Red headed actresses stand out in Hollywood, and for a good reason. Where red hair is the rarest color in the world, it is an uncommon but unforgettable sight. Whether natural or dyed, these famous stars prove that the fiery hue can become a defining part of a screen persona and even elevate a career.
Red Headed Actresses
Thinking of going red? Let these hot red headed actresses inspire your next look. From the timeless Julianne Moore to the radiant Jessica Chastain and the dynamic Karen Gillan, explore our expanded list of famous red headed actresses below.
Julia Roberts
Julia Roberts, best known for Pretty Woman, is celebrated for her red hair, captivating smile, and standout acting roles. Her signature red locks have defined her image in films like Erin Brockovich and Notting Hill, setting her apart in Hollywood.
Since 2009, she’s showcased her red hair as the face of cosmetics brand Lancôme, inspiring many to embrace the bold hue.
Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman, the Australian actress known for her red hair and refined style, has built an iconic image through standout roles in Moulin Rouge, The Others, The Hours, and HBO’s Big Little Lies.
Whether with fiery tresses or blonde hair, she appeared across decades of film and television. Kidman also portrayed Lucille Ball in Being the Ricardos and has fronted campaigns for Chanel, Jimmy Choo, and Balenciaga.
Sophie Turner
Sophie Turner, best known for playing Sansa Stark in HBO’s Game of Thrones, is widely recognized as one of the most famous young red headed actresses. Though naturally blonde, her transformation for the role helped cement her status as a redhead icon.
Turner later starred as Jean Grey in the X-Men franchise, with her vibrant red hair becoming a signature part of her screen presence.
Amy Adams
Amy Adams is known for her red hair and standout roles in American Hustle, The Fighter, Enchanted, and as Lois Lane in the Superman reboot films. She also starred in HBO’s Sharp Objects and earned acclaim for Hillbilly Elegy (2020).
Despite six Oscar nominations, she has yet to win, although her talent keeps her firmly in the spotlight.
Gillian Anderson
Gillian Anderson, best known as Dana Scully in The X-Files, is widely recognized for her red hair, which became a defining part of her on-screen persona. She has delivered standout performances in The Fall as Stella Gibson and portrayed Margaret Thatcher in The Crown.
Bella Thorne
Famous red-headed actress Bella Thorne rose to fame on Disney Channel’s Shake It Up! and later starred in teen films like The DUFF, The Babysitter, and Midnight Sun.
Known for her bold public persona, Thorne remains a Gen Z icon and one of the most notable red headed actresses under 30.
Christina Hendricks
Christina Hendricks may not be a natural redhead, but many recognize her as one with her role as Joan on Mad Men. Throughout her career, she has worn blonde and strawberry-blonde locks.
She also appeared on the NBC comedy Good Girls. Throughout her career, she has been nominated for six Emmys. Her famous locks even landed her a contract with the haircare brand Clairol.
Emma Stone
Emma Stone is best known for her signature red hair and for frequently altering her hair color. Although a natural blonde, the red has become a central part of her Hollywood image.
Emma rose to fame with standout roles in La La Land and Poor Things, earning her two Academy Awards. She also appeared in The Favourite, The Help, and played Gwen Stacy in The Amazing Spider-Man series.
Karen Gillan
Karen Gillan is a Scottish red headed actress known for being tall and beautiful. Her breakout role was as Amy Pond on Doctor Who. She began with TV guest spots before landing film roles in Outcast and Not Another Happy Ending.
After moving to the U.S. in 2013, her career expanded with appearances in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Jumanji: The Next Level. She also loves horror films.
Isla Fisher
Isla Fisher is a red-haired star known for her vibrant hair and standout roles in Now You See Me, Confessions of a Shopaholic, and Bachelorette. Often compared to Amy Adams, Fisher has carved out her own success in Hollywood.
Debra Messing
Debra Messing is known for her red hair and her role as Grace Adler in the hit sitcom Will & Grace. Her vibrant auburn locks have become a signature part of her image, helping establish her as a redhead icon in the entertainment industry.
Madelaine Petsch
Madelaine Petsch, best known as Cheryl Blossom on Riverdale, is recognized for her flaming red hair. The red headed actress has also appeared in Instant Mom and F the Prom.
She began acting at 18 and has won two Teen Choice Awards and one MTV Movie & TV Award.
Jessica Chastain
Jessica Chastain, known for her distinctive red hair, has become a prominent figure in Hollywood. The Oscar-winning red headed actress is recognized for standout roles in The Help, Interstellar, It Chapter Two, and Zero Dark Thirty.
Her screen presence has made her a favorite in fashion, leading to campaigns with Gucci, Prada, Ralph Lauren, and Piaget. These partnerships have reinforced her status as a redhead icon in film and fashion.
Julianne Moore
Oscar-winning actress Julianne Moore is undoubtedly one of Hollywood’s most famous ginger actresses. Acting since the 80s, Julianne earned acclaim for roles in Still Alice (for which she won an Academy Award), The Big Lebowski, and Crazy, Stupid, Love.
She also shows off her flaming locks as a L’Oreal Paris ambassador. Known for her red carpet style, the star often wears fashion houses such as Chanel, Tom Ford, and Valentino.
Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay Lohan, a well-known red headed actress, rose to fame with hit films like Mean Girls, The Parent Trap, and Freaky Friday. In recent years, she has returned to acting with roles in Netflix’s Falling for Christmas and the romantic comedy Irish Wish.
Jayma Mays
Jayma Mays is a red headed actress best known for her role as Emma Pillsbury on the hit TV series Glee.
With her signature auburn hair and quirky charm, she’s also appeared in shows like The Millers and Trial & Error, as well as films such as Paul Blart: Mall Cop and The Smurfs.
Bryce Dallas Howard
Bryce Dallas Howard, daughter of director Ron Howard, is known for her fiery red hair and versatile acting. She rose to fame as Ivy Walker in The Village and later starred as Claire Dearing in the Jurassic World series.
Marcia Cross
Marcia Cross, a seasoned actress with striking red hair, is best known for her role as Bree Van de Kamp on the hit series Desperate Housewives. Her iconic red hair became a defining part of the character’s prim and proper image.
Before that, she was recognized for playing Dr. Kimberly Shaw on Melrose Place. Cross remains a beloved redhead in television.
Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore, a famous actress, has experimented with many hair colors over the years, but she looks especially striking as a redhead.
Her auburn hair has complemented her playful, charismatic presence in films like The Wedding Singer, Never Been Kissed, and Charlie’s Angels.
Ellie Bamber
Ellie Bamber landed her breakout role in Tom Ford’s Nocturnal Animals. The English red headed actress stands out with her hair color. She also appeared in The Falling, High Resolution, and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Ellie would later appear as Cosette in a television version of Les MisĂ©rables.
Kate Walsh
Kate Walsh, known for her red hair, rose to fame as Dr. Addison Montgomery on Grey’s Anatomy and its spin-off Private Practice. She later appeared in the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why, further cementing her presence in television.
Alicia Witt
Alicia Witt, a redhead actress once described as a child prodigy, began her career reciting Romeo and Juliet on TV at age 5 and acted in her first film at 8.
She appeared in Urban Legend, Last Holiday, and Dune, and is a familiar face on the Hallmark Channel. Her holiday films include Christmas at Cartwright’s and The Mistletoe Inn.
Alyson Hannigan
Alyson Hannigan, a charming and talented actress, has become synonymous with her eye-catching red hair.
Best known for her roles as Willow Rosenberg in the hit television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Lily Aldrin in the long-running sitcom How I Met Your Mother.
Cynthia Nixon
Cynthia Nixon, a red-haired actress, rose to prominence as Miranda Hobbes in the hit series Sex and the City. The role highlighted her sharp, intelligent screen presence.
In addition to her television work, Nixon is a multiple Tony Award winner with acclaimed performances across a range of stage productions.
Susan Sarandon
Susan Sarandon, known for her signature red hair, has been a powerful presence in film for decades. She won an Oscar for her role as Sister Helen Prejean in Dead Man Walking and is also known for her performance as Louise in Thelma & Louise.
Molly Ringwald
Molly Ringwald, a red-haired actress, rose to fame in the 1980s through iconic roles in John Hughes films like Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, and Pretty in Pink. Her performances captured the teenage experience and cemented her status as a pop culture icon.
Sadie Sink
Sadie Sink, a young redhead actress in her 20s, rose to fame as Max Mayfield in the hit series Stranger Things. She also appeared in the Oscar-winning film The Whale and Netflix’s Fear Street trilogy.
Known for her emotional range and screen presence, Sink continues to take on diverse roles in film and television.
Carol Burnett
Carol Burnett, an iconic redhead in comedy, became a household name with The Carol Burnett Show, which set a lasting standard for sketch comedy.
This older red headed actress is known for her sharp wit and memorable characters. She has earned multiple Emmys and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Holland Roden
Holland Roden, a natural redhead, rose to fame as Lydia Martin in the popular series Teen Wolf, where she became a fan favorite. Known for bringing depth to her roles, Roden has since appeared in the Escape Room films and Hallmark movies, continuing to build a steady presence in television and film.
Judy Greer
Judy Greer, known for her gorgeous hair, has built a steady career as a standout supporting red headed actress in both film and television.
She’s appeared in comedies like Arrested Development and 13 Going on 30, as well as dramas such as The Descendants and The Village, showcasing her range across genres.
Kate Mara
Kate Mara’s hair color is a striking shade of red. It has become a defining part of her on-screen image. She is best known for her role as Zoe Barnes in House of Cards and appeared in The Martian, showcasing her versatility across genres.
Kate Mara’s auburn hair has helped cement her status in film and television.
Who Are the Top 10 Red Headed Actresses?
Julianne Moore, Karen Gillan, Isla Fisher, Jessica Chastain, Kate Mara, Sadie Sink, Bryce Dallas Howard, Emma Stone, Lindsay Lohan, and Nicole Kidman are the top 10 red headed actresses working today.
This distinctive feature has not only contributed to their on-screen appeal. Whether natural red headed actresses or dyed, it’s set them apart as unique talents in the entertainment industry.
