Empire Released 50 Greatest Actors Of All Time List, 20 Are Women Actors

Films are adapted from real life, and when it comes in reel form, it has the power to speak to you, and influence you. But to make a film powerful a lot of hard work is put in. The story, production, actors, and more. Whether the film is good or not more or less depends on how an actor has justified the role, and how she dives into every element of the character.

It is the actors' job to inhabit a character’s deepest emotions, step into their skin, and bring stories alive. No one becomes an actor in a day it is a process. The British Empire Magazine has curated a top 50 greatest actors of all time for its February 2023 issue. The list was curated on the bases of the reader's vote for the best actors of all time – the actors that always deliver, that have changed the game, and whose talents can never be replicated. Among the top 50, 20 actors were women actors from across the globe.

Here is the list of 20 actors from Empire's 50 Greatest Actors Of All Time List

Marilyn Monroe 

Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jeane Mortenson and became the most popular model/actor of her time. She was seen as one of the most popular sex symbols of the 1950s and 1960s. She was a top-billed actress for a decade and gave powerful performances as Rose Loomis (Niagara), Lorelei Lee (Gentlemen Prefer Blondes), Pola Debevoise (How to Marry a Millionaire), The Girl (The Seven Year Itch), Roslyn Tabor (The Misfits) and more.

Bette Davis

Bette Davis also known as Ruth Elizabeth started working in films when she was 22 years old. She has 100 acting credits to her name in her career of 50 years. She gave outstanding performances in the films such as All About Eve, Jezebel, The Letter, Now, Voyager, What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?, Of Human Bondage, and more. For Dangerous and Jezebel, she won an oscar. 

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman has been a child actor, she started working right from a small age. She played a pivotal role in the Star Wars prequel trilogy to become a towering talent. She first debuted with the film Ruthless! Her work received multiple awards and honours. She won an oscar for Black Swan. Other notable roles include Jackie Kennedy (Jackie), Padmé Amidala (Star Wars: Episodes I-III), Mathilda (Lèon: The Professional), Lena (Annihilation), and more. 

Katharine Hepburn

Katharine Hepburn had a huge exposure since her childhood. She became part of a feminist wave at a young age since her mother was active in demonstrations and asking for equal women's rights. Hepburn ruled Hollywood as a leading lady for over 50 years. She played gave notable performances in the form of Alice Adams (Alice Adams), Tracy Lord (The Philadelphia Story), Tess Harding (Woman Of The Year), Christina Drayton (Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner), and more. 

Tilda Swinton

Katherine Matilda Swinton is a British actor, who has received various accolades, including an Academy Award and a British Academy Film Award. She has been nominated thrice for Golden Globe Awards and five times for Screen Actors Guild Awards. Her notable roles include Orlando (Orlando), Eva Khatchadourian (We Need To Talk About Kevin), The White Witch (The Chronicles Of Narnia), and more. 

Viola Davis

Viola Davis is the finest actor of African-American origin. She is the only African-American to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting. Davis has many accolades to her name including Oscar. A few of her marvellous performances were in Fences, Widows, The Woman King, The First Lady, and more. 

Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett is an Australian actor and one of the finest performers of her generation. Cate Blanchett worked in films like Elizabeth, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Blue Jasmine, The Lord Of The Rings, and The Aviator. She won an Oscar for The Aviator and Blue Jasmine. 

Michelle Yeoh

Michelle Yeoh is a Malaysian actor known for a series of Hong Kong action films. She performed her own stunts and action sequence in films like Yes, Madam, Police Story 3: Supercop, and Holy Weapon. She rose to fame in the 1990s owning to stunts she did. Her performances included films like Memoirs Of A Geisha, Crazy Rich Asians, Everything Everywhere All At Once, and more.

Greta Garbo

Greta Garbo was a Swedish-American actor, known for her charismatic performances. She portrayed strong-willed heroines and tragic characters. She worked in films like Ninotchka, Queen Christina, Anna Christie, The Saga of Gösta Berling, and more.

Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep's speciality is versatility and accent adaptability. She has worked in films like Kramer Vs. Kramer, Sophie’s Choice, The Devil Wears Prada, Florence Foster Jenkins, Mamma Mia!

Michelle Williams

Michelle Williams won a Golden Globe for her performance in the miniseries Fosse/Verdon. She has also been vocal about women's rights. In her acceptance speech in 2020, Williams chose to hail the power of women as voters, asking them to vote in self-interest. She worked in My Week With Marilyn, Manchester By The Sea, The Fabelmans, and more. 

Florence Pugh

Florence Pugh is widely known for Amy March in Little Women. Pugh has also played a prominent role in Midsommar, Lady Macbeth, Don’t Worry Darling, Fighting With My Family, and more. 

Julianne Moore

Julianne Moore also known as Julie Anne Smith is particularly known for her portrayals of emotionally troubled women in independent films. A few of her notable roles include Linda Partridge (Magnolia), Dr. Alice Howland (Still Alice), Marian Wyman (Short Cuts), Amber Waves (Boogie Nights), Laura Brown (The Hours), and more. 

Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron has been one of the highest-paid actors. Theron is a South African and American actor-producer, who also received an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award. Time named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2016. Her work includes Monster, Fury Road, Bombshell, and Young Adult. 

Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet's name is enough, everyone knows her for her iconic role of Rose in Titanic. She has also won an Oscar for The Reader. Her other work includes Heavenly Creatures, Sense And Sensibility, Ammonite, and more. 

Penélope Cruz

Penelope Cruz is a Spanish actor, who worked in films like Volver, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Parallel Mothers, Vanilla Sky, and more. Cruz is the first and only Spanish actor to win an Academy Award and the first to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Frances McDormand

Frances McDormand was born as Cynthia Ann Smith and went on to become a big name in the world of cinema. At a young age, she was adopted and her name was changed to Frances McDormand. After taking formal education in theatre and fine arts, she enters the world of cinema. She started with theatre and ended up in films. Her work included Fargo, Nomadland, Moonrise Kingdom, and more.

Ingrid Bergman

Ingrid Bergman was a Swedish actor who ruled Hollywood once. She is regarded as one of the most influential screen figures in cinematic history. A few of her notable work was Casablanca, Notorious, and more. The films like Murder On The Orient Express, Anastasia, and Gaslight brought her an Oscar. 

Olivia Colman

Olivia Colman is known for her comedic and dramatic roles in film and British television. Recently she was seen in The Crown, playing the role of Queen. Her performance was spotless and effortless. Besides The Crown, she has worked in films like The Favourite, Fleabag, Broadchurch, Landscapers, and more. 

Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman played notable roles such as Satine in Moulin Rouge, Alice Harford (Eyes Wide Shut), Grace Stewart (The Others), Virginia Woolf (The Hours), Millicent Clyde (Paddington), Rae Ingram (Dead Calm), Anna (Birth), Queen Atlanna (Aquaman), Celeste Wright (Big Little Lies), and more.

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