leading lady
Top-billed actress
The leading lady is the actress playing the principal female role in a film, play, or television production.
The term carries old Hollywood connotations—glamour, star power, romantic plotlines.
A man might call his wife or girlfriend his leading lady as a term of endearment: She's been my leading lady for thirty years.
Luminous astronomical object
- performerOne who entertains audiences
- protagonistStory's central figure
- ingénueInnocent, unworldly young woman
- co-starEqual-billed performer
thespian · talent · understudy · screen presence · ensemble · audition · rehearsal · monologue
Enormously successful entertainment property
- premiereFirst public performance
- HollywoodAmerican film industry center
- BollywoodIndian film industry
- feature filmStandard-length theatrical release
box office · cinematography · director · producer · studio · screenplay · silver screen · film industry
Raised performance platform
- BroadwayManhattan theatrical district
- West EndLondon theatre district
- curtain callPost-show audience acknowledgment
- spotlightConcentrated illumination source
opening night · standing ovation · soliloquy · dramaturgy · repertory · matinee · proscenium · theatrical
Widely recognized public figure
- A-listerTop-tier famous person
- superstarExceptionally famous performer
- luminaryInspiring figure or celestial body
- headlinerTop-billed performer
fame · marquee name · household name · star power · sensation · idol · showstopper · diva
First to forge ahead
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- legendUnverified traditional tale
- role modelPerson others emulate
- inspirationSource of creative impulse
influential · groundbreaking · visionary · timeless · classic · golden age · Audrey Hepburn · Meryl Streep
star
Luminous astronomical object
- performerOne who entertains audiences
- protagonistStory's central figure
- ingénueInnocent, unworldly young woman
co-star · thespian · talent · understudy · screen presence · ensemble · audition · rehearsal · monologue · dialogue
blockbuster
Enormously successful entertainment property
feature film · box office · cinematography · director · producer · studio · screenplay · silver screen · film industry · movie star
stage
Raised performance platform
- BroadwayManhattan theatrical district
- West EndLondon theatre district
- curtain callPost-show audience acknowledgment
spotlight · opening night · standing ovation · soliloquy · dramaturgy · repertory · matinee · proscenium · theatrical · tragedy
celebrity
Widely recognized public figure
- A-listerTop-tier famous person
- superstarExceptionally famous performer
- luminaryInspiring figure or celestial body
headliner · fame · marquee name · household name · star power · sensation · idol · showstopper · diva · glamour
trailblazer
First to forge ahead
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- legendUnverified traditional tale
- role modelPerson others emulate
inspiration · influential · groundbreaking · visionary · timeless · classic · golden age · Audrey Hepburn · Meryl Streep · cultural impact
- celebritiesmovie stars, A-lister, pop stars, superstar, celebrity
- Broadwaymusicals, musical, Tony Award, musical theatre, theaters
- HollywoodHollywood, Tinseltown, Hollywood Sign, silver screen, movie stars
- theatreBroadway, acting, theatre, stage, actor
- actorsactor, actors, actresses, film actor, actress
- celebrity typesdiva, heartthrob, icon, bombshell, sex symbol
leading ladysupporting actress
Non-lead female performer
bit player · extra · background actor · minor character · walk-on
leading ladyleading man
Principal male actor
male lead · hero · protagonist · matinee idol
lead, leader, lady, leading, leadership, mislead, leaders, leads, misleading