20 beautiful actresses in their 40s who are still making it big in Hollywood

20 beautiful actresses in their 40s who are still making it big in Hollywood

For more than 100 years, Hollywood has been the ultimate destination for millions of talented actors and actresses. Sadly, the industry has been discriminatory toward most older professionals due to the huge demand for younger casts. Interestingly, actresses in their 40s are redefining the tradition by getting lead roles and negotiating better wages.

Jessica Simpson (L), Lupita Nyong'o (M), and Kerry Washington (R) are some of the most beautiful actresses in their 40s
Jessica Simpson (L), Lupita Nyong'o (M), and Kerry Washington (R) are some of the most beautiful actresses in their 40s. Photo: Ivan Apfel, Dimitrios Kambouris, Arnold Turner (modified by author)
Source: UGC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Actresses in their 40s are making waves in the entertainment scene, boasting decades of experience in Hollywood. However, their careers have not always been smooth sailing, as they have to face fierce competition from young actresses to maintain global respect and admiration.

Beautiful actresses in their 40s

These beautiful and successful actresses in their 40s are proving that life truly blossoms in your fourth decade. Aside from getting past the drama and indecision of your 20s and 30s, your 40s is when you truly start to feel comfortable in your body, are at ease with your flaws, and can shine your brightest.

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1. Jessica Simpson

Jessica Simpson is seen leaving her hotel
Jessica Simpson is seen leaving her hotel in New York. Photo: MEGA
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Jessica Ann Simpson
  • Date of birth: 10 July 1980
  • Age: 43 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Abilene, Texas, United States

Jessica Ann is among the blonde actresses in their 40s. The actress was born on 10 July 1980 in Abilene, Texas, United States, to Joe Simpson and Tina Simpson. She has starred in numerous movies and TV shows, including The Dukes of Hazzard, Employee of the Month, Duncanville, and The Love Guru. She has won honours such as the 2023 Mindarie-wa News Achievement Awards.

2. Jaime Pressly

Jaime Pressly attends 2018 PaleyFest Los Angeles - CBS's "Mom"
Jaime Pressly attends 2018 PaleyFest Los Angeles - CBS's "Mom" at Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California. Photo: Rodin Eckenroth
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Jaime Elizabeth Pressly
  • Date of birth: 30 July 1977
  • Age: 46 years (old as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Kinston, North Carolina, United States

Jaime is among the actresses over 40 who are doing great in Hollywood. She was born on 30 July 1977 in Kinston, North Carolina, USA. Her parents are Brenda Sue, a dance instructor, and James Liston Pressly, a car salesman. The actress has bagged nominations for a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

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3. Lupita Nyong'o

Lupita Nyong'o attends a photocall in support of "A Quiet Place: Day One"
Lupita Nyong'o attends a photocall in support of "A Quiet Place: Day One" at Shangri-La Hotel Paris in Paris, France. Photo: Kristy Sparow
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Lupita Amondi Nyong'o
  • Date of birth: 1 March 1983
  • Age: 41 years (old as of 2024
  • Place of birth: Mexico City, Mexico

Lupita is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful women in the world. She is a Kenyan-Mexican actress known for starring in 12 Years a Slave and Big Mouth. She came into the limelight in 2008 when she won an Oscar for portraying the character of Nakia in Black Panther. Her upcoming projects include Super Sema, The Wild Robot, and Strawweight.

4. Mena Suvari

Mena Suvari attends Red Carpet Green Dress
Mena Suvari attends Red Carpet Green Dress at the Private Residence of Jonas Tahlin, CEO of Absolut Elyx in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Gabriel Olsen
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Mena Alexandra Suvari
  • Date of birth: 13 February 1979
  • Age: 45 years (old as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Newport, Rhode Island, United States

Mena Suvari is an American actress, fashion designer, and model born on 13 February 1979 in Newport, Rhode Island, USA, to Ando Suvari and Candice Chambers. Mena began her professional acting career in 1995 when she starred in the television series Boy Meets World.

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She has starred in numerous films and TV series, including American Pie and Beauty. Mena is set to appear as Jane Wyman in the upcoming film Reagan (2024). Her notable upcoming projects include FATE, Beyond the Rush, and What Comes Next. She was recently nominated for the 2024 Primetime Emmy Awards for her outstanding performance in the TV series RZR.

5. Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton is seen arriving at the 'The American Meme' screening
Paris Hilton is seen arriving at the 'The American Meme' screening during the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival at Spring Studios in New York City. Photo: Gilbert Carrasquillo
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Paris Whitney Hilton
  • Date of birth: 17 February 1981
  • Age: 43 years old (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: New York City, New York, USA

Paris is an American actress known for appearing in House of Wax, Repo! The Genetic Opera, The Hottie & the Nottie and Sweety Pie. She was born on 7 February 1981 in New York City, New York, USA. Her parents are Richard and Kathy Hilton. She has been married to American author Carter Reum since 2021. The actress has two upcoming projects, The Trainer and China Game.

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6. Stacy Keibler

Stacy Keibler is seen in Los Angeles
Stacy Keibler is seen in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Bauer-Griffin
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Stacy Ann-Marie Keibler
  • Date of birth: 14 October 1979
  • Age: 43 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Rosedale, Maryland, USA

Stacy Keiber was born on 14 October 1979 in Rosedale, Maryland, United States, to Gary and Patricia Keibler. She is a well-known actress, retired professional wrestler, cheerleader, dancer, and model who was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in March 2023.

7. Naomie Harris

Naomie Harris attends the "Icons Shine with OMEGA
Naomie Harris attends the "Icons Shine with OMEGA in Milan" event at Maka Loft in Milan, Italy. Photo: Jacopo Raule
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Naomie Melanie Harris
  • Date of birth: 6 September 1976
  • Age: 47 years years (old as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Islington, London, United Kingdom

Naomie Harris is among the British actresses in their 40s. Despite being 47 as of 2024, Harris is still considered one of the most beautiful women in the acting scene. She began her career at a tender age, appearing in the television series Simon and the Witch in 1987.

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Harris is famous for her roles in Moonlight, 28 Days Later, and Skyfall. She is set to appear in Robin and the Hoods, Lola and Freddie, and Black Bag.

8. Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron attends CTAOP's Night Out
Charlize Theron attends CTAOP's Night Out in Universal City, California. Photo: Rich Fury
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Charlize Theron
  • Date of birth: 7 August 1975
  • Age: 48 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Benoni, South Africa

Charlize Theron is an Academy Award winner and one of Hollywood's most talented actresses from Africa. For the last two decades, she has starred in various movies and TV shows. However, her biggest projects include Snow White and the Huntsman, Monster, and Mad Max: Fury Road.

She is set to appear in various movies and TV shows, such as Atomic Blonde 2 and Two for the Money. Theron is also the producer of upcoming projects like Two Eyes Staring and The Old Guard 2.

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9. Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington attends the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party
Kerry Washington attends the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, California. Photo: Axelle
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Kerry Marisa Washington
  • Date of birth: 31 January 1977
  • Age: 47 years (old as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: The Bronx, New York, United States

Kelly Washington is synonymous with brilliant performances in different TV shows and movies, including Parks and Recreation and Jurassic World. Even though some of her performances have created exciting memes in the past five years, the 47-year-old actress is still one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood.

She is a cast member in the upcoming movies Six Triple Eight (2024) and Wake Up Dead Man (2025). Additionally, she recently bagged the 2024 NAACP Image Awards.

10. Rashida Jones

Rashida Jones attends Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones
Rashida Jones attends Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, California. Photo: Frazer Harrison
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Rashida Leah Jones
  • Date of birth: 25 February 1976
  • Age: 48 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Los Angeles, California, United States

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Rashida Jones is one of the American actresses who started their careers in their 40s. She has successfully auditioned for roles in big productions such as On the Rocks in 2020. Before acting, she wrote for TV and directed different shows.

Rashida is famous for being the daughter of Quincy Jones, an American record producer, songwriter, and composer. Rashida will appear as Suzie in the upcoming TV series Sunny. She is also set to appear in The Blink of an Eye.

11. Mindy Kaling

Mindy Kaling speaks on stage during the P&G #WeSeeEqual Forum
Mindy Kaling speaks on stage during the P&G #WeSeeEqual Forum held at Proctor & Gamble in Cincinnati, Ohio. Photo: Duane Prokop
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Vera Mindy Chokalingam
  • Date of birth: 24 June 1979
  • Age: 45 years (old as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

Mindy Kaling first became famous for her role in the NBC sitcom The Office. Since then, she has appeared in different shows and movies. Besides being an actress, she writes and directs various productions in Hollywood. She is the executive producer of the upcoming TV series Running Point.

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Besides her impressive CV in the competitive film space, Mindy is one of the most followed personalities, with millions of followers on major social media platforms like Instagram, where she has over 6.3 million followers.

12. Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera poses in the press room during the 66th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena
Christina Aguilera poses in the press room during the 66th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Christina María Aguilera
  • Date of birth: 18 December 1980 (age 43 years
  • Age: 43 years (old as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Staten Island, New York City, USA

Christina Aguilera is an American singer and actress with over 66 acting credits. Her notable movies and television shows include Moulin Rouge!, The Emoji Movie, and Get Him to the Greek. She has won several awards, including the 2023 GLAAD Media and Webby Awards.

Christina is a cast member in the upcoming TV movie Metal Revolver Juvenile Incident. She married American music producer Jordan Bratman between 2005 and 2011.

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13. Tessie Santiago

Tessie Santiago arrives for the premiere Party For the New Fox TV Show "Kitchen Confidential" Halles
Tessie Santiago arrives for the premiere Party For the New Fox TV Show "Kitchen Confidential" at Brasserie Las Halles in New York. Photo: Scott Wintrow
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Tessie Marie Santiago
  • Date of birth: 10 August 1975
  • Age: 48 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Miami, Florida, United States

Tessie is among the Latina actresses in their 40s. She first caught audiences' attention in 1999 when she starred as Angie in the short film You and Me. Since then, her acting repertoire has grown to include roles in popular television series and films like Devil's Whisper, Queen of Swords, and The Cell 2.

14. Willa Ford

Willa Ford visits "Extra" to discuss the E! reality series "Flip it Like Disick"
Willa Ford visits "Extra" to discuss the E! reality series "Flip it Like Disick" at The Levi's Store Times Square in New York City. Photo: Gary Gershof
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Amanda Lee Williford
  • Date of birth: 22 January 1981
  • Age: 43 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Ruskin, Florida, USA

Willa Ford is an American actress, singer, songwriter, dancer, TV personality and model born on 22 January 1981 in Ruskin, Florida, USA. Her parents are Donna Sweat Willford and Ralph Everett. She is known for her roles in many movies and TV shows, including Friday the 13th, Universal Squadrons, and What a Girl Wants.

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15. Keeley Hawes

Keeley Hawes speaks onstage during the Netflix's "Bodyguard" screening & panel
Keeley Hawes speaks onstage during the Netflix's "Bodyguard" screening & panel at Raleigh Studios in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Rachel Murray
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Clare Julia Hawes
  • Date of birth: 10 February 1976
  • Age: 48 years (old as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Paddington, London, United Kingdom

Keeley Hawes is among the female celebrities who are still making it big in the entertainment industry. She has been in over 85 movies and TV shows. Her first project was the 1989 television series Forever Green, in which she was cast as Carol.

16. Ali Larter

Ali Larter speaks onstage during the "Momentum Shift" film premiere
Ali Larter speaks onstage during the "Momentum Shift" film premiere at the Directors Guild Of America in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Rich Polk
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Alison Elizabeth Larter
  • Date of birth: 28 February 1976
  • Age: 48 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Cherry Hill, New Jersey, United States

Ali Larter is a 48-year-old actress who acted in some of the most phenomenal movies of the 1990s. Although the American actress does not audition for shows as often as she used to, she is still active in her acting career.

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Her notable movies and TV shows include Final Destination and Legally Blonde. Ali has two upcoming projects, Landman and Spin the Bottle.

17. Katherine Heigl

Katherine Heigl attends the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards
Katherine Heigl attends the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Frazer Harrison
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Katherine Marie Heigl
  • Date of birth: 24 November 1978
  • Age: 45 years (old as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Washington, District of Columbia, USA

Katherine Heigl is among the few actors and actresses who reached success in their 40s. The actress made her acting debut in 1992, appearing as Kathryn in the popular film That Night. She has since starred in films and TV shows such as One for the Money and The Ugly Truth.

Katherine was born on November 24, 1978, in Washington, DC, USA. Her parents are Paul and Nancy Heigl. According to her IMDb profile, she is set to appear in the upcoming projects, That's Amore! and Woodhull.

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18. Meagan Good

Meagan Good attends the 5th American Black Film Festival Honors: A Celebration of Excellence
Meagan Good attends the 5th American Black Film Festival Honors: A Celebration of Excellence in Hollywood at 1 Hotel West Hollywood in West Hollywood, California. Photo: Michael Tullberg
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Meagan Monique Good
  • Date of birth: 8 August 1981
  • Age: 42 years (old as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Panorama City, Los Angeles, California, United States

Meagan Good is one of the black actresses in their 40s. She was born on 8 August 1981 in Panorama City, Los Angeles, California, United States. Meagan made her acting debut in 1991 in the television series Gabriel's Fire.

Since then, she starred in many movies and television shows, including Think Like a Man, The Unborn, and Buying Back My Daughter. She currently has over 84 acting credits.

19. Laura Fraser

Laura Fraser arrives at the 2014 Entertainment Weekly Pre-Emmy Party
Laura Fraser arrives at the 2014 Entertainment Weekly Pre-Emmy Party at Fig & Olive Melrose Place in West Hollywood, California. Photo: Amanda Edwards
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Laura Fraser
  • Date of birth: 24 July 1975
  • Age: 48 years old (as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Glasgow, United Kingdom

Laura Fraser is synonymous with Lydia Rodarte-Quayle, the character in Breaking Bad. After the show ended in 2013, she took on other roles in various films and TV shows, such as The Pact (2021) and Traces (2019-2022). The famous actress is set to appear as Bea Metcalf in the TV series Patience.

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20. Estella Warren

Estella Warren attends the KM Fine Arts presentation of "Tete A Tete"
Estella Warren attends the KM Fine Arts presentation of "Tete A Tete" at KM Fine Arts LA Studio in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Paul Archuleta
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Estella Dawn Warren
  • Date of birth: 23 December 1978
  • Age: 45 years (old as of 2024)
  • Place of birth: Peterborough, Canada

Estella Warren is an actress, fashion model, and former synchronized swimmer. She was born on 23 December 1978 in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. Her parents are Esther and Don Warren. The beautiful actress has appeared in various movies and TV shows, including Beauty and the Beast, Planet of the Apes, and Kangaroo Jack.

How do the actresses in the 40s keep their shapes?

While plastic surgery is one of the fastest-growing industries in the USA, most actresses spend more time working out. Additionally, most professionals adhere to strict diet routines to maintain hourglass figures.

The film industry might be favouring young professionals in getting roles. However, actresses in their 40s are changing the narrative by getting lead roles and earning huge salaries.

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Yen.com.gh published a fantastic list of Tom Holland movies. Thomas Stanley Holland is a British actor best known for playing Spider-Man/Peter Parker in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Tom Holland has established himself as a leading actor in Hollywood.

He has over 40 acting credits, and his career began in 2006. He has appeared in some of the industry's highest-grossing films, such as Avengers: Endgame and Captain America: Civil War. Find out more about his movies in this post.

Source: YEN.com.gh

Authors:
Ryan Mutuku avatar

Ryan Mutuku Ryan Mutuku is a writer with over 3 years of working in digital media. He is an alumnus of the Faculty of Media and Communications at Multimedia University. Ryan focuses on the Facts and Life Hacks section from 2017. When he is not writing, Ryan is a volunteer who participates regularly in community outreach events. Email: Ryanellismutuku@gmail.com

Peris Wamangu avatar

Peris Wamangu (Lifestyle writer) Peris Wamangu is a reporter with more than four years of experience as a content writer. Peris joined Yen in 2024. Before that, she worked with Legit's team from 2021 to 2024. Peris graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Nairobi in 2019. She enjoys writing about various topics such as fashion, currency, biographies, entertainment and business. In 2023, Peris finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. Email: wamanguperis@gmail.com