The reheaded actress is in a class by herself, she is spunky, classy, and visually striking. Over the years a good number of top notch red haired actresses have emerged to brighten the silver screen. Here following is my list of the top eight redheaded actresses of all time, in no particular order. Obviously there are many more that deserve mention but these are the top eight that I think of off the top of my head whenever the topic arises.
Classic Redhead Film Stars:
1.) Rita Hayworth
Rita has to be my top pick, I’ve logged many an hour watching the 1944 film classic Cover Girl. You just can’t beat a classic 1940’s redhead decked out in evening wear while singing and dancing. If you haven’t seen Cover Girl, I highly recommend it.
2.) Judy Garland
It’s arguable whether or not Judy Garland is beautiful, to my estimation she is, but what is objective is her on-screen charisma. Try re-watching The Wizard of Oz, A Star is Born or Easter Parade; I think you’ll find that there is something special about that redhead that transcends mere acting talent or even hair color.
3.) Ann Margaret
Conrad Birdie wouldn’t have been esteemed nearly as highly as a teeny bopper icon in the film Bye Bye Birdie if it weren’t for the infatuation of female lead, red haired beauty and screen siren, Ann Margaret. Ann Margaret has had a long-running career and can be seen in films dating from the 60’s up through the 90’s. You know a girl’s got it when she’s still cast as a sexpot even into middle-age as was the case in her role in Grumpy Old Men.
4.) Maureen O’Hara
Maureen O’Hara has that ever-present interesting redhead dichotomy, she looks like the girl next-door (classic and graceful) yet she has an exotic wild beauty about her. It’s no secret why a star such as herself was chosen to play the role of Esmeralda (my favorite character, by the way) in the film adaptation of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Maureen O’Hara has had countless film roles, but she’s best known for her performances in: The Quiet Man, The Parent Trap, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Modern Redhead Film Stars:
5.) Isla Fischer
Isla Fischer encompasses all of the best qualities a redhead can have: beauty, humor, and grace. The Australian native has become best known for her roles in Wedding Crashers, I Heart Huckabees, and Confessions of a Shopaholic.
6.) Lauren Ambrose
Lauren Ambrose, like many of her modern day red haired screen maven counterparts, has cultivated the quirky and left-of-center image more than the strikingly beautiful image of screen stars of the past, but if you look past the initial exterior, you’ll find a captivating female lead. Lauren Ambrose can be seen in Starting Out in the Evening and the hit TV show Six Feet Under.
7.) Amy Adams
Amy Adams – of Junebug, Julie and Julia, and Sunshine Cleaning fame – is to me the red haired Indie film vixen. Her roles come in under the radar in a manner of speaking, she is the epitome of sexy without trying to be sexy, her appeal is borne out of well-developed characters.
8.) Alicia Witt
Part of the allure of Alicia Witt is her intelligence and talent, did you know that this actress is classically trained in piano? She not only has the naturally exotic charms of a redhead, but also incorporates an edgy gritty vibe to her film performances. Alicia Witt can be seen in films such as: Two Weeks Notice, Vanilla Sky and Cecil B. Demented.
Those are my top eight, as I said there are many more, but these are the few that always spring to mind when the topic of redheaded actresses comes up in conversation. Which are your top picks?
