Most Famous Catherines in the World

Celebrities named Katherine (or even Katharine!) or Catherine have shaped film, television, music, and comedy across decades and continents. Many are household names with major awards, chart-topping releases, or defining roles in globally watched franchises, while others built influential bodies of work behind the camera that launched careers and reshaped genres.

Below is a friendly, fact-packed tour through some of the most widely known Katherines and Catherines working in entertainment today. Each entry highlights notable roles, awards, and industry milestones to give helpful context about why these figures stand out.

Catherine Zeta-Jones

Catherine Zeta-Jones is a Welsh actor whose screen career spans musicals, thrillers, and prestige television. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in ‘Chicago’ and later received honors such as a Tony Award for work on stage, underscoring her range across mediums.

On television and streaming, she has played prominent roles in projects including ‘Feud’ and ‘Wednesday’. Her filmography also features high-profile titles like ‘Traffic’, ‘Ocean’s Twelve’, and ‘The Mask of Zorro’, and she has been appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to the performing arts.

Catherine Deneuve

Catherine Deneuve is among France’s most internationally recognized actors, known for collaborations with directors such as Luis Buñuel, Jacques Demy, and François Ozon. She has won multiple César Awards and has served as a longtime ambassador for French cinema at major festivals.

Key films include ‘The Umbrellas of Cherbourg’, ‘Belle de Jour’, ‘Indochine’, and ‘8 Women’. Beyond acting, Deneuve has been involved in philanthropic and cultural initiatives and was named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, reflecting her influence beyond the screen.

Catherine O’Hara

Catherine O’Hara is a Canadian actor and writer who first broke out with the sketch-comedy series ‘SCTV’. She earned widespread acclaim and major awards for her role as Moira Rose in ‘Schitt’s Creek’, adding to earlier Emmy recognition for writing.

Her film credits include ‘Home Alone’, ‘Home Alone 2’, ‘Beetlejuice’, and the mockumentary ensemble led by Christopher Guest, featuring titles like ‘Best in Show’ and ‘Waiting for Guffman’. O’Hara has also built a significant voice-acting portfolio, including work in ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ and ‘Frankenweenie’.

Catherine Keener

Catherine Keener is an American actor known for nuanced performances in independent and studio films. She has received two Academy Award nominations for roles in ‘Being John Malkovich’ and ‘Capote’, highlighting her strength in character-driven storytelling.

Her broader credits range from comedies to dramas, including ‘The 40-Year-Old Virgin’, ‘Into the Wild’, ‘Where the Wild Things Are’, and ‘Get Out’. Keener has also taken on television and limited-series work, continuing to collaborate with notable directors and writers across formats.

Katharine Hepburn

Katharine Hepburn was an American actor whose career spanned more than six decades across film, television, and stage. She holds the record for the most Academy Awards for acting with four Best Actress wins, among a dozen nominations, and the American Film Institute named her the greatest female screen legend of classic Hollywood cinema. Her notable films include ‘The Philadelphia Story’, ‘Bringing Up Baby’, ‘The African Queen’, ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner’, ‘The Lion in Winter’, and ‘On Golden Pond’.

Hepburn also had a long-running collaboration with Spencer Tracy, starring together in films such as ‘Woman of the Year’, ‘Adam’s Rib’, and ‘Pat and Mike’. Before several of those screen successes, she built a significant theater résumé, originating roles on Broadway and helping develop material like ‘The Philadelphia Story’ that transitioned to film; she continued working in television later in life, earning major awards for projects made for the small screen.

Katherine Heigl

Katherine Heigl is an American actor and producer who won a Primetime Emmy Award for her role in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. Her film career includes leading parts in romantic comedies and dramas such as ‘Knocked Up’, ’27 Dresses’, and ‘Life As We Know It’.

Heigl has also expanded into producing through her company, credited on projects in both film and television. In recent years she has starred in streaming series like ‘Firefly Lane’ and ‘Suits: LA’, adding executive production roles to her on-screen work.

Katherine Langford

Katherine Langford is an Australian actor who gained international recognition with the series ’13 Reasons Why’. She has since appeared in ensemble features like ‘Knives Out’ and led the fantasy series ‘Cursed’.

Langford’s stage background includes vocal and classical training, which preceded her screen career. She continues to work across film and television, building credits in both English-language and international productions.

Katherine Waterston

Katherine Waterston is a British-American actor known for major franchise and auteur-driven work. She plays Tina Goldstein in the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ films and starred in Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘Inherent Vice’.

Her credits also include science fiction and horror titles such as ‘Alien: Covenant’ and acclaimed dramas like ‘Steve Jobs’. Waterston has balanced studio projects with independent films and theater roles, maintaining a varied slate across genres.

Katherine Jenkins

Katherine Jenkins is a Welsh mezzo-soprano and recording artist recognized for classical-crossover releases that have topped charts in the UK and internationally. Her albums feature a mix of arias, hymns, and popular standards, and she has performed at major sporting events and national ceremonies.

Jenkins has toured extensively and collaborated with orchestras and guest artists worldwide. She has also performed for service personnel and philanthropic causes, receiving honors for charitable work and contributions to music.

Katherine Ryan

Katherine Ryan is a Canadian comedian, writer, and actor based in the UK. She has released stand-up specials such as ‘In Trouble’ and ‘Glitter Room’, and created and starred in the scripted comedy ‘The Duchess’.

Ryan is a frequent panelist and host on British television, appearing on shows like ‘8 Out of 10 Cats’ and ‘Mock the Week’. She tours internationally and hosts the podcast ‘Telling Everybody Everything’, expanding her audience beyond TV and live performance.

Katherine McNamara

Katherine McNamara is an American actor known for leading roles in genre television. She starred as Clary Fray in ‘Shadowhunters’ and portrayed Mia Smoak in ‘Arrow’, later headlining ‘Walker: Independence’.

Her film work includes action and thriller titles alongside family-oriented projects, complemented by guest appearances across network and streaming series. McNamara has also released music tied to her screen projects and participates in fan conventions worldwide.

Catherine Hardwicke

Catherine Hardwicke is an American director and production designer whose feature debut ‘Thirteen’ earned significant festival recognition and industry awards. She directed ‘Lords of Dogtown’ and launched a blockbuster young-adult franchise with ‘Twilight’.

Before directing, Hardwicke worked as a production designer on films like ‘Vanilla Sky’ and ‘Three Kings’. In television, she has directed episodes for high-profile series, mentoring emerging filmmakers and advocating for broader representation behind the camera.

Catherine Breillat

Catherine Breillat is a French filmmaker and novelist known for psychologically and sexually frank storytelling. Her films, including ‘Fat Girl’ and ‘Romance’, are frequently studied for their exploration of identity, power, and bodily autonomy.

Breillat has also taught and written extensively about cinema, influencing discussions on authorship and gender in film. Her later work continues to appear at major festivals, reinforcing her status as a significant figure in contemporary European cinema.

Catherine Bell

Catherine Bell is a British-born American actor recognized for long-running television roles. She starred as Lt. Col. Sarah MacKenzie in ‘JAG’ and later led the family-fantasy franchise ‘The Good Witch’ across multiple films and a series.

Bell has served as a producer on several projects and participates in philanthropic efforts supporting veterans and health initiatives. Her career includes guest roles on popular shows and appearances in made-for-television features across major networks.

Share your picks and favorite roles from these Katherines and Catherines in the comments!