Sharon Stone’s Best Roles

Sharon Stone exploded into global consciousness in the 1990s, becoming one of the most iconic and recognizable stars in Hollywood. With a combination of fierce intelligence and undeniable screen presence, she crafted a career out of bold, challenging roles that often pushed boundaries and subverted expectations. She became a symbol of a new kind of powerful female character, one who was unapologetically smart, sensual, and in control.

Beyond her star-making turns, Stone has built an impressive and varied filmography, earning an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe Award for her work. She has consistently proven her versatility in genres ranging from epic crime dramas and stylish Westerns to quirky comedies and gripping television series. Her enduring career is a testament to her talent, resilience, and lasting impact on the film industry.

‘Lovelace’ (2013)

In this biographical film about the life of adult film star Linda Lovelace, Sharon Stone plays Dorothy Boreman, Linda’s stern and deeply religious mother. Her character is a harsh and unsympathetic woman whose cold demeanor and judgmental attitude have a profound and damaging effect on her daughter’s life. Stone’s performance is a chilling portrayal of rigid piety.

The movie chronicles Linda Lovelace’s difficult life, from her oppressive upbringing to her coerced entry into the adult film industry and her eventual escape and transformation into an anti-pornography activist. The role of her mother is crucial to understanding the complex personal history that shaped the controversial public figure.

‘The Laundromat’ (2019)

Sharon Stone appears in this satirical comedy-drama as Hannah, a real estate agent whose life takes an unexpected turn after a personal tragedy. While trying to navigate a complicated insurance claim, she begins to uncover a vast and bewildering system of shell companies and financial loopholes designed to benefit the ultra-wealthy.

The film is based on the real-life Panama Papers scandal and attempts to explain the complex world of offshore financing and tax evasion in an entertaining and accessible way. It breaks down intricate financial concepts through a series of interconnected stories, with Stone’s character representing an ordinary person caught in the web of global corruption.

‘The Quick and the Dead’ (1995)

In this stylish Western, Stone stars as a mysterious stranger known only as “The Lady.” She rides into the desolate town of Redemption, which is ruled by a ruthless outlaw named Herod. Her character is a skilled gunslinger with a stoic demeanor and a hidden agenda, determined to enter a deadly quick-draw competition organized by the town’s cruel leader.

The plot revolves around the single-elimination tournament, where the fastest gunfighter stands to win a huge cash prize. As the competition progresses, The Lady’s true motives for coming to Redemption are revealed, linking her past directly to the man who controls the town. Stone also served as a co-producer on the film, helping to get it made.

‘Antz’ (1998)

Stone provides the voice for Princess Bala in this computer-animated adventure film. Princess Bala is the heir to the ant colony’s throne and feels constrained by the rigid expectations of her royal life. She is initially unimpressed by the neurotic and individualistic worker ant Z, who has fallen in love with her from afar.

The story follows Z as he tries to break free from his conformist society and win the affection of Princess Bala. His actions inadvertently spark a revolution that challenges the colony’s strict class system. The film is a clever and funny satire that features a star-studded voice cast and explores themes of individuality versus collectivism.

‘Bobby’ (2006)

In this ensemble drama, Stone plays Miriam Ebbers, a beautician who works in the salon of the Ambassador Hotel. Her character is married to the hotel manager and is having a secret affair with his subordinate. She is one of the many individuals whose lives intersect at the hotel on a fateful day in American history.

The film weaves together the stories of 22 different characters, including hotel staff, guests, and campaigners, in the hours leading up to the assassination of U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy in June 1968. It is a mosaic of personal dramas set against the backdrop of a pivotal and tragic national event.

‘Alpha Dog’ (2006)

Sharon Stone gives a powerful performance as Olivia Mazursky, the distraught mother of a 15-year-old boy who is kidnapped by a group of young drug dealers. Her character is a loving but overwhelmed mother who struggles to get the police to take her son’s disappearance seriously. The role earned her significant critical praise.

The film is based on the true story of the kidnapping and murder of Nicholas Markowitz in 2000. It follows a group of privileged suburban drug dealers who abduct the younger brother of a man who owes their leader money. The situation quickly spirals out of control, leading to a tragic and senseless conclusion.

‘Basic Instinct’ (1992)

This is the film that catapulted Sharon Stone to superstardom and created one of cinema’s most iconic characters. She plays Catherine Tramell, a brilliant, seductive, and dangerously intelligent crime novelist whose latest book mirrors a real-life murder. She becomes the prime suspect and engages in a torrid affair with the homicide detective investigating the case.

The neo-noir thriller is famous for its provocative themes and for Stone’s mesmerizing performance. Catherine Tramell is a masterful manipulator who toys with the police and the audience, leaving everyone guessing about her guilt or innocence until the very end. The role cemented Stone’s status as a major Hollywood star.

‘Mosaic’ (2018)

In this limited series, Stone stars as Olivia Lake, a celebrated author and illustrator of children’s books living in a picturesque mountain community. Her character’s disappearance and subsequent murder on New Year’s Day is the central mystery that drives the narrative forward. Olivia is portrayed as a complex and powerful woman with many secrets.

The series was released both as a traditional television broadcast and as an innovative interactive mobile app. The app allowed viewers to choose which character’s perspective they wanted to follow, unlocking different pieces of the story and clues to the murder mystery. It was an experimental form of storytelling that put the audience in control of the narrative.

‘The Mighty’ (1998)

Stone plays Gwen Dillon, the fiercely loving mother of Kevin, a brilliant and witty boy who has a rare genetic disorder that affects his physical growth. Her character is a dedicated single parent who has fought to give her son a normal and fulfilling life despite his significant health challenges.

The film tells the heartwarming story of the unlikely friendship between Kevin and a much larger teenager named Maxwell who has a learning disability. Together, they form a powerful bond, with Kevin providing the brains and Max providing the brawn, embarking on imaginary quests as a knightly duo. Stone’s performance provides the story with its emotional foundation.

‘Broken Flowers’ (2005)

In this understated comedy-drama, Stone has a memorable supporting role as Laura Daniels Miller. She is one of several ex-girlfriends visited by the main character, Don Johnston, a wealthy and detached former tech mogul. Laura is now a widow who works as a closet organizer and lives a quiet suburban life with her bubbly teenage daughter.

The film’s plot is set in motion when Don receives an anonymous letter claiming that he has a 19-year-old son who may be looking for him. This prompts him to embark on a cross-country road trip to visit his old flames and solve the mystery. Each encounter provides a brief and often awkward glimpse into the different paths the women’s lives have taken.

‘Ratched’ (2020)

Sharon Stone appears in this stylish psychological thriller series as Lenore Osgood, a fabulously wealthy and eccentric heiress. Her character is driven by a singular, all-consuming desire for revenge against a doctor who she blames for disfiguring her son. She is a glamorous and theatrical woman with a pet monkey and a dark, vengeful plan.

The series serves as a prequel to the classic novel and film ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’. It tells the origin story of Mildred Ratched, tracing her evolution from an ordinary nurse into the monstrous asylum administrator of literary fame. Stone’s character becomes a key player in the dark and twisted events of the first season.

‘The Disaster Artist’ (2017)

In a brief but memorable role, Stone portrays Iris Burton, a real-life Hollywood talent agent. Her character agrees to represent the aspiring actor Greg Sestero but is utterly bewildered by his strange and untalented friend, Tommy Wiseau. Her scene provides a dose of industry realism in a story about two clueless dreamers.

The film is a biographical comedy that tells the true story of the making of the 2003 movie ‘The Room’, a film widely considered to be one of the worst ever made. It’s a funny and surprisingly heartfelt look at the bizarre friendship between Wiseau and Sestero and their misguided passion project that became a celebrated cult classic.

‘Total Recall’ (1990)

In this classic sci-fi action film, Stone plays Lori, the beautiful and seemingly loving wife of a 21st-century construction worker named Douglas Quaid. At the beginning of the film, she appears to be a typical suburban spouse, concerned about her husband’s strange obsession with the planet Mars.

However, after Quaid undergoes a procedure to have a memory of a Martian vacation implanted in his brain, his world is turned upside down. It is revealed that his entire life, including his marriage to Lori, is a fabrication. Lori is actually a highly trained secret agent assigned to monitor him, leading to one of the most famous and brutal fight scenes in the movie.

‘The Practice’ (2004)

For her guest-starring arc on this popular legal drama, Sharon Stone won an Emmy Award. She played Sheila Carlisle, a brilliant but deeply eccentric attorney who joins the main law firm. Her character claims that God speaks to her directly and provides her with legal strategies, making her both a formidable opponent in court and a highly unpredictable colleague.

Her multi-episode storyline saw her tackle several challenging cases, often using bizarre but effective methods to win. The role allowed Stone to showcase her comedic timing and her dramatic skills, creating a quirky and memorable character that left a lasting impression on the acclaimed series.

‘Casino’ (1995)

Sharon Stone delivered what many consider to be the performance of her career as Ginger McKenna in this epic crime drama. For this role, she earned an Academy Award nomination and won a Golden Globe. Ginger is a beautiful, ambitious, and cunning hustler in Las Vegas who marries a top casino executive, seeing him as a path to wealth and security.

The film chronicles the rise and fall of the mob’s gambling empire in Vegas. Ginger’s story is the tragic heart of the movie, as her deeply dysfunctional marriage, her ongoing attachment to a dangerous ex-boyfriend, and her descent into substance abuse ultimately lead to her ruin. It is a powerful and devastating portrayal of a complex woman.

Let us know which Sharon Stone role you think is her best in the comments below.