20 Plus-Size Actresses Redefining Hollywood

Representation in film and television keeps expanding, and audiences can see that shift in the careers of many plus-size actresses who lead shows, headline films, and win major awards. These performers carry stories across genres, from comedy and musical theater to drama and action, while building production companies and authoring books that reach new audiences. Their work appears on network TV, premium cable, and global streaming platforms, and their characters drive plots rather than orbit them.

This list focuses on clear career facts. It highlights breakthrough roles, award milestones, producing and writing credits, box office wins, stage achievements, and franchise work. Each entry shows where the actress has been visible and where she has helped shape projects behind the scenes.

Melissa McCarthy

Melissa McCarthy broke out on the big screen with leading roles in hits like ‘Bridesmaids’, ‘Spy’, and ‘The Heat’, following early TV recognition from ‘Gilmore Girls’ and ‘Mike and Molly’. She has two Academy Award nominations for acting and has anchored studio comedies and family films while also taking on dramatic parts such as ‘Can You Ever Forgive Me’.

Beyond acting, McCarthy co-runs On The Day Productions and has produced projects including ‘Tammy’ and ‘Life of the Party’. Her work spans writing, producing, and costume design involvement, which gives her influence over creative and business decisions throughout development and post production.

Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘Chicago’ and has led films such as ‘Last Holiday’, ‘Girls Trip’, and ‘Set It Off’. On television she has headlined procedural and drama titles including ‘The Equalizer’, bringing long running network visibility.

She co-founded Flavor Unit Entertainment, which has produced features and series for multiple platforms, and she has executive produced projects that created opportunities for new talent. Her credits also include voice work in animated franchises and hosting duties on talk formats.

Octavia Spencer

Octavia Spencer won the Academy Award for ‘The Help’ and has continued with acclaimed performances in projects like ‘Fruitvale Station’, ‘Hidden Figures’, and ‘Ma’. She has also led series work with ‘Truth Be Told’, expanding her presence into prestige streaming drama.

Spencer produces through Orit Entertainment, which develops both scripted and documentary projects. She has served as an executive producer on films and series that center underrepresented voices and has participated in festival programming and industry labs that support emerging creators.

Gabourey Sidibe

Gabourey Sidibe earned an Academy Award nomination for her debut in ‘Precious’, which launched a career that includes television roles in ‘Empire’, ‘American Horror Story’, and ‘Difficult People’. She has appeared in independent features and network comedies, building a wide range of credits across formats.

Sidibe directed the short ‘The Tale of Four’ and has written a bestselling memoir that details her path into the industry. She has also worked as a producer on select projects, which expands her role from performer to multi hyphenate creator.

Danielle Brooks

Danielle Brooks became widely known through ‘Orange Is the New Black’ and later brought Sofia to the big screen in ‘The Color Purple’, which earned her an Academy Award nomination. She has also appeared in superhero television with ‘Peacemaker’ and has guest and recurring roles across network and streaming series.

Brooks is a trained theater actor with major Broadway credits, including a noted run in ‘The Color Purple’ on stage. She records music, voices animated characters, and participates in cast albums and concert performances that extend her reach beyond screen work.

Chrissy Metz

Chrissy Metz starred as Kate Pearson on ‘This Is Us’, earning nominations from major award bodies and contributing to an ensemble that sustained top ratings over multiple seasons. She has appeared in features such as ‘Breakthrough’ and independent projects that screen at festivals.

Metz has authored books that discuss her career and creative process and has released music as a recording artist. She also participates in producing efforts with scripted development, shaping stories that align with her experience in long form television.

Aidy Bryant

Aidy Bryant built a national profile on ‘Saturday Night Live’ and then co created and starred in ‘Shrill’, which drew from a popular book and ran for multiple seasons. She has recorded voice roles for animated films and series and has guest starred across comedies on streaming and cable.

Bryant holds producing and writing credits on ‘Shrill’, which placed her in the writers room and on the producing team from pilot through finale. She continues to develop projects for television and audio, including scripted podcasts and animated concepts.

Retta

Retta is known for Donna Meagle on ‘Parks and Recreation’ and for a lead role in ‘Good Girls’, where she anchored a core ensemble through multiple seasons. She has appeared in dramas and comedies such as ‘Girlfriends Guide to Divorce’ and ‘Master of None’.

Retta works across formats that include voice acting in animation and audiobook narration. She also tours as a stand up performer, which informs comedic timing that she brings into single camera and multi camera sets.

Nikki Blonsky

Nikki Blonsky made her film debut as Tracy Turnblad in ‘Hairspray’, earning nominations and wins from film critics groups and industry awards. She has performed in projects such as ‘Ugly Betty’, ‘Queen Sized’, and independent films released on streaming.

Blonsky continues to perform in regional and national stage productions connected to musical theater. She also participates in community and educational events that focus on performing arts training for young actors.

Amber Riley

Amber Riley starred as Mercedes Jones on ‘Glee’, appearing on radio charts with cast recordings and touring with the series in concert. She has been a principal performer in televised musicals such as ‘The Wiz Live’ and has guested on scripted series across networks.

Riley won major theater honors in London for her role in ‘Dreamgirls’ and recorded the show album that followed that production. She releases solo music projects and appears in live events that combine acting, singing, and hosting.

Beanie Feldstein

Beanie Feldstein earned widespread notice with major roles in ‘Lady Bird’ and ‘Booksmart’, which placed her in prominent festival premieres and award season conversations. She also appeared in ‘American Crime Story’ in the role of a real life figure.

On stage, Feldstein starred in ‘Hello, Dolly’ on Broadway and later led ‘Funny Girl’, adding leading lady credits in musical theater. She continues to develop and star in comedies and dramas for film and streaming with both ensemble and top billed roles.

Dascha Polanco

Dascha Polanco became known through ‘Orange Is the New Black’, appearing across multiple seasons as a central character. Her film work includes ‘In the Heights’ and ‘Joy’, and she has supporting roles in limited series such as ‘When They See Us’.

Polanco participates in Spanish and English language projects, which expands casting opportunities in global markets. She appears at festivals, panels, and community programs that connect industry professionals with students and local filmmakers.

Da’Vine Joy Randolph

Da’Vine Joy Randolph won the Academy Award for ‘The Holdovers’ and earned additional honors across key critics organizations. Her earlier work includes standout roles in ‘Dolemite Is My Name’ and the series ‘High Fidelity’.

Randolph has a strong theater background with a Tony nomination for ‘Ghost the Musical’. She records voice roles for animation and contributes to ensembles in premium streaming series that reach international audiences.

Michelle Buteau

Michelle Buteau created and starred in ‘Survival of the Thickest’, which adapts material from her essay collection and blends comedy with workplace and relationship stories. She appears in films such as ‘Always Be My Maybe’ and ‘Marry Me’ and has hosted reality television with ‘The Circle’.

Buteau releases stand up specials and tours, and she holds executive producer credits on her scripted series. She also authors books and develops projects that highlight New York settings and fashion industry storylines.

Lauren Ash

Lauren Ash starred as Dina Fox in ‘Superstore’, a workplace comedy that ran for six seasons and built a steady audience in broadcast and streaming. She has appeared in features and recorded television guest spots that span comedy and drama.

Ash is a voice actor in animated series such as ‘She Ra and the Princesses of Power’. She also produces podcasts and live shows, which adds audio and stage credentials to her on camera work.

Brooke Elliott

Brooke Elliott led ‘Drop Dead Diva’, playing a central character across six seasons, and then returned to series work with ‘Sweet Magnolias’. Her screen career includes guest roles on network dramas and TV movies that showcase her musical background.

Elliott began in musical theater with national tours and Broadway credits, including principal roles in productions that required strong vocal performance. She contributes to soundtrack recordings and participates in development for music driven series.

Barbie Ferreira

Barbie Ferreira played Kat Hernandez on ‘Euphoria’, which brought her to an international audience and positioned her in award winning ensembles. She also starred in the film ‘Unpregnant’ and appears in independent features distributed on streaming.

Ferreira began as a model and has worked in fashion campaigns that expanded into brand collaborations. She continues to book roles in genre and coming of age projects and has moved into voice acting and short form content.

Danielle Macdonald

Danielle Macdonald headlined ‘Patti Cake$’ and followed with ‘Dumplin’, both of which premiered at major festivals and built strong word of mouth. She also appeared in ‘Bird Box’ and ‘Skin’, demonstrating range across independent and studio backed releases.

Macdonald works internationally with credits in Australian and American productions. She records limited series and television movies while developing new features with recurring collaborators from her breakout projects.

Leslie Jones

Leslie Jones became a household name on ‘Saturday Night Live’, where she performed, wrote sketches, and appeared in live segments. Her film roles include ‘Ghostbusters’ and ‘Coming 2 America’, and she has hosted award shows and live events.

Jones tours nationally with stand up and has recorded specials that stream on major platforms. She has also served as a guest host on late night and topical shows, bringing her comedy background into hosting formats that reach broad audiences.

Mo’Nique

Mo’Nique won the Academy Award for ‘Precious’ and first gained television fame with ‘The Parkers’. She has appeared in dramatic and comedic features and returned to screen work with streaming films and specials.

She tours as a stand up and records specials that reach global viewers on streaming platforms. Her credits include hosting talk shows and producing projects that reflect her background in comedy and dramatic performance.

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