The Most Influential Foreign Actresses of All Time

From the silent era to today’s global blockbusters and festival circuits, non-U.S. actresses have helped define screen acting, expand film industries, and carry national cinemas onto the world stage. Their work spans multiple languages, traditions, and production models, and it includes Oscar, César, BAFTA, and national film awards, as well as pioneering roles in arthouse and commercial film. Many have collaborated with era-defining directors, shaped on-screen representation, and crossed over between local markets and Hollywood. Here are forty whose careers left a lasting, documentable footprint on world cinema and the global industry.

Greta Garbo

Swedish-born Greta Garbo rose from European silent film to Hollywood features with roles in ‘Flesh and the Devil’, ‘Anna Christie’, and ‘Camille’. She became one of MGM’s top stars and a major box-office draw during the transition from silent to sound. Her carefully managed public image and rare interviews set a template for studio-era stardom. Garbo received multiple Academy Award nominations and an honorary Oscar recognizing her “unforgettable screen performances.”

Ingrid Bergman

Ingrid Bergman worked in Swedish cinema before moving to Hollywood, where ‘Casablanca’, ‘Gaslight’, and ‘Notorious’ cemented her international profile. She won three Academy Awards across acting categories, one of the highest totals for any performer. Bergman also worked extensively in European productions, collaborating with Roberto Rossellini on films like ‘Stromboli’. Her multilingual career bridged American and European industries for decades.

Marlene Dietrich

German-born Marlene Dietrich broke out with ‘The Blue Angel’ and quickly transitioned to Hollywood, starring in ‘Shanghai Express’ and ‘Destry Rides Again’. She collaborated repeatedly with director Josef von Sternberg, shaping a modern screen persona that studios exported worldwide. During World War II she performed for Allied troops and made anti-Nazi broadcasts. Dietrich later headlined international concert tours, extending her influence beyond film.

Sophia Loren

Italian actress Sophia Loren built her career in Italian cinema and became one of the first European performers to thrive in Hollywood without abandoning local productions. She won the Academy Award for ‘Two Women’, a landmark for a non-English-language performance. Loren worked with Vittorio De Sica, Charlie Chaplin, and other major directors, and starred in ‘Marriage Italian Style’ and ‘Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow’. Her awards haul includes an honorary Oscar and multiple David di Donatello wins.

Anna Magnani

Anna Magnani’s breakout in ‘Rome, Open City’ tied her career to Italian neorealism. She earned the Academy Award for ‘The Rose Tattoo’ after establishing herself as a leading figure in postwar European cinema. Magnani’s collaborations with Roberto Rossellini and Pier Paolo Pasolini anchored key movements in Italian film. She continued to work across Italian and American productions, including ‘The Fugitive Kind’.

Catherine Deneuve

Catherine Deneuve’s early turns in ‘The Umbrellas of Cherbourg’ and ‘Belle de Jour’ introduced her internationally. She became a mainstay of French cinema, collaborating with directors like François Truffaut, Luis Buñuel, and André Téchiné. Deneuve earned multiple César Awards and was appointed to cultural ambassador roles for France. She has maintained a decades-long career that spans musicals, dramas, and auteur projects.

Jeanne Moreau

Jeanne Moreau emerged from the Comédie-Française and gained international attention with ‘Elevator to the Gallows’ and ‘Jules and Jim’. She collaborated with Louis Malle, François Truffaut, Michelangelo Antonioni, and Orson Welles. Moreau also directed and recorded music, diversifying her contribution to European arts. She won major festival prizes and national honors recognizing her lifetime impact on French cinema.

Brigitte Bardot

Brigitte Bardot’s performance in ‘And God Created Woman’ transformed Saint-Tropez into a pop-culture destination and exported a new French screen image. She became a global celebrity with roles in ‘Contempt’ and ‘Viva Maria!’. Bardot worked with directors such as Jean-Luc Godard and Henri-Georges Clouzot. After retiring from film, she shifted to activism, further leveraging her international profile.

Isabelle Huppert

Isabelle Huppert has appeared in more than a hundred films, including ‘The Piano Teacher’, ‘La Cérémonie’, and ‘Elle’. She holds records for nominations and wins at the César Awards and has twice won Best Actress at Cannes. Huppert works across French, European, and international productions, including English-language projects. Her stage career is equally extensive, with performances on Broadway and in major European theaters.

Juliette Binoche

Juliette Binoche earned global recognition with ‘The Unbearable Lightness of Being’, ‘Three Colors: Blue’, and ‘Chocolat’. She won the Academy Award for ‘The English Patient’ and later the Best Actress award at Cannes for ‘Certified Copy’. Binoche routinely alternates between French auteur films and international genre or prestige projects. Her collaborations include work with Krzysztof Kieślowski, Abbas Kiarostami, and Olivier Assayas.

Marion Cotillard

Marion Cotillard’s role in ‘La Vie en Rose’ led to an Academy Award, making her one of the few winners for a French-language performance. She has worked with European directors like Jacques Audiard and the Dardenne brothers, as well as global filmmakers in ‘Inception’ and ‘Allied’. Cotillard has earned César, BAFTA, and Golden Globe recognition. She participates in environmental advocacy and documentary projects alongside film work.

Monica Bellucci

Monica Bellucci began as a model before transitioning to acting with ‘Malèna’ and later international productions like ‘The Matrix’ franchise and ‘Spectre’. She works in Italian, French, and English-language films, helping carry European talent into mainstream franchises. Bellucci has served on film festival juries, including Cannes. Her filmography spans arthouse dramas, historical epics, and commercial thrillers.

Penélope Cruz

Penélope Cruz emerged from Spanish cinema with ‘Jamón Jamón’ and ‘Open Your Eyes’ before collaborating frequently with Pedro Almodóvar in ‘Volver’ and ‘Pain and Glory’. She won the Academy Award for ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’ and has multiple nominations across categories. Cruz balances Spanish-language projects with Hollywood titles like ‘American Crime Story’ and ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’. She has also modeled and served as a brand ambassador, increasing her global visibility.

Salma Hayek

Mexican-born Salma Hayek moved from telenovelas to U.S. film and produced ‘Frida’, earning an Academy Award nomination for portraying Frida Kahlo. She co-founded a production company that championed diverse stories in English and Spanish. Hayek advocates against gender-based violence and supports Latin American film initiatives. Her career includes mainstream hits like ‘Desperado’ and ensemble projects like ‘House of Gucci’.

Cate Blanchett

Australian actress Cate Blanchett works fluidly between global arthouse and studio films, from ‘Elizabeth’ and ‘Carol’ to ‘Blue Jasmine’. She has won multiple Academy Awards across lead and supporting categories. Blanchett served as co-artistic director of the Sydney Theatre Company and as jury president at Cannes. Her credits span franchise films and experimental collaborations with major international directors.

Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman began in Australian productions such as ‘Dead Calm’ before transitioning to U.S. and global projects including ‘Moulin Rouge!’ and ‘The Hours’. She has won the Academy Award, multiple Golden Globes, and an Emmy for limited-series work like ‘Big Little Lies’. Kidman founded production companies supporting female-driven stories and international co-productions. Her career includes festival premieres and sustained box-office presence.

Tilda Swinton

Scottish performer Tilda Swinton established herself in experimental cinema with Derek Jarman and later worked in international projects like ‘We Need to Talk About Kevin’, ‘Only Lovers Left Alive’, and ‘Snowpiercer’. She won the Academy Award for ‘Michael Clayton’ and appears in multiple languages and mediums, including performance art. Swinton collaborates with global auteurs such as Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Bong Joon-ho. She also curates and supports film festivals and artist residencies.

Kate Winslet

Kate Winslet’s international profile rose with ‘Sense and Sensibility’ and ‘Titanic’, followed by ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ and ‘The Reader’. She has earned Academy, BAFTA, and Emmy awards across film and limited series. Winslet frequently works with European directors and has maintained a consistent presence in prestige projects. She supports arts education and film-industry mentorship initiatives.

Judi Dench

Dame Judi Dench moved from a distinguished stage career to screen roles in ‘Mrs Brown’, ‘Shakespeare in Love’, and the ‘James Bond’ franchise. She has received the Academy Award, numerous BAFTAs, and multiple Olivier Awards. Dench’s screen work helped elevate British theater talent within global cinema and television markets. She continues to appear in international co-productions and high-profile series.

Gong Li

Gong Li’s collaborations with Zhang Yimou in ‘Red Sorghum’, ‘Ju Dou’, and ‘Raise the Red Lantern’ brought global attention to Fifth Generation Chinese cinema. She later worked with Chen Kaige and appeared in international films like ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’ and ‘Miami Vice’. Gong has served as a jury member and president at leading festivals, including Cannes. Her career helped expand distribution for Chinese-language films worldwide.

Zhang Ziyi

Zhang Ziyi achieved international recognition with ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ and later starred in ‘Hero’ and ‘House of Flying Daggers’. She has worked in both Chinese and Western productions, including ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’ and franchise titles like ‘Godzilla: King of the Monsters’. Zhang earned major Asian and international awards and served on festival juries. She contributed to the global popularity of wuxia and contemporary Chinese cinema.

Setsuko Hara

Setsuko Hara is closely associated with director Yasujirō Ozu through films such as ‘Late Spring’ and ‘Tokyo Story’. She also worked with Mikio Naruse and Akira Kurosawa, spanning family dramas and literary adaptations. Hara retired from public life after a concentrated period of acclaimed work. Her performances are frequently cited in film studies curricula and retrospectives on postwar Japanese cinema.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan moved from Miss World to Indian cinema with films like ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ and ‘Devdas’, later appearing in international projects such as ‘Bride & Prejudice’. She served as a Cannes jury member and a longstanding brand ambassador for global companies. Rai Bachchan’s crossover visibility helped spotlight Hindi cinema in Western markets. She remains active in Indian film and philanthropic initiatives.

Sridevi

Sridevi worked across Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and Malayalam cinema, leading major titles such as ‘Mr. India’, ‘Chandni’, and ‘English Vinglish’. She was among the first female superstars in Indian cinema to consistently carry commercial films. Her career included child acting, a long run of adult leads, and a successful comeback. Sridevi received national honors and industry awards recognizing lifetime contributions.

Charlize Theron

South African-born Charlize Theron transitioned from modeling to acting with roles in ‘The Devil’s Advocate’, ‘Monster’, and ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’. She won the Academy Award for ‘Monster’ and has produced films and series through her company, backing international stories. Theron supports initiatives addressing gender-based violence and African development. She works across action, drama, and comedy in global studio and independent projects.

Michelle Yeoh

Michelle Yeoh, born in Malaysia, built an international career across Hong Kong, Chinese, and Hollywood productions including ‘Supercop’, ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’, and ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’. She trained in dance before transitioning to screen action, performing many of her own stunts. Yeoh has served on major festival juries and is a cultural ambassador for Asian cinema. Her roles range from wuxia epics to contemporary dramas and science-fiction franchises.

Vivien Leigh

British actress Vivien Leigh achieved global fame with ‘Gone with the Wind’ and expanded her range with ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’. She worked across theater and film, earning top honors in both mediums. Leigh collaborated with leading directors and actors of her era, notably in productions with Laurence Olivier. Her performances remain staples in film history curricula and retrospectives.

Hedy Lamarr

Austrian-born Hedy Lamarr starred in European films before moving to Hollywood, appearing in ‘Algiers’, ‘Samson and Delilah’, and other studio features. Beyond acting, she co-patented a frequency-hopping communication system that informed later wireless technologies. Lamarr’s dual legacy spans cinema and engineering, with increasing recognition from tech and film institutions. Her life has been documented in books and the documentary ‘Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story’.

Romy Schneider

Romy Schneider began in German-language cinema and reinvented herself in French film with titles like ‘La Piscine’ and ‘The Things of Life’. She collaborated with directors such as Luchino Visconti, Claude Sautet, and Orson Welles. Schneider received top national awards in France and Germany, reflecting her cross-border impact. Her roles traced a path from youthful idol to complex adult characters in European arthouse.

Simone Signoret

French actress Simone Signoret made her mark with ‘Casque d’Or’, ‘Room at the Top’, and ‘Army of Shadows’. She worked across French and British productions and received major international awards. Signoret also wrote memoirs that documented European cinema and political life. Her filmography often intersected with postwar social themes and resistance narratives.

Hanna Schygulla

German performer Hanna Schygulla became a central figure in New German Cinema through collaborations with Rainer Werner Fassbinder, including ‘The Marriage of Maria Braun’. She later worked in Polish, Italian, and French productions, bridging multiple European industries. Schygulla received major festival prizes and lifetime honors for her body of work. Her roles helped export German auteur cinema to international audiences.

Liv Ullmann

Norwegian actress Liv Ullmann is closely tied to Ingmar Bergman, with collaborations in ‘Persona’, ‘Cries and Whispers’, and ‘Scenes from a Marriage’. She later directed features and authored books on her creative process. Ullmann has served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and chaired festival juries. Her career spans stage, film, and television across Scandinavia, Europe, and the U.S.

Bibi Andersson

Swedish actress Bibi Andersson worked extensively with Ingmar Bergman in ‘The Seventh Seal’, ‘Wild Strawberries’, and ‘Persona’. She appeared in international co-productions and also directed for stage and television. Andersson received top Swedish film awards and recognition at major festivals. Her collaborations contributed to the global reach of Scandinavian cinema.

Audrey Tautou

Audrey Tautou gained international fame with ‘Amélie’ and followed with roles in ‘A Very Long Engagement’ and ‘Coco Before Chanel’. She balanced French arthouse projects with global hits such as ‘The Da Vinci Code’. Tautou has also pursued photography and exhibited work at festivals. Her screen presence helped popularize contemporary French cinema worldwide.

Helen Mirren

Dame Helen Mirren built a career across British theater, television, and film, with notable roles in ‘Prime Suspect’, ‘The Queen’, and ‘Gosford Park’. She trained with the Royal Shakespeare Company and later moved fluidly between stage and screen. Mirren’s honors include top awards in film and television, as well as national distinctions. She continues to act in international co-productions and major franchises.

Maggie Smith

Dame Maggie Smith’s career spans decades, from early film work like ‘The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie’ to global franchises including ‘Harry Potter’ and the series ‘Downton Abbey’. She is a multiple BAFTA and Olivier Award winner with extensive stage credits. Smith’s roles have ranged from sharp-witted comedy to historical drama. Her performances have anchored British exports that reached worldwide audiences.

Vanessa Redgrave

Vanessa Redgrave, part of a renowned British acting family, has starred in ‘Blow-Up’, ‘Julia’, and ‘Howards End’. She is recognized for theater and film work and for producing documentaries. Redgrave has been active in humanitarian causes and international cultural initiatives. Her filmography spans European auteurs and large-scale Anglo-American productions.

Youn Yuh-jung

South Korean actress Youn Yuh-jung began her career in Korean cinema and television and later gained global recognition with ‘Minari’. She has collaborated with directors such as Kim Ki-young, Im Sang-soo, and Hong Sang-soo. Youn’s awards and festival honors helped spotlight Korean performers internationally. Her career reflects the growing reach of Korean-language content in world markets.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas

Priyanka Chopra Jonas transitioned from Indian pageantry to Hindi cinema with films like ‘Fashion’, ‘Barfi!’, and ‘Mary Kom’, later leading the U.S. series ‘Quantico’. She has produced regional Indian films through her company, supporting emerging voices. Chopra Jonas serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and appears in international campaigns. Her cross-industry work has expanded the visibility of South Asian talent.

Irene Papas

Greek actress Irene Papas appeared in international productions including ‘Zorba the Greek’, ‘Electra’, and ‘The Guns of Navarone’. She collaborated with directors across Greece, Italy, and the U.S., often in literary and historical adaptations. Papas received national and festival honors recognizing her contributions to Mediterranean cinema. Her performances brought Greek dramatic traditions to a global audience.

Share the names you’d add to this expanded list—and why—in the comments!