Most Famous Lauras in the World

From acclaimed Oscar winners to chart-topping singers and groundbreaking documentarians, artists named Laura have left a lasting mark on screens, stages, and soundtracks around the world. Their work spans Hollywood blockbusters, prestige television, globally streamed albums, and era-defining music that still finds new audiences.

Below is a curated look at some of the most widely recognized Lauras in entertainment today. You’ll find key roles, major awards, and career milestones that show how each one built an international following and influenced their field.

Laura Dern

Laura Dern is an American actress celebrated for her range across film and television. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in ‘Marriage Story’ and has earned multiple Golden Globes and Primetime Emmys. Her film career includes major roles in ‘Jurassic Park’, ‘Blue Velvet’, and ‘Wild at Heart’, as well as collaborations with directors like David Lynch and Noah Baumbach.

On television, Dern drew wide acclaim for ‘Big Little Lies’ and appeared in ‘Twin Peaks: The Return’. She has also produced projects highlighting women’s stories and is active in industry organizations that promote equity and mentorship for emerging filmmakers.

Laura Linney

Laura Linney is an American actress with multiple Academy Award nominations and a long track record of acclaimed work on stage and screen. She earned major accolades for performances in ‘You Can Count on Me’, ‘Kinsey’, and ‘Mystic River’, and she has won several Primetime Emmys for television roles.

Linney’s lead role in ‘Ozark’ introduced her to a new global audience through streaming, earning additional nominations and awards attention. Beyond acting, she has narrated high-profile documentaries and audiobooks and remains involved with theater, frequently returning to Broadway between film and television projects.

Laura Pausini

Laura Pausini is an Italian singer and songwriter who became one of Europe and Latin America’s most recognizable pop voices. She won a Grammy Award and has collected numerous Latin Grammy Awards, with multilingual albums recorded in Italian, Spanish, English, and Portuguese that expanded her international reach.

Pausini’s singles have topped charts in multiple countries, and she has headlined tours across Europe, the Americas, and beyond. She also co-wrote and performed ‘Io sì (Seen)’, which won a Golden Globe for Best Original Song and received an Academy Award nomination, further raising her profile with global film audiences.

Laura Marling

Laura Marling is an English singer-songwriter known for modern folk albums that have earned Mercury Prize nominations and widespread critical recognition. She won the Brit Award for Best British Female Solo Artist and has maintained a prolific output with records like ‘Once I Was an Eagle’ and ‘Semper Femina’.

Marling’s music features intricate guitar work and literary lyricism, leading to sold-out tours and collaborations with prominent producers and musicians. She has also contributed to film and television soundtracks and occasionally produces or co-writes for other artists in the UK indie and folk scenes.

Laura Poitras

Laura Poitras is an American documentary filmmaker whose work has reshaped conversations about privacy, national security, and press freedom. She won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature with ‘Citizenfour’, which chronicled Edward Snowden’s disclosures and became a landmark of investigative cinema.

Her earlier documentary ‘My Country, My Country’ was nominated for an Academy Award, and she has continued to explore surveillance and state power through films and art installations. Poitras co-founded journalistic and visual platforms to support investigative storytelling and has exhibited at major museums and festivals worldwide.

Laura Prepon

Laura Prepon is an American actress known internationally for starring in ‘That ’70s Show’ and the ensemble of ‘Orange Is the New Black’. The latter series brought her recognition from a new generation of viewers and earned industry honors shared by the cast.

Prepon has directed episodes of television and authored lifestyle books that reached bestseller lists. She continues to appear in film and TV projects while engaging in production work that expands her role behind the camera.

Laura Bailey

Laura Bailey is an American voice actress whose performances span video games, animation, and dubbing for major franchises. She is widely known for roles in ‘The Last of Us Part II’, ‘Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End’, and ‘World of Warcraft’, and she has received top industry awards for game performance.

Bailey is also a founding cast member of ‘Critical Role’, the actual-play series that grew into a media company with multiple shows and an animated adaptation titled ‘The Legend of Vox Machina’. Her credits include voice direction and production roles that have broadened her influence in the voice-acting community.

Laura Carmichael

Laura Carmichael is an English actress best known for playing Lady Edith Crawley in ‘Downton Abbey’. The series became a global hit with international syndication and film follow-ups, and its cast received multiple Screen Actors Guild Awards for ensemble performance.

Carmichael has since appeared in stage productions and television dramas that showcase her range, including contemporary thrillers and period pieces. Her work across mediums has kept her visible to audiences in the UK and worldwide.

Laura Harrier

Laura Harrier is an American actress and model who broke through with a key role in ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ and later appeared in ‘BlacKkKlansman’. Her performances led to nominations and spotlight features at major festivals, aligning her with noted directors early in her film career.

In fashion, Harrier has fronted campaigns for global brands and appeared on magazine covers that reach international markets. She balances work in studio projects with independent films, often selecting roles that add range to her growing filmography.

Laura Haddock

Laura Haddock is an English actress known for roles in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’, ‘Da Vinci’s Demons’, and the thriller series ‘White Lines’. These projects expanded her visibility across both US and European audiences through theatrical releases and streaming platforms.

Haddock’s career includes steady work in historical dramas, science fiction, and crime series, with recurring roles that showcase her versatility. She continues to work in film and television across the UK and international productions.

Laura Mvula

Laura Mvula is a British singer and composer whose debut album ‘Sing to the Moon’ earned a Mercury Prize nomination and multiple award wins and nominations. Her follow-up albums blended orchestral elements with soul and pop, leading to performances at major festivals and television appearances.

Mvula has composed for film and stage, and her arrangements have been performed with symphony orchestras. She remains a prominent figure in UK music, with a catalog that is frequently featured in curated playlists and broadcast programming.

Laura Branigan

Laura Branigan was an American singer who achieved global success with the single ‘Gloria’, which earned a Grammy nomination and became a defining pop hit of the 1980s. She followed with charting singles such as ‘Self Control’ and toured extensively in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Branigan’s recordings continue to receive radio play and placements in film and television, introducing her voice to new listeners. Her legacy is kept alive through reissues, tribute performances, and continued streaming of her biggest hits.

Laura Nyro

Laura Nyro was an American singer-songwriter whose compositions became hits for artists like Barbra Streisand, Three Dog Night, and Blood, Sweat & Tears. Songs including ‘Stoney End’, ‘Eli’s Comin’’, and ‘And When I Die’ established her as a major songwriter of her era.

Nyro’s own albums influenced generations of musicians, and she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Archival releases and critical reassessments have maintained her status as a seminal figure in American popular music.

Laura Jane Grace

Laura Jane Grace is an American musician and author best known as the founder and lead singer of the punk band Against Me!. She publicly came out as a transgender woman and became an influential voice for transgender visibility within rock music.

Her discography includes albums with Against Me! and solo releases, supported by international touring and appearances at major festivals. Grace has also published memoir and essay work, adding authorship to a career rooted in music and advocacy.

Laura Bell Bundy

Laura Bell Bundy is an American actress and singer who originated major roles on Broadway and crossed over to television and country music. She received a Tony Award nomination for her performance in ‘Legally Blonde’ and later released charting singles on the country charts.

Bundy has appeared in television series including ‘Anger Management’ and ‘How I Met Your Mother’, while continuing stage work and recording projects. She also produces and hosts creative projects that focus on women’s perspectives in entertainment.

Laura Marano

Laura Marano is an American actress and singer who rose to prominence on the Disney Channel with ‘Austin & Ally’, later launching a pop career with singles featured on film soundtracks and streaming playlists. Her work on youth-oriented television built a large social media following that supports her music releases and tours.

Marano has starred in romantic comedies on major streaming platforms and contributed original songs to their soundtracks. She continues to develop projects that combine acting and music, including independent releases and collaborations with producers across pop and dance genres.

Laura Morante

Laura Morante is an Italian actress who has worked extensively in European cinema and theater. She won Italy’s David di Donatello Award for Best Actress and has collaborated with prominent directors in Italian and French productions.

Morante’s filmography includes dramas and comedies that have screened at international festivals, and she has directed and written for film as well. Her multilingual career has made her a familiar presence to audiences across Europe.

Share your favorite Lauras and the roles or songs you love most in the comments!