22 Actresses Who Shaved Their Heads For a Role

Going bald for a role isn't just a style choice - it shows an actress's total commitment to her craft.  

Saying "Yes" to a razor also deepens the connection to the character and makes the performance unforgettable.

As experts in smooth head shaves, we know that shaving is a bold step women take for many reasons. From warriors like Okoye and Furiosa, to intense dramatic roles like Fantine, we count down the women who shaved for authenticity and power.

Join us as we celebrate 22 bald actresses who proved that losing your hair can make you shine brighter on screen.

22 Brave Actresses Who Shaved Their Heads for a Role

Emma Corrin

Emma Corrin took on the bald woman challenge for her villainous portrayal of Cassandra Nova in Marvel's Deadpool and Wolverine.

Nova is a powerful telepath, and her completely bald head is her signature look, just like her twin, Professor X. 

Corrin is a better-looking version of Cassandra Nova than the comic version. If you're thinking about a bald Halloween costume idea, Corrin's Nova version would be a good choice.

Do you want to know which bald villain you are? Take our fun quiz to find out.

Tilda Swinton

Tilda Swinton joins the list of bald women who shaved their heads for her role as the Ancient One in Doctor Strange. Swinton's decision to shave her head was a deliberate choice that added depth to the character, allowing her to portray a cinematic version of the Ancient One that exuded wisdom and strength.

Going bald in the MCU was a risk, but it paid off. The Ancient One in the comics was male and had hair.

The bald look helped redefine the character in a way that viewers loved.

Danai Gurira

Danai Gurira shaved her head as she played Okoye in the MCU's Black Panther. She led the Dora Milaje, an all-female special forces unit that were the Black Panthers' personal bodyguards in Wakanda.

Girard was the first member of the cast to get her head shaved. The head shave became a bonding moment for the cast, and they all proudly embraced the shaved look.

The bald women warriors show the strength and identity of the Dora Milaje.

Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron's striking transformation as Furiosa in Mad Max: Fury Road was highlighted by her buzzed head.

Furiosa is a fierce warrior who leads a rebellion against a tyrannical warlord. Theron's decision to go bald for the role further enhanced Furiosa's tough, battle-hardened persona.

Her performance got her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress.

Karen Gillan

Karen Gillan shaved her head for her role as Nebula in Guardians of the Galaxy. It took hours of makeup work, including the application of prosthetics, to achieve the Nebula look, which was topped off with a bald head.

Gillan fully shaved her head for the first Guardians film, but in the sequels, she found ways to conceal her hair by using bald caps, CGI, and clever hair styling techniques.

They also created a wig from her shaved hair, allowing her to audition for roles other than her Nebula role. In the 2013 Doctor Who Christmas special, many viewers were unaware that she was bald at the time.

Millie Bobby Brown

Millie Bobby Brown shaved her head for her role as Eleven in Stranger Things. She was only 12 then. Eleven is a young girl with psychokinetic abilities, and her shaved head symbolizes her traumatic past living in a government lab and being experimented on.

Like Karen Gillan, Brown didn't have to shave her head again for Stranger Things 4. The series' hair designer recreated her buzz cut from Season 1 using hair wraps and wigs that were so realistic that they fooled the audience into thinking Brown had shaved her head again.

Brown earned awards for her portrayal, including a Screen Actors Guild Award.

Cara Delevingne

Cara Delevingne shaved her hair off for her role as Yasmine in Life in a Year.

She wanted to shave her head before getting the project, but her agents and managers were against it.

Yasmine was a cancer patient who had only a year to live. It's common for cancer patients to lose their hair while undergoing therapy, so a head shave was needed for authenticity.

Leading up to the shave, Delevingne teased fans with various hairstyles, including a platinum bob and a pastel pixie cut, ultimately ending in the buzz cut for the role.

She showed off her shaved head at the 2017 MET Gala, where she painted her scalp silver and rocked her buzz cut.

Joey King

Joey King's shaved head in The Act was a striking transformation that added depth and authenticity to the role of Gypsy Rose Blanchard.

Shaving her head was only part of the transformation. King had to wear prosthetic teeth and portray a sinister character with leukemia and muscular dystrophy.

King earned rave reviews and an Emmy nomination for the unforgettable performance.

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman shaved her head on camera for her role in V for Vendetta. This dramatic scene became one of the film's most iconic moments.

Her shaved head symbolized Evey Hammond's rebirth and journey toward self-discovery.

Portman's bravery in becoming a bald woman on film made her one of the most versatile and talented actresses around.

Demi Moore

Demi Moore shaved her head on-camera for her role in GI Jane. It was a bold statement that set the tone for her character's grueling military training.

As Lt. Jordan O'Neil, Demi went through a complete physical and mental transformation. Being the first woman to undergo training for the Navy Seals, her shaved head added to the realism and symbolized her determination to prove herself in a male-dominated field.

Moore's performance was praised for its intensity and authenticity.

Sigourney Weaver

Sigourney Weaver shaved her head for her role as Ellen Ripley in Alien 3. Weaver's shaved head added to the gritty and unforgiving atmosphere of the film. It also symbolized Ripley's rebirth and resolve to face the alien threat head-on.

Kate Hudson

Kate Hudson is known for her long blonde hair; it's her trademark. Cutting off her signature blonde locks wasn't easy, but she did it for her role in Sister.

This shows Hudson's commitment to her craft. It was such a liberating experience that she encouraged everyone to do it if they had the guts to do so.

Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett shaved her head for her role in Heaven. As Philippa, Cate plays a British woman crying out for justice for her husband's tragic death.

The bald head symbolizes Philippa's determination to fight for justice in a foreign land.

Olivia Cooke

Olivia Cooke shed her precious locks for her role as Rachel in Me and Earl and the Dying Girl. The coming-of-age drama tells the story of a high school student with leukemia and her relationship with her friends Greg and Earl.

Rachel's battle with cancer is the central theme that makes head shaving necessary, as most cancer patients shave their heads once they start losing their hair during treatment.

Cooke was nominated for several awards for her performance, including a Best Supporting Actress nomination from the SDFCS Awards and an Empire Award Nomination for Best Female Newcomer.

Kristen Stewart

Kristen Stewart boldly shaved her head for her role in Underwater. It was also practical since her character, Norah Price, had to wear and remove heavy deep-sea suits. Managing hair was going to be a hassle.

Being bald also enhances the character's tough and resilient nature as she battles sea beasts at the bottom of the sea.

Amandla Stenberg

Amanda Stenberg is a vocal advocate for authenticity in media, and she was given the opportunity to apply this to a role in Where Hands Touch.

When her director asked her to shave her head for her role as Leyna, she jumped at the chance so she could truly connect with her character. Leyna is a biracial teen navigating life in Nazi Germany.

Anne Hathaway

Anne Hathaway's transformation as Fantine in Les Misérables (2012) is one of the most memorable scenes of an actress cutting her hair on screen.

Fantine's haircut was a pivotal moment in the narrative, showing her desperation and loss. The real haircut added authenticity to the scene.

Anne describes the experience as both liberating and traumatic. She considers it one of the hardest moments of her career.

She earned critical acclaim and got an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal.

Natalie Dormer

Natalie Dormer shaved half of her head for her role as Cressida in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay.

Shaving wasn't easy for Dormer, but she felt that it was needed to make the character more believable. The half-shaved look was meant to show Cressida's rebellious spirit.

Sanaa Lathan

Sanaa Lathan made a bold statement by shaving her head for her role in Nappily Ever After.

She plays Violet, a black businesswoman who believes that having straight hair is a sign of perfection. Imagine how difficult it is to have this mindset since most black women have curly and coarse hair.

Violet eventually shaves her head after experiencing a bad breakup.

Toni Collette

Toni Collette shaved her head for her role as Milly in the film Miss You Already.

The story is about two childhood best friends who had to face one of them (Milly) being diagnosed with breast cancer.

Before she shaved, Collette was given a bottle of vodka to ease the emotional strain.

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie shaved her head for her role as Gia Carangi in the 1998 HBO film Gia.

The story is about the rise and fall of a supermodel and the first famous woman to die from AIDS.

Jolie earned the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries.

Persis Khambatta

Persis Khambatta shaved her head for the role of Lieutenant Ilia in Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979). She was a model, actress, and titleholder of a beauty pageant.

For Star Trek, she portrayed a Deltan navigator, which meant she had to let go of her precious locks.

Her portrayal earned her a nomination for the Saturn Award for Best Actress.

Why Go Bald? The Benefits of Shaving Your Head

Choosing to shave your head doesn’t just make a bold statement in movies. For many women, it’s about freedom and confidence. Going bald means:

• Less time spent on styling and maintenance
• A fresh, eye-catching look that highlights your facial features
• A way to challenge traditional beauty standards and feel empowered
• Cooler comfort in hot weather and easier hair care

Match your shaved head with the best in bald women's fashion.

How to Shave Your Head Like Your Favorite Actress?

These actresses look great with hair, but they also look stunning shaved. Removing their hair enhances their facial features; if you have a beautiful face, it will be magnified even further.

If you want to try out head shaving like your favorite bald celebrity, Freebird has the gear you need.

Freebird Beard Series Trimmer Kit

If shaving it all off is too extreme, consider a buzz cut, similar to those sported by Natalie Portman or Millie Bobby Brown.

We recommend the Freebird Beard Trimmer for the job. It can give you a clean and even buzz cut in minutes.

If you're going for a full bald look, you'll need a trimmer to cut long hair first. A rotary or foil shaver can't be used directly because it will pull and snag.

Get one now for only $49.95.

Freebird FlexSeries for Women

For those bold enough to sport a smooth bald head like the Dora Milaje squad in Black Panther, Freebird's FlexSeries for Women is your best bet.

Its powerful motor and ScalpSafe blades can finish the job in minutes. You don't have to worry about nicks, cuts, razor burns, or bumps, even if you have sensitive skin. Plus, it's a body shaver too!

Get one now for only $39.95.

For more options, check out our guide to the best electric head shavers for women

The Bottom Line

Choosing to shave one's head is a very emotional moment for a woman. Most of these actresses describe the experience as incredibly powerful and liberating. A buzz cut or shaved head strips away traditional beauty standards, making a woman feel strong, confident, and free.

Seeing these female leads go bald can be inspiring. If you're on the fence about trying the bald look for whatever reason, just go for it; hair will grow back anyway.

When you're ready, the FlexSeries for Women can help you get the smoothest and cleanest shave possible.

FAQs

How Often Should I Shave My Head?

To maintain a clean bald look, most women shave every 2-3 days. This keeps the scalp smooth and avoids stubble buildup. If you prefer a buzz cut, trimming once a week usually does the trick.

Stay consistent, and your bald style will always look fresh.

How Should I Prepare My Hair if it’s Long?

You need to trim your long hair down to a stubble length first before using a head shaver. A full head of hair will clog your shaver blades and can cause painful pulling. Use a hair clipper or your trimmer on the lowest setting to cut the length down to approximately 1/8 inch. 

What’s the First Step for a Smooth, Bald Head?

First, use a quality trimmer to remove the bulk of your hair to a buzz-cut length. A rotary or foil shaver can’t safely handle long hair, so a beard trimmer or hair clipper is always the first move. 

Can I Use My Face Razor on My Head?

You should skip using your face razor and opt for a head shaver for a better experience. Head shavers glide over your scalp without causing nicks or irritation. 

Is a Rotary Shaver Better than a Foil Shaver for My Head?

A rotary shaver is usually better for head shaving because the flexible heads hug the curves of your scalp. Foil shavers are better suited for flat areas, like your face or neck. The multiple rotating blades in a rotary shaver make it easier and faster to get an even cut over your entire dome..