Many used to believe that when a female actor crosses 40, she will go from staring in a leading role to a supporting role. However, that theory has been put to rest with the incredible talents and successes of actors such as Angelina Jolie, Kate Winslet and more. TechTrends put together a list of the best actresses in their 40s.
The talented and incredible actresses in their 40s have proved that life can truly blossom in the fifth decade of one’s existence. Not only can they inspire people to be comfortable in their bodies but they can also teach people that age should not stop the progress of one’s life. Keep reading this article to find out who the best female actresses in their 40s are, with the list including talents from the United States, England, Germany, France and many other countries. So, without further ado, let’s jump into the list of the best actresses in their 40s. Keep in mind that there is no specific order in the names listed here.
Best Actresses in Their 40s
Despite actresses in their 40s being often written off by viewers and the tie between ageism and sexism, the female actors listed here proved them wrong. They are embracing their age and are killing it with their talent and success. Here are the best actresses in their 40s.
Charlize Theron
- Birthdate: August 7, 1975
- Age: 47 Years
- Sun Sign: Leo
- Birthplace: Benoni, South Africa
- Height: 5’10” (178 cm)
Oscar-winner Charlize Theron is one of the best actresses in their 40s. Moreover, she has appeared in many various genres of movies in her 25 years in the film industry. She has most recently been involved in more action movies and is quite familiar with it, with her impressive performances. Theron is an Oscar-winning actress who has had a decorated career in the film industry in Hollywood for 25 years. The South African actress has found success and popularity very quickly as in 2003, she played in the movie Monster, for which she got an Academy Award. She proved that she is far more than just a pretty face with her fascinating talent on the screen.
In addition, she is also a model and a celebrity crush for many fans and viewers. Theron also found success in some action-adventure movies. In addition, being a versatile actress has won a number of other awards, including the Golden Globes.
Read more: Best Charlize Theron Movies of All Time
Kate Winslet
- Birthdate: October 5, 1975
- Age: 47 Years
- Sun Sign: Libra
- Birthplace: Reading, England
- Height: 5’7″ (170 cm)
As one of the most respected and talented actresses of her time, Kate Winslet has an impressive career that goes more than one quarter of a century. She has made a name for herself as one of best actresses in their 40s in the movie industry, and she is mostly known for her stellar performance in Titanic. Kate Winslet, the English actress, does not need to be introduced with her distinguishing career. Moreover, she has earned many awards, including three BAFTA Awards, an Emmy Award, a Grammy, and an Academy Award in her career. Her footprint in the movie industry is pretty iconic.
In addition, with her captivating and versatile roles, she has always been able to intrigue and caught the attention of the audience. Winslet is able to give a deep and complex reality to her roles, making the films she appears in very memorable and unforgettable. There is no shortage of iconic roles for the British actress who starred in James Cameron’s Titanic and has recently worked in one of the highest-grossing franchises, James Cameron’s Avatar 2.
Angelina Jolie
- Birthdate: June 4, 1975
- Age: 48 Years
- Sun Sign: Gemini
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
- Height: 5’7″ (170 cm)
Angelina Jolie is not only a wonderful actress in Hollywood, but she is also a dedicated humanitarian and director. Therefore, she has made it to the list of the best actresses in their 40s. She has appeared on more than 60 big and small screens since 1982 when she started her career in acting. Jolie has distinguished herself as one of most talented actors internationally. Moreover, she has proved that she is more than just a pretty face, with her mountain of fascinating and engaging movies. When given the right material, she can be pretty compelling. In addition, she has the capability of being the sole reason as to why a movie is unforgettable.
During the years as an actress, Jolie has picked projects that have many different genres, including action thrillers, prestige biopics, and a lot more. Among her accomplishments are one Academy Award win and eight Golden Globes nominations. Furthermore, she enjoys directing and has already done it in four feature films (three war movies and one personal project. What’s more, she is a representative of the UN Refugee Agency and has established herself as one of the most well-known women in the world.
Read more: Best Angelina Jolie Movies of All Time
Anne Hathaway
- Birthdate: November 12, 1982
- Age: 40 Years
- Sun Sign: Scorpio
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
- Height: 5’8″ (173 cm)
Anne Hathaway is indeed one of the best female actors in their 40s, having appeared in plenty of memorable movies over the course of her career. She had decade-defining roles in movies including The Princess Diaries and The Devil Wears Prada at the start of her career in acting. She is in her 40s now and has attracted a lot of attention with her acclaimed and Oscar-winning performances in movies such as Brokeback Mountain, Les Misérables, and The Intern.
Natalie Portman
- Birthdate: June 9, 1981
- Age: 42 Years
- Sun Sign: Gemini
- Birthplace: Jerusalem, Israel
- Height: 5’3″ (160 cm)
Natalie Portman is not only an actress, but she is also a director, and producer, who received her Oscar before turning 30. Now, she is among the best actresses in their 40s. She has emerged as one of the most stunning and promising actresses of her time. Moreover, she is an excellent actress who has impressed with her many abilities in acting as well as ballet, jazz, and tap-dancing skills. As one of the best Oscar-winning actresses and for her passionate support of female filmmakers, Portman got notoriety. Moreover, it is very inspirational as she is working towards positive change in the film industry.
Since her debut at a very early age, Portman had a very long way, but her performance has been both steady and consistent. She has appeared in many movies, a lot of which has earned praise from critics and audience. Although the movies she acts it may not always be good, Portman is capable of bringing a certain gravitas to the roles she appears in every time.
Emily Blunt
- Birthdate: February 23, 1983
- Age: 40 Years
- Sun Sign: Pisces
- Birthplace: London, England
Emily Blunt is really talented in captivating the audience as one of the best female actors in their 40s. She has played in many Hollywood blockbuster films and made a name for herself as one of the most loved leading ladies in the movie industry. Blunt and her popularity are only growing and she has proven that she can play in a wide range of genres, from drama and horror to musicals and comedy. For her amazing talent and ability in acting, she has earned many incredible roles. In addition, she has received many nominations and awards, including six Golden Globes. When she had her debut performance in the play The Royal Family, many called her “Best Newcomer”.
Following that, she has moved on to appear in multiple movies, creating a long work line. Considering the amazing resume she has, it is shocking that she has not yet received the Academy Award. The British actress, who appeared alongside Meryl Streep in the 2006 movie Miranda Priestly, is a box-office hit as well.
Rachel McAdams
- Birthdate: November 17, 1978
- Age: 44 Years
- Sun Sign: Scorpio
- Birthplace: London, Canada
- Height: 5’4″ (163 cm)
One of the actresses who is able to elevate whatever movie she is in is Rachel McAdams. It didn’t take long for her to hit the ground running, as she was incredible in Mean Girls and The Notebook in 2004. TechTrends put together a list of the best Rachel Adams movies of all time.
Rachel McAdams acting career started around two decades ago and she has many iconic roles in her filmography. In the 2000s, she was able to dominate the rom/com genre dingle handedly. In addition, she is very versatile as she appears in serious movies as well. As an accomplished performer, she has proven to be flexible when it comes to the roles she takes. This talented actress has made a name for herself in Hollywood ever since she played the role of Regina George. We have ranked her movies based on their ratings on Rotten Tomatoes but we also included the IMDb rating. Without further ado, let’s get to the list of the best must-see Rachel McAdams performances that she has graced us with over the years.
Read more: Best Rachel McAdams Movies of All Time
Jessica Chastain
- Birthdate: March 24, 1977
- Age: 46 Years
- Sun Sign: Aries
- Birthplace: Sacramento, California, United States
- Height: 5’4″ (163 cm)
Jessica Chastain is one of the best actresses in their 40s in the movie industry. She has had quite the experience as she exploded into her big break in 2011, featuring in the movies “Take Shelter”, “The Tree of Life”, and “The Help.” In addition, she won the Oscar, which was a long time coming, for Best Actress in the Academy Award for her performance in The Eye of Tammy Faye in 2021. This marked her third nomination, with the other two being for the movie The Help and Zero Dark Thirty. During the previous decade, she has got a lot of critical acclaim for a range of different roles. She also said that her world changed when she was taken to see her first play being only 7. It was then that she realized acting was “who she was”.
Read more: Best Jessica Chastain Movies of All Time
Zoe Saldana
- Birthdate: June 19, 1978
- Age: 44 Years
- Sun Sign: Gemini
- Birthplace: Passaic, New Jersey, United States
- Height: 5’7″ (170 cm)
Zoe Saldana is quite well-known in the world of science-fiction as she appeared in the Star Trek and Guardians of the Galax franchises. Her role in the Avatar movies is definitely one of her most sympathetic ones. Therefore, she has also made it to the list of the best actresses in their 40s. Saldana started her career by playing alongside Britney Spears at the age of 24, but the movie was criticized. Despite that, she attracted a lot of attentions and it brought her a role in the blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Her talent and beauty helped her enjoy lots of success in the movie industry.
Penelope Cruz
- Birthdate: April 28, 1974
- Age: 49 Years
- Sun Sign: Taurus
- Birthplace: Alcobendas, Spain
- Height: 5’6″ (168 cm)
Penelope Cruz’s filmography is very impressive and she has been nominated for Academy Awards three times throughout her career. Moreover, she has appeared in different genres and has worked with incredible filmmakers. Having earned yet another Academy Award nomination in February 2022 for her role in Parallel Mothers, Penelope Cruz is shining like always as a talented actress. Her reputation in Spain, as one of the best actresses of her time, was cemented when she got her latest nomination. She role to popularity in her native country Spain.
At first, it was challenging for her to act in American movies the way she did in Spanish films because of the fact that she had to speak English. However, she rose past that and built an extensive resume in the subsequent years. She has been in the movie industry since the 80s, and she has acted in many magnificent movies. It is no surprise that her talent attracted the attention of many fans and critics worldwide.