Most Famous Judys in the World

The name Judy has shown up across film, television, music, literature, comedy, and visual art, carried by people whose work defined eras and crossed borders. From Hollywood legends to chart-topping singers and pioneering artists, these Judys helped shape the culture many of us grew up with—on screens, stages, shelves, and gallery walls.

Below is a friendly, fact-packed tour of the most widely recognized public figures named Judy. Each entry highlights what they’re best known for, the career milestones that put them on the map, and the projects or achievements that keep their names in the conversation today.

Judy Garland

Judy Garland was an American singer and actress whose breakthrough came as Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz. A powerhouse vocalist with a signature vibrato, she went on to star in musicals and dramas, earning an Academy Award nomination for A Star Is Born and another for Judgment at Nuremberg. Garland also recorded best-selling albums and headlined sold-out concerts, including record-setting runs at Carnegie Hall.

Beyond film and music, Garland became a symbol of resilience in show business, maintaining a prolific touring schedule and television presence, including The Judy Garland Show. Her legacy includes a vast catalog of standards—“Over the Rainbow” chief among them—and a direct influence on generations of vocalists and screen performers.

Judy Blume

Judy Blume is a best-selling American author whose novels for children and young adults—such as Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. and Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing—redefined frank, empathetic storytelling for younger readers. Her books are known for addressing themes like puberty, friendship, family, and identity with clarity and care.

Blume’s work has been translated into dozens of languages and adapted for film and television, introducing her characters to new generations. She has also written for adults, published memoir and nonfiction, and received numerous literary honors for lifetime achievement in children’s literature.

Judy Collins

Judy Collins is an American singer-songwriter and folk icon who rose to prominence in the 1960s. Known for crystalline vocals and eclectic song choices, she popularized compositions by contemporaries while writing her own hits, releasing albums that bridged folk, pop, and standards.

Collins’s interpretations—ranging from traditional ballads to modern songwriters—earned her Grammy recognition and global touring success. She has authored memoirs, advocated for social causes, and maintained a steady recording career that keeps her connected to audiences worldwide.

Judy Sheindlin (Judge Judy)

Judy Sheindlin, widely known as Judge Judy, is a former New York family-court judge who became a television mainstay as the no-nonsense arbiter on Judge Judy. The program, featuring small-claims disputes resolved through binding arbitration, became one of daytime TV’s highest-rated shows for many years.

Sheindlin leveraged her legal expertise and direct style into a media brand that includes additional series, books, and production ventures. Her influence extends to how legal proceedings are portrayed in popular culture, making courtroom formats accessible to mass audiences.

Judy Davis

Judy Davis is an Australian actress acclaimed for her work across film, television, and theater. She broke through with My Brilliant Career, earning international attention and awards momentum that led to prominent roles in period dramas, biopics, and contemporary films.

Davis has received multiple Academy Award nominations and won numerous honors from international festivals and guilds. Her television performances—ranging from miniseries to limited series—have also earned critical acclaim, cementing her reputation for nuanced, intense character work.

Judy Greer

Judy Greer is an American actress and director recognized for scene-stealing supporting roles in comedies and dramas. She has appeared in acclaimed television series and major studio films, often balancing comedic timing with grounded emotional beats.

Beyond acting, Greer has directed features and authored a memoir, broadening her creative footprint. Voice roles in animation and recurring parts in ensemble casts have kept her a familiar presence to film and TV audiences alike.

Judy Reyes

Judy Reyes is an American actress best known for playing nurse Carla Espinosa on the sitcom Scrubs. Her career spans comedy and drama, with later standout roles in series that tackle family, community, and social issues.

Reyes has also produced projects and supported stories centered on underrepresented perspectives. Her work in ensemble casts and character-driven narratives showcases a range that has sustained a steady presence on television.

Judy Holliday

Judy Holliday was an American actress and singer who won the Academy Award for Best Actress for Born Yesterday. Known for sharp comic timing and a distinctive speaking style, she moved fluidly between stage and screen, originating roles that became touchstones for American comedy.

Holliday also had a successful recording career and Broadway presence, where she headlined musical comedies and dramatic works. Her performances are frequently cited for combining wit, vulnerability, and precision.

Judy Chicago

Judy Chicago is an American artist and educator widely associated with feminist art. Her large-scale installations, including The Dinner Party, foreground women’s history through sculpture, ceramics, textiles, and collaborative practice.

Chicago helped establish alternative art-education programs and authored influential texts on feminist pedagogy and studio methods. Her work is held in major museum collections and continues to inspire interdisciplinary exhibitions and scholarship.

Judy Ann Santos

Judy Ann Santos is a Filipino actress and producer who became a household name through hit television dramas and acclaimed film roles. She has earned major acting awards in the Philippines and is known for moving between mainstream projects and more challenging, character-driven films.

Santos has also hosted television programs and ventured into production and culinary projects. Her long career across genres has made her one of the most recognized Judys in Southeast Asian entertainment.

Judy Parfitt

Judy Parfitt is a British actress with an extensive stage, film, and television career. She has portrayed historical figures and contemporary characters, earning award nominations and recognition for both period pieces and modern dramas.

Parfitt’s television work—particularly in long-running series—has brought her to international audiences. She remains known for elegant, layered performances that anchor ensemble casts and elevate supporting roles.

Judy Canova

Judy Canova was an American comedienne, singer, and actress who became popular on radio, stage, and film. She developed a signature rural persona, blending comedy with musical numbers, and headlined a long-running radio program that carried her fame nationwide.

Canova also appeared in Hollywood musicals and variety shows, recording novelty and country-flavored songs. Her crossover success across media made her one of the most recognizable entertainment personalities of her time.

Judy Tenuta

Judy Tenuta was an American stand-up comic and accordion-playing performer with a distinctive stage character. She toured nationally, released comedy albums, and made frequent television appearances that showcased her offbeat, satirical style.

Tenuta authored humor books and participated in comedy specials and festivals. Her persona, costumes, and musical bits made her a fixture of late-night and cable comedy in an era that welcomed bold, character-driven stand-up.

Judy Gold

Judy Gold is an American comedian, writer, and actor known for stand-up specials and off-Broadway shows. She has hosted and produced podcasts, written humor and commentary, and appeared on television as both a performer and panelist.

Gold’s stage work has earned theater awards, while her stand-up explores personal stories and cultural observations. She also writes for stage and screen, contributing to a broad footprint in contemporary comedy.

Judy Kuhn

Judy Kuhn is an American singer and actress celebrated for her work on Broadway and in musical theater recordings. She has received multiple Tony Award nominations for lead and featured roles, and her voice is featured in major animated films as a principal singer.

Kuhn’s concert appearances and cast albums highlight a repertoire that spans classic and contemporary musicals. She has also taught master classes and participated in workshops, supporting the development of new theater works.

Judy Ongg

Judy Ongg is a Taiwanese-Japanese singer, actress, and visual artist who has released hit records and starred in films and television dramas across East Asia. Fluent in multiple languages, she built a cross-cultural career that led to chart success and awards in music and acting.

Ongg is also a painter and calligrapher, with exhibitions and art books complementing her entertainment career. Her ability to move between disciplines and markets has made her a notable international figure named Judy.

Share your favorite Judy—or the one we missed that you think belongs here—in the comments!