Advocate magazine that she was attracted to both men and women.

 

She is married to Jeff Baena, whom she has been dating since 2011. Aubrey has worked in many successful TV roles like Parks and Recreation, Criminal Minds, Legend of Korra, 30 Rock, Legion, Drunk History, etc.

 

She also acted in films, including Safety Not Guaranteed Mystery Team, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Life After Beth, Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, The Little Hours, Ingrid Goes West, An Evening with Beverly Luff Linn, Child’s Play, Happiest Season, Black Bear, etc.

 

 

27. Holland Taylor

 

 

 

Holland Taylor is a prominent theater actress who has also worked in over 120 film and television roles.

 

She has been nominated for a Tony Award for her performance in the Broadway show, Ann, which is a one-woman play about the life of Ann Richards.

 

She also has eight Primetime Emmy nominations to her credit. Holland appeared in acclaimed TV shows like All My Children, Bosom Buddies, The Powers That Be, Naked Truth,  The Practice, ER, Ally McBeal, Two and a Half Men, Electric City, The L-Word, Mr. Mercedes, Hollywood, The Chair, The Morning Show, etc.

 

Her Film credits include Romancing The Stone, Alice, To Die For One Fine Day, George of the Jungle, The Truman Show, Happy Accidents, Legally Blonde, The Wedding Date, Gloria Bell, The Stand-In, etc.

 

She has been in a long-term relationship with actress Sarah Paulson since 2015.

 

 

28. Cherry Jones

 

 

 

Cherry Jones is a highly acclaimed theater actress who has also worked in film and television shows.

 

She has been nominated for over five Tony Awards and won them for two performances.

 

She has also won three Primetime Emmy awards for her work in three television series.

 

Jones has always been open and proudly lesbian. Cherry has worked in many broadways and off-broadway shows since the 1980s.

 

She appeared in her first TV role in 83 and continued to act in acclaimed roles in 24, Black Mirror: Nosedive, Awake, Transparent, The Handmaid’s Tale, Succession, Defending Jacob, etc.

 

Her film credits include The Horse Whisperer, Erin Brockovich, Ocean’s Twelve, Divine Secrets of Ya-Ya Sisterhood, Signs, The Village, Amelia, The Beaver, The Eyes of Tammy Faye, and more.

 

She was in a relationship with Sarah Paulson till 2009. In 2015, she married filmmaker Sophie Huber.

 

 

29. Anna Paquin

 

 

 

Anna Paquin is a Canadian- New Zealander who is also the second-youngest winner of an Academy Award.

 

Anna was born in Canada and moved to New Zealand at the age of four, along with her family.

 

When director Jane Campion put out an advertisement for her movie, The Piano, Anna auditioned and won the part of Flora.

 

The film won her an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, among other accolades. After her Oscar win, Anna was inundated with film roles and offers, which she rejected initially.

 

Later she decided to take up a career in acting and moved to Los Angeles.

 

Paquin worked in Jane Eyre, Fly Away Home, A Member of the Wedding, Amistad, A Walk on the Moon, Almost Famous, etc.

 

She garnered many more nominations and awards at The Golden Globes, The Screen Actors Guild Awards, etc.

 

In 2010, Anna married Stephan Moyer, her co-star from True Blood. Subsequently, she gave birth to fraternal twins Charlie and Poppy.

 

The same year Anna came out as bisexual in the public service announcement for the Give a Damn campaign.

 

Ever since she has been a staunch advocate for LGBTQ rights.

 

 

30. Sara Gilbert

 

 

 

Sara Gilbert is an actress, writer, and producer. She is the sister of Jonathan and Melissa Gilbert, who have acted in the series, Little House on The Prairie.

 

This helped Sara get a role at the age of seven on the show Calamity Jane.

 

She got her big break in 1988 as Darlene Conner in Roseanne. She played the sarcastic middle child.

 

Her role in Roseanne earned her multiple accolades. Sara continued to star in many successful shows, including The Simpsons, 24, Will & Grace, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Private Practice, ER, The Big Bang Theory, The Talk, etc.

 

She also appeared in movies like Poison Ivy, High Fidelity, Boy’s Life 3, etc. Sara did not openly disclose her sexual preference until 2010.

 

She chose to keep her private life away from the public. Initially, Sara dated Johnny Galecki, her on-screen boyfriend from Roseanne.

 

When she realized that she was a lesbian, she split amicably. Later, Sara was in a relationship with Ali Adler and Linda Perry.

 

 

31. Rosie O’Donnell

 

 

 

Rosie O’Donnell is an actress, comedian, producer, television host, etc. She has a reputation for being one of the nicest people due to her various humanitarian efforts, LGBTQ activism, and philanthropy.

 

Despite enrolling at Boston University, Rosie did not finish her college education and quit midways for her stand-up career.

 

After doing stand-up comedy from 1979 up to 84, Rosie was discovered by Ed McMahon’s daughter.

 

Soon she was invited to the Star Search, where she won week after week. This gave her national exposure and opened the door for television opportunities.

 

At the start of her TV career, Rosie appeared in shows like Gimme A Break, Beverly Hills 90210, and The Ren & Stimpy Show before getting her daytime talk show, Rosie O’Donnell Show.

 

There was no looking back as she went on to star in films and hit shows and won several accolades.

 

Her filmography includes Will & Grace, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Nip/Tuck, The View, The Rosie Show, SMILF, Sleepless in Seattle, The Flintstones, A League of Their Own, etc.

 

 

32. Heather Matarazzo

 

 

 

Heather Matarazzo is an actress of Irish descent. Since she was adopted by an Italian American family, she was raised as an Italian.

 

She showed a talent for stage performances from a young age. At six years old, she took to the stage at an AIDS benefit show for children, and after seeing her perform, Heather was approached by many talent agents.

 

In 1997, she worked in a coming-of-age film titled Welcome to the Dollhouse. For her role in it, Heather won the Independent Spirit Award.

 

She worked in many commercially successful films, including The Princess Diaries, The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, The Devil’s Advocate, etc.

 

Other prominent works of Matarazzo are Saved, Sorority Boys, Scream 3, Scream, Now and Again, Exes and Ohs!, etc.

 

Heather is married to her comedian and writer girlfriend, Heather Turman.

 

 

33. Lea Delaria

 

 

 

Lea Delaria is a stand-up comic, actress, and musician. She started her stand-up routine in 1982 with her raunchy jokes and built her fanbase.

 

She gained popularity with her identity as a big butch dyke with a smile, it was how she described herself.

 

In 1986, she directed “Ten Percent Revue” a collection of songs about being openly and proudly gay.

 

In 1993, Lea Delaria became the first gay artist to perform at The Arsenio Hall Show, and she did it in a typical style.

 

Apart from these, she also worked in Off-Broadway shows and musicals that revolved around the topics of the gay and lesbian lifestyle.

 

In 2017, DeLaria starred as Carrie ’Big Boo’ Black in the Netflix original Orange Is the New Black.

 

She was engaged to her girlfriend of two and half years, Chelsea Fairless. However, they soon separated.

 

 

34. Stephanie Beatriz

 

 

Stephanie Beatriz, born on February 10, 1981, is an Argentine-American actress best known for her role as Detective Rosa Diaz on the TV series “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” She also did voice acting in Encanto, The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, Bob’s Burgers, etc.

 

Beyond her on-screen success, Beatriz is an advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights. She publicly came out as bisexual in 2016 and has since been a vocal supporter of the community. Beatriz uses her platform to address issues related to LGBTQIA+ representation in media and has actively participated in various initiatives promoting inclusivity. 

 

Her openness about her own identity and her efforts to amplify LGBTQIA+ voices contribute to a more diverse and inclusive entertainment industry, making her an influential figure in both acting and advocacy.

 

 

35. Kirsten Vangsness

 

 

 

Kirsten Vangsness is an actress of Norwegian and Italian descent. As a child, she took up acting to overcome her shyness and soon began to love theater.

 

She graduated from California  State University in 1996. After that, Kirsten started to immerse herself in the theater.

 

She won the Golden Betty Award, the Los Angeles Drama Critics Award, etc., for her roles.

 

In 1998, Kirsten debuted on television with short films and appeared in TV series like LAX, Phil of The Future, etc.

 

In 2005, she was cast as Penelope Garcia, an FBI technical analyst in Criminal Minds. She reprised the role in Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior and Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders.

 

Apart from acting, Kirsten Vangsness is also a scriptwriter. She has co-written multiple episodes of Criminal Minds with the executive producer, Messer.

 

Vangsness came out as queer in a 2011 interview.

 

 

36. Amandla Stenberg

 

 

 

Amandla Stenberg is an actress and LGBTQ activist, who adopted the chosen pronouns of they, them, and their.

 

Amandla is Xhosa for power or strength. They started modeling at an early age of four years, and Amandla did catalog modeling for Disney and appeared in commercials for Boeing.

 

Amandla debuted in Colombiana, alongside Zoe Saldana, but their breakthrough performance was in The Hunger Games as Rue.

 

They appeared in the short film Mercy, directed by Robin Thicke, and had a recurring role in the supernatural drama Sleepy Hollow.

 

Amandla’s other notable appearances were in Rio 2, Everything, Everything, The Darkest Minds, Where Hands Touch, etc.

 

They received many accolades and acclaim for their roles and performances. Their most recent appearances were in the Netflix miniseries, The Eddy and Dear Evan Hansen.

 

They are set to appear in the upcoming show, The Acolyte.

 

 

37. Alia Shawkat

 

 

 

Alia Shawkat is an actress, producer, and artist. She is the granddaughter of Paul Burke and was always interested in acting and being an artist.

 

When not acting, Alia does paintings and has also conducted art exhibitions of her work.

 

She is also a musician and sings at jazz bars occasionally. Alia debuted in the TV series JAG, but she gained prominence for her performance in Arrested Development.

 

She played the role of Maeby Fünke, and her performance was praised as one of the brightest performances in a sea of bright performances.

 

She also acted in State of Grace, Three Kings, Whip It, etc. Her other prominent appearances are in The Final Girls, Search Party, Drunk History, Transparents, Summer Camp Island, Ultra City Smiths, etc.

 

You can watch her performances in Being The Ricardos, and the upcoming thriller series, The Old Men.

 

 

38. Leisha Hailey

 

 

 

Leisha Hailey is a musician and actress. At the age of sixteen, she came out as a lesbian before she moved to New York to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

 

Soon, Leisha formed a music duo, The Murmurs, with a classmate Heather Grody. They released several albums and toured the Lilith Fair.

 

After The Murmurs split up, Leisha Hailey joined the cast of the show The L-Word.

 

She had already acted in a few Tv shows like Boy Meets World, All Over Me, Ellen, Grey’s Anatomy, etc.

 

In The L-Word, she played a bisexual character, but she dated mostly women. She also appeared in other movies like La Cucina, the TV series Supernatural, Code Black, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Bosch, etc.

 

Currently, she is working in The L-Word: Generation Q. Leisha also formed another music band, Uh Huh Her, with her girlfriend, Camila Grey.

 

 

39. Jill Bennett

 

 

 

Jill Bennett is an actress who was openly lesbian all through her career. In one of her interviews, she said that Hollywood was full of lesbian actresses.

 

But, they do not want to be out of the closet, the decision was theirs.

 

She claimed that it was important for her to be open about it. Jill is a producer, and she has made LGBTQ-oriented films and shows.

 

As an actress, she appeared in many comedy short films like Hideous Scream, Cause 4 Alarm, Fish Out of Water, etc.

 

She has gained acclaim for her roles in Beverly Hills 90210, Dante’s Cove, Zoe, Duncan, Jake, & Jane.

 

She also appeared in the film And Then Came Lola. Jill has consistently worked in web series and video blogs since 2007.

 

She has produced two different LGBTQ-oriented films, screened at The Dinah, Frameline, and Outfest LGBT film festivals, and won accolades.

 

 

40. Jessica Clark

 

 

 

Jessica Clark is a British model and actress. She started modeling at the age of 16 when she was signed up by the Models 1 agency.

 

Jessica walked the runway for local and international brands with success. Despite her modeling career, she wanted to continue her education.

 

She enrolled at the London School of Economics for a Law Undergraduate program. However, her modeling career took off big time, and after 18 months of college, she quit it to become a full-time model.

 

Jessica moved to Paris and worked for Hermes, Redken, and L’Oreal, among other brands. She then moved to New York to model for fashion magazines like  Vogue, Vogue India, Elle, Marie Claire, and Jalouse.

 

Soon, Jessica shifted her focus to acting and took acting lessons. She worked on shows including A Perfect Ending, True Blood, Pocket Listing, Murder in The First, etc.

 

Jessica has always been open about her lesbian preference and was married to fitness professional Lacey Stone for two years.

 

 

41. Ashleigh Sumner

 

 

 

Ashleigh Sumner is an actress and artist who graduated from Western Carolina University with a bachelor’s in Fine Arts.

 

She debuted in 2002 in a TV movie, The Locket. She appeared in more Tv shows over the years, but her focus shifted from performing arts to visual arts.

 

Although she did not receive formal training in visual arts, Ashleigh combined her love for text, cityscape imagery, etc., to create mixed media artworks.

 

She also had her art included at art exhibitions in 2016 and 2017, where her works sold well.

 

Ashleigh Sumner’s prominent acting jobs include Dawson’s Creek, Criminal Minds, The Event, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Orange is the New Black, And Then Came Lola, Mother, etc.

 

 

42. Cathy DeBuono

 

 

 

Cathy DeBuono is an actress and practicing psychotherapist. As a child, Cathay was very athletic, and she won several medals and accolades in volleyball and athletics.

 

She won gold medals at the US Olympic Festivals in 1990 and 91. Cathy attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, where she worked in plays directed by Ashley Judd.

 

After graduating from the institute, she worked in guest roles and supporting roles in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

 

She was not credited for her roles until the last episode. She followed it up with Chicago Hope, Jenny, The Pretender, Pacific Blue, Martial Law, Becker and Exes and Oh’s, etc.

 

In 2003, Cathy went back to college and earned a degree in clinical psychology. She also got her license to conduct marriage and family therapy.

 

With this, Cathy started conducting her radio shows like Cathy is In, The Cathy DeBuono Show, etc., advising her listeners.

 

She is currently married to her former co-star Jill Bennett.

 

 

43. Jenny Shimizu

 

 

 

Jenny Shimizu is a former supermodel and actress. Jenny was discovered by a talent scout for Calvin Klein perfumes while she was working as a mechanic.

 

After her CK perfume ad, she also modeled for Clavin Klein fashions and Banana Republic’s American Beauty campaign.

 

Jenny Shimizu rose steadily to become a supermodel. She was the first Asian-origin model to feature in the catwalk shows for influential fashion houses like Prada.

 

During her stint as a model, she was offered a movie role in FoxFire. Angelina Jolie was cast alongside her.

 

She was also featured in music videos by Madonna. Jenny’s other appearances include Obits, The Itty Bitty Titty Committee, Dante’s Cove, etc.

 

Jenny has famously been in a relationship with Madonna and worked with her frequently. She also had romantic liaisons with Angelina Jolie.

 

But presently, she is married and committed to Michelle Harper.

 

 

44. Sandra Bernhard

 

 

 

Sandra Bernhard is a stand-up comedian, actress, and musician. She started her stand-up career at The Comedy Store, and her style of comedy was criticizing celebrity culture.

 

As her popularity grew, she was cast in the short-lived Richard Pryor Show. After that, she made multiple appearances as a stand-up in late-night shows, talk shows, etc.

 

Sandra also has an enviable string of hit TV shows in which she starred as a guest, supporting cast, and even as the main cast.

 

She has appeared in Shogun Assassin, The King Of Comedy, Roseanne, The Sopranos, Will & Grace, Hot In Cleveland, The Queer Edge, Law & Order,  Brooklyn Nine-Nine, 2 Broke Girls, etc.

 

Sandra has always been an outspoken supporter of the LGTQ community and said she was bisexual.

 

She appeared on the Late Night Show with her partner Madonna. She gave birth to a daughter in 1998, whom she cares for with her longtime partner Sara Switzer.

 

 

45. Kristy McNichol

 

 

 

Kristy McNichol was born in Los Angeles to James and Carolyn McNichol. The family was close friends with Desi Arnez III, and due to this, Kristy and her brother Jimmy McNichol were given access to a few acting roles as children.

 

The brother-sister duo also formed their music band and released an album. Kristy appeared in a few TV commercials and serials like Starsky & Hutch, The Bionic Woman, Love, American Style, and The Love Boat.

 

She was cast in the main role in Apple’s Way in 1974, which was a short-lived TV series.

 

The show brought her closer to her next part in the TV series, Family. This role garnered her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the Emmys.

 

Before retiring from acting, Kristy appeared in Little Darlings, Only When I Laugh, Empty Nest, etc.

 

She started her acting school in LA. She came out as a lesbian in 2012 and confirmed the longstanding rumors about her.

 

She said she came out only to normalize the issue and encourage fellow LGBTQ members to accept themselves.

 

 

46. Jasika Nicole

 

 

 

Jasika Nicole Pruitt is a very creative person. She not only acts, does podcasts, and writes for her podcasts but also designs her clothes and shoes.

 

She trained in theater, dance, and arts at Catawba College, North Carolina. Jasika has appeared in multiple Off and Off-Off-Broadway musicals and plays in New York City before moving to screen acting.

 

She worked as Agent Farnsworth in Fox’s Fringe, as Kim Munoz in Scandal, and as Carly Levar in The Good Doctor.

 

She is also seen in Key & Peele, Hell’s Kitchen, Justice League Action, Station 19, etc.

 

In the 2010 edition of Out magazine’s Out in 2010, Jasika Nicole was featured as an out and proud lesbian.

 

She once said that she found it difficult to identify with most roles due to her bi-racial and lesbian identities.

 

 

47. Sophie Ward

 

 

 

Sophie Ward is the daughter of the actor Simon Ward and Alexandra Malcolm. She started acting at the early age of 10 years and gained acclaim for her fictional and non-fictional writings.

 

She has written professionally for The Guardian, The Times, The Spectator, etc. She wrote a short story, Sunbed, which won the Royal Academy Pin Drop Award for new authors.

 

Sophie Ward has appeared in several acclaimed television works like Heartbeat, Holby City, The Land Girls, Moonstone, A Shocking Accident, Cary Fukunaga’s Jane Eyre, Young Sherlock Holmes, and more.

 

She has also appeared in films including Return to Oz, The Young Toscanini, Crime & Punishment, Out of Bound, Book of Blood, etc.

 

Sophie was married to the veterinary surgeon, Paul Hobson before she realized that she was a lesbian.

 

After meeting the Korean-American author, Rena Brannan, she divorced Hobson and settled down with Brannan in 2014.

 

She has written open letters to The Guardian for equal rights for the LGBTQ community.

 

 

48. Lena Waithe

 

 

 

Lena Waithe has made significant strides in her career as an actress, writer, and producer, leaving a lasting impact on the industry. As an openly lesbian woman, Waithe’s presence has brought greater visibility and representation to the LGBTQ+ community. She gained critical acclaim for her role as Denise in the TV series “Master of None,” which earned her an Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing.

 

Waithe went on to create and produce the acclaimed series “The Chi,” which explored the lives of residents on the South Side of Chicago. Her authentic storytelling, coupled with her candid discussions on LGBTQ+ issues, has resonated with audiences and helped challenge existing norms.

 

Waithe’s career serves as an inspiration, demonstrating that talent, honesty, and unapologetic representation can break barriers and foster positive change in the entertainment industry.

 

 

49. Meredith Baxter

 

 

 

Meredith Baxter is an actress and producer. As a child, she was no stranger to the film world.

 

Her mother was a film actress, director, and producer, while her father was a radio announcer.

 

From a young age, Meredith knew that her future was in Hollywood. She graduated from Interlochen Center for Arts and Hollywood High School.

 

In the early 1970s, Meredith started acting with guest appearances in serials and soap operas.

 

She gained fame and recognition in the CBS sitcom Bridget Loves Bernie. Her next big appearance was in the ABC drama titled Family, which gave her positive reviews and Emmy nominations.

 

For her next venture, she acted in the sitcom Family Ties. She starred with Michael J Fox and her husband, David Birney.

 

Meredith continued to act in the show Family Ties for seven years and remained married to David Birney.

 

She later disclosed that her marriage was an abusive one. She divorced him, and after a brief struggle with breast cancer, she came out as a lesbian.

 

She is currently married to Nancy Locke.

 

 

50. Kiersey Clemons

 

 

 

Kiersey Clemons is an actress, singer, and producer who started her career with Disney shows.

 

She appeared as a child actress in the Disney series Shake It Up! She followed it up with more guest roles in shows from Disney and Nickelodeon like Cloud 9, Austin & Ally, Bucket & Skinner’s Epic Adventures, etc.

 

Kiersey was noticed when she starred in the film Dope, a coming-of-age comedy-drama. She continued to roles in Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, Flatliners,  Hearts Beat Loud, Sweetheart, Lady, and the Tramp, Scoob!, Zack Snyder’s Justice League, etc.

 

Clemons has also appeared in TV shows like Austin & Ally, Transparent, Extant, Easy, Angie Tribeca, New Girl, BoJack Horseman, etc. Kiersey Clemons has come out in public as Queer and is proud of it.