20 Best Lifetime Movie Actors and Actresses

Lifetime originals have built a dependable roster of familiar faces who return year after year for thrillers, biopics, and holiday romances. Many of these stars headline multiple projects, produce behind the scenes, and anchor ongoing franchises that viewers recognize immediately. From true crime standouts to annual holiday leads, they help define the network’s style and keep audiences coming back. Here are the actors and actresses most closely linked with memorable Lifetime movies.

Tori Spelling

Tori Spelling became a Lifetime fixture with early cult favorites like ‘Mother, May I Sleep with Danger?’ and ‘Death of a Cheerleader’. She later revisited the former title in a reimagined version that introduced a new twist for modern audiences. Spelling’s projects often center on teen cautionary tales and suburban suspense. She remains one of the most recognizable alumni of Lifetime’s 90s era.

Kellie Martin

Kellie Martin has headlined several high profile Lifetime originals including ‘If Someone Had Known’ and the remake of ‘Death of a Cheerleader’. Her films frequently explore real world dangers facing teens and young adults. Martin’s steady presence helped define Lifetime’s signature cautionary movie format. She continues to appear in true crime inspired stories for the network.

Alyssa Milano

Alyssa Milano’s Lifetime slate includes the book based drama ‘Tempting Fate’ and the tense thriller ‘Family Threat’. She often works as a producer or executive producer on her projects. Milano’s movies focus on moral crossroads, family stakes, and consequences that ripple through relationships. Her involvement brings recognizable source material to the channel.

Vivica A. Fox

Vivica A. Fox stars in and executive produces installments of ‘The Wrong’ franchise on Lifetime. The film series spans a wide range of scenarios from ‘The Wrong Teacher’ to ‘The Wrong Wedding Planner’. Fox’s role as a creative lead keeps the franchise fresh through recurring collaborators and quick turn production. The movies are a cornerstone of Lifetime’s modern thriller lineup.

Eric Roberts

Eric Roberts appears across a large number of Lifetime thrillers and suspense films. He often plays charismatic figures whose motives complicate the lead character’s choices. Roberts’ extensive filmography includes titles such as ‘Stalked by My Doctor’ which spawned multiple follow ups. His name frequently signals an intense, twist driven story.

Shannen Doherty

Shannen Doherty’s collaborations with Lifetime include the time shift drama ‘Another Day’ and the contemporary remake of ‘No One Would Tell’. She also appears in the updated ‘Dying to Belong’ alongside a new generation of young leads. Doherty’s projects mix issue based storytelling with emotional stakes. Her roles connect classic Lifetime themes with current audiences.

Sasha Pieterse

Sasha Pieterse headlines Lifetime entries like ‘The Baby Sitter’s Nightmare’ and the modern ‘Dying to Belong’. She often portrays determined protagonists who confront dangerous relationships or institutional pressure. Pieterse’s projects blend youthful settings with high tension plots. Her films fit squarely within Lifetime’s suspense tradition.

Jennifer Love Hewitt

Jennifer Love Hewitt’s association with Lifetime includes ‘The Client List’ which began as a movie and expanded into a series. The story follows a single mother navigating secret work to support her family. Hewitt’s performance anchored both formats and drew strong viewership. The project remains one of Lifetime’s most notable movie to series transitions.

Angie Harmon

Angie Harmon stars in the action fueled drama ‘Buried in Barstow’ for Lifetime. The film centers on a former assassin pulled back into danger while protecting her daughter. Its success led to plans for a continuation of the storyline. Harmon’s role adds a gritty edge to the network’s slate of thrillers.

Tia Mowry

Tia Mowry has become a familiar face in Lifetime holiday programming with titles such as ‘A Very Vintage Christmas’. Her movies spotlight small town settings, family run shops, and heartfelt community traditions. Mowry’s projects emphasize second chances and rekindled connections. She frequently partners with ensemble casts that return across seasonal slates.

Josie Bissett

Josie Bissett has toplined tense domestic thrillers like ‘Secrets of My Stepdaughter’. Her films examine the hidden dynamics inside blended families and close knit neighborhoods. Bissett’s characters often piece together clues that authorities miss. These stories align with Lifetime’s focus on suspense rooted in everyday life.

Alexa PenaVega

Alexa PenaVega brought a true story to Lifetime with ‘The Pregnancy Project’. The movie follows a high school student who stages a social experiment to challenge assumptions about teen mothers. PenaVega’s lead performance anchors the narrative through classroom, family, and media fallout. The film remains a popular school themed title in Lifetime’s catalog.

Thora Birch

Thora Birch portrays Gabby Petito in the dramatized ‘The Gabby Petito Story’. The film traces the young woman’s travel timeline and the investigation that followed. Birch also directed the project, adding a dual role to her contribution. The movie extends Lifetime’s focus on headline driven true crime.

Sarah Drew

Sarah Drew appears in Lifetime holiday fare such as ‘Twinkle All the Way’. The story pairs an event planner and a single dad as they join forces on a seasonal celebration. Drew’s projects highlight crafts, local businesses, and festive community set pieces. These elements are staples of the network’s annual holiday lineup.

Melissa Joan Hart

Melissa Joan Hart stars in ‘Mistletoe in Montana’ and has produced multiple Lifetime originals. Her movies balance ranch town charm, cozy romance, and family friendly humor. Hart often collaborates with recurring crews to streamline production. The films slot neatly into the network’s December programming blocks.

Mario López

Mario López headlines the bilingual holiday movie ‘Feliz NaviDAD’. The film follows a high school principal navigating single parenthood during the season. Lopez’s projects blend music, family dinners, and cultural traditions. He frequently promotes the movies across talk shows that boost tune in.

Agnes Bruckner

Agnes Bruckner plays the title role in ‘The Anna Nicole Smith Story’ for Lifetime. The biopic covers early fame, modeling breakthroughs, and legal battles. Bruckner’s performance is supported by a cast re creating high profile tabloid moments. The film sits among Lifetime’s most watched celebrity biographies.

Mia Kirshner

Mia Kirshner stars in ‘The College Admissions Scandal’ as part of Lifetime’s ripped from the headlines collection. The movie tracks families implicated in the scheme and the methods used by its organizer. Kirshner’s role explores the pressures of prestige and image management. The film arrived alongside a coordinated programming event on the topic.

Brian Austin Green

Brian Austin Green leads the thriller ‘Dead At 17’ on Lifetime. The plot unravels a secret relationship and the cover up that follows a shocking incident. Green’s character becomes entangled in a web of lies that pulls in parents and police. The movie fits the channel’s blueprint of escalating suburban suspense.

Gina Gershon

Gina Gershon portrays Donatella Versace in ‘House of Versace’ for Lifetime. The film chronicles the fashion brand’s recovery following a devastating loss. Gershon’s performance captures the business pressures and creative demands behind the label. The biopic anchors Lifetime’s slate of style centered true stories.

Share your favorite Lifetime movie performances in the comments and tell us who else belongs on this list.