The Most Influential LGBTQ+ Actresses of All Time

From Hollywood’s Golden Age to today’s streaming era, LGBTQ+ actresses have shaped film and television through barrier-breaking roles, industry firsts, and visible advocacy. Their work spans prestige dramas, blockbuster franchises, and trailblazing series that widened representation on-screen and off, influencing casting, storytelling, and opportunities for the next generation.

Marlene Dietrich

Marlene Dietrich was a German-American screen icon known for gender-bending style and a career that spanned classic films like ‘Morocco’ and ‘Shanghai Express’. She challenged studio norms with androgynous fashion and cabaret performances that played with sexuality. Biographers have documented relationships with both men and women. Her visibility and image helped establish early queer iconography in global cinema.

Greta Garbo

Greta Garbo was a Swedish-born star who became one of MGM’s most bankable leads with films such as ‘Queen Christina’ and ‘Camille’. She guarded her private life, but historians have recorded close relationships with women alongside her celebrated career. Garbo’s reserved persona and unconventional choices made her a lasting cultural figure. Her legacy continues to inform discussions of queerness and stardom in the studio era.

Tallulah Bankhead

Tallulah Bankhead was a stage and screen performer acclaimed for roles in ‘Lifeboat’ and on Broadway. She spoke candidly for her time about relationships with both men and women. Bankhead’s flamboyant public image and social activism made her a fixture of mid-century celebrity culture. She influenced portrayals of bold, transgressive women across media.

Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster is an Academy Award-winning actress whose credits include ‘The Silence of the Lambs’, ‘Taxi Driver’, and ‘Panic Room’. She publicly acknowledged her sexuality later in her career after decades as a leading performer and director. Foster has produced and directed projects in film and television, expanding representation behind the camera. Her longevity and success opened doors for openly queer A-list talent.

Lily Tomlin

Lily Tomlin is a comedian and actress known for ‘Nashville’, ‘9 to 5’, and the series ‘Grace and Frankie’. She has been open about her long-term partnership and later marriage to writer-director Jane Wagner. Tomlin’s work blends sharp social commentary with character work across stage, film, and TV. Her sustained visibility has normalized openly lesbian performers in mainstream entertainment.

Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen DeGeneres is an actress and comedian who made television history when both she and her character came out on ‘Ellen’. She later led the daytime talk series ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’, producing numerous TV projects. DeGeneres’s coming-out storyline marked a watershed for network television. Her crossover success demonstrated the commercial viability of openly queer stars.

Portia de Rossi

Portia de Rossi is an Australian-American actress recognized for ‘Arrested Development’ and ‘Ally McBeal’. She publicly came out and later married Ellen DeGeneres, becoming a high-profile same-sex couple in Hollywood. De Rossi has discussed body image and LGBTQ+ issues in interviews and writing. Her mainstream roles helped increase visibility for lesbian actresses on major network shows.

Wanda Sykes

Wanda Sykes is an actress and stand-up comedian featured in ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’, ‘Black-ish’, and ‘Monster-in-Law’. She publicly came out and has spoken widely about LGBTQ+ rights. Sykes tours internationally and contributes voice work to animated films and series. Her career bridges comedy and acting, bringing queer perspectives to broad audiences.

Sarah Paulson

Sarah Paulson is known for ‘American Horror Story’, ‘American Crime Story’, and films like ‘Carol’ and ‘Glass’. She has been open about her relationships with women and her commitment to diverse storytelling. Paulson’s collaborations with prominent creators have yielded acclaimed performances across genres. Her profile illustrates the prominence of openly queer actresses in prestige television.

Holland Taylor

Holland Taylor is a Tony-winning and Emmy-nominated actress recognized for ‘Two and a Half Men’, ‘The Practice’, and the one-woman play ‘Ann’. She has spoken publicly about her relationship with Sarah Paulson. Taylor’s career spans decades of stage and screen roles, including mentorship and writing work. Her visibility later in life underscores LGBTQ+ representation across generations.

Cynthia Nixon

Cynthia Nixon is an Emmy- and Tony-winning actress known for ‘Sex and the City’ and ‘And Just Like That…’. She publicly came out and has been active in LGBTQ+ and education advocacy. Nixon’s career includes significant stage work and political engagement. Her mainstream and activist profiles highlight the intersection of art and public service.

Jane Lynch

Jane Lynch is an Emmy-winning actress best known for ‘Glee’, with roles in ‘Best in Show’ and ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’. She has been openly lesbian throughout much of her public career. Lynch’s mix of comedy, music, and hosting has made her a recognizable TV figure. Her success has broadened the range of queer characters in prime-time entertainment.

Gillian Anderson

Gillian Anderson, acclaimed for ‘The X-Files’, ‘The Fall’, and ‘Sex Education’, has spoken about relationships with both men and women. She balances work across American and British productions in film, TV, and stage. Anderson has also authored and produced projects that explore social themes. Her cross-Atlantic career brings bisexual visibility to international audiences.

Tilda Swinton

Tilda Swinton is an Academy Award-winning actress associated with films like ‘Orlando’, ‘Michael Clayton’, and ‘Doctor Strange’. She has discussed living outside conventional labels regarding gender and relationships. Swinton’s collaborations with independent and studio directors have influenced global art cinema. Her public image expands conversations about fluidity and representation.

Laverne Cox

Laverne Cox is a trans actress and producer best known for ‘Orange Is the New Black’. She became the first openly transgender person to receive a Primetime Emmy nomination in an acting category. Cox uses her platform to discuss trans rights and media representation. Her milestones marked a turning point for transgender visibility in television.

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez earned widespread recognition for ‘Pose’. She became the first openly transgender woman to win a Golden Globe for acting. Rodriguez also works in music and theatre, broadening her impact beyond TV. Her achievements reflect expanding space for trans women in leading roles.

Hunter Schafer

Hunter Schafer is an actress and model known for ‘Euphoria’. She has advocated for trans and queer youth, drawing on her experience as an activist before acting. Schafer contributes creatively behind the scenes, including co-writing an episode of the series. Her presence has helped center trans narratives in contemporary teen drama.

Samira Wiley

Samira Wiley is known for ‘Orange Is the New Black’ and ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’. She has discussed her marriage and family life openly, contributing to visibility for lesbian actresses. Wiley’s roles span drama and comedy, with voice work and stage performances as well. Her career highlights the rise of queer women in prestige streaming series.

Kate McKinnon

Kate McKinnon is an Emmy-winning performer from ‘Saturday Night Live’ with film roles including ‘Ghostbusters’ and ‘Barbie’. She has been openly lesbian throughout her mainstream career. McKinnon’s impressions and original characters brought queer humor to a weekly network institution. Her transition into film has further increased LGBTQ+ representation in big-studio comedies.

Stephanie Beatriz

Stephanie Beatriz is an actress recognized for ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ and ‘Encanto’. She publicly identifies as bisexual and has spoken about bi visibility. Beatriz has performed in animation, live-action TV, and stage, including voice roles in games and series. Her mainstream success offers broader representation of bisexual women in ensemble casts.

Raven-Symoné

Raven-Symoné is an actress and singer known for ‘That’s So Raven’ and ‘Raven’s Home’. She has been open about her sexuality and marriage, discussing queer inclusion in family programming. Raven-Symoné has served as a producer and creative lead on projects she stars in. Her work demonstrates LGBTQ+ visibility in children’s and family television.

Cara Delevingne

Cara Delevingne is a model-turned-actress with credits including ‘Paper Towns’, ‘Suicide Squad’, and the series ‘Carnival Row’. She identifies as pansexual and has discussed mental health and LGBTQ+ issues publicly. Delevingne’s cross-industry profile brings queer representation into fashion, music, and film. Her roles and public advocacy reach global, youth-oriented audiences.

Tessa Thompson

Tessa Thompson is known for ‘Creed’, ‘Thor: Ragnarok’, and ‘Westworld’. She has spoken about her attraction to both men and women and about queer representation in genre franchises. Thompson works with independent filmmakers and major studios, expanding her influence across formats. Her performances have helped foreground LGBTQ+ characters in blockbuster universes.

Kristen Stewart

Kristen Stewart is an Oscar-nominated actress recognized for ‘Spencer’, ‘Clouds of Sils Maria’, and the ‘Twilight’ series. She has been openly queer and has discussed representation in casting and directing. Stewart’s portfolio ranges from indie auteurs to global franchises. Her visibility as an out leading performer has shifted expectations for queer women at the top of the box office.

Evan Rachel Wood

Evan Rachel Wood is known for ‘Thirteen’, ‘Westworld’, and ‘Across the Universe’. She publicly identifies as bisexual and has advocated on issues including survivor support and LGBTQ+ rights. Wood’s work spans film, television, and music. Her advocacy and varied roles have helped keep bi visibility in mainstream conversation.

Ruby Rose

Ruby Rose is an Australian actress and model who gained international attention with ‘Orange Is the New Black’. She moved into action and superhero projects with roles connected to ‘Batwoman’ and appearances in films like ‘John Wick: Chapter 2’. Rose has discussed gender fluidity and LGBTQ+ advocacy in interviews and public campaigns. Her crossover from modeling and music TV to mainstream acting brought queer visibility to genre franchises.

Anna Paquin

Anna Paquin is an Academy Award-winning actress known for ‘The Piano’, ‘True Blood’, and ‘The Irishman’. She publicly identifies as bisexual and has spoken about representation in media. Paquin has produced and starred in independent projects that foreground complex female leads. Her long-running television work helped normalize queer narratives in supernatural and crime dramas.

Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore is an actress and producer recognized for ‘Charlie’s Angels’, ‘The Wedding Singer’, and ‘Never Been Kissed’. She has spoken openly about being bisexual and has led a successful production company. Barrymore transitioned into unscripted and talk formats while continuing film and TV roles. Her public candor and business leadership increased mainstream visibility for queer women in Hollywood.

Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monáe is a performer and actress featured in ‘Moonlight’, ‘Hidden Figures’, and ‘Glass Onion’. She identifies as non-binary and pansexual and has incorporated LGBTQ+ themes across music and on-screen work. Monáe’s roles span ensemble dramas and thrillers, often collaborating with major studios. Her presence connects queer storytelling across film, music, and fashion.

Aubrey Plaza

Aubrey Plaza is known for ‘Parks and Recreation’, ‘The White Lotus’, and ‘Emily the Criminal’. She has identified as bisexual and discussed fluidity in interviews. Plaza moves between comedy and dark indie projects, serving as both actor and producer. Her varied portfolio has brought queer representation into offbeat comedies and character-driven thrillers.

Amandla Stenberg

Amandla Stenberg is an actor recognized for ‘The Hate U Give’, ‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’, and ‘The Acolyte’. Stenberg has publicly identified as gay and non-binary while using she/they pronouns. Their work includes activism around youth, race, and LGBTQ+ issues. Stenberg’s roles and public education efforts have influenced casting and storytelling for Gen Z audiences.

Sara Gilbert

Sara Gilbert is an actress and producer best known for ‘Roseanne’ and ‘The Conners’. She publicly came out as a lesbian and has produced daytime talk programming. Gilbert’s work behind the camera helped steer family sitcom narratives toward greater inclusion. Her visibility as a parent and creator expanded depictions of queer family life on network TV.

Lea DeLaria

Lea DeLaria is an actress and comedian celebrated for ‘Orange Is the New Black’. She was among the first openly lesbian comedians to appear widely on television. DeLaria is also a jazz vocalist with several albums, merging performance disciplines. Her career brought out, working-class queer characters into mainstream serialized storytelling.

Jamie Clayton

Jamie Clayton is a trans actress known for ‘Sense8’, ‘The L Word: Generation Q’, and ‘Roswell, New Mexico’. She has spoken about the importance of authentic casting for trans roles. Clayton’s characters span science fiction and contemporary drama, reaching global streaming audiences. Her casting in genre series demonstrated expanding opportunities for trans women on-screen.

Alexandra Billings

Alexandra Billings is a trans actress and theatre educator featured in ‘Transparent’ and ‘The Conners’. She has a long stage career and has taught performance at the university level. Billings has advocated for HIV/AIDS awareness and trans rights throughout her public life. Her combination of teaching and acting widened industry pathways for trans performers.

Indya Moore

Indya Moore is an actor and model acclaimed for ‘Pose’. Moore identifies as non-binary and trans and has worked with major fashion houses while acting in film and TV. They have used their platform to discuss anti-violence initiatives and economic justice. Their visibility connected ballroom culture and trans storytelling with mainstream audiences.

Sara Ramirez

Sara Ramirez is an actor and singer known for ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and ‘And Just Like That…’. Ramirez identifies as non-binary and bisexual and has supported LGBTQ+ youth organizations. Their stage background includes a Tony-winning performance, complementing high-profile TV roles. Ramirez’s characters have brought queer and non-binary representation to widely watched series.

Niecy Nash-Betts

Niecy Nash-Betts is an actress recognized for ‘Claws’, ‘Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story’, and ‘Reno 911!’. She publicly came out by announcing her marriage to musician Jessica Betts. Nash-Betts has earned major awards recognition for dramatic roles alongside her comedy work. Her openness and success have expanded visibility for queer Black women in television.

Margaret Cho

Margaret Cho is a comedian and actress with credits including ’30 Rock’, ‘The Flight Attendant’, and stand-up specials incorporated into scripted projects. She identifies as bisexual and has long advocated for LGBTQ+ and Asian American representation. Cho’s touring, acting, and podcasting have sustained multi-decade visibility. Her cross-platform career has brought queer perspectives into comedy and guest-starring TV roles.

Cynthia Erivo

Cynthia Erivo is an actress and singer known for ‘Harriet’, ‘Widows’, and ‘Bad Times at the El Royale’. She has spoken publicly about queer identity and supports LGBTQ+ causes through performance and outreach. Erivo’s stage-to-screen trajectory includes acclaimed musical theatre work and dramatic films. Her prominence brings intersectional representation to awards-season and prestige projects.

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