These powerful women ruled the scene in their day, taking Hollywood by storm with their talents and beauty. From queens of the silver screen to some of history’s most iconic musicians, we’re taking a deep dive into the most unforgettable female stars.
Do you remember which famous actress has two different colored eyes, or which former child star went on to compete on Survivor? Read on to see where your favorite female stars have been since they were in the spotlight!
You might be surprised by a few…
Martha Stewart
America’s beloved mogul of the household scene has had some ups and downs in the spotlight. Through pleasant and turbulent times, she’s maintained an empire for more than 30 years.
From cookbooks to products and some successful TV appearances, it’s fair to say Martha has secured her status as a household name for generations. Plus, she’s friends with Snoop Dogg.
Diane Keaton
This fashion icon got her start in the theater. However, when she auditioned for Play It Again, Sam, she was initially rejected for being taller than Woody Allen.
Fortunately, she went on to become a success. She won an Oscar for Annie Hall and hasn’t slowed down at all, starring in recent blockbuster films like Finding Dory and Book Club.
Jane Birkin
What says “It Girl” more than having a $500,000 purse named after you? As Serge Gainsbourg’s muse as well as a successful actress and musician in her own right, Birkin has certainly earned the title.
In 2001, Birkin was awarded the OBE, the Order of the British Empire. These days, she’s a proud grandmother who focuses her time on philanthropy.
Marlo Thomas
Brunette beauty Marlo Thomas has been a Hollywood sensation since the 1960s when she appeared in several popular programs. Her most famous role was as Ann Marie in That Girl.
Thomas continued her landmark success throughout her life. She wrote children’s books, starred on Broadway, and became involved with philanthropy. In 2014, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom!
Linda Ronstadt
When she hit the scene, folksy songstress Linda Ronstadt charmed audiences with her smoky, soulful vocals. She toured extensively, performing with The Eagles and Jackson Browne.
Her genre-defying style originally turned some people off, but she soon became the most successful female singer of the 1970s. Sadly, in 2011, she announced her retirement due to medical issues.
Pam Grier
“Foxy” Pam Grier gained fame as one of Hollywood’s first female action stars. She burst onto the scene as Coffy – a vigilante nurse who seeks revenge on a heroin dealer.
She’s still acting to this day, in addition to having written a memoir, earning two honorary doctorates, and having established her own Community Garden and Education Center.
Samantha Fox
Though Fox has been making music since the age of 16, she originally gained notoriety as a pin-up girl in British tabloids. At age 20, she began her musical career in earnest.
After making a few modeling comebacks and appearing on Charles in Charge and A Song For Europe, Fox ended up settling down with her former manager Myra Stratton, who passed tragically in 2015.
Jane Seymour
The stunning Jane Seymour stole Hollywood’s hearts when she starred as a Bond girl in Live and Let Die. She’s also well known for playing the titular role in Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.
In more recent years, Seymour has pursued more television roles, guest starring on How I Met Your Mother and even Dancing With the Stars. She even posed for Playboy in 2018, the oldest model for the magazine at age 67. Fun fact: she has one green eye and one brown eye!
Goldie Hawn
With a dance teacher for a mother, it’s no wonder Goldie Hawn began her career as a dancer. When a job brought her to California, she landed a part on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In and her fame skyrocketed.
She had two children with ex-husband Bill Hudson, including her lookalike daughter and fellow actress Kate Hudson. She met her partner Kurt Russell in 1983 and the two have been together for over 35 years.
Stevie Nicks
Songbird Stevie Nicks is best known as the frontwoman of the classic rock group Fleetwood Mac, alongside ex Lindsey Buckingham. Though the two split, Nicks continued to make music with the band.
She also performs as a solo artist and has released eight solo albums, including 1981’s Bella Donna, which went multi-platinum. Incredibly, she’s still making new music to this day!
Barbi Benton
The lovely Barbi Benton took her first major job for Playboy at age 18. She began a relationship with Hugh Hefner soon after, and some say she even convinced him to buy the infamous mansion.
After modeling, she joined the cast of Hee Haw, a comedy sketch show, and a handful of television and movie appearances followed. She’s also a singer – she’s recorded an impressive 8 albums.
Linda Gray
Linda Gray acted in over 400 commercials before landing the role of Sue Ellen in Dallas that launched her into fame. She continued to play the character on TV specials and a 2012 reboot that lasted for two years.
Post Dallas, Gray acted in several indie films and guest-starred on shows like The Bold and the Beautiful and 90210. Most recently, she starred in Amazon’s Hand of God with Ron Perlman.
Kim Basinger
Acting, modeling, and singing – Kim Basinger can do it all. An acclaimed Ford model who got her start as a Bond girl, Basinger went on to enjoy a lauded career on the big screen.
She won the Golden Globe and the Academy Award for L.A. Confidential and has continued to act to this day. She’s also a staunch animal rights activist who’s worked with PETA.
Nancy Kerrigan
Figure skating fans know Nancy Kerrigan as one of the sport’s biggest stars. In the 90s, her fame transcended the sports world when a rival skater organized an attack that forced her to withdraw from the National Championships.
Despite the incident, Kerrigan won the silver medal that year. She’s still remembered as one of the best skaters of all time and was inducted into the Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2004.
