The Most Influential Gay Actresses of All Time

From breakthrough performances to barrier-breaking visibility, these actresses have shaped film, television, and culture while living openly as lesbian, bisexual, queer, or otherwise non-heterosexual women. Their careers span comedy, drama, indie cinema, and blockbuster franchises, and many have paired on-screen success with advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, representation, and workplace equality. Below is a curated list of forty figures whose work and public lives have had lasting impact across entertainment and beyond.

Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster is an Academy Award–winning actor and director whose body of work includes films like ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ and ‘Taxi Driver’. She publicly acknowledged her sexuality after decades in the industry and has since spoken about privacy, craft, and creative autonomy. Foster has directed features and television, adding behind-the-camera leadership to her influence. She remains a reference point for sustained excellence from child stardom into adult artistry.

Kristen Stewart

Kristen Stewart moved from global franchise fame with ‘Twilight’ to acclaimed performances in projects such as ‘Personal Shopper’, ‘Clouds of Sils Maria’, and ‘Spencer’. She has consistently discussed queer visibility and the importance of authentic storytelling in interviews and public appearances. Stewart has produced and directed short-form work, expanding her creative role. Her career demonstrates how an A-list star can champion independent cinema while being openly queer.

Sarah Paulson

Sarah Paulson’s range stretches from ‘American Horror Story’ and ‘American Crime Story’ to films like ‘Carol’ and ‘Glass’. She has received multiple major awards and frequently collaborates with visionary creators on character-driven narratives. Paulson speaks openly about her personal life, helping normalize queer relationships in mainstream press coverage. Her stage work and television producing credits further broaden her industry impact.

Cynthia Nixon

Cynthia Nixon is known worldwide for ‘Sex and the City’ and has an extensive stage résumé, including Tony-winning performances. She publicly came out and later ran for public office, linking her entertainment platform to policy discussions on education and equality. Nixon advocates for LGBTQ+ rights and reproductive justice through organizations and public campaigns. She continues to work in television and theater while serving as a prominent civic voice.

Lily Tomlin

Lily Tomlin is a comedy multi-hyphenate whose work spans ‘Nashville’, ‘9 to 5’, and ‘Grace and Frankie’. She publicly acknowledged her long-term relationship and marriage to writer-director Jane Wagner, becoming a symbol of enduring partnership. Tomlin’s character work has influenced sketch, stand-up, and sitcom traditions. Her honors include top industry awards and national recognition for lifetime achievement.

Jane Lynch

Jane Lynch gained mainstream attention with ‘Glee’ and has appeared in ‘Best in Show’ and ‘The 40-Year-Old Virgin’. She has hosted award shows and game programs, bringing queer representation to a wide range of formats. Lynch participates in advocacy and charity events supporting LGBTQ+ youth and arts education. Her stage appearances and voice work add to a versatile career footprint.

Kate McKinnon

Kate McKinnon rose to prominence on ‘Saturday Night Live’, known for incisive impressions and original characters. She has starred in films such as ‘Ghostbusters’ and ‘Barbie’, carrying sketch-comedy energy into features. McKinnon’s presence as an openly lesbian performer on a flagship variety show marked a visibility milestone. She has won major television awards, underscoring the reach of her comedy.

Portia de Rossi

Portia de Rossi became a television fixture with ‘Ally McBeal’, ‘Arrested Development’, and ‘Scandal’. She publicly discussed coming out in Hollywood and later launched ventures in business and philanthropy. De Rossi has supported animal welfare and LGBTQ+ causes alongside her entertainment work. Her memoir adds a candid perspective on identity, body image, and industry pressures.

Wanda Sykes

Wanda Sykes is an Emmy-winning writer and performer known for ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’, ‘The New Adventures of Old Christine’, and numerous stand-up specials. She came out publicly and has used her platform to discuss equality, parenting, and civic participation. Sykes has produced and written for television, shaping comedic voices behind the scenes. Her live shows and hosting roles keep her engaged with political and cultural discourse.

Ruby Rose

Ruby Rose broke out on ‘Orange Is the New Black’ and moved into action-oriented projects like ‘John Wick: Chapter 2’ and ‘The Meg’. Identifying as genderfluid and queer, Rose has discussed representation across gender identity and sexuality. They have worked as a model, DJ, and presenter, reflecting a cross-platform career. Public advocacy includes anti-bullying initiatives and support for LGBTQ+ youth organizations.

Samira Wiley

Samira Wiley earned acclaim for ‘Orange Is the New Black’ and ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’. She has spoken about visibility and acceptance within families and faith communities. Wiley’s stage and voice work complement her television success. She collaborates on projects highlighting resilience, resistance, and community care.

Stephanie Beatriz

Stephanie Beatriz became widely known through ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’, where her character’s bisexuality paralleled her own. She has voiced leads in animated hits like ‘Encanto’, expanding representation in family entertainment. Beatriz openly discusses mental health and identity, contributing to accessible public conversations. She continues to work across film, television, stage, and audio storytelling.

Sara Gilbert

Sara Gilbert rose to prominence on ‘Roseanne’ and later created and co-hosted ‘The Talk’. She has been open about her sexuality and family life, bringing everyday LGBTQ+ experiences into daytime television. Gilbert has produced shows and developed concepts that center complex female leads. Her work behind the camera amplifies diverse perspectives in scripted and unscripted formats.

Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen DeGeneres transitioned from stand-up and the sitcom ‘Ellen’ to hosting a long-running daytime talk show. Her public coming out became a watershed media moment that reshaped discussions of LGBTQ+ characters on television. DeGeneres built production companies and philanthropic initiatives supporting wildlife conservation and community programs. She remains a case study in media representation and audience reception.

Evan Rachel Wood

Evan Rachel Wood’s credits include ‘Thirteen’, ‘Westworld’, and ‘Across the Universe’. She has publicly identified as bisexual and has advocated for survivor rights and consent education. Wood has testified on policy reforms and collaborated with organizations addressing abuse. Her career encompasses music, stage roles, and genre-spanning screen performances.

Niecy Nash-Betts

Niecy Nash is known for ‘Claws’, ‘Reno 911!’, and high-profile limited-series work. She publicly celebrated her marriage to musician Jessica Betts and has discussed the fluidity of her own journey. Nash has hosted programs, produced projects, and supported initiatives uplifting Black LGBTQ+ visibility. Her dramatic turns alongside comedy demonstrate sustained range.

Lea DeLaria

Lea DeLaria is a stand-up pioneer and jazz vocalist who gained broad recognition on ‘Orange Is the New Black’. She was among the first openly lesbian comics to appear on late-night television in the United States. DeLaria’s stage credits include major musical-theater productions, linking queer visibility with Broadway tradition. Her albums and concerts keep music central to her multi-hyphenate career.

Maria Bello

Maria Bello’s filmography features ‘A History of Violence’, ‘The Cooler’, and ‘Coyote Ugly’, alongside television roles in ‘NCIS’. She publicly discussed her relationship and has written about labeling and identity. Bello co-founded organizations focused on social impact and disaster relief. Her essays explore family, partnership, and inclusive definitions of love.

Saffron Burrows

Saffron Burrows has appeared in ‘The Deep Blue Sea’, ‘Troy’, and the series ‘Mozart in the Jungle’. She has been open about relationships with women and speaks about LGBTQ+ rights in interviews. Burrows writes and advocates on arts access and civic issues. Her career bridges European art cinema and American television.

Cherry Jones

Cherry Jones is a revered stage actor with acclaimed screen roles in ’24’, ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’, and ‘Succession’. She has long been out and has thanked her partners in awards speeches, normalizing queer visibility at major ceremonies. Jones’s theater career includes leading roles in classic and contemporary works. She mentors younger performers and supports regional arts institutions.

Adèle Haenel

Adele Haenel is a French actor known for ‘Portrait of a Lady on Fire’ and ‘BPM (Beats Per Minute)’. She has spoken publicly about abuse in the industry and taken principled stands regarding festival and industry practices. Haenel’s work often engages with politically resonant storytelling. Her choices have sparked discussion about accountability in European cinema.

Abbi Jacobson

Abbi Jacobson co-created and starred in ‘Broad City’ and led ‘A League of Their Own’. She is openly queer and has discussed creative collaboration, friendship, and representation in interviews and essays. Jacobson writes books and hosts podcasts, extending her influence beyond screen acting. She develops and produces projects with diverse casts and inclusive writers’ rooms.

Raven-Symoné

Raven-Symoné became a household name with ‘That’s So Raven’ and continues to act and produce across Disney franchises. She has publicly discussed her marriage and personal boundaries around labels. Raven-Symoné works with youth-focused charities and arts-education initiatives. Her longevity in family television makes her visibility particularly significant for younger audiences.

Michelle Rodriguez

Michelle Rodriguez is known for the ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise, ‘Girlfight’, and ‘Lost’. She has spoken openly about dating across genders and challenges faced by women in action roles. Rodriguez performs many of her own stunts and champions practical filmmaking. Her career has helped expand expectations about who leads high-octane franchises.

Holland Taylor

Holland Taylor’s credits include ‘Two and a Half Men’, ‘The Practice’, and ‘Hollywood’, along with celebrated stage work. She is openly lesbian and has discussed craft, aging, and visibility in long-form interviews. Taylor writes for the stage and has performed her own plays, underscoring a commitment to storytelling beyond acting. She supports arts education and mentorship programs for emerging performers.

Gillian Anderson

Gillian Anderson’s screen career spans ‘The X-Files’, ‘The Fall’, and ‘Sex Education’, alongside extensive stage work in London and New York. She has acknowledged past relationships with women and discussed bisexuality in interviews, adding visibility to queer identities in mainstream media. Anderson also produces and writes, contributing essays and books that highlight women’s voices in the arts. Her awards and cross-Atlantic career have made her a fixture in both American and British television and theater.

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie has spoken about past relationships with women while building a filmography that includes ‘Girl, Interrupted’, ‘Gia’, and ‘Maleficent’. She is an Academy Award–winning actor, director, and humanitarian, serving as a longtime advocate for refugees through international organizations. Jolie has directed multiple features and champions global education and human-rights initiatives. Her production work has helped bring underrepresented stories to wider audiences.

Aubrey Plaza

Aubrey Plaza is known for ‘Parks and Recreation’, ‘Ingrid Goes West’, and ‘The White Lotus’. She has publicly identified as bisexual and supports LGBTQ+ causes through appearances and charitable work. Plaza’s producing credits and festival presence underline her role in shaping indie and prestige projects. She continues to move between comedy and drama while developing original material.

Tessa Thompson

Tessa Thompson has discussed her queer identity while leading films and series such as ‘Creed’, ‘Thor: Ragnarok’, and ‘Sorry to Bother You’. She collaborates with directors focused on inclusive storytelling and often highlights representation in interviews. Thompson’s producing initiatives support emerging voices and diverse writers’ rooms. Her music and fashion collaborations extend her cultural reach beyond the screen.

Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah has acknowledged her longtime partner publicly and is a multi-hyphenate performer with credits including ‘Set It Off’, ‘Chicago’, and ‘The Equalizer’. She founded production companies that elevate stories about women and communities of color. Latifah’s philanthropic work supports education, health, and housing initiatives. Her crossover success in music, film, and television sustains broad visibility for LGBTQ+ artists.

Rosie O’Donnell

Rosie O’Donnell is an actor and comedian whose credits include ‘A League of Their Own’ and a long-running daytime platform on ‘The Rosie O’Donnell Show’. She came out publicly and has advocated for LGBTQ+ families, adoption, and youth services. O’Donnell’s stage work and recurring television roles keep her active across formats, including hosting. She supports multiple nonprofits with a focus on arts access and health care.

Sandra Bernhard

Sandra Bernhard is an actor and comedian recognized for ‘Roseanne’, ‘Pose’, and her long-running one-woman shows. She has identified as bisexual and has been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ visibility in entertainment. Bernhard blends acting with music and live performance, releasing albums and touring regularly. Her radio and podcast work amplifies conversations about culture, politics, and queer history.

Cara Delevingne

Cara Delevingne identifies as queer and pansexual and has worked across modeling and acting in projects like ‘Paper Towns’, ‘Suicide Squad’, and ‘Carnival Row’. She uses her platform to discuss mental health, identity, and LGBTQ+ rights. Delevingne produces documentaries and series that explore gender and sexuality. Her visibility in fashion and music videos reinforces cross-industry representation.

Amandla Stenberg

Amandla Stenberg has identified as gay and non-binary and has starred in ‘The Hate U Give’, ‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’, and ‘The Acolyte’. They speak frequently about intersectional representation, youth activism, and creative autonomy. Stenberg’s writing and music projects complement on-screen work and expand their artistic footprint. They collaborate with organizations focused on education, voting access, and anti-bullying efforts.

Hunter Schafer

Hunter Schafer is a trans woman and queer actor known for ‘Euphoria’, with a background in modeling and visual art. She has advocated for trans rights, especially around youth protections and access to healthcare. Schafer contributes essays and artwork to publications that center LGBTQ+ narratives. Her fashion partnerships and gallery work demonstrate a multidisciplinary approach to storytelling.

Lily Gladstone

Lily Gladstone has publicly identified as queer and is recognized for roles in ‘Certain Women’ and ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’. As a member of the Blackfeet and Nez Perce communities, she highlights Indigenous representation in film and collaborates with Native creatives. Gladstone supports language-revitalization and arts-education programs. She participates in panels and workshops that mentor emerging Indigenous and LGBTQ+ filmmakers.

Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monáe identifies as non-binary and pansexual and has acted in ‘Hidden Figures’, ‘Moonlight’, and ‘Glass Onion’. They advocate for voting rights, criminal-justice reform, and LGBTQ+ equality through partnerships with national nonprofits. Monáe runs an imprint and production ventures that champion marginalized creators. Their books and concept albums weave queer and Afrofuturist themes into mainstream culture.

Anne Heche

Anne Heche publicly discussed her relationships with women and starred in ‘Donnie Brasco’, ‘Six Days, Seven Nights’, and numerous television series. She wrote a memoir that addressed mental health, family history, and industry pressures. Heche also worked in theater and voice acting, maintaining a broad creative portfolio. Her public life prompted sustained media conversations about orientation and visibility in Hollywood.

Amber Heard

Amber Heard has identified as bisexual and has starred in ‘Aquaman’, ‘The Danish Girl’, and ‘Drive Angry’. She speaks about LGBTQ+ visibility, freedom of expression, and human-rights issues in international forums. Heard has participated in campaigns addressing domestic violence and online harassment. Her global profile has kept queer representation present in blockbuster contexts.

Rebel Wilson

Rebel Wilson publicly introduced her relationship with Ramona Agruma and has headlined comedies including ‘Pitch Perfect’, ‘Isn’t It Romantic’, and ‘Senior Year’. She has produced and created projects that foreground women-led ensembles. Wilson supports children’s health charities and film-education programs. Her move into directing and writing expands her influence behind the camera.

Share your thoughts in the comments—who else belongs on this list, and which performances have mattered most to you?