The entertainment industry has never been more vibrant, or more queer, than it is today. Lesbian and queer women are telling stories, breaking barriers, and bringing unforgettable performances to both the big and small screens. Some of these actors you might recognize instantly, while others have quietly built impressive careers across film, TV, and stage. Here are 10 of the most prolific lesbian and queer women actors whose work has left a lasting impact.
10. Diora Baird
Diora Baird has become a familiar face in horror and comedy, with credits including Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Wedding Crashers, and My Best Friend’s Girl, as well as appearances on Shameless and Cobra Kai. Since coming out in 2017, she’s embraced roles reflecting her identity, like a gay expectant mother in the Lifetime thriller You’re Not Supposed to Be Here. Between acting and modeling, Baird has made authenticity a central part of her public persona.
9. Heather Matarazzo
Heather Matarazzo first captured attention as Dawn Wiener in Welcome to the Dollhouse and later appeared in The Princess Diaries. She’s also known for her roles on queer-focused projects like The L Word and Exes & Ohs, and contributed to the documentary Equal about LGBTQ+ pioneers. Matarazzo’s career exemplifies staying true to oneself while navigating Hollywood’s shifting landscape.
8. Haviland Stillwell
Actress, singer, producer, and advocate, Haviland Stillwell has a multifaceted career spanning voice work in Barbie: Life is a Dreamhouse and appearances in Six Degrees, Eastwick, and CSI: NY. Her queer roles include the web series Unicorn Plan-It and the indie film Freelancers Anonymous. Stillwell is also known for her activism, championing inclusive storytelling both on and off stage.
7. Guinevere Turner
Guinevere Turner is a cornerstone of queer cinema, co-writing and starring in the 1994 indie classic Go Fish. She’s contributed as a writer and actor to The L Word and starred in Cheryl Dunye’s The Watermelon Woman. Turner’s body of work, both in front of and behind the camera, has been instrumental in shaping authentic lesbian representation on screen.
6. Stephanie Beatriz
Stephanie Beatriz is beloved as Rosa Diaz on Brooklyn Nine-Nine and as the voice of Mirabel Madrigal in Encanto. She’s played queer characters in In the Heights and One Day at a Time, and currently voices Vaggie in Hazbin Hotel. Open about her queer identity, Beatriz continues to inspire audiences seeking genuine representation in both live-action and animated projects.
5. Jamie King
Jamie King has demonstrated versatility across genres, from action-packed films like Sin City and Star Wars: The Clone Wars to TV series like The Hart of Dixie and Netflix’s Black Summer. Her expansive career speaks volumes, even if she keeps her personal life more private than some of her peers.
4. Fortune Feimster
Comedian and actor Fortune Feimster first gained attention on Last Comic Standing and Chelsea Lately. She’s appeared in sitcoms such as 2 Broke Girls, Glee, and The Mindy Project, frequently playing queer characters in Champions, The L Word: Generation Q, and Q-Force. Her humor and authenticity have helped normalize queer stories in mainstream comedy.
3. Kelli Williams
Kelli Williams is a drama veteran, with long-running roles on Lie to Me, The Practice, and Army Wives. She’s also appeared in The Fosters and Men in Trees, and had a recurring queer role in Strangers. Williams’s ability to navigate different genres has kept her in steady demand over the years.
2. Tessa Thompson
Tessa Thompson’s career spans indie dramas like Mississippi Damned to blockbusters such as Creed and Thor: Ragnarok (as Valkyrie). She’s affirmed her Valkyrie character’s queerness and has portrayed queer roles in shows like Cold Case and BoJack Horseman. Thompson’s visibility in major franchises helps normalize queer representation in mainstream cinema.
1. Kathleen Munroe
Canadian actress Kathleen Munroe has appeared in nearly 50 TV projects, including Stargate Universe, Alphas, and CSI: NY, as well as films like City on Fire and Haven. She played a recurring queer role in the Facebook Watch series Strangers and developed the queer western-horror series This Way Out, which made the Cannes screenplay list. Munroe’s impact extends beyond acting, demonstrating her influence both on-screen and behind the scenes.
These actors are trailblazers, shaping the stories we see and inspiring audiences through talent, authenticity, and advocacy. From indie films to blockbuster franchises, their work highlights the depth and diversity of queer representation in entertainment, and reminds us that visibility matters, on screen and off.