Most Famous Henrys in the World

The name Henry runs through entertainment history—from classic Hollywood and television to modern blockbusters, chart-shaping music, and animation. Across decades and genres, these Henrys have anchored long careers, built global followings, and left work that is still watched, streamed, and performed worldwide.

This list brings together actors, musicians, and filmmakers whose contributions are widely recognized across borders. You’ll find leads of major franchises, composers behind instantly recognizable themes, directors who shaped widely used techniques, and performers who moved fluidly between screens, stages, and studios.

Henry Cavill

A British actor from the Channel Island of Jersey, Henry Cavill established his profile on television with the historical drama ‘The Tudors’, then moved into large-scale franchises. He portrayed Superman across ‘Man of Steel’, ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’, and ‘Justice League’, and starred as Geralt of Rivia in the Netflix fantasy series ‘The Witcher’. His film work also includes ‘Mission: Impossible – Fallout’, ‘The Man from U.N.C.L.E.’, ‘Argylle’, and ‘Enola Holmes’.

Cavill has collaborated with directors such as Zack Snyder, Christopher McQuarrie, and Guy Ritchie, and he has worked across action, thriller, and period drama. His projects connect him to recurring intellectual properties at major studios and streaming platforms, spanning theatrical releases and global streaming distribution.

Henry Fonda

Henry Fonda was a leading figure of classic American cinema with starring roles in ‘The Grapes of Wrath’, ’12 Angry Men’, and ‘Once Upon a Time in the West’. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for ‘On Golden Pond’, adding to a screen career that included adaptations of major novels and stage works.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and returned to both Broadway and Hollywood afterward. His family relationships link multiple generations of performers—he was the father of Jane Fonda and Peter Fonda—forming one of the industry’s most recognized acting lineages.

Henry Winkler

Henry Winkler achieved television fame playing Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli on ‘Happy Days’, a role that earned awards and widespread syndication. Decades later, he received a Primetime Emmy Award for his performance as acting teacher Gene Cousineau in ‘Barry’, reflecting steady screen work across comedy and drama.

Off-camera, Winkler’s credits include producing television series such as ‘MacGyver’ and co-authoring best-selling children’s books inspired by the character Hank Zipzer. He is an advocate for literacy and dyslexia awareness, frequently speaking in schools and media about learning differences.

Henry Mancini

Composer and conductor Henry Mancini wrote themes and scores for film and television including ‘The Pink Panther’ and the series ‘Peter Gunn’. His collaboration with lyricist Johnny Mercer produced ‘Moon River’ for ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’, a song that achieved global recognition through recordings and performances.

Mancini received multiple Academy Awards and numerous Grammy Awards for film and television music, albums, and arrangements. His concert tours, studio recordings, and work with major orchestras extended the reach of screen music to audiences beyond cinemas and broadcast television.

Henry Rollins

Henry Rollins first came to prominence as the frontman of Black Flag, later forming Rollins Band and releasing a series of rock albums with international tours. He built a parallel career in spoken-word performance and publishing, issuing live recordings and books through his imprint 2.13.61.

Rollins has worked in film and television with roles in titles such as ‘Heat’ and ‘Sons of Anarchy’, and he has hosted radio and travel programs. He has toured with shows for service members overseas and collaborated across media as a narrator and documentarian.

Henry Selick

Animation filmmaker Henry Selick directed the stop-motion features ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’, ‘James and the Giant Peach’, and ‘Coraline’. He also combined live action and animation in ‘Monkeybone’, expanding his use of practical miniature sets, replacement animation, and motion-control cinematography.

‘Coraline’ launched Laika as a feature-animation studio, and Selick’s later film ‘Wendell & Wild’ continued collaborations with noted writers and performers. His productions are taught in film-school curricula to illustrate stop-motion pipelines, including armature design, sets, lighting, compositing, and post-production.

Henry Jackman

British composer Henry Jackman scores action, animation, and adventure projects across major studios. His filmography includes ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’, ‘X-Men: First Class’, ‘Kingsman: The Secret Service’, ‘Wreck-It Ralph’, ‘Ralph Breaks the Internet’, ‘Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle’, and ‘Big Hero 6’.

Jackman draws on classical training and electronic production, having worked within Hans Zimmer’s Remote Control Productions before leading his own projects. He has also composed for games and streaming series, with concert performances and soundtrack releases extending his music beyond premieres.

Henry Golding

Henry Golding, a Malaysian-British performer, moved from television presenting into leading film roles. He hosted the BBC’s travel program ‘The Travel Show’ before his breakout in the romantic-comedy ‘Crazy Rich Asians’, followed by the thriller ‘A Simple Favor’, the holiday romance ‘Last Christmas’, and the action title ‘Snake Eyes’.

Golding’s background spans Sarawak, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom, and he has collaborated with directors including Jon M. Chu and Paul Feig. His roles cover genres from comedy to action, and he has worked with international casts across studio productions and independent features.

Henry Thomas

Henry Thomas earned early recognition as Elliott in ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’, a performance that led to major nominations for young actors. As an adult, he has built an extensive screen career with roles in ‘Legends of the Fall’, ‘Gangs of New York’, and the adaptation ‘Doctor Sleep’.

Thomas is a recurring collaborator with creator-director Mike Flanagan, appearing in the limited series ‘The Haunting of Hill House’, ‘The Haunting of Bly Manor’, and ‘Midnight Mass’. His work spans film, television, and voice acting, reflecting a transition from child star to long-term character actor.

Henry King

American filmmaker Henry King directed studio features across drama, westerns, and literary adaptations. His work with 20th Century Fox included titles such as ‘Twelve O’Clock High’, ‘The Gunfighter’, ‘Jesse James’, and ‘The Sun Also Rises’, with frequent collaborations with actors like Gregory Peck and Tyrone Power.

King received Academy Award recognition for directing and contributed to the development of large-scale studio production methods. His films are referenced in studies of leadership portrayals, aerial combat staging, and classical narrative structure, and they appear regularly in retrospectives on mid-century American cinema.

Share your favorite Henry—and the roles, songs, or films you associate with him—in the comments!