With Acting, You Never Know!
Acting is, in many ways, like gambling—only the stakes are your time, youth, and talent. One remarkable performance can shift everything, as these actresses discovered; some instantly, while others took years of trying.
Vivien Leigh In Gone With The Wind (1939)
Scarlett O’Hara swept Vivien Leigh into immortality, earning her an Academy Award and a spot in cinematic history. Audiences adored her fiery charm, and Hollywood quickly crowned her royalty. Imagine beating 1,400 hopefuls to become the most unforgettable Southern belle of all time. That’s legendary.
Vivien_Leigh_Gone_Wind2.jpg: Trailer screenshot derivative work: Wilfredor (talk), Wikimedia Commons
Judy Garland In The Wizard Of Oz (1939)
At just 16, Judy Garland skipped down the Yellow Brick Road and straight into stardom. Singing “Over the Rainbow,” she captured millions of hearts. Originally, Shirley Temple was considered; yet, it’s Garland’s voice and wide-eyed wonder that you still recall decades later.
Warner Bros., Wikimedia Commons
Ingrid Bergman In Casablanca (1942)
Ilsa Lund sealed Ingrid Bergman’s legacy as she stared lovingly across a foggy runway in Casablanca. At only 26, she became the queen of subtle elegance. That improvised “Here’s looking at you, kid” helped turn the movie into Hollywood’s ultimate love story.
Unknown authorUnknown author, Wikimedia Commons
Lauren Bacall In To Have And Have Not (1944)
Nineteen-year-old Lauren Bacall purred onto the screen with Humphrey Bogart, delivering her famous line, “You know how to whistle, don’t you?” The movie ignited both her career and her lifelong romance with Bogie. “The Look” was born, and Hollywood had a new siren.
Warner Bros, To Have And Have Not (1944)
Gene Tierney In Laura (1944)
A portrait, a murder mystery, and Gene Tierney’s mesmerizing presence—Laura was her breakthrough. Critics raved about her magnetism, and suddenly Tierney was the face of noir glamour. That iconic image wasn’t even painted—it was a photograph—and it still haunts movie history today.
Trailer screenshot, Wikimedia Commons
Rita Hayworth In Gilda (1946)
A toss of the hair and Rita Hayworth owned the screen. Gilda transformed her into the ultimate screen siren. WWII pilots plastered her image on planes, while audiences swooned, believing every word of “Put the Blame on Mame”.
Robert Coburn., Wikimedia Commons
Deborah Kerr In The Life And Death Of Colonel Blimp (1943)
Three characters and a meteoric rise—Deborah Kerr showed rare versatility in Colonel Blimp. Playing Edith, Barbara, and Angela, she stunned critics. That showcase secured her MGM contract, and it guaranteed a swift transition from ballet-trained Brit to Hollywood leading lady.
General Film Distributors, The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943)
Marilyn Monroe In Niagara (1953)
With Niagara, Marilyn Monroe shed bit parts and embraced her first true leading role. Crowds gathered just to watch her walk across the falls, a star born before the camera even rolled. By 1954, she reigned as Hollywood’s top box-office attraction.
Trailer distributed by 20th Century Fox., Wikimedia Commons
Audrey Hepburn In Roman Holiday (1953)
Royal charm and disarming innocence launched Audrey Hepburn’s reign in Roman Holiday. Gregory Peck predicted her stardom so strongly that he demanded equal billing with her. Her Oscar win proved him right, and Hepburn’s European elegance reshaped the image of the modern Hollywood starlet.
Unknown authorUnknown author, Wikimedia Commons
Grace Kelly In Mogambo (1953)
Filmed in Africa with Clark Gable, Mogambo unveiled Grace Kelly’s magnetic poise, and her elegance earned her an Oscar nomination. Hollywood adored her natural grace, and soon she was headlining classics before swapping stardom for royalty as Princess of Monaco. She was 24 for the movie; 25 for the nomination.
Trailer screenshot, Wikimedia Commons
Natalie Wood In Rebel Without A Cause (1955)
Sixteen-year-old Natalie Wood stood alongside James Dean with restless youth in Rebel Without a Cause. Her performance was so good that it secured an Oscar nomination, and it also cemented her as a generational voice. Audiences felt her sincerity.
Warner Bros., Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
Sharon Stone In Basic Instinct (1992)
Basic Instinct catapulted Sharon Stone into superstardom with her fearless turn as Catherine Tramell. Paid just $500,000, she became a global sensation overnight. The film’s interrogation scene was a masterclass in psychological tension and cinematic seduction, and it continues to spark conversation decades later.
TriStar Pictures, Basic Instinct (1992)
Sophia Loren In Two Women (1960)
With her searing acting in Two Women, Sophia Loren made history as the first actor to win an Oscar for a foreign-language role. She grew up amid wartime poverty, yet her authenticity shone through on screen, launching her into Hollywood epics like El Cid.
The original uploader was Sailko at Italian Wikipedia., Wikimedia Commons
Shirley MacLaine In The Trouble With Harry (1955)
Alfred Hitchcock cast Broadway understudy Shirley MacLaine without a screen test, a gamble that paid off brilliantly. Her quirky charm in The Trouble with Harry kicked off a six-decade career. Fun fact: Her brother, Warren Beatty, was still waiting for his big break.
Trailer screenshot, Wikimedia Commons
Barbra Streisand In Funny Girl (1968)
Stepping off Broadway and onto the big screen, Barbra Streisand recreated her role as Fanny Brice with dazzling brilliance. The result? An Oscar. A true EGOT winner, Streisand proved that charisma and talent could overcome anyone’s doubts about looks or convention.
Columbia Pictures, Funny Girl (1968)
Faye Dunaway In Bonnie And Clyde (1967)
Faye Dunaway slipped into Bonnie Parker’s beret and rewrote cinematic cool. Bonnie and Clyde stunned audiences with its violence, but Dunaway’s magnetic presence kept them hooked. This character drew her first Oscar nomination and launched her as a definitive face of 1960s Hollywood, one we loved to see.
Distributed by Warner Bros.-Seven Arts., Wikimedia Commons
Goldie Hawn In Cactus Flower (1969)
Hollywood already adored Goldie Hawn on Laugh-In, but Cactus Flower vaulted her into film stardom. Bagging the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, she charmed patrons with her sunny energy, and this cemented her future as comedy’s golden girl.
Columbia Pictures, Wikimedia Commons
Liza Minnelli In Cabaret (1972)
Sally Bowles changed everything for Liza Minnelli. Her electric singing, emotive eyes, and bold performance in Cabaret bagged her the Best Actress Oscar award. Hollywood saw Judy Garland’s daughter transform into her own legend. The film’s eight Oscar wins laid the foundation for her as a star of substance.
Allied Artists Pictures Corporation, Wikimedia Commons
Diane Keaton In Annie Hall (1977)
“And la-di-da, la-di-da…” Diane Keaton’s quirky, offbeat charm in Annie Hall had her carry home the Best Actress Oscar trophy in 1978. Her real-life wardrobe inspired her look, even sparking a fashion trend. That mix of wit and androgynous cool still defines her as one of Hollywood’s most original style-setters.
United Artists, Annie Hall (1977)
Meryl Streep In Kramer Vs Kramer (1979)
When Meryl Streep took on Joanna Kramer in Kramer vs Kramer, she shaped it. The actress reportedly rewrote lines to give the character more depth. And guess what? It worked because that performance grabbed an Oscar, and just like that, Hollywood knew it had found its next powerhouse.
Columbia Pictures, Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
Jessica Lange In Tootsie (1982)
In Tootsie, Jessica Lange radiated warmth opposite Dustin Hoffman, a rendition that made her win an Academy Award. She filmed this and Frances the same year, showing a remarkable range. Hollywood embraced her as both a magnetic star and a serious actress.
Columbia Pictures, Tootsie (1982)
Glenn Close In Fatal Attraction (1987)
Viewers still shudder at Glenn Close’s turn as Alex Forrest in Fatal Attraction. Her layered and unsettling performance earned an Oscar nod and even turned “bunny boiler” into everyday slang. The role demanded intense preparation—and that changed her career forever.
Paramount Pictures, Fatal Attraction (1987)
Angela Bassett In What’s Love Got To Do With It (1993)
Channeling Tina Turner’s grit and fire, Angela Bassett got an Oscar nomination for her powerhouse role. She trained intensively in vocals and movement to honor Turner’s essence. Hollywood took notice—suddenly Bassett’s name meant strength, talent, and unstoppable energy.
Touchstone Pictures, What’s Love Got to Do with It (1993)
Sandra Bullock In Speed (1994)
“Stay above 50 miles per hour,”—and Sandra Bullock did, right into stardom. Her relatable charm and intensity in Speed helped drive its $350 million global box office. Chosen by director Jan de Bont after impressing in auditions, she outpaced contenders like Halle Berry and Ellen DeGeneres.
20th Century Fox, Speed (1994)
Reese Witherspoon In Legally Blonde (2001)
With Elle Woods, Reese Witherspoon flipped stereotypes and found superstardom. The film’s $142 million success proved viewers adored her. Fun fact: She kept every costume, even the hot-pink suits. And thanks to that famous “bend and snap,” Witherspoon’s career sped into the A-list.
Halle Berry In Monster’s Ball (2001)
In Monster’s Ball, Halle Berry delivered a raw performance that earned her the Best Actress Oscar, becoming the first Black woman to win that honor. Her acceptance speech mentioned generations past, and her fashion choice—the now-iconic gown—turned her into an instant cultural icon.
Lionsgate Films, Monster’s Ball (2001)
Julia Roberts In Pretty Woman (1990)
Roberts’s smile lit up the screen in Pretty Woman, instantly crowning her “America’s Sweetheart”. The box office surpassed $460 million, and her Oscar nomination solidified her new status. That playful necklace box snap scene? Entirely improvised and unforgettable.
Touchstone Pictures, Pretty Woman (1990)
Catherine Zeta-Jones In Chicago (2002)
As Velma Kelly, Catherine Zeta-Jones commanded the stage with fierce charisma and precision. Even though she was pregnant during filming, she still delivered razor-sharp dance numbers. From musical theater beginnings, she became Hollywood’s polished triple threat, and her acting here won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar.
Keira Knightley In Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Curse Of The Black Pearl (2003)
At just 17, Keira Knightley swashbuckled into stardom as Elizabeth Swann. The film grossed over $650 million, and Disney realized they had a new global star. Wearing wigs for most of the shoot, she still exuded effortless elegance that enchanted fans.
Walt Disney Pictures, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
Scarlett Johansson In Lost In Translation (2003)
The seventeen-year-old Scarlett Johansson enthralled audiences opposite Bill Murray in Lost in Translation. Winning a BAFTA for her subtle character play, she proved magnetic even in quiet moments. That whispered goodbye is still debated today, fueling endless fascination with her breakout role.
Focus Features, Lost in Translation (2003)
Anne Hathaway In The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
Anne Hathaway stepped into the high-fashion chaos of The Devil Wears Prada and never looked back. Despite being the ninth choice for the role, she owned it completely. With $326 million at the box office, Hathaway secured her place in Hollywood’s front row.
20th Century Fox, The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
Jennifer Hudson In Dreamgirls (2006)
We had heard her sing, but acting, not yet. Well, until she became Effie White. Hudson’s acting won her an Oscar in her very first film, and she even outshone established co-stars. Her “And I Am Telling You” brought viewers to their feet and made history.
Paramount Pictures, Dreamgirls (2006)
Amy Adams In Enchanted (2007)
Unknown to many, Amy Adams sparkled as Giselle in Enchanted, a role that had her get a Golden Globe nod and earned her entrance to A-list status. Mixing live-action with animation, she carried the film with effortless charm. Adams’s singing and comedic timing made her Hollywood’s new sweetheart overnight.
Marion Cotillard In La Vie En Rose (2007)
Transforming into Edith Piaf, Marion Cotillard stunned the world. She shaved her eyebrows, aged decades on-screen, and gave one of cinema’s most haunting portrayals. Quite a show, right? No wonder it brought her the Best Actress Oscar—the first Frenchwoman in nearly 50 years to take it home.
TF1 International, La Vie en Rose (2007)
Kristen Stewart In Twilight (2008)
Kristen Stewart became a global phenomenon as Bella Swan in Twilight (2008), the first film in the franchise. Fans camped out for premieres, and the movie grossed $408 million worldwide. Although Stewart had roles in Panic Room and Into the Wild, Twilight was the film that launched her fame.
Summit Entertainment, Twilight (2008)
Jennifer Lawrence In Winter’s Bone (2010)
A shoestring budget in Winter’s Bone didn’t hold back Jennifer Lawrence. As a matter of fact, it got her her first Oscar nod. Playing Ree Dolly, she hunted for her missing father, even skinning squirrels on set. That raw intensity caught Hollywood's attention, paving the way for The Hunger Games.
Roadside Attractions, Winter’s Bone (2010)
Brie Larson In Room (2015)
Locked in a tiny space on-screen, Brie Larson performed so raw that it won her the Best Actress Oscar. She prepared by living in isolation, and her connection with 7-year-old Jacob Tremblay felt heartbreakingly real. That role was her ticket to the top-tier talent list.
Emma Stone In Easy A (2010)
With Easy A, Emma Stone proved she could carry a film on her own. She improvised some of its sharpest one-liners. Inspired by The Scarlet Letter, this witty comedy highlighted her talent and earned her a Golden Globe nomination.
Margot Robbie In The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Today, we know Margot Robbie as Barbie. But her breakout role was Naomi Lapaglia, and she was electric. She slapped Leonardo DiCaprio in her audition, and it worked because Scorsese cast her instantly. Wigs, glamour, and gutsy acting made her unforgettable.
Paramount Pictures, The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Lupita Nyong’o In 12 Years A Slave (2013)
In her very first film, Lupita Nyong’o stunned as Patsey. From there, she leapt straight into Non-Stop (2014) and Eclipsed on Broadway, then Star Wars (2015) and the rest, as they say, is…history. This role even landed her the Best Supporting Actress Oscar.
Fox Searchlight Pictures, 12 Years a Slave (2013)
Gal Gadot In Wonder Woman (2017)
Before Wonder Woman, Gal Gadot was just a typical actress. But after? A global icon. Gadod filmed while pregnant, training in sword fighting and combat to bring fierce elegance to the role. Grossing $822 million worldwide, the movie made Gadot a household name—and redefined superhero cinema.
Warner Bros. Pictures, Wonder Woman (2017)
Saoirse Ronan In Lady Bird (2017)
Directed by Greta Gerwig, Lady Bird gave Saoirse Ronan yet another Oscar nomination before she turned 23. Her portrayal of Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson was both funny and relatable, and it was raw. For weeks, the film maintained a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score, which fueled the buzz.
Florence Pugh In Midsommar (2019)
Crying in daylight never looked so haunting. Florence Pugh’s raw acting in Midsommar wowed critics worldwide. Shot in Hungary’s endless sunshine, she even improvised her sobbing scenes. This chilling role pushed her into Hollywood’s spotlight and led straight to Little Women.
Ana De Armas In Knives Out (2019)
Ana de Armas broke through as Marta Cabrera in Knives Out, winning the role after impressing director Rian Johnson. Casting director Mary Vernieu guided her audition despite vague character notes. She later stunned audiences as Marilyn Monroe in Blonde—a string of bold, acclaimed performances.
Lionsgate Films, Knives Out (2019)
Anya Taylor-Joy In The Queen’s Gambit (2020)
Chess never looked this riveting. Anya Taylor-Joy’s Beth Harmon captivated 62 million households in The Queen’s Gambit, sparking a 125% jump in chess sales. Scouted at 16 while walking her dog, she clearly set herself for stardom, even winning a Golden Globe in the process.
Netflix, The Queen’s Gambit (2020)
