Actresses From Illinois

Betty White, American actress and comedian, is considered as the pioneer of television and has had the longest television career of any entertainer, straddling more than 80 years. She’s known for her award-winning performances in shows like The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Golden Girls and Hot in Cleveland. 

American actress, Melissa McCarthy, became famous when she starred in the television series, Gilmore Girls, which ran from 2000 to 2007. The sitcom, Mike & Molly, which ran from 2010 to 2016, further brought her accolades. She has also been part of films like This is 40, Identity Thief, The Heat, The Boss, Bridesmaids, Tammy, Spy and Can You Ever Forgive Me.

Actress, model, and TV host, Jenny McCarthy has been active in the entertainment industry for around three decades. She started her career as a model for Playboy and moved on to host TV shows. She made her film debut in the late 1990s. Her son has autism and she promotes research in alternative medical treatments for autism.

American actress Gina Rodriguez, who portrayed Jane Villanueva in the popular TV series Jane the Virgin, is also known for her involvement with charities and philanthropic efforts; in 2016, she was named in Oprah Winfrey's SuperSoul 100, a list of influential leaders and visionaries. Rodriguez also serves as an inspiration to several young Latina actresses.

Former child model turned actress Jennifer Morrison gained international fame for her role in the medical drama series House. After beginning her career as a child model, she developed a love for acting. She studied at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company before taking up acting projects. She eventually ventured into direction, making her directorial debut in 2017.    

Actress and producer, Gloria Swanson, appeared in dozens of silent films in the 1920s and became a prominent Hollywood figure. As a teenager, she ventured into acting by chance and became a popular face soon after. After establishing herself as an actress, she became a filmmaker as well and is considered one of the film industry's pioneering women filmmakers.

Keke Palmer is an American actress, television personality, and singer. In 2019, she was recognized by Time magazine as one of the 100 celebrities who are shaping the future of health, entertainment, business, politics, and more. Palmer, who has been open about her struggle with depression and anxiety, supports movements, such as Black Lives Matter.

Frances McDormand has earned the "Triple Crown of Acting," with two Academy Awards, a Tony, and two Primetime Emmys. She is best known for her roles of headstrong women in Coen brothers’ films, such as Fargo. She has also been vocal about the Me Too and Time's Up movements.

Chloe Bennet is an American singer and actress best known for playing Daisy Johnson / Quake in the superhero TV series Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. She serves as an inspiration to those suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety as she revealed in 2018 that she has been suffering from these conditions since childhood.

Jennifer Beals is an American actress who received appreciation for her portrayal of Alex Owens in the 1983 romantic drama film Flashdance. Over the years, she has also been an ardent advocate for gay rights; she received the Ally For Equality Award for her support for the LGBT community. She also works closely with charities like the Matthew Shepard Foundation.

Denise Richards is an actress, television personality and a former fashion model. Some of her well known films are Starship Troopers, Wild Things, The World Is Not Enough and Love Actually. She’s also worked in many television sitcoms and has made it to top 50 and top 100 ‘Sexiest Women’ list of several magazines. She supports numerous charities.

A self-proclaimed workaholic, Laurie Metcalf is an influential personality in the American theatre scene. She has won two Tony Awards in her four decades old career. A three-time Primetime Emmy winner, Metcalf is also known for her work on TV. Also a humanitarian, she has worked with Plan USA, an organization that helps children around the world.

Cecily Strong is an American comedian and actress best known for her work in the popular sketch comedy and variety show Saturday Night Live. In 2015, she was part of the White House Correspondents' Association dinner where she was the featured entertainer; she took digs at the US Secret Service, news organizations, the state of Indiana, and President Barack Obama.

Marcheline Bertrand was an American actress. The former wife of Jon Voight and the mother of Angelina Jolie, Marcheline Bertrand had a brief acting career. She had a greater impact as a humanitarian as she co-founded an organization called All Tribes Foundation in an attempt to provide economic and cultural benefits to Native Americans.

Virginia Madsen is an American actress. Over the years, Madsen has contributed to the success of several films and TV series, such as Fire with Fire, Modern Girls, Moonlighting, and American Dreams. She is also credited with establishing Title IX Productions, a film production company which she started in 2008.

Anna Chlumsky is an American actress best known for portraying Vada Sultenfuss in the 1991 coming-of-age comedy-drama film My Girl. Chlumsky, who started her career as a child artist, went on to establish herself as an actress in the film and TV industry. She contributed immensely to the success of the comedy television series Veep.

Best known for starring as Kelly Taylor in the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise, actress Jennie Garth has been active in the entertainment industry for over three decades. She began modeling at a young age and soon found an agent who helped her get acting roles. She established a successful acting career after going through her share of struggles.

Danielle Campbell is best known as Davina Claire from The Originals and Kayla Powell/Olivia Moon from Tell Me a Story. She was scouted at a salon and later made her debut with the series Prison Break. She has also appeared in the Disney movies Prom and Starstruck.

Marlee Matlin is an American actress and author. Her portrayal of Sarah Norman in the 1986 film Children of a Lesser God earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress, making her the only deaf performer to have received an Oscar. Apart from being an accomplished actress, Matlin is also an important member of the National Association of the Deaf.

An actress who first gained fame with her role in the Broadway musical Hamilton, Phillipa Soo is currently living her dream of performing in plays, TV shows, and films. Interested in acting from a young age, she graduated from The Juilliard School's acting program before beginning her career. A socially conscious individual, she is also involved in philanthropy.

Natasha Leggero hosted the MTV reality series The 70s House. She has also been a panelist on Chelsea Lately. She is known for her satirical stance on celebrity culture and gained fame with the period sitcom Another Period. She has also voiced Shannon in Netflix's animated sitcom Hoops.

Kathy Griffin is an American actress and comedian who has won a couple of Primetime Emmy Awards for appearing in her own reality television series, Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List. Apart from being a comedian, Kathy Griffin is also an avid supporter of LGBT rights.