Top 50 Most Popular Actresses In Their 40s

Even though the enigmatic Jessica Chastain is known to keep her private life under wraps, what she hasn't been able to conceal is the fact that she is one of the most talented actresses in the world.

The inimitable star has been a part of critically acclaimed features such as Take Shelter, The Tree of Life, and The Help, to mention a few.

Chastain is also an investor in the soccer club Angel City FC which plays in the National Women's Soccer League. She has been a recipient of an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award so far.

The Zero Dark Thirty star is a firm advocate of women's rights and feminist issues; themes that are often reflected in her screen projects.

Many of us have grown up watching Kate Winslet play the headstrong and stunning Rose in the mammoth global blockbuster Titanic.

She is one of the only actors in the world whose career seems to be growing from strength to strength even in her late 40s.

Winslet loves to experiment with grittier roles and has usually been seen playing headstrong and complicated characters on both the big and small screen.

One of the most attractive and acclaimed actresses in the world, she refuses to be photoshopped in her projects, as was recently noticed in her award-winning hit for HBO, Mare of Easttown.

An honest advocate of body positivity, Kate was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2012.

We love her for being brutally honest and so should you.

Natalie Portman truly hit the ball out of the park when she played a role in the critically acclaimed motion picture Léon: The Professional at the young age of 12.

The superstar has been a prominent name in the industry for close to three decades now, courtesy of her role play in the Star Wars prequels and Thor films.

Portman's hefty filmography is full of acclaimed performances in credits such as Black Swan, No Strings Attached, and Jackie.

She has received an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award in her outstanding film career so far.

Easily among the best actors to make it to our list, the incredible Olivia Colman is second to none when it comes to doing justice to her roles.

Known for both comedic and dramatic roles in film and television, the actress made her breakthrough in the sitcom Peep Show.

Following her stint in the series, the Broadchurch star went on to establish herself as one of the finest actresses working anywhere in the world today.

Colman has been a recipient of an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, three British Academy Television Awards, and three Golden Globes, respectively.

The multi-talented Marion can act, produce, and sing. Also an environmentalist, she is best known for her roles in independent films and mainstream blockbusters both in European and Hollywood productions.

The actress became a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters in France in 2010 and was promoted to the position of Officer in 2016.

While she had her first English-language role in the TV series Highlander, she was able to transition into the movies after playing a part in Tim Burton's Big Fish.

Her remarkable portrayal of French singer Édith Piaf in La Vie en Rose won her a second César Award, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Lumières Award, and the Academy Award for Best Actress, respectively.

One of the most popular Spanish actors in cinema history, the phenomenal Penélope Cruz is the first and only Spanish performer to have been nominated for and to have won an Academy Award.

The actress was signed by an agent at the age of 15 to make her much-awaited feature film debut in Jamón Jamón in 1992.

Cruz achieved international recognition after playing a crucial role in motion pictures such as Vicky Cristina Barcelona, All the Pretty Horses, Vanilla Sky, Blow, and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.

Over the last two decades, Anne Hathaway has given us a plethora of memorable performances that have successfully established her as a bonafide screen star who commands a decent following.

The actor was seen playing decade-defining roles in popular movies such as The Princess Diaries and The Devil Wears Prada in the initial years of her career.

Hathaway is now in her 40s and has made her presence felt with critically acclaimed and Oscar-winning performances in well-received motion pictures such as Brokeback Mountain, Les Misérables, and The Intern.

She is tipped to star in new and exciting projects soon and has revealed her new side as a red carpet-strutting fashionista to her fans in the recent past.

A major star in Bollywood, Priyanka Chopra is one of India's highest-paid actresses who has also been seen trying to make her mark in Hollywood in recent years.

The winner of the Miss World 2000 pageant, she became the first South Asian to headline an American network drama series with Quantico.

Listed among the World's 100 Most Powerful Women by Forbes in the recent past, Chopra won the National Film Award for Best Actress for her performance in the drama film Fashion (2008).

Although this drop-dead gorgeous actress is yet to win one, she has been nominated for six Academy Awards so far.

The spectacular Amy Adams has had a wonderfully diverse screen career and has gone on to prove her versatility in both the movies and on television.

The red-headed star can be seen delivering praiseworthy performances in films such as The Fighter, American Hustle, The Master, Arrival, and Vice.

Truly among the best actresses around today, Adams seems to have gotten better in her 40s.

One of the highest-paid actresses in the world, the charismatic Charlize Theron is a native of Africa who wished to be a cine star since she was very young.

The attractive lady has been seen playing distinct characters in movies and television shows. However, she gained global recognition after having starred in a string of well-known features such as The Devil's Advocate, Mighty Joe Young, and The Cider House Rules.

Theron became the first South African to win an Oscar in an acting category for her performance in Monster. She was included in Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2016.

Hilary Swank has been active in the movies since the early 1990s. She came to fame after portraying Julie Pierce in the fourth installment of The Karate Kid franchise, The Next Karate Kid.

The actor went on to showcase her indisputable acting prowess in projects such as Boys Don't Cry and Million Dollar Baby. Both titles earned her critical acclaim and numerous accolades.

Named by Time as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2005, Swank has also ventured into producing.

Michelle Williams is an incredible A-list actress who has been seen playing women who are mentally fragile or dealing with loss in numerous projects.

After having grabbed eyeballs through her role play in the '90s teen drama Dawson’s Creek, she was seen playing a pivotal role in independent dramas such as Brokeback Mountain, Blue Valentine, My Week with Marilyn, Manchester by the Sea, and Shutter Island.

Williams has been a recipient of two Golden Globe Awards and a Primetime Emmy Award so far.

Named one of Hollywood's highest-paid actresses multiple times, Angelina Jolie has been among the most popular celebrities in the world for well over two decades now.

Recipient of an Academy Award and three Golden Globe Awards, she established herself as a leading Hollywood star after portraying the video game heroine Lara Croft in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.

While she proved to be a bankable star after participating in titles such as Mr. & Mrs Smith, Wanted, Salt, and The Tourist, she even received critical acclaim for her performances in A Mighty Heart and Changeling.

The star of Bring It On, Spider-Man, and several Sofia Coppola features, Kirsten Dunst first managed to grab eyeballs after playing a child vampire in the 1994 flick Interview with the Vampire.

The talented actor was finally nominated for an Oscar for her performance in The Power of the Dog. She had also previously received an Emmy nomination for her role in Fargo.

Dunst's career progressed rather dramatically after she starred in credits such as the Spider-Man trilogy, Elizabethtown, and Marie Antoinette.

One of the most reliable screen stars during her absolute prime, Reese Witherspoon has consistently ranked among the world's highest-paid actresses.

The supremely talented screen performer, who is now also a successful producer and entrepreneur, has come a long way since her Legally Blonde and Cruel Intentions days.

While her very own production company Hello Sunshine can be seen backing interesting projects, the beloved star has continued to make her smashing presence felt in Apple TV+'s hugely successful hit, The Morning Show.

Daughter of filmmakers Stephen Gyllenhaal and Naomi Achs, and the older sister of actor Jake Gyllenhaal, Maggie Gyllenhaal is an exceptionally talented screen performer who has given her best in a variety of projects.

The actress received critical acclaim for her leading performances in Secretary and Sherrybaby. She gained further fame after participating in titles such as World Trade Center, The Dark Knight, and Crazy Heart.

Her versatility was on full display in other mind-blowing projects such as The Kindergarten Teacher and The Deuce.

There is no denying the fact that Rosamund Pike is one of the classiest actors working anywhere in the world today.

The British actress and narrator has been a recipient of a Golden Globe Award and a Primetime Emmy Award.

Pike has participated in some amazing feature films such as An Education, Gone Girl, Fracture, and The Libertine. She has also headlined the ambitious Amazon Original series The Wheel of Time.

Drew Barrymore kick-started her screen career as a child actor and went on to establish herself as one of the most pleasant Hollywood celebrities in her prime.

A recipient of a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2004.

Aside from her acting career, Drew has also developed her successful beauty line, Flower Beauty. However, her love for acting doesn't seem to have come to a halt.

We say so because she has a handful of projects in the pipeline even today.

The gorgeous Zoe Saldaña made her screen debut in an episode of Law & Order. She has mostly been seen playing strong and dominant characters.

While she rose to fame after starring alongside pop star Britney Spears in Crossroads, her popularity continued to soar as she was seen participating in tent-pole credits such as Guardians of the Galaxy, Avatar, and Star Trek.

One of the highest-grossing film actresses of all time, Saldaña has played a part in four of the highest-grossing motion pictures of all time, namely Avatar, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, and Avatar: The Way of Water.

One of the smartest performers to make it to our story today is Emily Blunt. Ranked as one of the highest-paid actresses in the world in 2020 by Forbes, she made her feature film debut in 2004's My Summer of Love.

She rose to fame after she participated in motion pictures such as Gideon's Daughter and The Devil Wears Prada. Matter of fact, she ended up receiving a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor for her performance in the former.

Over time, Blunt has established herself as a bankable star and has appeared in a series of critically and commercially successful ventures.

The wonderful and versatile Rachel McAdams deserves a spot in our compilation and for the right reasons.

After having made her Hollywood film debut in the comedy The Hot Chick, the actress rose to instant fame following the release of cult classics such as Mean Girls and The Notebook.

McAdams, who doesn't look her age at all, has been seen in titles such as Spotlight, Game Night, and Disobedience in the recent past.

Christina Ricci was the precocious and outspoken child star of the 1990s. She went on to establish herself as a dependable screen performer as she continued to age.

The actress was seen delivering some of her finest performances in independent productions and box hits such as The Addams Family, Now and Then, The Opposite of Sex, Sleepy Hollow, and Monster.

Ricci has also been seen playing a major part in the critically acclaimed Showtime series Yellowjackets. Previously, she had received acclaim for her guest role on Grey's Anatomy.

The terrific Tessa Thompson is already in her 40s and is still killing it. People first noticed her after she appeared in the comedy-drama Dear White People and the historical drama Selma.

Mainstream success soon followed as the lady made her presence felt in the popular and successful Creed franchise of motion pictures. Add to that the fact that she was also roped in to portray Valkyrie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films Thor: Ragnarok and Thor: Love and Thunder.

Tessa has managed to impress film critics with her adroit performances in independent features such as Passing, Sylvie's Love, and Sorry to Bother You, among others.

Bryce Dallas Howard was recently seen in Jurassic World Dominion. She is known to have attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.

She went mainstream after having made her likable presence felt in features such as The Village, As You Like It, and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.

That said, critical acclaim and further opportunities followed as Howard appeared as a "fair-weather" girlfriend in 50/50 and as a racist socialite in The Help.

Sarah Paulson began her acting career in New York City stage productions. Trust us when we stress that she deserves more credit than we give her.

A thriving screen performer even in her 40s, the American Gothic star has delivered outstanding performances in feature films and television shows such as Game Change, Run, and Ratched.

A recipient of a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award, Paulson was named among the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2017.

This German-American actress shot to fame after portraying Helen in the epic war film Troy. She rose to prominence internationally after her critically acclaimed performance as Bridget von Hammersmark in Quentin Tarantino's blockbuster war drama, Inglourious Basterds.

Kruger played a Detective in the crime drama series The Bridge and made her German-language debut in Fatih Akin's In the Fade. The project won her the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress.

The talented cine-star was made an Officer of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2014.

One of the most underappreciated actresses in the world, Rebecca Hall has gone on to stun us with her diligent character projection in features such as The Gift, Christine, and The Night House.

She made her maiden screen appearance at the age of 10 in the 1992 television adaptation of The Camomile Lawn.

The supremely talented lady not only amazed the film pundits with her career-best performance in Christine but she also earned acclaim after making her directorial debut in 2021 with the period drama Passing. The film is currently streaming on Netflix.

Kerry Washington is a name that has been synonymous with brilliant performances in motion pictures and television series for as long as most of us can recall.

Since she is only one of the few 40-year-old actresses with directing and TV writing abilities, we are more than certain that she will continue to make her remarkable presence felt for years to come.

The talented actress has demonstrated her acting skills in movies and television shows such as Confirmation, Scandal, and Little Fires Everywhere.

Anna Paquin was recently seen in the critically acclaimed biographical sports drama American Underdog. She made her feature film debut with The Piano; a film that won her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress at the age of 11.

She's been a successful child actress and has received multiple Young Artist Award nominations. Later, she also won acclaim for her work on the television show True Blood.

Paquin continued to perform for the mainstream audience by portraying the mutant superheroine Rogue in the X-Men franchise of films for over a decade.

Actress and businesswoman Kate Hudson made her feature film debut in the 1998 drama Desert Blue. However, it was her confident performance in Almost Famous that not only earned her a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress but also fetched her fame.

The actress was seen headlining several romantic comedies throughout the 2000s. Co-founder of the fitness brand and membership program Fabletics, Hudson was seen playing the recurring role of Cassandra July on the hit series Glee.

Not many are aware of the fact that Rosario Dawson was discovered by photographer Larry Clark and filmmaker Harmony Korine while hanging out on her doorstep.

She is one of the few actors on our list to have starred in both indie hits and action blockbusters during the course of her career.

Dawson delivered her best in film and TV projects such as He Got Game, 25th Hour, Sin City, Death Proof, and The Mandalorian. She's set to play the leading role in the Star Wars series Ahsoka.

Jessica Alba began appearing on television and in the movies at the young age of 13. She was first seen in Camp Nowhere and The Secret World of Alex Mack.

Soon after, she grabbed the opportunity to portray the main lead in the television series Dark Angel; a show that even earned her a Golden Globe nomination.

Popular magazines such as Men's Health, Vanity Fair, and FHM have often included her on their lists of the world's most beautiful women.

Alba has starred in several commercial hits such as Good Luck Chuck, Fantastic Four, and Mechanic: Resurrection.

Rose Byrne is an admirable actor who made her screen debut in Dallas Doll. She continued to star in Australian film and television projects throughout the 1990s.

Her award-winning performance in The Goddess of 1967 helped her make her transition to Hollywood. While she managed to prove her comic timing in Bridesmaids, she was also seen playing a dramatic role in movies such as Troy, Insidious, Insidious: Chapter 2, and 28 Weeks Later.

That said, her performance in the legal thriller series Damages fetched her two Golden Globe Awards nominations and two well-deserved Primetime Emmy Award nominations.

Kristen Bell made her feature film debut in 1998's Polish Wedding. She began her acting career by starring in stage productions while attending school.

Her character projection in the teen noir drama television series Veronica Mars not only fetched her fame but also a Saturn Award for Best Actress on Television.

Bell played the female lead in the comedy series House of Lies and has been seen partaking in mainstream features such as Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Bad Moms, and Frozen.

Ukraine-born American actress Mila Kunis shot to instant fame after portraying the unforgettable brat Jackie in the very popular That 70's Show. She is also known to have voiced the character of Meg Griffin in Family Guy.

The gorgeous actress began her journey in the entertainment industry in her preteens. Not long after her successful television outing, she was seen making her dynamic presence felt in motion pictures such as Black Swan, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Friends with Benefits, and Ted.

She and her husband Ashton Kutcher are credited with creating a GoFundMe page to raise $30 million to pay AirBnB and Flexport for housing Ukraine refugees. It's been reported that the couple personally donated $3 million for the same.

Alicia Silverstone made a splash right after she appeared in her debut film, The Crush. For her performance in the same, she earned the 1994 MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Performance.

Her inclusion in the teen comedy flick Clueless paved the way for her appearance in the big-budget superhero film Batman & Robin, in which she was seen playing Batgirl.

Silverstone, who has published two vegan cookbooks, is also known to endorse PETA activities.

Elizabeth Banks is a gifted personality who, besides acting, has also gone on to prove herself as a filmmaker, writer, and producer.

The actor made her feature film debut with Surrender Dorothy and went on to star in popular credits such as the Spider-Man trilogy, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Role Models, and Brightburn.

She received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for her performance in the sitcom 30 Rock.

One of the stalwarts of the smash-hit Fast & Furious franchise of films, Michelle Rodrigues is yet another actress who looks great in her 40s.

The tough-talking Texan made her screen debut in the award-winning boxing drama Girlfight. She rose to prominence after having been cast as a permanent member of the Fast & Furious series.

Rodriguez has been able to carve a niche for herself in the world of movies after participating in titles such as Avatar, Machete, and Smurfs: The Lost Village, to mention a few.

Katherine Heigl first made a name for herself by starring in the ABC television medical drama Grey's Anatomy from 2005 to 2010. Her performance in the same fetched her the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2007.

Before featuring in films, the actress had given her career a kick-start as a child model. She soon turned her attention to acting and was, therefore, seen in features such as The Night and My Father the Hero.

As her career progressed, we saw her not only establishing herself as a cover model but also as a mainstream actor who appeared in motion pictures such as Knocked Up, The Ugly Truth, Killers, and 27 Dresses, among others.

The attractive Rebecca Ferguson came into the spotlight following her portrayal of Elizabeth Woodville in the British television miniseries The White Queen. For her performance in the same, she was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film.

She found further fame by starring as an MI6 agent in the fifth, sixth, and seventh instalments of the hit Mission Impossible franchise.

A recipient of the Best Actress award at the 2016 Prague Independent Film Festival, Ferguson has been seen playing significant characters in full-length features and shows such as Doctor Sleep, Dune, Life, and Silo.

One of the few actresses who started her ascent to fame in her 40s, Rashida Jones used to write and direct for television before taking up acting for good.

The actress has been featured in different beauty magazines courtesy of her exquisite looks. She made a name for herself by appearing in acclaimed shows such as The Office and Parks and Recreation.

Her documentary film Quincy, which is based on the life of her father, Quincy Jones, won the Grammy Award for Best Music Film in 2019.

Despite being in her 40s, Zooey Deschanel continues to be double trouble for actors half her age. Not only is she a competent screen performer but she is also a likable singer.

She had played minor roles in several films at the beginning of the new millennium before Elf helped her come into the spotlight.

Deschanel has also contributed songs to various movies she has been involved in. Her rise as a cine star continued with 500 Days of Summer and the hit comedy series New Girl.

Given the fact that the lovely Evangeline Lilly gained recognition soon after having started her screen career, it's a bit surprising that she did not participate in a ton of feature films.

However, thanks to her sincere performance in the hit television series Lost, she was able to cement a place for herself in the highly competitive industry.

While Lilly was seen playing a decent role in the Academy Award-winning war film The Hurt Locker, her career found a new lease of life when she was given the opportunity to portray Hope van Dyne/Wasp in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

One of the fittest actors to make it to our piece, Jessica Biel began her career as a vocalist appearing in musical productions. She achieved recognition after having been cast as Mary Camden in the family drama series 7th Heaven.

The good-looking actor gained further fame after partaking in motion pictures such as I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Total Recall.

Biel received nominations for a Golden Globe Award and a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for her performance in The Sinner.

Eva Green is a sensational actress whose presence is enough to light up the screen. She achieved international recognition for her adroit performance in Ridley Scott's historical epic Kingdom of Heaven.

The very next year, she went on to earn the BAFTA Rising Star Award for her character projection in the hit Bond film, Casino Royale.

A star of numerous independent titles, Green was also nominated for Best Actress in a Television Series - Drama at the 73rd Golden Globe Awards for her character projection in the horror drama series Penny Dreadful.

The gorgeous Isla Fisher was born to Scottish parents in Oman. She moved to Australia at the age of six and started featuring in commercials.

Sooner than later, she gained recognition for her performance in the Australian soap opera Home and Away. However, she broke-out in the true sense of the word after playing a part in The Wedding Crashers.

Also an author, the Definitely, Maybe star serves as both an actor and executive producer in the Peacock series Wolf Like Me.

English actresses Natalie Dormer managed to impress critics with her character projection in The Tudors. She consolidated her position as a screen performer after having played the cunning Margaery Tyrell in Game of Thrones.

Even though she was seen in the explosive final two Hunger Games motion pictures, it's rather obvious that she has managed to make a mark on the small screen.

Dormer can also be seen in Penny Dreadful: City of Angels and Picnic at Hanging Rock.

Ranked among the sexiest women in the world at the peak of her cinematic journey, Eva Mendes is in her late 40s, but it's incredibly tough to tell.

Aside from being an actor, she has also been a model and fashion designer.

Her performance in Training Day marked a turning point in her career, and she was soon seen playing a crucial role in popular mainstream features such as Hitch, 2 Fast 2 Furious, and Ghost Rider, to mention a few.

Born and raised in London, the wonderful Hayley Atwell came to fame after playing Lady Elizabeth Foster in The Duchess. For her performance in the same, she earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the British Independent Film Awards.

While she continued to prove her mettle by marking her presence in shows such as The Pillars of the Earth and Black Mirror, further fame followed as she successfully portrayed Agent Peggy Carter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero film Captain America: The First Avenger.

Atwell reprised her role on the television series Agent Carter soon after.

Cobie Smulders may have commenced her career by appearing in an episode or two of shows such as Special Unit 2, Jeremiah and Tru Calling, but she shot to instant fame after starring as Robin Scherbatsky in the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother.

Not long after the show finished, the actress was cast to play S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Maria Hill in the biggest Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero films. She reprised the role in the ABC action drama series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Smulders has also appeared in Netflix series such as A Series of Unfortunate Events and Friends from College in the recent past.