Stars on Fire: Google Unveils 2025’s Most-Searched Actors in the U.S.

The spotlight is blazing in 2025 as Google reveals which actors captured America’s curiosity this year. From breakout sensations to seasoned favorites, these stars dominated search bars and sparked national conversation. Here’s who set the internet, and the industry, on fire.

10. Justin Baldoni

Justin Baldoni faced a tumultuous year despite the box-office success of It Ends with Us (2024), which he directed and starred in. The production drew heavy media attention, and Blake Lively filed multiple complaints and a lawsuit accusing Baldoni and his studio of sexual harassment and intimidation. Baldoni denied the accusations and countersued The New York Times for libel, alleging biased reporting.

Earlier this year, he also filed a $400 million lawsuit against Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and their publicist, claiming they conspired to spread false allegations to damage his reputation.

9. Adam Sandler

2025 proved to be a busy year for Adam Sandler, who took on an array of roles across film projects. He appeared in Kinda Pregnant and starred once again as Happy Gilmore in the highly anticipated sequel Happy Gilmore 2, where he also served as writer, producer, and director. Sandler played Ron Sukenick in Jay Kelly and made an appearance as himself in Stans, showcasing his versatility and continued presence across genres and formats.

8. Aubrey Plaza

Aubrey Plaza faced profound personal tragedy this year when her husband, Jeff Baena, died by suicide on January 3. She withdrew from presenting at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards just two days later. Despite her grief, Plaza went on to co-host part of the Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special on February 16, where she honored Baena’s memory by wearing a tie-dye shirt reminiscent of those the couple wore at their wedding.

7. Mikey Madison

Following her historic Oscar win for Best Actress—the first ever for a Gen Z performer—Mikey Madison continued building momentum throughout 2025.

She guest hosted Saturday Night Live in March and entered high-profile negotiations for several major projects, ultimately declining Star Wars: Starfighter over salary issues. Madison was cast in Alejandro Landes’ Reptilia in May and began talks with A24 for The Masque of the Red Death in June. By September, she secured the role of whistleblower Frances Haugen in The Social Reckoning, the upcoming sequel to The Social Network set for release in October 2026.

6. Eric Dane

In April 2025, Dane publicly revealed his diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a condition he had begun experiencing symptoms of in early 2024. His health declined rapidly over the year—by June he had lost full use of his right arm and hand, by September his speech had become noticeably slurred, and by October he was relying on a wheelchair full time. His openness about his illness and the speed of its progression drew significant public attention and concern throughout 2025.

5. Charlie Sheen

Charlie Sheen experienced a modest resurgence in 2025 with the release of aka Charlie Sheen, a two-part Netflix documentary that revisited his turbulent past, career highs, and personal transformation. The project sparked renewed public interest and marked a notable moment in his ongoing comeback.

4. Pamela Anderson

Pamela Anderson also enjoyed a resurgence in 2025. She co-starred in the legacy sequel The Naked Gun as Beth Davenport alongside Liam Neeson, marking a high-profile return to film.

Her plant-based cooking show, Pamela’s Cooking with Love, premiered on Canada’s Flavour Network in February 2025 after being greenlit two years earlier. Anderson’s 2024 plant-based cookbook, I Love You: Recipes From the Heart, earned a 2025 James Beard Award nomination, with photographer Ditte Isager recognized for her visual work on the project.

The cookbook also received praise from Drew Barrymore, who called it “the most beautiful cookbook I’ve ever seen.”

3. Walton Goggins

Walton Goggins had a busy 2025, branching into both business and entertainment. He designed a line of active eyewear and promoted it in his first-ever Super Bowl commercial, a co-branded spot with GoDaddy during Super Bowl LIX.

On screen, Goggins joined the ensemble cast of The White Lotus for its third season as Rick Hatchett and also hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live, further showcasing his versatility.

2. Malachi Barton

Malachi Barton had a busy 2025, making his debut in the fantasy/teen musical genre as Victor in Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires, released on Disney Channel and Disney+ in July.

He also appeared in the film’s duet music video, “Snow Angels,” with co-star Freya Skye, and joined the Descendants/Zombies: Worlds Collide tour from July to September. Barton was cast as Jake in the upcoming Disney+ and Disney Channel series Coven Academy (2026) and announced in September as Fletch for Camp Rock 3, continuing his rise within Disney projects.

1. Pedro Pascal

Pedro Pascal’s position as the most-searched actor in 2025 comes as no surprise, given his prolific output and the so-called “Pedro fatigue” fans jokingly note due to his frequent appearances. This year, Pascal starred as Mayor Ted Garcia in Eddington, Harry Castillo in Materialists, and Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

He also appeared in the Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special as Renaldo/Kermit. Looking ahead, he has several high-profile projects lined up, including The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026), Avengers: Doomsday, and Behemoth!, keeping him firmly in the spotlight.

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