Actresses Who Can Play Absolutely any Role

Great performances come from deep craft, long practice, and fearless choices, and plenty of actors build careers on just one lane. The women below have moved across lanes for years—switching mediums, industries, and genres—while stacking up awards, training credits, and complex roles that show measurable versatility.

This list focuses on concrete markers of range: multi-genre filmography, stage and voice work, language and dialect work, and recognition across major awards. Each entry highlights specific projects, training, and career moves that demonstrate the breadth of roles they have taken on.

Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep trained at the Yale School of Drama and has three Academy Awards for performances including ‘Kramer vs. Kramer’, ‘Sophie’s Choice’, and ‘The Iron Lady’. Her filmography also spans ‘The Devil Wears Prada’, ‘Doubt’, ‘Adaptation’, and ‘Julie & Julia’.

Her work covers drama, comedy, musical, and animation, with stage roots at the Public Theater and voice roles like ‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’. On television she has appeared in premium limited series, and she has performed in both American and European productions, including music-heavy projects such as ‘Mamma Mia!’.

Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett has two Academy Awards for ‘The Aviator’ and ‘Blue Jasmine’, with additional major nominations for ‘Carol’ and ‘Tár’. She served as co-artistic director of the Sydney Theatre Company and has headlined repertory stage seasons as well as global blockbusters.

Her screen roles include fantasy (‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit’), drama (‘Notes on a Scandal’), and satire. She has voice credits in major animation and has led and produced international television projects such as ‘Stateless’.

Viola Davis

Viola Davis is an EGOT, with an Academy Award for ‘Fences’, an Emmy for ‘How to Get Away with Murder’, Tonys for ‘Fences’ and ‘King Hedley II’, and a Grammy for her audiobook ‘Finding Me’. A Juilliard graduate, she has film credits including ‘The Help’, ‘Widows’, and ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’.

Her career includes ongoing franchise work as Amanda Waller in ‘Suicide Squad’ titles and significant stage roles in classical and contemporary plays. She also produces features and series that expand opportunities for underrepresented voices.

Tilda Swinton

Tilda Swinton won an Academy Award for ‘Michael Clayton’ and has led boundary-pushing films such as ‘Orlando’, ‘We Need to Talk About Kevin’, and ‘Only Lovers Left Alive’. She has collaborated with directors including Jim Jarmusch, Bong Joon-ho, and Luca Guadagnino.

Her work ranges from studio projects like ‘Doctor Strange’ to experimental cinema and gallery pieces. She has voice roles in animation such as ‘Isle of Dogs’ and participates in installations and festivals that bridge performance art and film.

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman won an Academy Award for ‘Black Swan’ and earned nominations for ‘Closer’ and ‘Jackie’. She balances large-scale franchises such as ‘Thor’ with character-driven films like ‘Annihilation’ and began her career with ‘Léon: The Professional’.

She starred on Broadway in ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’, directed ‘A Tale of Love and Darkness’, and works in English and Hebrew. Her credits span psychological drama, science fiction, and historical biography.

Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron won an Academy Award for ‘Monster’ and earned nominations for ‘North Country’ and ‘Bombshell’. She anchors action-driven projects such as ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’, ‘Atomic Blonde’, and ‘The Old Guard’ while maintaining a slate of dramatic leads.

Her production company develops features and television, and she performs extensive fight and stunt training for action roles. She also works in comedy and satire, alongside voice roles and ensemble ensembles.

Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson’s filmography includes ‘Lost in Translation’, ‘Marriage Story’, ‘Jojo Rabbit’, and franchise work as Natasha Romanoff in ‘Black Widow’ and ensemble titles. She received multiple Academy Award nominations and won a Tony Award for ‘A View from the Bridge’.

Her credits include voice-led performances in ‘Her’ and ‘Sing’, musical theater, and independent films. She alternates between studio tentpoles and smaller dramas while maintaining stage appearances.

Lupita Nyong’o

Lupita Nyong’o won an Academy Award for ’12 Years a Slave’ and headlined films such as ‘Us’ and ‘Queen of Katwe’, along with Marvel’s ‘Black Panther’ titles. She trained at the Yale School of Drama and has worked on documentaries and international projects.

She starred on Broadway in ‘Eclipsed’ and has published and narrated literary works. Her screen work includes horror, historic drama, and franchise action, in English and other languages tied to her Kenyan and Mexican background.

Saoirse Ronan

Saoirse Ronan has multiple Academy Award nominations for ‘Atonement’, ‘Brooklyn’, ‘Lady Bird’, and ‘Little Women’. She began working in film as a teenager and has alternated between independent and studio productions.

On stage she played Abigail Williams in ‘The Crucible’ on Broadway and has headlined period pieces and contemporary dramas. Her credits also include action in ‘Hanna’ and voice roles, reflecting work across Irish, British, and American productions.

Frances McDormand

Frances McDormand has three Academy Awards for acting—’Fargo’, ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’, and ‘Nomadland’—and a producing Oscar for ‘Nomadland’. She has longstanding collaborations with filmmakers across independent and studio spaces.

Her stage work includes a Tony Award for ‘Good People’, and on television she won an Emmy for ‘Olive Kitteridge’. She frequently develops projects as a producer and moves between intimate character studies and wide-release films.

Emma Stone

Emma Stone holds Academy Awards for ‘La La Land’ and ‘Poor Things’, with additional recognition for ‘The Favourite’ and ‘Birdman’. She has led studio projects like ‘Cruella’ and earlier comedies such as ‘Easy A’.

She co-founded the production company Fruit Tree and has television credits including ‘Maniac’. Her work includes musical performance, animation voice roles in ‘The Croods’, and drama across period and contemporary settings.

Amy Adams

Amy Adams has multiple Academy Award nominations for films including ‘Arrival’, ‘American Hustle’, ‘The Fighter’, ‘Doubt’, ‘Junebug’, and ‘Vice’. She is a frequent collaborator with acclaimed directors across drama and science fiction.

Her television work includes ‘Sharp Objects’, and she has taken on stage roles in the West End. She also performs in musical and fantasy projects such as ‘Enchanted’, alongside grounded dramatic material.

Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman won an Academy Award for ‘The Hours’ and earned nominations for ‘Moulin Rouge!’, ‘Rabbit Hole’, ‘Lion’, and ‘Being the Ricardos’. She alternates between intimate dramas and global releases.

Her television projects include ‘Big Little Lies’, ‘The Undoing’, and ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’, and she won Emmys for acting and producing. She has also returned to the stage in London productions such as ‘Photograph 51’.

Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet won an Academy Award for ‘The Reader’ and received nominations for ‘Sense and Sensibility’, ‘Titanic’, ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’, ‘Little Children’, and ‘Steve Jobs’. She has worked extensively in both independent and high-budget films.

Her television work includes ‘Mildred Pierce’ and ‘Mare of Easttown’, each earning major awards. She has voice credits in animation and has produced and starred in prestige limited series.

Julianne Moore

Julianne Moore won an Academy Award for ‘Still Alice’ and has major nominations for ‘Boogie Nights’, ‘The Hours’, ‘Far from Heaven’, and ‘The End of the Affair’. She balances studio work with independent cinema.

Her early career included long-running television roles, and she has performed on Broadway in ‘The Vertical Hour’. She also authors children’s books and continues to work across genres from thriller to comedy.

Jessica Chastain

Jessica Chastain won an Academy Award for ‘The Eyes of Tammy Faye’ and has notable credits in ‘Zero Dark Thirty’, ‘The Tree of Life’, ‘Interstellar’, and ‘A Most Violent Year’. A Juilliard alum, she supports theater and film development through her production banner.

She led the limited series ‘George & Tammy’ and has Broadway credits including ‘A Doll’s House’. Her work ranges from historical biography to science fiction, including ensemble and lead roles.

Florence Pugh

Florence Pugh drew international attention with ‘Lady Macbeth’ and earned Academy recognition for ‘Little Women’. Her filmography includes ‘Midsommar’, ‘Fighting with My Family’, ‘Don’t Worry Darling’, and franchise assignments in ‘Black Widow’.

She voices roles in major animation and has recorded music featured in her projects. Her credits span folk horror, period drama, sports biopic, and contemporary thriller.

Rachel Weisz

Rachel Weisz won an Academy Award for ‘The Constant Gardener’ and received another nomination for ‘The Favourite’. She appears in franchise titles such as ‘The Mummy’ and character-driven films like ‘The Lobster’.

On television she led ‘Dead Ringers’, and on stage she won an Olivier Award for ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’. She also produces features and series, working across British and American industries.

Rooney Mara

Rooney Mara earned Academy Award nominations for ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ and ‘Carol’ and has credits in ‘A Ghost Story’ and ‘Her’. She co-founded a fashion label focused on sustainable materials.

Her work includes independent cinema, animation voice roles such as ‘Kubo and the Two Strings’, and festival premieres. She participates in philanthropic efforts tied to education and community arts.

Emily Blunt

Emily Blunt’s films include ‘Sicario’, ‘Edge of Tomorrow’, ‘A Quiet Place’, and ‘The Devil Wears Prada’, along with musical work in ‘Into the Woods’ and ‘Mary Poppins Returns’. She has been recognized by major guilds and academies for leading and supporting roles.

She performs American and British dialects across genres and shares producing credits on projects like ‘A Quiet Place’. Her television work includes premium limited series, and she has stage and television film roots.

Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence won an Academy Award for ‘Silver Linings Playbook’ and received nominations for ‘Winter’s Bone’, ‘American Hustle’, and ‘Joy’. She led ‘The Hunger Games’ films while continuing to anchor adult dramas.

She has produced features including ‘Causeway’ and participates in both studio comedies and psychological thrillers. Her career includes collaborations with directors across multiple projects.

Michelle Yeoh

Michelle Yeoh won an Academy Award for ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ and has led films such as ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’, ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’, and ‘Crazy Rich Asians’. She began as a screen performer known for doing her own stunt work.

Her television credits include ‘Star Trek: Discovery’, and she works in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin. Her roles span wuxia, science fiction, historical drama, and comedy.

Gong Li

Gong Li’s international breakthroughs include ‘Raise the Red Lantern’, ‘To Live’, and ‘Farewell My Concubine’, with later English-language work in titles like ‘Miami Vice’ and ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’. She has served on juries at major festivals.

She collaborates frequently with directors such as Zhang Yimou and has headlined period epics and contemporary dramas. Her career covers Chinese and global productions with both art-house and commercial reach.

Zhang Ziyi

Zhang Ziyi’s credits include ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’, ‘Hero’, ‘House of Flying Daggers’, and ‘The Grandmaster’. She trained at the Beijing Dance Academy before transitioning to film.

She has received awards from Asian and international academies and has served on juries at Cannes and Berlin. Her roles include wuxia heroines, contemporary figures, and biographical portrayals.

Penélope Cruz

Penélope Cruz won an Academy Award for ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’ and has major roles in ‘Volver’, ‘Parallel Mothers’, ‘All About My Mother’, and ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides’. She works in Spanish, English, and Italian.

Her filmography includes collaborations with Pedro Almodóvar and leading roles in European and American productions. She also models and produces, balancing auteur projects with studio films.

Marion Cotillard

Marion Cotillard won an Academy Award for ‘La Vie en Rose’ and earned nominations for ‘Two Days, One Night’ and ‘Nine’. Her English-language credits include ‘Inception’ and ‘Allied’.

She performs in French and English cinema, records music, and has appeared in concert stagings such as ‘Joan of Arc at the Stake’. Her career bridges blockbuster and intimate European dramas.

Toni Collette

Toni Collette’s credits include ‘Muriel’s Wedding’, ‘The Sixth Sense’, ‘Hereditary’, ‘Little Miss Sunshine’, and ‘Knives Out’. She has been nominated by the Academy, BAFTA, and major guilds.

She won an Emmy for ‘United States of Tara’ and has Broadway credits including ‘The Wild Party’. Her roles encompass horror, comedy, thriller, and musical work.

Naomi Watts

Naomi Watts rose to prominence with ‘Mulholland Drive’ and received Academy Award nominations for ’21 Grams’ and ‘The Impossible’. Her filmography includes ‘King Kong’ and festival-driven dramas.

Her television work ranges from ‘Twin Peaks: The Return’ to biographical anthology series. She produces films and series and works across American, British, and Australian productions.

Ruth Negga

Ruth Negga earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘Loving’ and has television credits including ‘Preacher’ and ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’. She also appeared in British and Irish series and films.

On stage she played Hamlet at St. Ann’s Warehouse and has taken leading roles in contemporary drama ‘Passing’. Her career spans Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Brie Larson

Brie Larson won an Academy Award for ‘Room’ and led ‘Captain Marvel’ while maintaining independent credits like ‘Short Term 12’. She began acting as a child and also records music.

She directed ‘Unicorn Store’ and has produced and starred in television such as ‘Lessons in Chemistry’. Her work covers superhero franchises, intimate dramas, and comedy.

Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway won an Academy Award for ‘Les Misérables’ and has major roles in ‘The Devil Wears Prada’, ‘Rachel Getting Married’, ‘Interstellar’, and ‘The Princess Diaries’. She began in family and teen films before moving into adult drama.

She played Viola in Shakespeare in the Park’s ‘Twelfth Night’ and stars in anthology and romantic series like ‘Modern Love’. She also voices characters in animation such as ‘Rio’.

Olivia Colman

Olivia Colman won an Academy Award for ‘The Favourite’ and has prominent roles in ‘The Lobster’, ‘The Father’, and ‘Tyrannosaur’. On television she portrayed Queen Elizabeth II in ‘The Crown’.

Her stage work includes ‘Mosquitoes’ at the National Theatre, and she has extensive radio and sketch-comedy credits. She voices roles in animation such as ‘The Mitchells vs. the Machines’.

Jodie Comer

Jodie Comer won an Emmy and BAFTA for ‘Killing Eve’ and appears in films including ‘Free Guy’ and ‘The Last Duel’. She began in British television across multiple genres.

She won a Tony Award for ‘Prima Facie’ and has taken roles requiring extensive dialect work. Her limited series work includes ‘Help’, adding socially focused drama to her filmography.

Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster has two Academy Awards for ‘The Accused’ and ‘The Silence of the Lambs’, with credits including ‘Taxi Driver’, ‘Contact’, and ‘Nell’. She acts in multiple languages, including French.

She directs and produces films and television episodes and recently led ‘True Detective: Night Country’. Her career spans child-actor origins to contemporary prestige projects.

Sandra Bullock

Sandra Bullock won an Academy Award for ‘The Blind Side’ and starred in ‘Gravity’, ‘Speed’, ‘Miss Congeniality’, and ‘Bird Box’. She maintains a consistent presence in both comedy and thriller.

She runs Fortis Films, producing features and television. She has voice credits in animation such as ‘Minions’ and has carried ensemble heist and action comedies.

Regina King

Regina King won an Academy Award for ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ and multiple Emmys for ‘American Crime’, ‘Seven Seconds’, and ‘Watchmen’. She began in ensemble film and sitcom work.

She directed ‘One Night in Miami…’ and continues to helm television episodes and features. Her roles and directing credits span historical drama, superhero narratives, and contemporary social stories.

Hong Chau

Hong Chau earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘The Whale’ and earlier recognition for ‘Downsizing’. Her filmography includes ‘The Menu’ and ensemble titles across independent cinema.

On television she played key roles in ‘Watchmen’ and ‘Homecoming’. She works across drama, satire, and thriller, moving between lead and supporting parts.

Anya Taylor-Joy

Anya Taylor-Joy led ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ and has film credits including ‘The Witch’, ‘Split’, ‘Emma’, and ‘Last Night in Soho’. She headlined action franchise work with ‘Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’.

She speaks English and Spanish, voices Princess Peach in ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’, and balances auteur-driven films with studio releases. Her projects include horror, period comedy, and action.

Helena Bonham Carter

Helena Bonham Carter earned Academy Award nominations for ‘The Wings of the Dove’ and ‘The King’s Speech’ and appears in franchise titles like ‘Harry Potter’ and musical films such as ‘Sweeney Todd’. She began with period dramas before expanding into fantasy and contemporary roles.

She portrayed Princess Margaret in ‘The Crown’ and has extensive voice credits including ‘Corpse Bride’ and ‘The Curse of the Were-Rabbit’. Her stage and radio credits add classical and modern repertoire.

Kristen Stewart

Kristen Stewart earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘Spencer’ and won a César Award for ‘Clouds of Sils Maria’. Her filmography includes ‘Personal Shopper’, ‘Certain Women’, and ‘Charlie’s Angels’.

She directs short films and music videos and works across American and European independent cinema. Her roles range from franchise leads in ‘Twilight’ to experimental and biographical projects.

Kirsten Dunst

Kirsten Dunst received an Academy Award nomination for ‘The Power of the Dog’ and has credits including ‘Melancholia’, ‘Interview with the Vampire’, and ‘Spider-Man’. She transitioned from child roles to adult leads across genres.

She led television projects such as ‘Fargo’ and ‘On Becoming a God in Central Florida’. Her work includes comedy, drama, historical films, and science fiction.

Elizabeth Debicki

Elizabeth Debicki’s credits include ‘Widows’, ‘Tenet’, and ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’, with television acclaim for ‘The Night Manager’ and ‘The Crown’. She trained at the Victorian College of the Arts.

Her stage work includes ‘The Maids’ in Sydney and London. She works in ensemble thrillers, superhero franchises, and biographical drama.

Carey Mulligan

Carey Mulligan has Academy Award nominations for ‘An Education’, ‘Promising Young Woman’, and ‘Maestro’, with roles in ‘Drive’, ‘Never Let Me Go’, and ‘Inside Llewyn Davis’. She appears in both British and American productions.

She won acclaim on Broadway and the West End for ‘Skylight’ and has television credits such as ‘Collateral’. Her filmography spans period drama, neo-noir, and contemporary satire.

Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ and leads the series ‘Empire’. Her film credits include ‘Hustle & Flow’ and ‘Hidden Figures’.

She studied at Howard University, produces projects, and has published a memoir. Her roles cover music drama, biographical ensemble films, and comedy.

Cynthia Erivo

Cynthia Erivo holds a Tony, Grammy, and Emmy for ‘The Color Purple’ on Broadway and received an Academy Award nomination for ‘Harriet’. She also appears in ‘Widows’ and ‘Bad Times at the El Royale’.

She trained at RADA and records original music for film and television. Her credits span biographical films, thrillers, and premium limited series such as ‘Genius: Aretha’.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Gugu Mbatha-Raw headlined ‘Belle’ and ‘Beyond the Lights’ and appears in ‘A Wrinkle in Time’. On television she has credits including ‘Black Mirror’ (‘San Junipero’) and ‘Loki’.

A RADA graduate, she has performed Shakespeare at the Globe and on Broadway. Her projects include period drama, superhero storytelling, and anthology science fiction.

Maggie Gyllenhaal

Maggie Gyllenhaal earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘Crazy Heart’ and has leading roles in ‘Secretary’ and ‘The Kindergarten Teacher’, as well as ensemble work in ‘The Dark Knight’. She works frequently in independent cinema.

She created and directed ‘The Lost Daughter’ and led the series ‘The Deuce’. Her filmography spans psychological drama, comic thriller, and literary adaptations.

Rosamund Pike

Rosamund Pike earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘Gone Girl’ and has led ‘A Private War’ and ‘I Care a Lot’. Early roles include ‘Die Another Day’ and ‘Pride & Prejudice’.

She stars in ‘The Wheel of Time’ and voices characters in ‘Moominvalley’. Her work covers literary adaptations, biographical drama, and fantasy series.

Rachel McAdams

Rachel McAdams’ films include ‘Mean Girls’, ‘The Notebook’, ‘Spotlight’, and ‘Doctor Strange’. She balances romantic drama, investigative ensemble films, and franchise titles.

She has television credits such as ‘True Detective’ and early stage work at the Stratford Festival. Her projects span comedy, thriller, and action.

Zendaya

Zendaya has won multiple Emmys for ‘Euphoria’ and appears in ‘Spider-Man’ films, ‘Dune’, and ‘Challengers’. She began in dance and music-focused television before transitioning to adult roles.

She produces projects for film and television and has voice roles in ‘Smallfoot’. Her work spans teen series, science fiction epics, and intimate contemporary drama.

Share your picks in the comments—who else deserves a spot on this list and which performances convinced you?