American Actresses Who Got the Last Laugh After Being Called Unattractive

The history of Hollywood is filled with stories of performers who were initially rejected because they did not fit a specific aesthetic mold. Many American actresses faced harsh criticism from casting directors and producers who deemed them unattractive or lacking the necessary screen presence for leading roles. Despite these early setbacks these women persisted and built legendary careers that redefined beauty in the entertainment industry. Their success serves as a powerful reminder that talent and charisma often outweigh conventional standards of appearance. Today these stars are celebrated not only for their skill but also for their resilience in a demanding field.

Meryl Streep

During an audition for the 1976 film ‘King Kong’ the producer Dino De Laurentiis referred to the actress as too ugly for the part. Streep understood the remark because he spoke it in Italian but she responded in his own language to defend herself. She went on to earn a record number of Academy Award nominations and is widely considered the greatest actress of her generation. Her career longevity proved that traditional beauty standards are not a requirement for immense professional success.

Bette Davis

A studio head once remarked that Bette Davis had as much sex appeal as Slim Summerville after her first screen test. She struggled during her early years at Universal Studios because executives did not believe she had the look of a movie star. Davis eventually moved to Warner Bros where she transformed her career and became one of the most iconic figures in cinema history. She won two Academy Awards and was the first person to receive ten nominations for acting.

Barbra Streisand

Early in her career Barbra Streisand was frequently told that her nose was too large and that she should seek plastic surgery. She refused to change her appearance and insisted that her talent would carry her through the industry. Streisand became a powerhouse in music and film winning an Oscar for her debut performance in ‘Funny Girl’. She later became the first woman to write and direct a major studio film with ‘Yentl’.

Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Jessica Parker faced a public blow when a popular magazine voted her the unsexiest woman alive during the height of her television career. She addressed the criticism by focusing on her work and the massive success of her show ‘Sex and the City’. The series became a cultural phenomenon and established her as a global fashion icon. Parker has since built a successful business empire while continuing to lead major film and television projects.

Jessica Chastain

Before she became a household name Jessica Chastain was often told by casting agents that she was not pretty enough to play certain roles. Many industry professionals suggested she dye her signature red hair to fit a more traditional mold for leading ladies. She ignored the advice and eventually landed a breakout role in the film ‘The Help’ which earned her an Academy Award nomination. Chastain has since won an Oscar and established herself as one of the most versatile actresses in the industry.

Winona Ryder

During a mid audition for a role a casting director stopped Winona Ryder and told her she should go back to school because she was not pretty enough to be an actress. The young performer did not let the comment stop her and she soon landed a role in the film ‘Lucas’. She became a defining star of the 1990s with leading roles in ‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘Edward Scissorhands’. Ryder later earned two Academy Award nominations and found renewed success in the hit series ‘Stranger Things’.

Jennifer Lawrence

Early in her career Jennifer Lawrence was told by producers that she was not thin enough for the big screen. Some executives even showed her photos of herself and suggested she lose weight to fit the industry standard for young actresses. She refused to compromise her health for the sake of these demands and continued to showcase her acting range. Lawrence eventually won an Academy Award for ‘Silver Linings Playbook’ and became the star of the massive ‘The Hunger Games’ franchise.

Viola Davis

A critic once described Viola Davis as being less classically beautiful than other Black actresses which sparked a massive conversation about colorism in Hollywood. Davis responded to the comment with grace and continued to deliver powerhouse performances on stage and screen. She became the first Black actress to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting by winning an Oscar and an Emmy and a Tony. Her role in ‘How to Get Away with Murder’ broke barriers for dark skinned women in leading television roles.

Maggie Gyllenhaal

At the age of thirty seven Maggie Gyllenhaal was told she was too old to play the love interest of a fifty five year old male lead. This experience highlighted the unrealistic beauty and age standards that women face in the film industry. Gyllenhaal criticized the decision publicly and continued to pursue complex roles that challenged Hollywood norms. She earned critical acclaim for her performance in the series ‘The Deuce’ and received an Oscar nomination for ‘Crazy Heart’.

Reese Witherspoon

When she first arrived in Los Angeles Reese Witherspoon was told that she was not tall enough or pretty enough to succeed as a leading lady. She spent many of her early years being rejected at auditions because she did not fit the specific look that studios were seeking. Witherspoon ignored the critics and focused on her craft and eventually starred in hits like ‘Election’ and ‘Legally Blonde’. She won an Academy Award for ‘Walk the Line’ and became a powerful producer with her company Hello Sunshine.

Lea Michele

Growing up in the industry Lea Michele was told by several managers that she needed to get a nose job if she ever wanted to be on television. She took the advice of her mother who reminded her of Barbra Streisand and she refused to undergo any cosmetic procedures. Michele eventually landed the lead role in the hit musical series ‘Glee’ which made her a household name. She won multiple awards for her performance and later starred in the Broadway revival of ‘Funny Girl’.

Mindy Kaling

Mindy Kaling was once told by a network that she was not attractive or funny enough to play a version of herself in a sketch show. This rejection occurred even though she was already a successful writer and performer on ‘The Office’. She used the experience as motivation to create her own series titled ‘The Mindy Project’. The show ran for six seasons and established her as a major creator and star in the television industry.

Kat Dennings

Kat Dennings was told early in her career that she needed to fix her teeth and tan her skin to look like a typical Hollywood starlet. She chose to ignore these suggestions and embraced her pale complexion and unique features. This decision helped her stand out and she eventually landed a lead role in the long running sitcom ‘2 Broke Girls’. She also joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe with a recurring role in the ‘Thor’ franchise.

Lena Dunham

Throughout the run of her show ‘Girls’ Lena Dunham faced intense public scrutiny and criticism regarding her physical appearance. Critics and audiences often debated her decision to appear nude on screen because she did not have a conventional model like physique. Dunham used the series to challenge these beauty standards and provide a more realistic portrayal of young women. She became the first woman to win a Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series.

Amy Schumer

Amy Schumer has often discussed the pressure she felt from industry insiders to lose weight and change her look to be more palatable for film audiences. During the production of ‘Trainwreck’ she was told that she needed to be thinner to play a romantic lead. She joked about the experience in her stand up specials but also spoke seriously about the impact of these expectations. Schumer eventually became one of the highest earning comedians and actresses in the world while maintaining her personal style.

Chloë Sevigny

Known for her avant garde style and unconventional beauty Chloë Sevigny was often told she was too niche for mainstream success. Early in her career she was characterized as a character actress rather than a leading lady because of her unique features. She embraced this label and built an impressive filmography with roles in films like ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ which earned her an Oscar nomination. Sevigny also became a major fashion icon and a staple of the independent film scene.

Hilary Swank

Hilary Swank was often overlooked for traditional leading roles because she did not possess the soft glamour typically associated with Hollywood starlets. She leaned into her athletic build and intense presence to land the role of a lifetime in ‘Boys Don’t Cry’. This performance won her the first of two Academy Awards for Best Actress. She won her second Oscar for ‘Million Dollar Baby’ where she played a determined boxer.

Anjelica Huston

Anjelica Huston faced early criticism for her tall stature and sharp features which some agents thought were too striking for the screen. She spent years working as a model before she was able to convince the industry of her acting abilities. Her breakthrough came in the film ‘Prizzi’s Honor’ for which she won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She went on to play iconic roles in ‘The Addams Family’ and ‘The Royal Tenenbaums’.

Sissy Spacek

With her pale skin and freckles Sissy Spacek was once considered an unlikely candidate for a Hollywood movie star. She faced comments about her unconventional look during her early years in New York and Los Angeles. Spacek defied these expectations by delivering a legendary performance in the horror classic ‘Carrie’. She later won an Academy Award for her role in ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter’ and has remained one of the most respected performers in the industry.

Uma Thurman

Uma Thurman was often teased for her height and her large feet when she first began her career as a model and actress. Some casting directors found her look to be too unusual for standard romantic roles in the late 1980s. She found her stride when she began collaborating with director Quentin Tarantino on films like ‘Pulp Fiction’. Her performance in that film earned her an Oscar nomination and established her as a major star.

Glenn Close

Glenn Close did not start her film career until she was in her mid thirties and she was often compared to younger more traditional starlets. She faced criticism for not having a soft or conventional beauty but she used her sharp features to her advantage. Close became known for playing powerful and complex women in films like ‘Fatal Attraction’ and ‘Dangerous Liaisons’. She has received eight Academy Award nominations and remains one of the most acclaimed actresses of her generation.

Sigourney Weaver

At nearly six feet tall Sigourney Weaver was often told she was too tall for many male leads and too imposing for traditional female roles. She struggled to find parts until she was cast as Ellen Ripley in the science fiction masterpiece ‘Alien’. The role was originally written for a man but Weaver made it her own and created an iconic action hero. She earned an Oscar nomination for the sequel ‘Aliens’ and became a staple of major franchises like ‘Ghostbusters’ and ‘Avatar’.

Frances McDormand

Frances McDormand has frequently spoken about being told she was not pretty enough for leading roles throughout her career. She refused to wear heavy makeup or undergo cosmetic procedures and instead focused on natural and gritty performances. Her commitment to authenticity led to three Academy Awards for Best Actress for her work in ‘Fargo’ and ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri’ and ‘Nomadland’. She is one of the few performers to win the Triple Crown of Acting.

Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg faced immense hurdles in an industry that rarely prioritized roles for Black women with her specific look and style. She was often told that her appearance would limit her to small character roles rather than leading parts. Goldberg proved the doubters wrong when she starred in ‘The Color Purple’ and earned an Academy Award nomination. She later won an Oscar for ‘Ghost’ and became one of the few performers to achieve EGOT status.

Kathy Bates

Kathy Bates spent many years as a respected stage actress but was told she did not have the look for a Hollywood film star. She was frequently passed over for movie roles in favor of more conventionally attractive actresses who had played the same parts on Broadway. Her fortunes changed when she was cast as the lead in ‘Misery’ which earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress. This win opened the doors for a prolific film and television career that includes multiple Emmy Awards.

Gabourey Sidibe

After her breakout role in ‘Precious’ Gabourey Sidibe faced a wave of cruel comments regarding her weight and appearance. Many critics and internet trolls suggested that her career would be short lived because she did not fit the Hollywood mold. Sidibe ignored the negativity and continued to land significant roles in series like ‘American Horror Story’ and ‘Empire’. She has also written a successful memoir and directed several projects which solidified her place in the industry.

Beanie Feldstein

Beanie Feldstein has dealt with industry pressure regarding her size and her appearance since she first began acting. She has been vocal about the way the media discusses her body and how it differs from the treatment of her male peers. Despite these challenges she earned critical acclaim for her roles in ‘Lady Bird’ and ‘Booksmart’. She also fulfilled a lifelong dream by starring on Broadway in the revival of ‘Funny Girl’.

Awkwafina

Early in her career Awkwafina faced criticism for her raspy voice and her unconventional comedic style. Some industry insiders did not believe she had the right look to transition from a viral rapper to a serious actress. She proved her critics wrong by delivering a heartfelt and nuanced performance in the film ‘The Farewell’. This role earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress and made her the first woman of Asian descent to win in that category.

Issa Rae

Issa Rae created her own opportunities after being told that there was no market for stories about awkward Black women who did not fit certain stereotypes. She started a successful web series that eventually caught the attention of major networks. Rae went on to create and star in the hit HBO series ‘Insecure’ which received numerous award nominations. She has since become a major producer and a powerful voice for diversity in the entertainment industry.

Gaby Hoffmann

Gaby Hoffmann grew up in the public eye as a child star but faced a different kind of scrutiny as an adult actress. She chose to embrace a natural and unpolished look that often stood in contrast to the heavily groomed appearance of other stars. This authenticity helped her land acclaimed roles in series like ‘Girls’ and ‘Transparent’. She earned multiple Emmy nominations for her work and became a favorite of independent filmmakers.

Natasha Lyonne

Natasha Lyonne was often cast as the eccentric or unconventional friend in 1990s teen movies like ‘American Pie’. Her raspy voice and wild curly hair were seen as traits that would keep her in supporting roles. After facing personal struggles she staged a massive career comeback with the series ‘Orange Is the New Black’. She later co created and starred in ‘Russian Doll’ and led the mystery series ‘Poker Face’.

Parker Posey

Often called the Queen of the Indies Parker Posey found her niche in independent films during the 1990s. She was frequently told that her look was too quirky or specific for major studio blockbusters. Posey leaned into this reputation and became a legendary figure in cult classics like ‘Waiting for Guffman’ and ‘Best in Show’. She eventually made the transition to larger projects like ‘Superman Returns’ and the series ‘Lost in Space’.

Shelley Duvall

Shelley Duvall possessed a distinct look that was often highlighted by critics and directors throughout the 1970s and 1980s. While some found her appearance unusual she became a muse for director Robert Altman and starred in several of his films. Her most famous role came in ‘The Shining’ where her expressive face became a central part of the film atmosphere. She also found great success as a producer of children’s programming like ‘Faerie Tale Theatre’.

Sandra Bernhard

Sandra Bernhard used her unconventional looks and provocative humor to become a standout performer in the 1980s. She often addressed her appearance in her comedy routines and used it to challenge the standards of the era. She gained mainstream recognition for her role in the film ‘The King of Comedy’ and her recurring part on the sitcom ‘Roseanne’. Bernhard has maintained a successful career as an actress and musician and radio host.

Lori Petty

Lori Petty was known for her short hair and energetic presence which were considered unconventional for leading ladies in the 1990s. She landed major roles in films like ‘A League of Their Own’ and ‘Tank Girl’ where she portrayed rebellious and strong willed characters. Despite a period of less visibility she found a new generation of fans with her role in ‘Orange Is the New Black’. Petty has always marched to the beat of her own drum and refused to conform to typical starlet expectations.

Juliette Lewis

Juliette Lewis often played gritty and troubled characters early in her career because agents did not see her as a traditional romantic lead. She received an Academy Award nomination at a young age for her role in ‘Cape Fear’. Lewis went on to star in cult hits like ‘Natural Born Killers’ and ‘From Dusk Till Dawn’. Recently she found renewed acclaim for her performance in the hit series ‘Yellowjackets’.

Barbara Stanwyck

Barbara Stanwyck was told by early critics that she was not a traditional beauty and that she lacked the glamour of her contemporaries. She ignored these comments and focused on becoming one of the most reliable and versatile actresses in Hollywood history. Stanwyck excelled in every genre from screwball comedy to film noir and earned four Oscar nominations. She eventually received an Honorary Academy Award for her massive contribution to the industry.

Octavia Spencer

For many years Octavia Spencer was cast in small uncredited roles as nurses or background characters because she did not fit the lead actress archetype. She spent nearly two decades working in the industry before receiving her breakout role in ‘The Help’. Her performance won her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and changed the trajectory of her career. She has since received two more Oscar nominations and starred in hits like ‘Hidden Figures’.

Melissa McCarthy

Melissa McCarthy faced significant backlash and personal attacks from critics regarding her weight after she achieved fame. One prominent critic even described her as a tractor sized woman in a negative review of one of her films. McCarthy chose to focus on her work and continued to lead successful comedies like ‘Bridesmaids’ and ‘The Heat’. She received two Academy Award nominations for both comedic and dramatic roles and became a major power player in the industry.

Busy Philipps

Busy Philipps has spoken openly about being told by casting directors that she had a weird face or a lopsided smile. She felt constant pressure to change her appearance to fit in with the other young actresses in Hollywood during the late 1990s. She found success in the cult classic series ‘Freaks and Geeks’ and later in ‘Dawson’s Creek’ and ‘Cougar Town’. Philipps also became a best selling author and a popular late night talk show host.

Elisabeth Moss

During the early seasons of ‘Mad Men’ Elisabeth Moss was often described by critics as the plain girl in comparison to her more glamorous costars. She used this perception to her advantage and delivered a deeply nuanced performance that earned her multiple award nominations. Moss went on to become a major force in television with her starring role in ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’. She has won two Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards for her work.

Merritt Wever

Merritt Wever is known for her understated and realistic style which often stands in contrast to the high glamour world of Hollywood. She has been praised for bringing a sense of naturalism to her roles that many other actresses lack. Wever won two Emmy Awards for her performances in ‘Nurse Jackie’ and the limited series ‘Godless’. She has consistently chosen roles that prioritize character depth over physical appearance and has become a highly respected performer.

Amy Poehler

Amy Poehler was told early in her career that her look was too regional or too ordinary for her to become a major television star. She ignored the feedback and rose through the ranks of the comedy world to become a lead performer on ‘Saturday Night Live’. She later created the iconic character of Leslie Knope on ‘Parks and Recreation’ which earned her a Golden Globe. Poehler has also become a successful producer and director and author.

Tina Fey

Tina Fey has written about the physical transformations she felt she had to undergo to transition from a writer to a performer on camera. She faced criticism for her look during her early years on ‘Saturday Night Live’ and worked hard to carve out a space for herself. Fey went on to create and star in ’30 Rock’ which became one of the most acclaimed sitcoms in history. She has won nine Emmy Awards and has become a major influence on a whole generation of comedians.

Kristen Wiig

Kristen Wiig often used prosthetics and costumes to hide her natural appearance while performing her many characters on ‘Saturday Night Live’. Some critics questioned if she could transition into leading lady roles in film because of her comedic background and unconventional style. She silenced those doubts by co writing and starring in ‘Bridesmaids’ which became a massive hit. The film earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay.

Maya Rudolph

Maya Rudolph faced challenges early in her career because casting directors were unsure of how to cast her based on her mixed heritage and unique look. She often found herself in small roles that did not showcase her full potential as a performer. She became a breakout star on ‘Saturday Night Live’ where she displayed an incredible range of impressions and characters. Rudolph has since won multiple Emmy Awards and has become a staple of both comedy and drama.

Leslie Jones

Leslie Jones faced some of the most intense and public harassment regarding her appearance in recent Hollywood history. After starring in the ‘Ghostbusters’ reboot she was targeted by social media trolls who attacked her for not fitting their expectations of a movie star. Jones stood her ground and received an outpouring of support from fans and fellow actors. She continued to thrive on ‘Saturday Night Live’ and earned multiple Emmy nominations for her work.

Retta

Retta spent many years working in the stand up comedy circuit while being told that her size and appearance would limit her acting opportunities. She eventually landed a small role on ‘Parks and Recreation’ that she turned into a fan favorite character named Donna Meagle. Her success on the show led to a leading role in the drama series ‘Good Girls’. Retta has since become a popular author and a sought after host for various programs.

Niecy Nash-Betts

Niecy Nash was frequently told early in her career that her features were better suited for comedy than drama. She was typecast in certain roles for years before she decided to push for more serious opportunities. Her dramatic turn in ‘Getting On’ earned her critical acclaim and opened doors for roles in ‘When They See Us’ and ‘Dahmer’. She won an Emmy Award for her powerful performance in ‘Dahmer’ and proved she is a versatile leading lady.

Sheryl Lee Ralph

Early in her career Sheryl Lee Ralph was told by a famous casting director that she was not beautiful enough for television despite her success on Broadway. She was encouraged to look for different work because she did not fit the aesthetic of the time. Ralph ignored the advice and continued to build an impressive resume in theater and television. She eventually won an Emmy Award for her role in the hit series ‘Abbott Elementary’ decades after she started.

Tell us which of these stars inspired you the most in the comments.