Most Famous Lilys in the World

The name Lily shows up across film, television, music, fashion, and even classical opera. From award-winning actors to charting pop artists and runway icons, these Lilys have built careers that cut across genres and continents, proving the name’s reach in modern entertainment and culture.

Below, you’ll find a tightly curated list of prominent public figures named Lily. Each entry highlights what they’re best known for, key roles or releases that shaped their careers, notable accolades, and other professional milestones that help explain their global recognition.

Lily Tomlin

Lily Tomlin is an American actor and comedian whose career spans stand-up, sketch, film, television, and Broadway. She gained wide recognition through landmark work in television variety and went on to major screen roles, including ensemble collaborations with director Robert Altman and a celebrated leading turn opposite Jane Fonda in the workplace comedy ‘9 to 5’. Tomlin is a recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor and has earned numerous Emmy, Tony, and Screen Actors Guild honors across acting and producing.

On stage, Tomlin starred in the one-woman Broadway hit ‘The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe’, written by Jane Wagner, which cemented her reputation as a formidable stage performer. In contemporary TV, she introduced a new generation to her work through the comedy series ‘Grace and Frankie’, in which she also served as an executive producer, adding to a body of work that reflects both range and longevity.

Lily Gladstone

Lily Gladstone is a Native American actor from the Blackfeet and Nez Perce Nations who achieved international acclaim for the crime drama ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’. Their performance in that film led to major awards recognition, including a historic Golden Globe win and an Academy Award nomination, marking a significant milestone for Indigenous representation in mainstream cinema.

Beyond that breakout role, Gladstone’s earlier performances in independent films such as ‘Certain Women’ drew festival and critics’ attention. They have also appeared in television projects and stage productions, building a résumé that emphasizes character-driven storytelling and collaborations with auteurs and emerging filmmakers.

Lily Collins

Lily Collins is a British-American actor and producer known for leading the global streaming hit ‘Emily in Paris’. She first gained mainstream attention with studio features like ‘Mirror Mirror’ and later earned praise for challenging roles in projects such as ‘To the Bone’. Collins has received Golden Globe nominations and has also worked behind the camera as a producer on television.

In addition to screen work, Collins is a published author whose memoir explored personal experiences alongside her creative career. Her filmography includes literary adaptations like ‘Love, Rosie’ and period pieces such as ‘The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones’, reflecting an ongoing mix of contemporary and genre titles across film and TV.

Lily James

Lily James is an English actor who rose to prominence with ‘Downton Abbey’ before headlining Disney’s live-action ‘Cinderella’. She expanded her portfolio with high-profile films including ‘Baby Driver’ and ‘Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again’, as well as acclaimed TV transformations like ‘Pam & Tommy’, which brought Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for her portrayal of Pamela Anderson.

James has balanced franchise-scale projects with literary and historical dramas such as ‘Darkest Hour’ and ‘Rebecca’. Stage credits at major London theaters complement her screen career, underscoring classical training and a consistent presence across prestige television, studio features, and West End productions.

Lily Allen

Lily Allen is an English singer-songwriter whose debut album ‘Alright, Still’ introduced a distinctive pop voice with standout singles that charted internationally. Subsequent releases like ‘It’s Not Me, It’s You’ and ‘No Shame’ earned industry nominations, including Brit Awards and Grammys, and solidified her reputation for candid, melody-driven writing.

Allen has collaborated with artists across pop and electronic genres and has authored a bestselling memoir. Beyond recording and touring, she has appeared on stage in dramatic roles, including a West End production that earned strong critical attention, demonstrating range beyond her successful music catalog.

Lily-Rose Depp

Lily-Rose Depp is a French-American actor and model who began as a fashion figure and global ambassador with major luxury campaigns before transitioning into film. Her screen credits include ‘The King’, ‘Voyagers’, and the HBO series ‘The Idol’, positioning her in both independent and studio-backed projects.

Depp frequently appears at international festivals, including Cannes and Venice, with performances in French- and English-language films. Her modeling career has included magazine covers and runway appearances, establishing a cross-disciplinary profile spanning cinema and global fashion.

Lily Rabe

Lily Rabe is an American actor recognized for multiple seasons of the anthology series ‘American Horror Story’, where she played a wide range of characters across different cycles. On stage, she earned a Tony Award nomination for ‘The Merchant of Venice’, performing as Portia in a widely praised Broadway revival.

Rabe’s television work includes roles in ‘The Undoing’ and ‘Love & Death’, as well as producing and starring in screen adaptations of literary material. She has also appeared in feature films across thriller, drama, and indie categories, continuing a career that alternates between stage and screen.

Lily Aldridge

Lily Aldridge is an American model best known for her work as a Victoria’s Secret Angel, appearing in high-visibility runway shows and campaigns. She has featured on the cover of ‘Sports Illustrated Swimsuit’ in a multi-model issue and has fronted advertising for major fashion and beauty brands.

Aldridge’s career includes collaborations with photographers and designers across fashion capitals, and she has launched entrepreneurial projects in fragrance and style. She has also been involved in philanthropic campaigns tied to health and education, using fashion platforms to support nonprofit initiatives.

Lily Cole

Lily Cole is a British model and actor who made an early impact with high-fashion editorials and runway work for leading European houses. Transitioning to film, she appeared in titles such as ‘St Trinian’s’ and ‘The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus’, expanding her profile beyond modeling.

Cole graduated from the University of Cambridge and later founded social-impact ventures, including a platform focused on collaborative problem-solving. Her portfolio spans editorial, film, writing, and environmental advocacy, reflecting a career that blends creative industries with sustainability efforts.

Lily Sullivan

Lily Sullivan is an Australian actor who moved from local productions to international visibility with roles in genre and drama projects. She drew significant attention among horror audiences with ‘Evil Dead Rise’, contributing to a franchise known for practical effects and cult appeal.

Sullivan’s earlier screen work includes Australian features and TV series such as ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’. She continues to appear in independent films and streaming projects, adding festival circuits and global releases to a growing résumé.

Lily Pons

Lily Pons was a French-American coloratura soprano who became one of the Metropolitan Opera’s leading stars in the 20th century. She was especially associated with roles in ‘Lucia di Lammermoor’ and ‘Lakmé’, which showcased her agility and high register, and she toured extensively across North and South America.

Pons recorded widely for major labels, appeared in Hollywood films such as ‘That Girl from Paris’, and performed at high-profile civic events. Her career also included radio broadcasts that broadened opera’s reach to mainstream audiences, making her one of the most famous classical Lilys in modern music history.

Lily Donaldson

Lily Donaldson is a British fashion model who emerged during the 2000s as a fixture of runway seasons in New York, London, Milan, and Paris. She has fronted campaigns for global luxury brands and appeared on multiple international editions of ‘Vogue’.

Donaldson’s work includes haute couture and ready-to-wear shows for leading designers, along with beauty and fragrance endorsements. She has participated in major runway spectacles and industry events, maintaining a presence in editorial and commercial fashion over many seasons.

Share the Lilys you think deserve a spot on this list in the comments!