TV and Movie Stars from Recent Hit Projects Dominate This Week’s List of Most Popular Celebs
Curious who everyone’s searching for right now? This week’s buzz features a mix of new faces breaking through, veterans returning to the spotlight, and fan-favorites tied to headline projects. From prestige drama leads to blockbuster mainstays, these are the people audiences are looking up and talking about across film and television.
Below, you’ll find a simple countdown of the week’s most-searched names. Each entry includes a quick recap of what they’re best known for and where you may have seen them lately, so you can connect the dots and update your watchlist with confidence.
15. Chelsea Frei
Chelsea Frei is an actress, writer, and producer known for sharp comedic turns, including a lead role in the ensemble holiday comedy series ‘The Moodys’. She has built a steady résumé across television with appearances in multi-camera and single-camera comedies, sketch-driven projects, and character-centric digital series.
Beyond on-camera work, Frei has writing and producing credits that highlight her range behind the scenes. She continues to develop projects while booking recurring and guest roles, demonstrating versatility across comedy and dramedy formats.
14. Julia Garner
Julia Garner is widely recognized for breakout work in the crime drama ‘Ozark’, which earned major awards recognition and established her as a leading performer in prestige television. On the film side, she drew critical attention with the workplace drama ‘The Assistant’, a character study centered on power dynamics in the entertainment industry.
Garner expanded her range with the limited series ‘Inventing Anna’, portraying the headline-making figure at the center of a New York high-society scandal. She continues to balance independent films with high-profile series, often gravitating toward complex, morally grey characters.
13. Joanna Lumley
Joanna Lumley is a British actress and presenter best known for the cult favorite ‘Absolutely Fabulous’, where her larger-than-life character became a comedy touchstone. Earlier in her career, she starred in the action series ‘The New Avengers’, adding genre range to her screen presence.
Lumley has fronted numerous travel and documentary series, bringing a distinctive voice to cultural and historical subjects. She’s also active in theatre and charitable work, and remains a familiar presence on British television as a host and guest.
12. Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio has headlined major collaborations with directors like Martin Scorsese and Christopher Nolan, with standout performances in films such as ‘Inception’, ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’, and ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for ‘The Revenant’, cementing a decades-long run of critically acclaimed roles.
DiCaprio balances prestige dramas with large-scale thrillers, often choosing parts that challenge physical and emotional limits. Off-screen, he produces through his banner and supports environmental initiatives, while continuing to anchor event-level releases.
11. Domhnall Gleeson
Domhnall Gleeson’s filmography spans indie darlings and tentpole franchises, including memorable turns in ‘Ex Machina’, ‘About Time’, and the sequel trilogy of ‘Star Wars’. He’s equally comfortable in character-driven dramas like ‘The Revenant’ and off-kilter comedies.
On television, Gleeson drew notice with the psychological series ‘The Patient’, showcasing intimate, dialogue-heavy storytelling. He frequently collaborates with distinctive filmmakers and alternates between leading and scene-stealing supporting roles.
10. Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington is an actor, producer, and director whose career includes award-winning performances in ‘Training Day’ and ‘Glory’. He has led action franchises like ‘The Equalizer’ while maintaining a strong presence in stage-to-screen adaptations such as ‘Fences’.
As a director and producer, Washington has shepherded stories rooted in family, faith, and community, including ‘A Journal for Jordan’ and theatrical productions adapted for film. His body of work bridges commercial appeal and dramatic prestige.
9. Amy Madigan
Amy Madigan earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘Twice in a Lifetime’ and became a familiar face in beloved films like ‘Field of Dreams’. She’s worked consistently across genres, from character-driven dramas to neo-noirs such as ‘Gone Baby Gone’.
Madigan’s television credits span limited series, prestige dramas, and guest arcs that make the most of her grounded intensity. She continues to appear on stage and screen, often portraying resilient, clear-eyed characters.
8. Sydney Sweeney
Sydney Sweeney broke out with the ensemble of ‘Euphoria’, becoming a central figure in conversation around contemporary teen dramas. She also stood out in the anthology series ‘The White Lotus’, expanding her range with satirical material.
In film, Sweeney has toggled between romantic comedy hits like ‘Anyone But You’ and thriller-horror entries such as ‘Immaculate’. As a producer, she develops projects through her company, aligning material with strong, character-forward roles.
7. Olivia Cooke
Olivia Cooke is known for roles across indie and studio projects, including ‘Ready Player One’ and the black comedy ‘Thoroughbreds’. She currently stars in the fantasy-epic series ‘House of the Dragon’, anchoring a key royal figure in the unfolding succession saga.
Cooke’s earlier work includes acclaimed performances in ‘Me and Earl and the Dying Girl’ and the music-drama ‘Sound of Metal’. She continues to pair television leads with films that highlight understated, emotionally precise performances.
6. Charlie Sheen
Charlie Sheen became one of television’s most prominent sitcom leads with ‘Two and a Half Men’, following a successful film run that included ‘Platoon’ and ‘Wall Street’. He later headlined the comedy series ‘Anger Management’, extending his small-screen footprint.
Sheen’s career encompasses action, satire, and comedy, with cameo appearances and voice roles scattered throughout. He remains closely associated with the shift of major film stars into long-running network comedies.
5. Evie Templeton
Evie Templeton is an emerging actor associated with ‘Pinocchio’, reflecting early work tied to a globally recognized story. As a young performer, she has begun to build screen credits while developing experience across film sets and voice-oriented projects.
With a growing profile, Templeton represents the newest wave of talent moving from initial supporting parts toward larger opportunities. She continues to add roles that expand her range and visibility.
4. Jenna Ortega
Jenna Ortega leads the hit series ‘Wednesday’ and has become a mainstay of contemporary genre films, including entries in the ‘Scream’ franchise and the horror feature ‘X’. Her child-actor beginnings evolved into headline roles that anchor streaming and theatrical releases.
Ortega’s recent slate includes the fantasy-comedy ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’, adding a legacy property to her résumé. She also lends her voice to animation and participates in projects that center strong, idiosyncratic protagonists.
3. Emma Myers
Emma Myers broke through as Enid in ‘Wednesday’, bringing scene-stealing energy to the academy-set mystery. She has continued that momentum with leading-lady turns, including a headline role in the series adaptation of ‘A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder’.
Myers is also connected to the upcoming ‘A Minecraft Movie’, signaling a jump into major studio features. Her filmography blends teen-centric storytelling with YA thrillers, positioning her as a rising star across streaming and theatrical projects.
2. Owen Painter
Owen Painter is an actor recognized for work in ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’, joining a cast known for intense, dystopian storytelling. His credits include appearances in grounded television dramas that prioritize character psychology.
Painter’s trajectory reflects a focus on nuanced, supporting roles that contribute to ensemble world-building. He continues to add screen time across series and limited-run projects, broadening his presence with each new credit.
1. Tom Pelphrey
Tom Pelphrey is an actor whose profile surged with acclaimed turns in ‘Ozark’ and the Hollywood period drama ‘Mank’. Earlier work includes ‘Banshee’ and long-running daytime drama ‘Guiding Light’, with the latter earning him multiple Daytime Emmy Awards.
Pelphrey has since balanced prestige television with film roles, including the neo-western series ‘Outer Range’. His projects often feature morally complicated characters and slow-burn narratives that showcase range across crime, drama, and thriller storytelling.
Share your thoughts on this week’s lineup—and who you think will surge next—in the comments!