The actresses who have achieved a high level of public recognition and acclaim for their work in the entertainment industry are referred to as the "most famous actresses." Most of the time, these actresses are known for the roles they played in movies or shows that got a lot of people talking and good reviews.
These actresses' fame can be attributed to a number of things, including their acting skills, physical appearance, public persona, and media exposure. The level of a particular actress's fame is subjective and can vary based on cultural and regional contexts, audience preferences, and other factors.
1. Zhang Ziyi (China)
Zhang Ziyi is a Chinese actress who was born in Beijing, China, on February 9, 1979. She became famous all over the world for playing Jen Yu in the 2000 movie "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," which won a number of Academy Awards and was a critical and commercial success. Since then, she has been in a lot of other movies, like "Hero" (2002), "House of Flying Daggers" (2004), and "Memoirs of a Geisha" (2005), which got her nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress.
Zhang Ziyi is regarded as one of China's Four Dan Actresses—the most financially successful and well-known actresses in Mainland China. She has won the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress, the Golden Horse Award for Best Leading Actress, and the Trophée Chopard Award from the Cannes Film Festival for Female Revelation throughout her career.
As a philanthropist, Zhang Ziyi has contributed to numerous charitable endeavors, including the fight against tuberculosis and the promotion of education in China's rural areas.
2. Gong Li (China)
Gong Li is an actress who was born in Shenyang, China, on December 31, 1965. She is regarded as one of China's most well-known and acclaimed actresses, and her work in movies has brought her international recognition.
Gong Li began her career as an actor in China in the late 1980s. Her performance in Zhang Yimou's 1987 film "Red Sorghum" earned her international acclaim. Since then, she has been in a lot of other movies, like "Raise the Red Lantern" (1991), "The Story of Qiu Ju" (1992), and "Farewell My Concubine," which won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1993.
Throughout her career, Gong Li has been nominated for and has won numerous awards, including the Women in Film Crystal Award in 2008 and the National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in "Memoirs of a Geisha."
Gong Li is also a UNDP goodwill ambassador and has contributed to numerous charitable endeavors, including the Chinese fight against AIDS and tuberculosis. She has also been featured on the covers of numerous international fashion magazines and is regarded as a fashion icon.
3. Aishwarya Rai (India)
Indian actress and model Aishwarya Rai, also known as Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, was crowned Miss World 1994. She was born in Mangalore, Karnataka, India, on November 1, 1973. In addition to being recognized on the international stage, Rai is regarded as one of India's most well-known and influential actresses.
In 1997, Rai made her acting debut in the Tamil movie "Iruvar." She went on to star in Bollywood movies like "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam" (1999), "Devdas" (2002), and "Jodhaa Akbar" (2008). She has been honored with numerous accolades for her work, including two Filmfare Awards and the Padma Shri, India's highest civilian honor.
Rai has also appeared in a number of international films, including "Bride and Prejudice" (2004), "The Pink Panther 2" (2009), and "The Last Legion" (2007), both of which were made in Hollywood. Additionally, in 2003 and 2004, she served on the Cannes Film Festival jury.
Rai has been involved in a number of charitable endeavors, including raising awareness of AIDS and funding eye care programs. She has worked on a variety of campaigns, including the fight against human trafficking, and is also a UN Goodwill Ambassador.
4. Deepika Padukone (India)
Deepika Padukone is an Indian actress and producer. Although she was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, on January 5, 1986, she spent most of her childhood in Bangalore, India. She is regarded as one of India's most well-known and highest-paid actresses, and her work has also received international recognition.
Padukone made her Bollywood debut in the 2007 film "Om Shanti Om," which was a commercial success. She began her acting career in a Kannada film in 2006. Since then, she has been in a lot of Bollywood movies, like "Love Aaj Kal" (2009), "Cocktail" (2012), "Bajirao Mastani" (2015), and "Padmaavat" (2018), which became one of the highest-grossing Indian films ever.
Padukone has been recognized by Time magazine as one of the world's 100 most influential people in 2018 for her performances, which have earned her three Filmfare Awards. She has also supported victims of acid attacks and raised awareness of mental health issues through various charitable endeavors.
Padukone is the founder of the production company Ka Productions and has also ventured into film production. She has also worked as a brand ambassador for L'Oreal Paris, Coca-Cola, and Tissot, among others.
5. Priyanka Chopra (India)
Priyanka Chopra Jonas was born on July 18, 1982, in Jamshedpur, India. She is an Indian actress, singer, and film producer. She is regarded as one of India's most well-known and influential actresses and has established herself internationally.
In 2003, Chopra made her debut in Bollywood with the movie "The Hero: The Spy Love Story She won the National Film Award for Best Actress for her performance in "Fashion" (2008), which garnered her praise from critics. Since then, she has been in numerous Bollywood films, including "Barfi!" "The Sky Is Pink" (2019), "Bajirao Mastani" (2012), and
Chopra has also gained international recognition for her work. She starred in the American television series "Quantico" (2015-2018), and has appeared in several Hollywood films, including "Baywatch" (2017) and "Isn't It Romantic" (2019). She is also a singer, and has released several singles, including "In My City" and "Exotic".
Chopra is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, and has been involved in various charitable causes, including the promotion of education and the fight against gender-based violence. She is also the founder of the production company Purple Pebble Pictures.
6. Fan Bingbing (China)
Fan Bingbing is a Chinese actress, model, and singer who was born in Qingdao, Shandong, China, on September 16, 1981. She is regarded as one of the most well-known and highest-paid actresses in China, and for her work in film and television, she has won numerous awards.
Fan Bingbing became well-known in China in the late 1990s, and her role in the 2003 film "Cell Phone" brought her international fame. Since then, she has been in a lot of other movies, like "Lost in Beijing" (2007), "Buddha Mountain" (2011), and "I Am Not Madame Bovary," which won her the Best Actress award at the San Sebastián International Film Festival in 2016.
Fan Bingbing has been named one of the world's best-dressed women by Vogue magazine, and she is also well-known for her sense of style. She is also an ambassador for a number of charitable organizations in China and has been involved in philanthropic endeavors.
However, Fan Bingbing was embroiled in a significant scandal in 2018 that involved allegations of tax evasion, which resulted in her disappearance from public life for a number of months. She has since resumed acting after receiving a hefty fine from the Chinese government and making a public apology for her actions.
7. Rani Mukerji (India)
Indian actress Rani Mukerji was born on March 21, 1978, in Mumbai, India. She is regarded as one of India's most well-known and accomplished actresses and has received numerous awards for her work.
Mukerji made her acting debut in the 1996 movie "Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat," but it was in the 1998 movie "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" that she became widely acclaimed and successful. She has since appeared in numerous Bollywood films, including "Mardaani," "Black," "Saathiya," and "Hum Tum."
Mukerji has been recognized for her work promoting social causes and has won several awards for her performances, including seven Filmfare Awards. She has supported education and the fight against child trafficking, among other charitable endeavors, in the past.
Yash Raj Films is Mukerji's own production company, and she has also been involved in filmmaking. She has been recognized for her contributions to Indian cinema and is also a brand ambassador for a number of businesses, including Coca-Cola.
8. Shu Qi (Taiwan)
Shu Qi, better known by her stage name Hsu Chi, is a Taiwanese model and actress who was born on April 16, 1976, in Xindian, Taiwan. She is recognized worldwide and is regarded as one of Taiwan's most well-known and successful actresses.
Shu Qi began her acting career in the late 1990s, appearing in several Hong Kong films. She gained critical acclaim for her role in the film "Millennium Mambo" (2001), which was directed by Taiwanese filmmaker Hou Hsiao-hsien. She has since appeared in many films, including "The Transporter" (2002), "Three Times" (2005), and "The Assassin" (2015), which won the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival.
Shu Qi has been recognized for her contributions to Asian cinema and has won numerous awards for her performances, including the Best Actress award at the Golden Horse Awards and the Hong Kong Film Awards. In addition, she is regarded as a fashion icon in Taiwan and is regarded as one of the most beautiful women in the world by a number of publications.
Shu Qi has also worked as a model and has been featured in various magazines and advertisements. She is also a philanthropist and has been involved in various charitable causes, including the support of education and disaster relief efforts.
9. Lee Young-ae (South Korea)
Lee Young-ae is a well-known South Korean actress who has appeared in a lot of movies and TV shows. She was born in Seoul, South Korea, on January 31, 1971. Hanyang University awarded her a degree in Korean literature as her diploma.
In the drama "How's Your Husband?" that debuted in 1993, Lee Young-ae made her acting debut. She became more well-known for her performance in the 1995 movie "The Fox with Nine Tails." However, her leading role in the 2003 television drama "Jewel in the Palace," which was a huge hit both domestically and internationally, made her a household name in South Korea and throughout Asia.
Lee Young-ae has starred in a number of successful television dramas in addition to "Jewel in the Palace," such as "Dae Jang Geum Is Watching" (2018), "Saimdang, Memoir of Colors" (2017), and "The Great Jang-Geum" (2005). "Joint Security Area" (2000), "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance" (2005), and "Bring Me Home" are among her films.
Lee Young-ae is also known for her philanthropic work. She has been actively involved in various charitable organizations, including the Korean National Red Cross and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
10. Michelle Yeoh (Chinese)
Michelle Yeoh is a Chinese actress and producer who was born in Malaysia. Her work in Chinese and English-language films has earned her international recognition. She was born in Ipoh, Malaysia, on August 6, 1962, to a Chinese family of Hokkien ancestry.
Yeoh began her acting career in the early 1980s after beginning her career as a beauty queen in Malaysia. She received praise from critics for her roles in Hong Kong action movies like "Yes, Madam!" 1985) as well as "Police Story 3: The Super Cop"
Yeoh appeared in Ang Lee's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" (2000) and James Bond's "Tomorrow Never Dies" (1997), expanding her career to international productions. Additionally, she has made an appearance in the science fiction series Star Trek: "Star Trek: Discovery" (2017-2020) and its spinoff New and Strange Worlds". Yeoh has also worked as a producer, most notably on the film "Crazy Rich Asians" (2018).
Yeoh later expanded her career to include international films, appearing in Ang Lee's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" (2000) and James Bond film "Tomorrow Never Dies" (1997). She has also appeared in the science fiction series "Star Trek: Discovery" (2017-2020) and its spin-off "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" (2022) and she starred as Burmese Nobel Peace Prize winner and pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi in Luc Besson’s critically acclaimed The Lady. Yeoh is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science.
Yeoh has won a number of awards for her work, including the Hong Kong Film Award, the BAFTA Award, and the Screen Actors Guild Award. She is widely regarded as one of the most talented and versatile actresses in the industry, both in Asia and around the world.
Updated on 26/02/2023, Michelle Yeoh became the first Asian actress to win the Best Actress Award at the 2023 SAG Awards, which were held in Los Angeles and were hosted by the American Film Actors Guild. She was recognized for her performance in Everything Everywhere All At Once.