The Best Lesbian Actresses in Cinema History

The big screen has always been shaped by performers who bring complex characters to life, and many of those storytellers are openly lesbian women whose work spans genres and decades. Their film roles range from intimate indie dramas to global blockbusters, and their careers often include writing, directing, producing, and advocacy that helped expand representation on and off camera.

This list highlights actresses who are publicly out and whose film work has left a mark. You will find awards, breakthrough credits, and notable milestones that chart how each performer contributed to cinema while living authentically. The focus is on concrete achievements and roles so you can easily explore their filmographies.

Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster earned two Academy Awards for Best Actress for ‘The Accused’ and ‘The Silence of the Lambs’. Her film career began as a child in ‘Taxi Driver’, and later credits include ‘Contact’, ‘Inside Man’, and ‘Nyad’. She also directs features such as ‘Little Man Tate’ and ‘Money Monster’, adding a sustained body of work behind the camera.

She publicly acknowledged her orientation during a Golden Globes speech and later married photographer Alexandra Hedison. Foster continues to alternate between acting and directing, often choosing projects that balance studio scale with character-driven storytelling.

Lily Tomlin

Lily Tomlin moved from groundbreaking comedy to major film roles with turns in ‘Nashville’, ‘9 to 5’, ‘All of Me’, and ‘Grandma’. Her performance in ‘Grandma’ drew multiple award nominations and reinforced her long record of delivering nuanced leads in independent cinema.

Tomlin has collaborated for decades with writer and director Jane Wagner, whom she married after many years together. Beyond acting, she produces and lends her voice to documentaries and animated features, maintaining a steady presence in film while also working in theater and television.

Kristen Stewart

Kristen Stewart’s filmography spans franchises and auteur cinema, from the ‘Twilight’ series to ‘Clouds of Sils Maria’, ‘Personal Shopper’, and ‘Spencer’. She became the first American actress to win a César Award for her supporting role in ‘Clouds of Sils Maria’.

Stewart has publicly used the words gay and queer to describe herself and often works with independent filmmakers. She continues to develop projects as an actor and director, including shorts and features that explore character studies beyond traditional studio fare.

Jane Lynch

Jane Lynch is widely recognized for her ensemble work with director Christopher Guest in ‘Best in Show’ and ‘A Mighty Wind’. Her film roles also include ‘The 40-Year-Old Virgin’, ‘Role Models’, and voice work in animated projects that have reached global audiences.

Lynch is openly lesbian and has been a visible figure in entertainment for years. Alongside film, she records audiobooks, performs on stage, and frequently appears in documentary features, bringing a consistent presence across media.

Holland Taylor

Holland Taylor’s film credits include ‘The Truman Show’, ‘Legally Blonde’, and ‘Gloria Bell’. She is known for scene-stealing supporting turns that anchor larger ensembles and help shape memorable characters across comedy and drama.

Taylor is openly gay and has discussed her life and work in numerous public forums. She writes for the stage and continues to appear in features and limited series while maintaining a long record of character work in cinema.

Portia de Rossi

Portia de Rossi has appeared in features such as ‘Scream 2’, ‘Stigmata’, ‘I Witness’, and ‘Cursed’. In addition to film roles, she has maintained a parallel career in television that has kept her in the public eye between movie projects.

De Rossi is openly lesbian and married Ellen DeGeneres after publicly confirming their relationship. She balances acting with business pursuits and philanthropy, returning to screens for select roles that fit her schedule.

Kelly McGillis

Kelly McGillis starred in ‘Witness’, ‘Top Gun’, and ‘The Accused’, a trio of films that placed her at the center of mainstream cinema. She later worked in independent film and regional projects that kept her connected to character-driven stories.

McGillis came out publicly and has spoken about her life outside Hollywood, including teaching acting. She continues to make select appearances in features and festivals, with a filmography that spans major studio hits and smaller productions.

Linda Hunt

Linda Hunt won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for ‘The Year of Living Dangerously’. Her screen work also includes ‘Dune’, ‘Kindergarten Cop’, and voice roles in animation such as ‘Pocahontas’.

Hunt has been open about her marriage to psychotherapist Karen Kline. Along with film roles, she narrates documentaries and lends her voice to features, emphasizing a distinctive presence that crosses live action and animation.

Cherry Jones

Cherry Jones appears in ‘Erin Brockovich’, ‘Signs’, ‘The Village’, and ‘The Eyes of Tammy Faye’. Her transition from acclaimed stage work to cinema has produced a series of authoritative supporting roles.

Jones is openly lesbian and married filmmaker Sophie Huber. She continues to alternate between theater, film, and television, with frequent supporting turns that contribute depth to ensemble casts.

Adèle Haenel

Adèle Haenel is a key figure in contemporary French cinema with performances in ‘Portrait of a Lady on Fire’ and ‘BPM’. She has won multiple César Awards and often collaborates with directors who center intimate, socially engaged narratives.

Haenel is openly lesbian and has been outspoken about industry conditions and accountability. She stepped back from mainstream film work while continuing to influence discussions about labor, ethics, and representation in European cinema.

Samira Wiley

Samira Wiley’s film credits include ‘Nerve’, ‘Detroit’, and ‘Breaking News in Yuba County’. Her performances move between thriller, historical drama, and dark comedy, complementing an award-winning television career.

Wiley is openly gay and married writer Lauren Morelli. Alongside acting, she participates in panels and educational initiatives, bringing attention to inclusive casting and storytelling in film.

Rosie O’Donnell

Rosie O’Donnell appeared in ‘A League of Their Own’, ‘Sleepless in Seattle’, and ‘Harriet the Spy’. She has balanced acting with producing and philanthropic work that includes support for adoption and youth programs.

O’Donnell came out publicly and has used her platform to advocate for LGBTQ families. She continues to take on roles in independent features and documentaries while appearing at festivals and benefits connected to her causes.

Heather Matarazzo

Heather Matarazzo broke out with ‘Welcome to the Dollhouse’ and later appeared in ‘The Princess Diaries’, ‘Saved’, and ‘Hostel Part II’. Her filmography includes independent features that became cult favorites as well as mainstream releases.

Matarazzo is openly lesbian and has discussed industry experiences as a young actor and adult performer. She works across film and podcasting and takes part in genre festivals that highlight her titles for new audiences.

Fiona Shaw

Fiona Shaw’s work in cinema includes ‘My Left Foot’, ‘The Butcher Boy’, ‘Colette’, and the ‘Harry Potter’ series. She combines roles in literary adaptations with contemporary dramas that benefit from her classical training.

Shaw is openly lesbian and married economist and author Sonali Deraniyagala. She continues to balance stage, television, and film, appearing in international co-productions that premiere at major festivals.

Sophie Ward

Sophie Ward appeared in ‘Young Sherlock Holmes’, ‘Out of Bounds’, and ‘Book of Blood’. Her film work spans period adventure, thrillers, and literary horror.

Ward came out publicly and later entered a civil partnership that became a marriage after the law changed. Along with acting, she writes fiction and contributes to cultural events that intersect with film and literature.

Patricia Velásquez

Patricia Velásquez is widely known for ‘The Mummy’ and ‘The Mummy Returns’, and she has starred in Latin American and independent features including ‘Liz in September’. Her career bridges modeling, acting, and production work across markets.

Velásquez came out in her memoir and has supported education and Indigenous rights through her foundation. She continues to act in Spanish and English language projects, bringing cross-cultural visibility to her film roles.

Lea DeLaria

Lea DeLaria’s film credits include ‘The First Wives Club’ and voice work in ‘Cars 3’. She began as a trailblazing stand-up comic before moving into acting across film and television.

DeLaria is openly lesbian and has performed in concerts, Broadway productions, and festivals. She records jazz albums and appears in independent features, maintaining a multidisciplinary career that keeps her active in cinema.

Wanda Sykes

Wanda Sykes appears in features such as ‘Monster-in-Law’, ‘Evan Almighty’, and ‘Bad Moms’, along with voice roles in animated films that reach family audiences. She also writes and produces, which has brought her into positions that shape projects from development to release.

Sykes came out publicly and later married Alex Niedbalski. She continues to tour, produce specials, and contribute to films, using her platform to support LGBTQ visibility in mainstream entertainment.

Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen DeGeneres brought her voice to two global hits as Dory in ‘Finding Nemo’ and ‘Finding Dory’. Earlier film appearances include ‘Mr. Wrong’ and ‘Edtv’, along with cameos that followed her success as a stand-up and television star.

DeGeneres came out on ‘The Puppy Episode’ and has since supported LGBTQ organizations and campaigns. She remains attached to film as a voice performer and producer while also focusing on philanthropic ventures.

Kate McKinnon

Kate McKinnon has appeared in ‘Ghostbusters’, ‘Bombshell’, ‘Yesterday’, and ‘Barbie’. Her roles often mix comedy with character work that translates from sketch to feature films.

McKinnon is the first openly lesbian cast member of ‘Saturday Night Live’. She writes and develops projects in addition to acting, and she continues to take on studio and indie films that expand her screen portfolio.

Sarah Paulson

Sarah Paulson’s film work includes ‘Carol’, ’12 Years a Slave’, ‘The Post’, ‘Glass’, and ‘Ocean’s 8’. She moves between period dramas and contemporary thrillers and often works with directors who favor character studies and ensemble casts. Her range stretches from intimate indie projects to studio releases that reach global audiences.

Paulson is openly gay and has spoken about visibility in the industry. She supports projects that bring LGBTQ stories into mainstream conversation and collaborates with filmmakers across genres while maintaining steady momentum in cinema.

Cynthia Nixon

Cynthia Nixon’s film credits include ‘Amadeus’, ‘Little Manhattan’, ‘An Englishman in New York’, and ‘A Quiet Passion’. Her roles often center on writers, historical figures, and New York stories, and she balances film with an extensive stage career that informs her screen work.

Nixon is openly queer and married education activist Christine Marinoni. She engages in advocacy centered on education and equality and selects film roles that fit around her public work and ongoing commitments to theater.

Clea DuVall

Clea DuVall appeared in ‘But I’m a Cheerleader’, ‘Argo’, ‘Girl, Interrupted’, and ‘Zodiac’. She built a profile in independent cinema and later expanded into studio ensembles, often portraying grounded characters who anchor tense or comedic situations.

DuVall is openly gay and has moved behind the camera as a writer and director with features such as ‘The Intervention’ and ‘Happiest Season’. She continues to act while building a directing portfolio that focuses on character-driven stories.

Ruby Rose

Ruby Rose’s films include ‘John Wick: Chapter 2’, ‘xXx: Return of Xander Cage’, ‘The Meg’, and ‘SAS: Red Notice’. She is known for action roles that involve stunt work and international locations and she frequently appears in films that travel well across markets.

Rose is openly gay and has spoken publicly about gender fluidity and LGBTQ representation in action cinema. She also models and produces, combining on-screen roles with work that develops genre projects for a wide audience.

Saffron Burrows

Saffron Burrows has appeared in ‘Deep Blue Sea’, ‘Enigma’, ‘Timecode’, and ‘Troy’. Her filmography moves from experimental formats to large-scale historical epics, and she often works in international co-productions that premiere at major festivals.

Burrows is openly bisexual and married writer and filmmaker Alison Balian. She continues to act in films and narrate documentaries while supporting projects that highlight the work of women and LGBTQ artists.

Raven-Symoné

Raven-Symoné’s film work includes ‘The Princess Diaries 2’, ‘College Road Trip’, and voice roles in animated features. She began as a child performer and returned to film projects that leverage her musical and comedic background.

Raven-Symoné is openly gay and married Miranda Maday. She balances producing and acting across film and television and participates in programs that support young performers entering the industry.

Lena Waithe

Lena Waithe appears in ‘Ready Player One’, ‘On the Count of Three’, and ‘Beauty’. She also writes and produces films, which gives her influence over casting, development, and release strategies for stories centered on underrepresented communities.

Waithe is openly gay and founded a company that incubates new talent. She mentors emerging filmmakers and uses festival platforms to introduce features that expand LGBTQ visibility in mainstream cinema.

Hayley Kiyoko

Hayley Kiyoko’s films include ‘Jem and the Holograms’, ‘Insidious: Chapter 3’, and ‘XOXO’. She combines acting with a music career that strengthens her reach with younger audiences who discover her film work through her videos and tours.

Kiyoko is openly lesbian and often highlights LGBTQ themes in her creative projects. She collaborates with directors and choreographers who integrate music and narrative and continues to pick film roles that connect with her fan base.

Kate Moennig

Kate Moennig appears in ‘The Lincoln Lawyer’, ‘Art School Confidential’, and ‘Lane 1974’. Her roles often explore counterculture and independent scenes and she moves between supporting and lead parts in character-focused features.

Moennig is openly gay and participates in festivals and panels about representation. She supports emerging filmmakers through appearances in low budget projects that benefit from her experience and audience recognition.

Amanda Bearse

Amanda Bearse acted in ‘Fright Night’ and later directed numerous projects that connected her to studio and indie films through behind the camera work. Her early horror credits introduced her to genre audiences that have remained loyal for decades.

Bearse is openly lesbian and has directed features and television with an emphasis on comedy and character pieces. She teaches and mentors while continuing to appear in projects that benefit from her dual experience as actor and director.

Beth Ditto

Beth Ditto appears in ‘Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot’ and ‘On Becoming a God in Central Florida’ as part of a move from music into screen acting that includes film roles shaped around her voice and presence. She often collaborates with filmmakers who value nontraditional casting.

Ditto is openly lesbian and uses her platform to advocate for body positivity and LGBTQ rights. She works on independent features and brings a musician’s perspective to film sets, which helps guide how her roles are framed and promoted.

Nikki Blonsky

Nikki Blonsky is best known in film for ‘Hairspray’ and later roles in independent features. Her breakout performance led to additional work that spans comedy and drama and she remains active at festivals and special screenings tied to her early success.

Blonsky is openly gay and engages with fans through events and workshops that encourage young performers. She supports projects that prioritize inclusive casting and continues to pursue roles that fit her vocal and comedic skills.

Sara Gilbert

Sara Gilbert’s films include ‘Poison Ivy’, ‘The Big Tease’, and ‘Riding in Cars with Boys’. She has maintained a steady presence on screen while alternating between independent productions and studio-backed features.

Gilbert is openly lesbian and has produced and written in addition to acting. She supports LGBTQ organizations and appears in projects that align with her interest in character-centered storytelling.

Ingrid Jungermann

Ingrid Jungermann wrote, directed, and starred in ‘Women Who Kill’, a dark comedy that premiered at major festivals and won awards on the indie circuit. She often plays leads in her own features, combining performance with precise comedic writing.

Jungermann is openly lesbian and develops films that center queer perspectives without relying on stereotypes. She mentors emerging creators through labs and workshops and continues to grow a body of work that travels through festivals and limited theatrical runs.

Guinevere Turner

Guinevere Turner co-wrote ‘American Psycho’ and starred in ‘Go Fish’, while also appearing in independent features that examine queer relationships and subcultures. Her collaborations with directors on the festival circuit have created a lasting footprint in LGBTQ cinema.

Turner is openly lesbian and teaches screenwriting alongside her acting and writing. She develops projects that give queer characters narrative agency and contributes to anthologies and features that document community history.

Hannah Gadsby

Hannah Gadsby appears in documentaries and narrative features connected to their stand-up career and art history interests, including on-camera roles that bridge comedy and essay film. Their move into cinema adds a distinctive voice to projects that combine humor and critique.

Gadsby is openly lesbian and curates exhibitions and programs that link art and storytelling. They participate in film festivals and panels that discuss creativity and identity and continue to explore screen roles that suit their approach.

Tig Notaro

Tig Notaro has appeared in ‘Army of the Dead’, ‘Instant Family’, and ‘In a World’. She often plays dry, understated characters and has built a reliable presence in supporting film roles that benefit from her comedic timing.

Notaro is openly lesbian and works as a writer, director, and producer. She records specials, tours internationally, and brings that audience to her film projects, which helps smaller releases find viewers beyond opening weekend.

Amandla Stenberg

Amandla Stenberg’s films include ‘The Hate U Give’, ‘Everything, Everything’, ‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’, and ‘The Darkest Minds’. They take on leads that speak to social issues and genre experiments, which keeps their filmography varied.

Stenberg is openly gay and nonbinary and discusses representation and consent in media. They develop projects as a musician and writer and collaborate with filmmakers who center young voices in contemporary cinema.

Zoie Palmer

Zoie Palmer’s film work features titles such as ‘Cold Blooded’, ‘Patch Town’, and ‘Sex After Kids’. She moves between genre films and character comedies and has a loyal audience from her screen roles that carry over into indie releases.

Palmer is openly lesbian and participates in fan conventions and festival Q and A sessions that highlight her projects. She supports Canadian and international productions and continues to add independent features to her resume.

Michelle Krusiec

Michelle Krusiec starred in ‘Saving Face’ and has appeared in ‘What Happens in Vegas’ and ‘Knife Fight’. She works across English and Mandarin language productions and often collaborates with directors focused on diaspora stories.

Krusiec is openly queer and speaks about Asian American representation in film. She writes and directs alongside acting and develops projects that build on the legacy of ‘Saving Face’ by expanding roles for queer women of color.

Share the actresses you would add to this list in the comments.