According to a study conducted by Indiewire.com, in movies released in 2014, women only represent 30 percent of speaking characters, and, according to womenintvfilm.sdsu.edu, they only represent 40 percent of all characters on broadcast, cable and Netflix programs. Moreover, only 13 percent of lead roles onscreen are female. But some female actresses are breaking through this barrier. For example,
Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson’s most recent film was “Lucy,” but she will also appear in “The Jungle Book,” a 2016 film based on Rudyard Kipling’s children’s story. Johansson is versatile, as she has the ability to play various roles in mystery, action, animation, romance, romantic comedy and other genres, showing the depth of her acting skills.
According to ScarlettJohansson.org, outside of her movie roles, Johansson has also appeared in the music industry and was almost the lead of the Andrew Webber remake of “The Sound of Music.” Johansson is also an avid promoter of the Democratic Party.
Cameron Diaz
Cameron Diaz has stolen hearts since 1994 with movies like “The Mask,” “Head Above Water” and “She’s the One.” And who could forget “Charlie’s Angels” in 2000? Diaz is known for her sexy and humorous roles in romantic comedies, but she’s showed viewers that she can also be serious in films like “Knight and Day” and “Gangs of New York.”
Diaz knocked out two movies in one year with “Sex Tape” and “The Other Woman,” two movies that touched hearts and made you laugh all at once. According to biography.com, she has produced and starred in her own movies, won countless awards, been a character in a video game, and even been on television. She never ceases to be her funny, crazy, sexy self.
Charlize Theron
Charlize Theron is known for kick-butt action roles. Most recently, she had a leading role in “Mad Max: Fury Road.” But don’t let her action flicks fool you — she can make viewers’ hearts race and bring on the tears. She touched hearts with her role in “North Country,” a film about the first women to work in the Minnesota mines.
Outside of various movie roles, Theron continues to support world peace. According to biography.com, Theron created her own outreach program called The Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project, which aims to support African adolescents battling HIV/AIDS. Theron was also named a United National Messenger of Peace, is an active member of PETA, marches in pro-choice rallies, and is an avid supporter of same-sex marriage, among many other philanthropies.
Viola Davis
Viola Davis blew viewers away with her role in “The Help,” a movie about the life of a black nanny in the 1960s. Outside of that role, she continues play strong females roles both on the big screen and on television, like in “Lila & Eve” and “How to Get Away with Murder.” Viola Davis was also the first black woman to win a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
Davis is not only an actress, but also a producer. According to biography.com, Davis, along with the help of her husband, founded a production company called JuVee Productions. Producing films such as “Lila & Eve” and “Custody,” Davis is one of a few black female producers to star in her own film.
Kerry Washington
Kerry Washington is the lead actor of one of the most frequently watch television shows of 2015: “Scandal.” Washington has played everything from powerful woman to comedian and all the way to sexy mistress. You know you’re great actor when people forget your real name and start to refer to you as your character. Kerry Washington, who? More like Oliva Pope.
Washington has been on Broadway and television and still finds times for activism. According to KerryWashington.com, Washington is an advocate for women’s cancer, gay rights, and violence against women and young girls. Washington also devotes a lot of time to her alma mater, George Washington University, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa with degrees in anthropology and sociology.
Sandra Bullock
Sandra Bullock has been proving that women can be strong leads since “Practical Magic” in 1998. Bullock often gives shoutouts to other single mothers like herself and gives words of encouragement during her acceptance speeches. Some of her awards include Academy Award for best Actress and a Golden Globe for Best Actress.
Bullock not only has a golden star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but the media has also dubbed her “America’s Sweetheart” due to her sweet and friendly nature. According to IMDb.com, Bullock is also a public supporter of American Red Cross and won an award for “Favorite Humanitarian” in the 2013 People’s Choice Awards.
Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Lawrence was reported to be the highest paid female actress of the year 2015 for her role in the “Hunger Games” series alone. Lawrence has not been in the game as long as the other actresses previously mentioned, but she is definitely worthy of being dubbed one of the best women in film. Since the year 2010, she has received an award every year.
According to Jenniferlawrencedaily.com, Rolling Stone called Lawrence “the most talented young actress in America” in 2012 and was even in Time Magazine’s top 100 most influential people in world.
Dascha Polanco
Since her break-out role in 2013 in the Netflix series “Orange is the New Black,” Dascha Polanco has played in three other movies. Rapidly, her presence in the film industry is increasing, and the Dominican American actress is an example of how powerful outlets such as Netflix really are. As her presence in the industry grows, there is one thing viewers can count on to remain the same: her feisty personality.
Emilia Clarke
Emilia Clarke stars in one of the most watched HBO series on TV right now: “Game of Thrones.” She is yet another representation of powerful women on screen. Her role in this series has gotten her nominated several times for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a drama series. She going on six seasons strong this year in the popular series while simultaneously playing in movies such as “Terminator: Genisys” and “Me Before You.” She’s definitely come a long way since “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”
