Rita Hayworth from Gilda Trailer: Public Domain Image
Our Top 15 Essential New York Film Actresses and their Greatest Roles article looks at the films that New York born and raised actresses released throughout their remarkable careers. Just like Our Top 15 Essential New York Film Actors and their Greatest Roles list, this article searches for the actresses that brought a New York attitude or sensibility to their roles. New York is a large State that encompasses a variety different towns, and cities the define extremely various degrees of culture and people. However, New Yorkers share a bond that only New Yorkers can understand. Many of us who were born and raised in New York will instantly spot an actress on television or film that is from New York without any prior knowledge of where she was born. It’s a sense we have, just like people from their parts of the world share with their own native neighbors.
There are so many wonderful actresses that come from New York. Choosing only 15 is no easy task. However that’s what makes writing these lists so much fun. Let us know who you think we missed. We would love to hear from you.
Some of the 15 Essential New York Film Actresses also enjoyed tremendous success in television. However, their careers in film should not be ignored because of their television success. We start and end our 15 Essential New York Film Actresses article with actresses that enjoyed incredible careers both on television and the silver screen.
# 15 – Patty Duke
Born – December 14, 1946 – Queens, New York
Most Essential Movie Role: Helen Keller – The Miracle Worker
# 14 – Marisa Tomei
Born – December 4, 1964 – Brooklyn, New York
Most Essential Movie Role: Mona Lisa Vito – My Cousin Vinny
# 13 – Scarlett Johansson
Born – November 22, 1984 – New York City, New York
Most Essential Movie Role: Nola Rice – Match Point
# 12 – Rosario Dawson
Born – May 9, 1979 – New York City, New York
Most Essential Movie Role: Elizabeth Lamb – Trance
# 11 – Lorraine Bracco
Born – October 2, 1954 – Brooklyn, New York
Most Essential Movie Role: Karen Friedman Hill Goodfellas
# 10 – Angela Bassett
Born – August 16, 1958 – New York City, New York
Most Essential Movie Role: Anna Mae Bullock/Tina Turner – What’s Love Got To Do With It
# 9 – Anne Hathaway
Born – November 12, 1982 – Brooklyn, New York
Most Essential Movie Role: Kym Buchman – Rachel Getting Married 
# 8 – Whoopi Goldberg
Born – November 13, 1955 – New York City, New York
Most Essential Movie Role: Oda Mae Brown – Ghost 
# 7 – Susan Sarandon
Born – October 4, 1946 – Queens, New York
Most Essential Movie Role: Annie Savoy Bull Durham (1988)
# 6 – Anne Bancroft
Born – September 17, 1931 – Bronx, New York
Most Essential Movie Role: Mrs. Robinson The Graduate (1967)
# 5 – Lauren Bacall
Born – September 16, 1924 – The Bronx, New York
Most Essential Movie Role: Hannah Morgan The Mirror Has Two Faces
# 4 -Sigourney Weaver
Born – October 8, 1949 – New York City, New York
Most Essential Movie Role: Ripley Alien (1979)
# 3 – Barbra Streisand
Born – April 24, 1942 – Brooklyn, New York
Most Essential Movie Role: Esther Hoffman – A Star Is Born
# 2 – Rita Hayworth
Born – October 17, 1918 – Brooklyn, New York
Most Essential Movie Role: Gilda Mundson Farrell – Gilda (1946)
# 1 – Lucille Ball
Born – August 6, 1911 – Jamestown, New York
Most Essential Movie Role: Tacy Bolton-Collini – The Long, Long Trailer (1954)
