The Most Successful Women In Hollywood

Any list of the most successful people in up for serious debate. Many of these women became successful thanks to their looks, so if we've piqued your curiosity, check out which women we have selected.

Elizabeth Hurley first became known in the public eye for dating Hugh Grant, who saw significant success with the 1994 film Four Weddings and a Funeral. At the film's premiere, she wore an iconic black Versace dress that was held together by golden safety pins. This has been credited with helping Versace become a household name, as well as launching Hurley to stardom. The next year, 1995, and with no prior modeling experience, she became the spokesmodel for Estée Lauder. In acting, she is best known for roles in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery and Bedazzled.

Charlize Theron grew up on a farm in South Africa before she ended up making her way to the silver screen. She was originally an aspiring ballet dancer, but the effects of the training on her body took their toll. Meanwhile, her beauty made her constantly alluring to modeling scouts. Later she branched off to acting and hasn't looked back since. Not just a pretty face, the actress won an Academy Award for Best Actress for portraying serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster.

During the '80s and '90s, Michelle Pfeiffer was one of the most popular actresses on the silver screen, thanks to her skilled acting and drop-dead gorgeous looks. She managed to break the typecast of the pretty girl in her late '70s movies, going on to have a supporting role in Scarface that led to obtaining more serious roles as she rose to stardom. According to one Daily Telegraph contributor, hers is "the kind of beauty you find yourself involuntarily taking a moment to marvel at mid-conversation."

Tyra Banks is a well-known American model and a television personality. In 1990, she started her modeling career with Elite Model Management, one of the most famous agencies in the world. She also appeared on the cover of Vogue magazine in Spain, being named the new Naomi Campbell - and it is easy to see why!  One of her greatest accomplishments on the public scene was her experience on America's Next Top Model, where she was both a host and executive producer.