This red hair is one of the least common natural hair colors in the world, thus making it stand out wherever it is seen. Whether it’s a Hollywood blockbuster or a popular television show, there’s nothing more iconic than the moments captured by a red haired celebrity. They have incorporated their copper, ginger, auburn and strawberry-blonde hues into their public persona.
A lot of well-known actors with red hair are known for their extraordinary acting skills. Some have naturally red hair and others tried out red highlights for superstars in films and TV. For instance, Rupert Grint was made a global sensation as Harry Potter’s Ron Weasley, while Julianne Moore has achieved an impressive career thanks to her iconic copper locks.
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15+ Famous Red Headed Actors Who Have Made Their Mark on Screen
Hollywood has been around for a while and they have showcased quite a few talented actors with stunning red hair. These celebrities have made their appearance spectacular from award-winning actresses to popular television stars.
Some of the most familiar names are listed here.
1. Julianne Moore
Julianne Moore is undoubtedly one of the most esteemed actresses in Hollywood. She is known for her natural copper red hair, her expressive performances and her ability to play complex characters.
She has starred in several acclaimed movies such as Still Alice, The Hours and Far from Heaven. In 2015, she won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the movie Still Alice.
2. Emma Stone
Another popular face that’s been attached to red hair is the face of the actress Emma Stone. Her natural hair color is blonde, but she’s a famous redhead in films like Easy A and The Amazing Spider-Man.
Her red hair gave her an iconic screen personality, particularly in the early days. Also, her appearances in La La Land and Poor Things showcased her range as an actress.
3. Jessica Chastain
Jessica Chastain has been known for her stunning auburn locks and strong performances. She’s achieved success working in roles that allow her to display her emotive range and acting talent.
Her most popular films are The Help, Zero Dark Thirty, Interstellar and Molly’s Game.
4. Karen Gillan
Karen Gillan is a Scottish actress, who rose to fame in television and blockbuster films. She had a memorable appearance as Amy Pond, the bright red haired character in the popular science fiction program, Doctor Who.
Later she was to become a world famous face as Nebula in several movies of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including Guardians of the Galaxy.
5. Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman has had a long successful career as an actress. She is particularly well known for her strawberry-blonde curls that were a hallmark of her early Hollywood career.
She has a number of popular films, such as Moulin Rouge, The Hours, The Others and Australia. She’s also won several big awards, such as an Academy Award for The Hours.
6. Rupert Grint
Rupert Grint is one of the most acclaimed red headed actors due to his portrayal of Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter series.
His ginger hair became synonymous with his character, who was known for his humour, loyalty and friendship with Harry Potter and Hermione Granger.
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7. Damian Lewis
British actor, Damian Lewis, is known for his red hair and outstanding TV roles.
His performances in Homeland and Billions saw him rise to popularity. He was nominated for a Golden Globe for his role as Nicholas Brody in Homeland.
8. Domhnall Gleeson
Domhnall Gleeson is an Irish actor, and he has been featured in a few popular films. He is famous for his red hair, natural screen presence and ability to play a variety of characters. He has worked on such films as Ex Machina, The Revenant, About Time and the Star Wars sequel trilogy.
9. Michael Fassbender
Michael Fassbender is a world-class actor with an intense acting style. He was born in Germany and grew up in Ireland, and has made numerous successful films for Hollywood. He has been known for his popular projects such as X-Men, 12 Years a Slave, Steve Jobs and Inglourious Basterds.
10. Sadie Sink
Sadie Sink is a one of the most popular young actresses with red hair. She’s well known for her role as Max Mayfield on the Netflix series Stranger Things. She loved her ginger hair – it was a natural look and was a key detail in her character’s look. She has also starred in The Whale, Fear Street and All Too Well: The Short Film.
Young actors building their careers early is a growing pattern, as seen with Georgia MacPhail.
11. Lucille Ball
Lucille Ball was among the greatest actresses and comedians in television history. She is an award-winning actress in a classic sitcom, “I Love Lucy”. She became a television icon because of her bright red hair, expressive face and her comic timing.
Her 1950s look still inspires fashion today. See our vintage fashion trends guide.
12. Isla Fisher
Isla Fisher, born in Australia, is a pretty and red haired actress.
She has been seen in popular films like Wedding Crashers, Confessions of a Shopaholic and Now You See Me.
13. Bryce Dallas Howard
Another great actress with beautiful red hair is Bryce Dallas Howard. She is a familiar face as Claire Dearing in the Jurassic World film series. She has also starred in The Help, The Village and Rocketman.
14. Amy Adams
Amy Adams is a gifted actress with a film career that has successfuled in many movies. Her natural hair color is blonde, but she’s also donned yellow, red and even auburn shades for memorable roles on screen. She has starred in hit films like Enchanted, American Hustle, Arrival and The Fighter.
15. Rose Leslie
Rose Leslie is a Scottish actress popular for her role as Ygritte in the HBO television series Game of Thrones. The red hair was a significant aspect of Ygritte’s iconic look. She also had roles in the TV series Downton Abbey and The Good Fight.
Natural Redheads vs. Celebrities Who Dye Their Hair
Not every celebrity famous for red hair is naturally a redhead. Some actors change their hair color for movie roles, television appearances, or personal fashion choices.
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| Natural redheads | Celebrities known for dyed red hair or red roles |
| Rupert Grint | Emma Stone |
| Julianne Moore | Sophie Turner |
| Karen Gillan | Amy Adams |
| Isla Fisher | Nicole Kidman (has experimented with shades) |
| Sadie Sink | Different celebrities experimenting with red hair |
The difference is important because a celebrity’s recognizable screen appearance does not always reflect their natural hair color.
FAQs About Red Headed Actors
Rupert Grint, Domhnall Gleeson, Karen Gillan, Julianne Moore, Dom Lewis and Jessica Chastain are among the popular red-headed actors.
Julianne Moore is a one of the most recognisable redhead superstars in Hollywood with her copper coloured hair and Oscar winning performances.
Yes, some actors tinge their hair or use wigs in their roles. For instance, Emma Stone has a naturally blonde appearance.
Rupert Grint’s well-known features are his ginger hair and his characters such as Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter series.
The gene MC1R is associated with natural red hair. Natural blonde hair is not as prevalent as other natural hair colors.
Conclusion
While red hair can be an uncommon look, it definitely cannot go unnoticed in Hollywood. Many actors have made a splash in their careers with their red hair such as Julianne Moore and Jessica Chastain, Rupert Grint and Damian Lewis, to name a few.
These red headed actors have demonstrated that a memorable appearance can go hand in hand with outstanding acting skills. Some redheads are naturally red, others have tried out copper, ginger, auburn colors for famous characters.
