Most Famous Janets in the World

The name Janet has traveled through decades of popular culture, attached to household names in music, film, television, theatre, and publishing. From era-defining pop stars to Oscar-recognized performers and trailblazing creators behind the camera, these Janets have left clear, measurable marks on their fields through awards, chart success, beloved roles, and long-running careers.

Below is a friendly, fact-packed tour of notable celebrities named Janet. You’ll find key career milestones, signature works, and the kinds of accomplishments—hit records, major prizes, acclaimed performances, and influential leadership roles—that tell the story of why each person belongs on a list of the most famous Janets.

Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and actress whose albums—most famously “Control,” “Rhythm Nation 1814,” and “janet.”—reshaped mainstream pop and R&B. She has multiple Grammy Awards, a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, and a long run of chart-topping singles, along with high-concept tours and videos that pushed music-video choreography and narrative to new levels.

Before her solo breakthrough, Jackson acted on television in series such as “Good Times” and “Diff’rent Strokes,” later moving into film with roles in “Poetic Justice” and other projects. Her impact also includes high-profile philanthropic work and a consistent presence on lists of top-selling recording artists worldwide.

Janet Leigh

Janet Leigh was an American actress best known for her role in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho,” which earned her a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination. Her filmography also includes “Touch of Evil,” “The Manchurian Candidate,” and a range of studio pictures that showcased her versatility across noir, suspense, and drama.

Beyond acting, Leigh authored books about her life and the making of “Psycho,” offering detailed accounts of classic Hollywood production. She was part of a well-known film family, with marriages and children who also worked in the industry, and maintained an active schedule of public appearances and retrospectives throughout her career.

Janet Gaynor

Janet Gaynor was an American film actress who received the first Academy Award for Best Actress, honored for performances across a trio of silent-to-early-sound films. She later earned another nomination for “A Star Is Born” and transitioned to stage and television work, demonstrating a rare ability to bridge the silent and sound eras.

Gaynor balanced her performing career with significant creative interests, including painting, and collaborated with artists and designers in her personal life. Her legacy is closely tied to the formative years of the Academy Awards and the industry’s move from silent cinema to synchronized sound.

Janet McTeer

Janet McTeer is a British actress celebrated for major stage and screen achievements, including a Tony Award for “A Doll’s House.” On film, she earned Academy Award nominations for “Tumbleweeds” and “Albert Nobbs,” and she has played pivotal roles in television series such as “Damages,” “Jessica Jones,” and “Ozark.”

Trained in classical theatre, McTeer has led productions with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal National Theatre. She is frequently cast in roles that require command of period language, complex psychology, and authority, and she has been recognized by British honors for her contributions to drama.

Janet Suzman

Janet Suzman is a South African-born British actress and director whose screen work includes the title role in “Nicholas and Alexandra,” which brought her an Academy Award nomination. Her theatre career spans acclaimed performances in Shakespeare and modern drama, with a reputation for meticulous textual work and strong stage leadership.

Suzman has directed and taught extensively, bringing classical plays to contemporary audiences in the UK and South Africa. She has been appointed a Dame for services to drama, reflecting decades of sustained contribution to acting, directing, and arts education.

Janet Street-Porter

Janet Street-Porter is a British broadcaster, editor, and television executive who helped shape UK youth and features programming. She led innovative series and strands that modernized production styles and brought new voices to air, later taking senior editorial roles in national newspapers.

As an on-screen personality, Street-Porter has remained a regular presence on talk and panel shows, combining media experience with live debate formats. She has been recognized with honors for services to journalism and broadcasting, reflecting a career that spans commissioning, presenting, and editorial leadership.

Janet Mock

Janet Mock is an American writer, director, and producer who served as a writer-producer on the series “Pose,” later directing episodes and taking on broader creative responsibilities. She is also the author of the memoirs “Redefining Realness” and “Surpassing Certainty,” which detail her upbringing, career path, and advocacy.

Mock has signed a multi-year overall deal with a major streaming platform to develop film and television projects, expanding her work behind the camera. She regularly speaks on representation, newsroom and writers’ room practices, and the importance of inclusive hiring across entertainment.

Janet Varney

Janet Varney is an American actor and comedian best known as the voice of the title character in “The Legend of Korra.” In live-action work, she has starred in the horror-comedy series “Stan Against Evil” and appeared in a range of guest roles across network and streaming television.

Varney co-founded SF Sketchfest, a long-running comedy festival that presents stand-up, improv, panels, and screenings. She also hosts podcasts and live interviews, building a body of work that connects fan communities, performers, and creators.

Janet Waldo

Janet Waldo was an American voice actor whose credits include Judy Jetson in “The Jetsons,” Penelope Pitstop, and roles across Hanna-Barbera productions. She moved from radio and live-action work into animation, becoming one of the most recognizable voices in family television.

Waldo’s career stretched over decades, with returns to classic characters in later reboots and specials. Her contributions helped define the sound of American animation, and her performances remain part of syndicated and streaming libraries worldwide.

Janet Margolin

Janet Margolin was an American actress who earned early acclaim for “David and Lisa,” leading to prominent roles in films such as “Take the Money and Run” and “Annie Hall.” Her screen presence translated to both dramatic and comedic material, and she worked steadily in television throughout her career.

She balanced film and TV work with stage appearances, building a résumé that crossed independent productions and major studio projects. Margolin’s collaborations with noted directors and writers placed her in several enduring titles that continue to attract new audiences.

Share your favorite famous Janets—and any great ones we missed—in the comments!