Hollywood is notorious for its ageism. Female stars who hitherto easily landed roles in their 20s and 30s find it hard doing so once they reach middle age while their male counterparts continue to soar higher. Such a situation is quite frustrating but the ladies in Hollywood refuse to give up. They continue to speak out and it seems their actions are paying off. The 2021 awards season was dominated by middle-aged actresses and fans were all for it. As we hope to see more progress in the future, let us look at some of the most famous blonde actresses in Hollywood in their 40s who are among those that will keep the torch burning.
Popular Blonde Actresses In Their 40s
1. Gwyneth Paltrow – 51 Years Old
- Debut Age: 17
- Ethnicity: Caucasian
- Nationality: American
- Notable Movies: Shakespeare in Love, Shallow Hal, and The Talented Mr. Ripley Etc.
Gwyneth Paltrow got a head start in the movie industry, thanks to her dad who handed her a role on his 1989 TV film, High. She has since gone on to build an impressive career that has seen her feature in several movies and TV series. She has also received numerous awards. The biggest is unarguably the 1999 Academy Award for best actress for her role as Viola de Lesseps in the 1998 historical fiction, Shakespeare in Love. She was just 27 years old when she scooped that honor.
Asides from acting, Gwyneth Paltrow has also made a mark with her lifestyle company known as Goop. The brand encompasses pop-up shops, wellness summits, magazines, podcasts, and docuseries all geared towards healthier living. It is thriving but has also been mired in controversies for promoting non-scientifically proven issues.
2. Charlize Theron – 48 Years Old
- Debut Age: 20
- Ethnicity: Caucasian
- Nationality: American and South African
- Notable Movies: Monster, Mad Max: Fury Road, The Italian Job, and Atomic Blonde
Despite a childhood that was tainted by an abusive father and a mom who had shot him dead in self-defense, Charlize Theron has risen to become of the most popular actresses in Hollywood. From critically-acclaimed movies such as North Country to blockbuster box office fares, such as The Italian Job, the South African-born actress has done it all and has received several accolades. One of them is the 2004 Academy Award for best actress for portraying a serial killer in the 2003 movie, Monster.
Asides from acting, Charlize Theron has also founded her own production company which has released multiple films such as The Burning Plain, Long Shot, and Dark Places. She is also an activist and has supported issues such as the eradication of violence against women. All of these efforts have seen her named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time Magazine in 2016.
3. January Jones – 46 Years Old
- Debut Age: 21
- Ethnicity: Caucasian
- Nationality: American
- Notable works: Mad Men, The Last Man on Earth, American Wedding, etc.
In a career that has spanned two decades, January Jones has appeared in several movies, including Seeking Justice, The Boat That Rocked, Love Actually, and X: Men: First Class. Her biggest claim to fame has however come on the small screens. From 2007 to 2015, Jones portrayed a divorced mom of three, Betty Draper, in the period drama – Mad Men.
Her work fetched her several award nominations, including two Golden Globe nominations for best actress in a TV drama series and one Prime Time Emmy Award nomination for outstanding lead actress in a drama series. Jones has variously toyed with her hair color over the years, going from red to brunette, but she is now blonde and has revealed that this brings her the most attention.
4. Hannah Waddingham – 49 Years Old
- Debut Age: 26 years
- Ethnicity: Caucasian
- Nationality: British
- Notable works: Ted Lasso, Winter Ridge, Game of Thrones, etc.
Hannah Waddingham is another famous blonde actress in her 40s whose best works have come on the small screen. This British star first made a name for herself in various theatrical shows on West End and has also appeared in movies such as Les Miserable and Winter Ridge. She is however most popular for appearances in TV series such as Game of Thrones and Ted Lasso.
In Ted Lasso, Waddingham portrays a football club owner named Rebecca Welton. Her performance has fetched her the Primetime Emmy Award and Critics’ Choice TV Award for best supporting actress in a comedy series in 2021. She was aged 47 when she picked up the gong. Apart from acting, Hannah Waddingham is a talented singer and has charted a song, Our Kind of Love, on the UK Singles Chart.
5. Diane Kruger – 47 Years Old
- Debut Age: 16
- Ethnicity: Caucasian
- Nationality: German-American
- Notable works: In The Fade, Inglorious Basterds, and Troy
Not many people have been able to successfully transition from modeling to acting but that is what Diane Kruger has done. Before she became one of the most famous blonde actresses in Hollywood, Kruger spent much of the 90s working as a high fashion model for the likes of Louis Vuitton, Christina Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, and Chanel. With the dawn of the 2000s, she turned her attention to acting and has excelled as well.
Kruger has variously featured in acclaimed movies such as In the Fade, Inglorious Basterds, Troy, and National Treasure. Amongst her career accolades include two Cannes Film Festival Awards. She was named the female revelation at the 2003 edition and 14 years later in 2017, she landed the festival award for best actress.
6. Claire Danes – 52 Years Old
- Debut Age: 11
- Ethnicity: Caucasian
- Nationality: American
- Notable works: Homeland, Temple Grandin, and My So-Called Life
Claire Danes commenced her career on a high, winning the Golden Globe Award for best actress at just the age of 24. This was for her role as Angela Chase in the teen drama series, My So-Called Life. She has since kept up the tempo by going on to win two Primetime Emmy awards for outstanding lead actress in a drama series. This was for her portrayal of a bipolar CIA agent in the TV series, Homeland.
She also received her second Golden Globe award for best actress for her portrayal of an autistic innovator in the 2010 TV film, Temple Grandin. Claire Danes’ career has not been restricted to the small screen. She has appeared in movies such as Little Women, Romeo + Juliet, A Kid like Jake, and Stardust.
7. Katherine Heigl – 45 Years Old
- Debut Age: 14 years
- Ethnicity: Caucasian
- Nationality: American
- Notable works: 27 Dresses, Knocked Up, The Ugly Truth, Grey’s Anatomy, etc.
Despite the rumored belief that she is difficult to work with, Katherine Heigl has still managed to retain her position as one of the famous blonde actresses in Hollywood in their 40s. She first established herself as one of the rom-com queens in the industry, appearing in movies such as 27 Dresses, Knocked Up, The Ugly Truth, Life As We Know It, The Big Wedding, and Unforgettable.
Since 2014, the actress has diversified her body of work to thrillers, dark comedies, and romantic dramas such as Home Sweet Hell, Jack & Ryan, and Unforgettable. Heigl is also moving behind the cameras and has taken up executive production roles on TV series such as State of Affairs, Firefly Lane, and Woodhull.
8. Chloë Sevigny – 49 Years Old
- Debut Age: 18
- Ethnicity: Caucasian
- Nationality: American
- Notable works: Boys Don’t Cry, The Brown Bunny, Big Love, etc
Chloë Sevigny is not just a famous actress but also a fashion icon. Always tilting towards the experimental/alternative realm, Sevigny has appeared in notable indie films over the years, including American Psycho, Party Monster, The Brown, and Boys Don’t Cry. In Boys Don’t Cry, she portrayed the girlfriend of a transgender man and received an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actress for her efforts.
Chloë Sevigny has also appeared in several TV series and received the Golden Globe award for best supporting actress in 2010 for her portrayal of a polygamous wife in the HBO series, Big Love. In the fashion world, the actress has modeled for the likes of Vivienne Westwood, Louis Vuitton, Miu Miu, and Kenzo. Her peculiar fashion sense has distinguished her from other actresses and she has served as an inspiration for many upscale fashion chains.
9. Rachael McAdams – 45 Years Old
- Debut Age: 23
- Ethnicity: Caucasian
- Nationality: Canadian
- Notable works: The Vow, The Notebook, Spotlight, and Mean Girls
You can’t peg Rachael McAdams as a rom-com queen or drama junkie. This is a testament to the versatile career that she has built since she joined the industry as a 23-year-old in 2001. Between then and now, the Canadian actress has featured in everything from mysteries to comedies, psychological thrillers, and romantic dramas. Some of them are The Vow, The Time Traveller’s Wife, Midnight in Paris, The Notebook, Doctor Strange, Game Night, and Spotlight (which fetched her an Academy Award nomination for best actress in 2016).
McAdams is now a bonafide superstar and she is committed to using her platform to highlight worthy causes such as immigration issues. She is also passionate about the environment and maintains an eco-friendly lifestyle, cycling as much as possible and powering her home with renewable energy.
10. Sarah Michelle Geller – 47 Years Old
- Debut Age: 4
- Ethnicity: Caucasian
- Nationality: American
- Notable works: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Scooby-Doo, etc.
Fans of Buffy The Vampire Slayer will certainly remember Sarah Michelle Gellar from the time she headlined the series from 1997 to 2003. Her portrayal of the titular vampire slayer, Buffy Summers, fetched her numerous accolades including five Teen Choice Awards and ensured that she would never be forgotten in the annals of American TV history.
Since the series came to an end, Gellar has gone on to feature in other TV shows such as The Crazy Ones, Ringer, and the Netflix Animated Series – Masters of the Universe: Revelation. She has also been exploring her love for food, penning a cookbook, and co-founding Foodstirs, an online brand that deals in baking kits, mixes, and baked treats. The company has snagged multi-million dollar deals, including one with Starbucks.
11. Reese Witherspoon – 48 Years Old
- Debut Age: 15 years
- Ethnicity: Caucasian
- Nationality: American
- Notable works: Legally Blonde, Big Little Lies, Sweet Home Alabama, etc.
It is only fitting that Reese Witherspoon should make the list of the most famous blonde actresses in their 40s. The New Orleans native first garnered fame for portraying the lead role of Ella, a girl who overcomes blonde stereotypes to become a successful lawyer, in the 2005 movie – Legally Blonde. She was 25 years old at the time and since then, she has become a force to reckon with, appearing in movies such as Sweet Home Alabama, Water For Elephants, and Walk the Line. Walk the Line fetched her the Academy Award for best actress for her portrayal of Johnny Cash’s wife, June Cash.
Beyond acting, Reese Witherspoon has also founded her own production company, Pacific Standard, and a media firm known as Hello Sunshine. She has also produced, and starred, in numerous hit TV series, including Big Little Lies, The Morning Show, and Little Fires Everywhere. The actress is now a self-made multi-millionaire and has a net worth that is about a quarter of a billion dollars.
12. Leslie Mann – 52 Years Old
- Debut Age: 16
- Ethnicity: Caucasian
- Nationality: American
- Notable works: This is 40, Knocked Up, Funny People, etc.
If you think that a sexy blonde lady can’t possibly be funny, then Leslie Mann will prove you wrong. The San Francisco-born actress has made a name for herself in Hollywood, featuring in several blockbuster comedies such as The Cable Guy, George of the Jungle, 17 Again, Big Daddy, The Change-Up, and Blockers. Her work has brought her dazzling reviews, as well as award nominations, including best supporting actress at the 2008 Chicago Film Critics Association Awards.
Off the screens, Leslie Mann is married to award-winning director, producer, and comedian, Judd Apatow. They have worked together on multiple movies such as Knocked Up, Funny People, and This Is 40. They have also included their two daughters in the family business by giving them minor roles in the above-named films.
13. Kate Hudson – 45 Years Old
- Debut Age: 17
- Ethnicity: Caucasian
- Nationality: American
- Notable works: How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days, You, Me and Dupree, and Fool’s Gold, etc.
Another rom-com queen that ranks amongst the most famous blonde actresses in their 40s in Hollywood is Kate Hudson. The daughter of an Oscar-winning actress, Goldie Hawn, and a famous musician, Bill Hudson, Kate was fated to go into showbiz and has lived up to and even surpassed expectations. In a career spanning multiple decades, she has made herself known with movies such as How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days, Bride Wars, Fool’s Gold, and Mother’s Day.
She has scored one Academy Award nomination and won the 2001 Golden Globe Award for best supporting actress. Hudson has also tried her hands at other pursuits, including penning books and co-hosting podcasts. She also has her own line of workout apparel, Fabletics, and a brand of craft vodka known as St. King Vodka.
14. Michelle Williams –Â 43 Years Old
- Debut Age: 13
- Ethnicity: Caucasian
- Nationality: American
- Notable works: Brokeback Mountain, Manchester by the Sea, and My Week With Marilyn Etc.
Michelle Williams is one of those thespians who is committed to her craft rather than the allure of big-budget movies and blockbusters. Thankfully, her commitment has paid off as she has garnered rave reviews and numerous awards for her work. Amongst her accolades include two Golden Globe awards, one Primetime Emmy award as well as multiple Oscar and Golden Globe nominations.
Some of Williams’ best-known works include acclaimed films such as Manchester by the Sea, Wendy and Lucy, Blue Valentine, and The Greatest Showman. Michelle Williams was also one of the stars of the acclaimed 2005 movie, Brokeback Mountain. She even dated her co-star, Heath Ledger. The actor later died in tragic circumstances in 2008 and in 2021, Williams helped bring to fruition a film focusing on his death titled Blood.
15. Rebel Wilson – 44 Years Old
- Debut Age: 22
- Ethnicity: Caucasian
- Nationality: American
- Notable works: Pitch Perfect, Bridesmaids, and Isn’t It Romantic
Rebel Wilson only became a household name in Hollywood in 2011 but years before that, she had built up an impressive reputation in her homeland of Australia. She appeared in theatrical productions and TV shows such as The Westie Monologue, Bogan Pride, and Thank God You’re Here. She also garnered a few movie credits to her name, including Fat Pizza and Ghost Rider.
Since transitioning to Hollywood, rebel Wilson has featured in several blockbuster comedies such as Bridesmaids, The Hustle, Isn’t It Romantic, What To Expect When You Are Expecting, and Pitch Perfect. Her work in Pitch Perfect, which focuses on an all-girls acapella group, fetched her the MTV movie award for best actor, as well as the Choice Movie Actress: comedy award. Pitch Perfect has since spurned two sequels and Wilson has been a major part of both of them.
16. Amy Schumer – 42 Years Old
- Debut Age: 23
- Ethnicity: Caucasian
- Nationality: American
- Notable works: Train Wreck, I Feel Pretty, Snatched, etc.
Before she garnered widespread fame for her 2015 movie, Trainwreck, Amy Schumer had already established herself as one of the most notable comics in America. Starting her career in the early 2000s, she performed stand-up at numerous venues and eventually went on to participate in the NBC show, Last Comic Standing. She also featured in her own sketch comedy series, Inside Amy Schumer, from 2013 to 2016.
Schumer made her acting debut in the 2015 rom-com, Trainwreck, playing the lead role of Amy Townsend, a promiscuous writer who is afraid of long-term relationship commitments. The movie earned good reviews and numerous award nominations. It also grossed $140.8 million on a budget of $35 million. That awesome debut has motivated Schumer to feature in other movies such as Snatched and I Feel Pretty. She has also dropped a bestselling memoir – The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo.
17. Anna Faris – 47 Years Old
- Debut Age: 15
- Ethnicity: Caucasian
- Nationality: American
- Notable works: Scary Movie, The Hot Chick, My Super Ex-Girlfriend, and Mom
Fans of the Scary Movie franchise will certainly remember Anna Faris fondly. She played the lead role in the series of movies that parodied the horror, slasher, and mystery movies and TV shows that pervaded Hollywood in the 90s. The Scary Movie franchise spurned a total of five movies between 2000 and 2006 and Faris participated in all of them. She has since gone on to feature in other movies such as The House Bunny, The Dictator, and Overboard.
On TV, Anna Faris can be seen in the CBS sitcom, Mom. Mom debuted in 2013 and followed an estranged mother-daughter duo as they reconcile while struggling to maintain their sobriety. Faris portrayed the role of the titular mom and the series proved to be a big hit with fans. It consistently received high ratings and also garnered multiple award nominations before it finally came to an end in 2021.
18. Kate Winslet – 48 Years Old
- Debut Age: 15
- Ethnicity: Caucasian
- Nationality: American
- Notable works: Titanic, The Reader, Mare of Easttown, Revolutionary Road, etc.
Kate Winslet was just 21 years old when she co-starred in the epic romantic movie, Titanic. Since that landmark performance, which fetched her Academy Award nomination for best leading actress, she has gone on to become one of the most famous movie stars in the Globe. She has appeared in critically acclaimed films such as Iris, Finding Neverland, Little Children, Revolutionary Road, and The Reader. She has also featured in TV series such as Mare of Easttown, and Mildred Pierce.
Kate Winslet’s career accolades include the 2009 academy award for best actress for her portrayal of a Nazi camp guard in the 2008 film, The Reader. Other awards include two Primetime Emmy Awards, five Golden Globe awards, and three BAFTA awards. She was also appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2012. Kate was famously red-haired for Titanic and had to dye it. This turned out to be problematic as it took her two years before she could get back her natural blonde hair.
19. Toni Collete – 51 Years Old
- Debut Age: 18 years
- Ethnicity: Caucasian
- Nationality: Australian
- Notable works: Muriel’s Wedding, United States of Tara, Little Miss Sunshine, and About A Boy
If there is one word that perfectly defines Toni Collete, it is multi-talented. The Australian actress has built an award-winning resume across both the film, TV and stage mediums. On the big screen, Collete has featured in movies such as The Sixth Sense, Muriel’s Wedding, About A Boy, and Little Miss Sunshine and has received BAFTA, Oscar, and Golden Globe award nominations for her work. When it comes to the stage, the Aussie star has featured in several Broadway performances and has been nominated for a Tony Award.
On the small screen, Toni Collete has appeared in several TV series, including The United States of Tara in which she played the lead role of a suburban artist and mom suffering from multiple personality disorder. Her performance saw her receive a Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy awards for best actress. Toni Collete is also a talented singer and songwriter and is the lead singer of the band, Toni Collete & the Finish.
20. Drew Barrymore – 49 Years Old
- Debut Age: 5
- Ethnicity: Caucasian
- Nationality: American
- Notable works: Charlie’s Angels, 50 First Dates, Blended, and The Wedding Singer
Having hailed from a family of actors, drew Barrymore began her career at 11 months old, featuring in commercials. By the time she reached five, she had her first movie role under her belt. She would go on to become a bonafide child star and inevitably suffered issues such as drug and alcohol abuse. Luckily, she was able to get her life in order and her acting career has once more flourished.
Barrymore has appeared in several TV shows and movies, including Charlie’s Angels, 50 First Dates, Grey Gardens, and Santa Clarita Diet. She has received several awards, including one Golden Globe and one SAG award. The actress has also founded her own production company and hosts an eponymous talk show. She also has several enterprises to her name, including a cosmetics line, a clothing line, and a wine brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What is the percentage of natural blondes in the American population? A: Only one in 20 Americans is naturally blonde.
- Q: Where is naturally blonde hair most commonly found? A: Naturally-occurring blonde hair is primarily found in people living in or descended from people who lived in the northern half of Europe.
- Q: What is dirty blonde hair? A: Dirty blonde hair is a medium blonde hair colour with light brown tones.
- Q: Who are some celebrities with dirty blonde hair? A: Some celebrities with dirty blonde hair-inspired looks include Gigi Hadid, Jennifer Lopez, and Jennifer Aniston.
- Q: Is dirty blonde hair considered attractive? A: Yes, dirty blonde hair is often considered attractive due to its versatility and how it looks good on many people.
- Q: What is the symbolism behind dirty blonde hair? A: Dirty blonde hair often symbolizes a carefree vibe, indicating that the person is relaxed, earthy, and natural.
- Q: What colors look good on dirty blondes? A: Dirty blondes look best in cool tones like pastel blue, lavender, mauve, light grey, off-white, and soft green.
