Leading Actresses with Curly Hair in Film
Curly hair has become a defining trait for several top actresses in major film franchises and award-winning roles. Zendaya, known for her natural curls, starred in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as MJ in "Spider-Man: No Way Home" and later in "Dune," which grossed over $400 million worldwide. Her work spans HBO's "Euphoria," where she won an Emmy for Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Another prominent figure is Halle Berry, whose curly hair has been featured in films like "Monster's Ball" and the "John Wick" franchise. Berry won the Academy Award for Best Actress for "Monster's Ball" in 2002 and remains a top earner in action roles. For more on Berry's career, see the Forbes profile on her production company and investments Forbes - Halle Berry's Net Worth and Career.
Curly-haired actresses also lead in independent and streaming cinema. Florence Pugh, recognized for her natural curls, starred in "Little Women" (2019), which earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She later appeared in Marvel's "Black Widow" and the Amazon series "The Wonder Years" adaptation. Another example is Lupita Nyong'o, whose curly hair has been celebrated in both "Black Panther" and "Us." Nyong'o won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for "12 Years a Slave" and remains a prominent voice in diversity advocacy within the industry. Her production work focuses on African storytelling, as detailed in her SEC filings with production entities SEC - Lupita Nyong'o Production Filings.
Television and Streaming Stars with Curly Hair
In television, curly hair remains a strong visual signature for actresses in top-rated series. Issa Rae, whose natural curls are central to her public image, created and stars in HBO's "Insecure," which ran for five seasons and earned multiple Emmy nominations. She also executive-produces and stars in the upcoming "The Spiderwick Chronicles" for Disney+. Another key figure is Tracee Ellis Ross, star of the CW's "Black Lightning" and the BET series "Black-ish." Ross's curly hair has been highlighted in fashion and beauty campaigns, and she is the daughter of Diana Ross. Her production company, Pattern Beauty, focuses on inclusive beauty products, with financial details reported in business profiles Forbes - Tracee Ellis Ross Business Ventures.
Streaming platforms have also elevated curly-haired actresses in lead roles. Hannah Waddingham, known for her voluminous curls, stars in Netflix's "Ted Lasso" and the fantasy series "Game of Thrones." "Ted Lasso" won the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series, and Waddingham won the Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series award in 2021. Another streaming standout is Quinta Brunson, whose natural curls are featured in the ABC sitcom "Abbott Elementary." The show won the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series in 2022, and Brunson became the first Black woman to win Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. Her production deal with Warner Bros. Television was reported in industry trade news