Top 50 Most Popular Short Actresses In 2025

Known majorly for headlining female-centric motion pictures, Jessica Michelle Chastain is a celebrated screen actor who has been entertaining us for close to two decades now. Recipient of an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award, she was included in Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world in the year 2012.

She has been seen in feature films such as Take Shelter, The Tree of Life, Zero Dark Thirty, The Help, The Martian, and Interstellar, among others. The able screen performer delivered an outstanding performance in the chilling 2022 Netflix drama The Good Nurse.

After having seen a young Natalie Portman in Léon: The Professional, anybody could have guessed she is here to stay; and, stay she did in the greatest way possible. She went on to become one of Hollywood's most sought-after actresses after having proven her acting skills in feature films such as Black Swan, No Strings Attached, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Thor, and Thor: The Dark World.

Portman has been a recipient of an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and two Golden Globe Awards, respectively.

The superb ScarlettJohansson is easily among the most popular female film stars in the world today. The world's highest-paid actress in 2018 and 2019, her films have gone on to gross over $14.3 billion at the global box office.

A major movie star, she has been a part of popular and acclaimed movies such as Lost in Translation, Match Point, The Prestige, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Marriage Story, and Black Widow, to name a few.

A recipient of a Tony Award and a British Academy Film Award, Scarlett is often called one of the most attractive women in the world, and deservingly so.

Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, professionally known as Lady Gaga, is among the most popular female artists in the world right now. What is also worth mentioning is that she has turned out to be a surprisingly good actor of late.

If her mesmerizing music has managed to amaze millions of listeners worldwide, her acting has gone on to astound many as well. The superb singer-actor has been seen in movies such as A Star is Born and House of Gucci.

We certainly do need to see her in more films.

Arguably the most respected female star to make it to our story, Judi Dench has been making her outstanding presence felt in the entertainment industry for over six decades now.

Often referred to as one of the best English actresses to have ever graced the screen, she has worked in a lot many motion pictures and television programs throughout her illustrious career.

The Philomena star has been a recipient of an Academy Award, a Tony Award, two Golden Globe Awards, four British Academy Television Awards, six British Academy Film Awards, and seven Olivier Awards, respectively.

Reese Witherspoon is one of the most prominent faces to be featured in our story. She is a recipient of an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and two Golden Globe Awards.

One of the biggest female stars during her peak, she was included in Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2006 and 2015. Witherspoon has been seen in feature films such as Cruel Intentions, Legally Blonde, and Election, among others.

The fabulous Florence Pugh made her screen debut in the 2014 film The Falling. She is one of the most versatile actors to be included on our list today. She shot to fame after having played the role of a brutal young bride in the independent drama film Lady Macbeth.

For her performance in the same, she ended up winning a British Independent Film Award. She has since been seen in movies such as Midsommar, King Lear, Black Widow, Little Women, and Fighting with my Family, to name a few.

She put her versatility on display by headlining titles such as The Wonder, Don't Worry Darling, and A Good Person.

Octavia Spencer is one of the most prolific screen performers working in Hollywood today. The superb actress was first seen playing a minor role in the film titled A Time to Kill in 1996.

She has been a recipient of an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and three Screen Actors Guild Awards, respectively. A gifted performer, Spencer has been seen in motion pictures such as The Shape of Water, Ma, Fruitvale Station, The Help, Hidden Figures, Gifted, and Instant Family, to name a few.

Melissa Ann McCarthy is yet another multi-talented celebrity to make it to our piece today. Aside from being a competent actor, she is also a comedian, producer, writer, and fashion designer.

The actress made her screen debut on the television show Jenny, and is the recipient of two Primetime Emmy Awards. In addition, she has been nominated for two Academy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards.

She has been a part of feature films such as The Little Mermaid, Bridesmaids, Spy, Identity Thief, St. Vincent, and The Boss.

Amanda Michelle Seyfried made her television debut on the show As the World Turns in the late '90s. She has been seen in a number of popular feature films. The 160-centimeter tall actress has been a recipient of two Satellite Awards, a ShoWest Award, and nominations for an Academy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a Critics' Choice Movie Award, and a Saturn Award, respectively.

She has been a part of titles such as Mamma Mia!, Chloe, Jennifer's Body, Letters to Juliet, A Million Ways to Die in the West, Dear John, and First Reformed, to name a few.

Widely regarded to be one of the most attractive actresses in the world, Salma Hayek has managed to make a name for herself both in the Mexican and American film industries.

Even though she started her career in Mexico, her performances in movies such as Desperado, From Dusk till Dawn, Wild Wild West, and Dogma made her an actor to watch out for in Hollywood.

That said, her outstanding performance in the biographical drama Frida earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.

America Ferrera was born in Los Angeles to Honduran parents. She developed an interest in acting at a very young age. It is not surprising then that she managed to impress the critics with her debut screen performance in the movie Real Women Have Curves.

Ferrera has so far been a recipient of an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award, respectively.

Amy Poehler, besides being a competent actor, is also a well-known voice actor. The Parks and Recreation star has voiced characters in numerous films, such as Shrek the Third, Horton Hears a Who!, Free Birds, and Inside Out.

She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her enormous contributions to television in 2015. Poehler has also been seen in motion pictures such as Wake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie, Blades of Glory, Baby Mama, and Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, among others.

How I Met Your Father star Hilary Duff first made an appearance as an extra on the television show True Women in 1997. Today, she has gone on to establish herself as a well-known celebrity.

Also known for her singing, she has been a recipient of seven Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, four Teen Choice Awards, and two Young Artist Awards, respectively. Duff can been seen in television shows and films such as How I Met Your Father, A Cinderella Story, Agent Cody Banks, Cheaper by the Dozen, and Cadet Kelly.

Nora Lum, professionally known as Awkwafina, is an actor, comedian, and rapper. She made her television debut on the show Regular Show in 2015, and has been the recipient of a Golden Globe Award.

In addition, she has been nominated for a British Academy Film Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and an AACTA International Award, respectively. The actress has appeared in films such as Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, Crazy Rich Asians, and Ocean's 8, to name a few.

The incredibly talented and beautiful Ariana Grande has to be one of the most influential figures in contemporary popular music. Often referred to as a pop culture icon, she began her music career at the age of fifteen.

However, she rose to fame after portraying Cat Valentine in the Nickelodeon television series Victorious and Sam & Cat. 

Republic Records took the important call of signing her for a contract after having gone through her song cover videos on YouTube. Over time, she went on to become a hugely popular musical figure of the modern era.

Grande is known for her four-octave vocal range and whistle register. A recipient of many awards, she was seen playing a cameo role in the critically acclaimed 2021 full-length feature Don't Look Up.

Anna Kendrick was first seen in the feature film Camp in 2003. She is a popular and competent screen performer who has been doing quite well for herself in the movies.

She has been seen in films such as The Accountant, Up in the Air, and the Pitch Perfect series. The actress has been nominated for an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, a Tony Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award, respectively.

This makes her one of the youngest actors to have ever been nominated for the "Triple Crown of Acting."

Eva Longoria was seen making quite a few special appearances on television shows before she found fame by playing Isabella Braña on the CBS daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless.

However, it was her strong performance in Desperate Housewives that turned her into a mainstream performer. It also fetched her Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations. The actress has also been seen in feature films such as The Sentinel, Overboard, Over Her Dead Body, and For Greater Glory.

The phenomenal Lucy Alexis Liu has been a recipient of a Critics' Choice Television Award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a Seoul International Drama Award, respectively. The actress has made a name for herself by delivering promising performances in motion pictures such as Payback, Shanghai Noon, Chicago, Lucky Number Slevin, Kill Bill: Volume 1, and two Charlie's Angels movies.

She has also appeared in shows such as Ally McBeal and Elementary, among others.

Kristen Bell started her acting career by performing in stage productions. She soon made a name for herself by featuring in motion pictures such as Spartan and Gracie's Choice. Her first crucial role was in the television series Veronica Mars.

For her performance in the same, she received a Saturn Award for Best Actress on Television. The actress has also been seen in shows such as House of Lies and The Good Place, among others.

The magnificent Mila Kunis was first seen on the television show Days of Our Lives in 1994. She shot to fame after having portrayed Jackie Burkhart on the popular Fox sitcom That '70s Show.

The charming actress has been a part of motion pictures such as Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Max Payne, Black Swan, Ted, and the Bad Moms series. For her performance in Black Swan, she received the Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Young Actress.

Kristin Chenoweth was first seen in an episode of the television show LateLine in 1999. Since she's at the top of our list, it'd be safe to assert the she's arguably the shortest celebrity we've mentioned today.

The actress has been a part of several musical theater, television, and feature film throughout her career. She even went on to win a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her promising character projection of Sally Brown in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown on Broadway.

Chenoweth has also been seen in shows such as The West Wing, Pushing Daisies, GCB, and Schmigadoon!, to name a few.

Lena Dunham is one of the few multi-talented personalities to make it to our list. Creator, writer, and star of the television series Girls, she was included in the annual Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world in 2013.

In fact, our readers would be surprised to know that she has even directed some of the episodes of the series. Dunham is also known to have written, directed, and starred in the semi-autobiographical independent film Tiny Furniture.

Hayden Lesley Panettiere is an attractive actor and model who was first seen on the television show Aliens in the Family in 1996. She shot to fame after having played a significant role in shows such as Heroes and Nashville.

Her performance was widely appreciated in the latter; so much so that it ended up earning her nominations for the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film.

The 155 centimeter-tall Jenna Ortega started her career as a child actor and was initially known for portraying Annie in the supernatural horror movie Insidious: Chapter 2. The young actress was also seen playing Mary Ann in the direct-to-video film The Little Rascals Save the Day.

However, she was appreciated for her character projection of Young Jane in the comedy-drama series Jane the Virgin. Also, her performance in the Disney Channel series Stuck in the Middle won her the well-deserved Imagen Award for Best Young Actor on Television in 2018.

Ortega has been featured in movies and shows such as The Babysitter: Killer Queen, You, and The Fallout, among others. She received nominations at the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards for her performance as Wednesday Addams in the Netflix horror comedy series Wednesday.

Jennifer Love Hewitt began her career as a child actress and singer. She appeared in a number of national television commercials before getting a meaty role to play on the television show Kids Incorporated in 1989.

The gorgeous actress has been seen in motion pictures such as I Know What You Did Last Summer, Can't Hardly Wait, The Tuxedo, and Heartbreakers. She has also been a part of shows such as Ghost Whisperer, The Client List, and Criminal Minds, among others.

Vanessa Anne Hudgens is an actress and singer who was first been seen playing a minor role on the television show Still Standing. She made her feature film debut with Thirteen and shot to fame after playing Gabriella Montez in the High School Musical film franchise.

The show is credited with bringing her well-deserved mainstream success. She has also been seen in motion pictures such as Bandslam, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, and Bad Boys for Life, to name a few.

Megan Denise Fox is an actor and model who was first seen in the 2001 direct-to-video release Holiday in the Sun. An attractive screen performer, she made a name for herself by featuring in the Transformers franchise of films.

While she is no more very active today, she has gone on to appear in movies such as Jennifer's Body, Teenage Mutant Turtle Ninja and its sequel, Midnight in the Switchgrass, Hope and Faith, etc.

A recipient of two Scream Awards and four Teen Choice Awards, Fox has been on magazine covers of Maxim, Rolling Stone, and FHM.

Juno Temple made her film debut more than two decades ago with Pandaemonium. She is an acclaimed English actress who has been seen in popular TV shows and motion pictures ever since.

The 157-centimeter tall actress has appeared in movies such as Notes on a Scandal, Atonement, The Other Boleyn Girl, The Three Musketeers, The Dark Knight Rises, Magic Magic, Maleficent, Black Mass, Unsane, and Maleficent: Mistress of Evi.

She gained critical acclaim for her amazing character projection in the acclaimed Apple TV+ show Ted Lasso.

Chandra Danette Wilson made her television debut with The Cosby Show in 1989. She has gone on to make a name for herself by appearing in acclaimed shows. For her amazing performance as Dr. Miranda Bailey in the ABC television drama series Grey's Anatomy, she received four well-deserved Emmy nominations for Best Supporting Actress.

The actress has also been seen in the acclaimed 1993 feature film Philadelphia. Furthermore, one can catch her in shows such as Private Practice and Station 19 as well.

Paula Julie Abdul was first seen playing an uncredited role in the 1983 feature Private School. Over time, she established herself as a multi-talented personality. Not only has she contributed to the entertainment industry as an actor but she has also proven her mettle as a singer, choreographer, dancer, and TV personality.

Abdul has been seen in flicks such as Junior High School, Touched By Evil, and Mr. Rock 'n' Roll: The Alan Freed Story, to name a few.

Emilia Clarke gained global fame after having played the beloved "Mother of Dragons" in HBO’s blockbuster series Game of Thrones. A dependable screen performer, she went on to become one of the highest-paid actors on television as her popularity soared with the steady progress and spectacular success of Game of Thrones.

She has also been seen in motion pictures such as Me Before You, Solo: A Star Wars Story, and Last Christmas, among others. The star has so far been nominated for four Primetime Emmy Awards and four Screen Actor Guild Awards.

Jada Pinkett Smith was first seen on television in the show True Colors in 1990. She is best known for playing a significant supporting role in the sitcom A Different World.

The actress found fame after having been a part of motion pictures such as The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions, and The Matrix Resurrections, respectively. Also, we'd like to mention the fact that she was included in Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world in the year 2021.

Maisie Williams made her dream debut by playing a pivotal role in the blockbuster television show Game of Thrones. For her amazing performance in the series, she received two deserving nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.

She has also been seen in shows and movies such as Doctor Who, Two Weeks to Live, and The New Mutants, among others.

Mary-Kate Olsen is now officially a renowned fashion designer. She was first seen playing a role on the television show Hangin' with Mr. Cooper in 1992. After having become a mother, she re-started her career in a way by making an appearance on the show Full House.

Soon after, she was seen in motion pictures such as When in Rome, Getting There, The Challenge, and Our Lips Are Sealed, among others.

Ashley Fuller Olsen, the twin sister of Mary-Kate Olsen, gave her acting career kick-start with the television show Hangin' with Mr. Cooper. Now a fashion designer and a businesswoman, the sisters have appeared together in a number of television movies.

Ashley has shared the screen with her sister in projects such as Getting There, Passport to Paris, Our Lips Are Sealed, Winning London, and Holiday in the Sun, to name a few.

Alyssa Jayne Milano was first seen in the movie Old Enough in 1984. Besides being an actor, she is also a producer, singer, author, and activist. The actress has been a part of shows such as Melrose Place, Who's the Boss?, Wet Hot American Summer: 10 Years Later, and Charmed.

She has also gone on to appear in motion pictures such as Where the Day Takes You, Commando, and Conflict of Interest, to name a few.

Make way for the multi-talented Candace Cameron Bure for she hasn't just been an actress but also a talk show panelist, producer, and author, in that order. She gained prominence after having starred in American sitcoms Full House and its sequel, Fuller House.

The actress is best-known for her work in movies bankrolled by Hallmark Channel. She can be seen playing the main protagonist in their feature film adaptation of the Aurora Teagarden novel series.

Lucy Hale first rose to prominence after having played a key role in shows such as Privileged and Bionic Woman. However, her breakthrough performance came in Pretty Little Liars, for which she went on to receive a ton of positive feedback.

While she's been seen in shows like Life Sentence and Ragdoll, one can also find her in movies such as The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, Sorority Wars, A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song, and Scream 4.

Emma Roberts loves to play volleyball and swim. She made her big-screen debut in the acclaimed 2002 crime film Blow. She soon found fame after having played the role of Addie Singer on the popular Nickelodeon television teen sitcom Unfabulous.

Roberts has so far been a part of movies such as Holidate, Aquamarine, Nancy Drew, Hotel for Dogs, Valentine's Day, It's Kind of a Funny Story, We're the Millers, and The Art of Getting By.

The stunning Isla Lang Fisher was born to Scottish parents in Oman. However, she soon moved to Australia and began appearing in commercials as a child artist. The actress first gained recognition after having portrayed Shannon Reed on the Australian soap opera Home and Away.

She received two Logie Award nominations for the same. Since then, she has been a part of feature films such as Definitely, Maybe, Scooby-Doo, Wedding Crashers, Hot Rod, Confessions of a Shopaholic, The Great Gatsby, and Now You See Me.

Zoë Isabella Kravitz is the beloved daughter of actor and musician Lenny Kravitz and actress Lisa Bonet. She made her screen debut by appearing in the feature film No Reservations in 2007.

Her strong performance in X-Men: First Class ended up getting her nominated for a Teen Choice Award and a Scream Award. Also seen in The Divergent and Fantastic Beasts film franchises, she found further fame by playing a critical role in the 2022 smash-hit The Batman.

Actress and singer Sarah Hyland is known to have attended the Professional Performing Arts School before starting to make her presence felt in the movies.

While she was seen playing a minor role in titles such as Private Parts, Annie, and Blind Date at the beginning of her career, she is perhaps best known for her role-play in the hit ABC sitcom Modern Family.

In the recent past, the actress has been seen playing a pivotal role in features such as Geek Charming, Scary Movie 5, Vampire Academy, and Dirty Dancing, to name a few.

In August 2022, Sarah started hosting Love Island USA on Peacock.

AnnaSophia Robb made her television debut on the show  Drake & Josh in 2004. Needless to say, she started her career as a child artist. For the first time in her career, she was seen playing the role in the television movie Samantha: An American Girl Holiday.

She can be seen in motion pictures such as Because of Winn-Dixie and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Also, for her performance in Bridge to Terabithia, Robb ended up winning two Young Artist Awards.

Kate Rooney Mara was first seen in an episode of the well-known television series Law & Order in 1997. She is one of the most talented screen performers to make it to our list.

She is best known for playing a crucial role in the Netflix political drama series House of Cards. The actress has also been seen in shows such as 24 and American Horror Story: Murder House.

When it comes to the movies, Mara has been seen delivering big time in projects such as Brokeback Mountain, We Are Marshall, Shooter, Megan Leavey, and Fantastic Four.

Born to a show business family in California, Rachel Sarah Bilson was first seen playing a minor role in an episode of the television show Human Target. Her first significant role probably came in the prime-time drama series The O.C.

One can also find her marking her presence in motion pictures and television shows such as The Last Kiss, Jumper, The To-Do List, Hart of Dixie, Take-Two, New York, I Love You, and Life Happens.

Camila Mendes was first seen in an episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. She is a relatively new actress to feature on our list. She gained recognition after having featured in the television show Riverdale.

For her performance in the same, she won the Teen Choice Award for Choice Scene Stealer in 2017. Mendes has also been seen in movies such as The New Romantic, The Perfect Date, Dangerous Lies, and Palm Springs, to name a few.

Melissa Ivy Rauch is an actor, model, and comedienne who made her screen debut in the 2006 film Delirious. Even though not often in the news, the 152-centimeter tall actress has been seen playing a role in shows such as The Big Bang Theory, Best Week Ever, Kath & Kim, and True Blood, among others.

For her performance in the sitcom The Big Bang Theory, she was nominated for the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2013.

Lily-Rose Depp may be an actor in her own right, but there's a good chance that she will always be in the limelight owing to the fact that she is the daughter of Hollywood superstar Johnny Depp and singer Vanessa Paradis.

The 160-centimeter-tall actress has been seen making her presence felt in motion pictures such as The Dancer, Planetarium, The King, and A Faithful Man, to name a few. We'd also like to mention the fact that she has been the Chanel (fashion house) brand ambassador since 2015.

She's been making headlines of late, courtesy of her participation in the series The Idol.

Nicole Camille Richie is one of the few multi-talented screen performers to make it to our list. Not only is this outspoken celebrity an actress but she is also a fashion designer, musician, and television personality.

She found fame after having played a significant role on the television series The Simple Life. One of the judges on the reality television show Fashion Star, Richie has also made an appearance in shows such as Eve, American Dreams, Rock Me Baby, and Chuck.