
25 Women That Changed Hollywood Forever

25. Olivia de Havilland
Olivia de Havilland changed Hollywood by taking on and winning against the powerful studio system, securing greater freedom for actors. Beneath her graceful presence was an unshakable resolve, making her a true pioneer and a legend with a legacy that lasted well into her 100s. | © Olivia de Havilland

24. Shonda Rhimes
Shonda Rhimes revolutionized television by creating multiple hit dramas that not only broke records but also reshaped pop culture. With Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and more, she gave us iconic characters, diverse storytelling, and dialogue that redefined how TV talks. | © Shonda Rhimes

23. Anna May Wong
Anna May Wong broke barriers as the first Chinese American movie star, earning international fame in an industry that often denied her complex roles. Though constrained by stereotypes, she boldly sought better representation abroad, becoming a trailblazer for Asian American actors everywhere. | © Netflix

22. Katharine Hepburn
Katharine Hepburn carved her path in Hollywood, winning a record four Oscars while refusing to play by the industry's rules. With fierce independence and unmatched talent, she proved that a woman could control her career and still become a legend. | © Katharine Hepburn

21. Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg shattered boundaries with her fearless humor, becoming one of the few entertainers to win an EGOT while using her platform to tackle race, gender, and injustice. From stand-up stages to The View, she’s never stopped being a bold voice for change and representation. | © Warner Bros. Pictures

20. Cicely Tyson
Cicely Tyson devoted her career to portraying strong, dignified Black women, transforming how African American stories were told in Hollywood. With a legacy crowned by Emmy, Tony, and Oscar honors, she proved that elegance, purpose, and truth could change an entire industry. | © Island Pictures

19. Michelle Yeoh
Michelle Yeoh redefined what it means to be a leading lady, blending breathtaking martial arts with emotional depth to become one of the greatest female action stars of all time. From Yes Madam to her Oscar-winning role in Everything Everywhere All At Once, she’s proved that grace, grit, and global talent know no boundaries. | © Majestic Film

18. Halle Berry
Halle Berry made history as the first African American woman to win the Oscar for Best Actress, a groundbreaking moment that challenged Hollywood’s status quo. Beyond her milestone win, she’s remained a powerful role model through her talent, grace, and commitment to representation. | © Warner Bros. Pictures

17. Viola Davis
Viola Davis made history as the first Black woman to win the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, breaking new ground with How to Get Away with Murder. Her powerful performances and emotional depth have made her a symbol of resilience, talent, and unapologetic Black excellence. | © Warner Bros. Pictures

16. Dorothy Dandridge
Dorothy Dandridge broke barriers as the first Black woman nominated for a Best Actress Oscar and the first to grace the cover of Life magazine, redefining Hollywood glamour. Behind her radiant smile was a life marked by struggle, but her legacy continues to inspire generations of performers who follow in her footsteps. | © Prime Video

15. Jane Fonda
Jane Fonda turned personal pain into purpose, becoming not only an Oscar-winning actress but also a fearless activist for feminism, peace, and the environment. From Klute to Grace and Frankie, she’s constantly reinvented herself, on screen, in politics, and even as a fitness icon. | © Universal Studios

14. Sophia Loren
Sophia Loren rose from a modest upbringing in Italy to become an international star, captivating audiences with her talent, beauty, and emotional power. She made history by winning the first-ever Oscar for a foreign-language performance, proving that great acting knows no borders. | © Universal Pictures

13. Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep has redefined screen acting for over five decades, earning unmatched respect for her transformative performances and emotional depth. Her presence alone elevates every film she touches, making her name synonymous with excellence in cinema. | © Universal Pictures

12. Carole Lombard
Carole Lombard lit up the screen with her quick wit and radiant charm, becoming a queen of screwball comedy in the 1930s. Her tragic death at just 33 cut short a brilliant career, but her legacy as one of Hollywood’s most beloved and fearless actresses endures. | © Carole Lombard

11. Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn defined timeless elegance both on and off screen, becoming a fashion icon with roles like Breakfast at Tiffany’s while radiating warmth and grace. Later in life, she used her global fame to champion humanitarian causes with UNICEF, proving that true beauty lies in compassion. | © Warner Bros. Pictures

10. Joan Crawford
Joan Crawford rose from chorus lines to become one of the most iconic stars of Hollywood, crafting a self-made image that resonated with Depression-era audiences. Her portrayals of ambitious, resilient women made her a symbol of strength and glamour, and one of the highest-paid actresses of her time. | © Wikimedia

9. Ingrid Bergman
Ingrid Bergman brought a rare mix of grace, strength, and emotional depth to the screen, leaving a lasting mark on classic cinema. From Casablanca to Notorious, her performances remain timeless, reminding us what true screen presence looks like. | © 20th Century Studios

8. Bette Davis
Bette Davis redefined what a leading lady could be, taking on bold, unconventional roles with unmatched intensity and earning a record 10 Oscar nominations in her time. Known as the fourth Warner Brother, her performances in classics like All About Eve set a new standard for screen acting. | © Bette Davis

7. Barbra Streisand
Barbra Streisand broke barriers as one of the best-selling female artists of all time with No. 1 records in six consecutive decades. Her unmatched voice, bold image, and ability to evolve with the times made her a powerhouse in both music and film, even if modern pop culture doesn’t always give her the airtime. | © Columbia Pictures

6. Mary Pickford
Mary Pickford was a talented performer, a creative producer and a savvy businesswoman who shaped the classical Hollywood cinema. As a gifted actress and co-founder of United Artists, she helped shape the foundation of modern filmmaking both on screen and behind the scenes. | © Mary Pickford

5. Greta Garbo
Greta Garbo mesmerized audiences in both silent films and early talkies, where her accent only heightened her mystique. With her intellect, sensuality, and iconic aloofness, she became Hollywood royalty before walking away on her terms, forever sealing her legend. | © TCM

4. Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie redefined the modern movie star by blending blockbuster success with fearless humanitarian work, using her fame to spotlight global crises and adopt a truly international family. Her bold career choices, both on and off screen, turned her into a symbol of strength, compassion, and unapologetic individuality. | © Columbia Pictures

3. Sigourney Weaver
Sigourney Weaver redefined stereotypes by showing what a female action hero could be, earning an Oscar nomination for Aliens as a tough, complex woman in sci-fi. From Alien to Galaxy Quest, she proved she could lead, parody, and elevate the genre. | © 20th Century Studios

2. Elizabeth Taylor
Elizabeth Taylor was a fearless humanitarian who used her fame to fight for others, becoming a trailblazer in AIDS activism when few dared to speak up. Her deep compassion reminded the world that every person’s story matters and that true stardom comes from how you make others feel. | © Touchstone Pictures

1. Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe became the blueprint for a pretty actress by turning beauty, charm, and vulnerability into a powerful brand that defined an entire era. As one of the first mass media sex symbols in America, she set the standard for glamour and left a legacy that still shapes fashion and film today. | © United Artists
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