Red Carpet
The 75 best dresses of all time from the Actor Awards red carpet
Feb. 23, 2026Updated Feb. 24, 2026, 9:53 a.m. ET

Let the countdown to the Actor Awards begin! Ahead of the 32nd annual show on Netflix (8 p.m. ET/ 5 PT), here are the 75 best dresses throughout the years, starting with Sofia Carson in 2025, wearing a stunning salmon Elie Saab couture frock that evokes Old Hollywood glamour.
Rodin Eckenroth, Getty Images
Brooke Shields wowed in a strapless silver number with disco ball sequins.
FREDERIC J. BROWN, AFP Via Getty Images
Selena Gomez wore a sophisticated Celine gown in midnight blue, paired with a simple bob.
ROBYN BECK, AFP Via Getty ImagesCynthia Erivo donned vintage 1997 Givenchy designed by Alexander McQueen, with a fringed collar and bell sleeves.
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In 2024, Anne Hathaway opted for a brilliant blue archival Versace gown.
VALERIE MACON, AFP Via Getty Images
Quinta Brunson chose a timeless black gown with a deep U-shaped neckline.
VALERIE MACON, AFP Via Getty Images
Carey Mulligan looked like a walking trophy in a shiny gold column gown with sculptural folding at the hips.
Frazer Harrison, Getty Images
Brie Larson opted for a youthful two-piece Versace in a complexion-flattering pink, pairing a midriff-baring top with a ballgown skirt.
VALERIE MACON, AFP Via Getty ImagesIn 2023, Zendaya wore an ethereal pink Valentino gown with a to-die-for rose-covered train.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAYJenna Ortega got her goth on with a high-fashion edge, donning an asymmetrical Versace dress with a chic slit.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAYJessica Chastain looked very Barbie in a vibrant fuchsia Zuhair Murad gown.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY
Haley Lu Richardson served up old Hollywood glamour in a strapless, pearl-encrusted Carolina Herrera dress.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY
Quinta Brunson chose a black-and-white dress by Jean-Louis Sabaji that paired a playful white seashell bodice with a shimmery black train.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY
In 2022, Lady Gaga wore a white column Armani Privé gown with a statement necklace.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY
Ariana DeBose looked perfect in pink in a strapless, floor-length Maison Valentino dress.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY
Salma Hayek chose a satin Gucci gown in coral.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY
Jennifer Hudson donned a pale pink Vera Wang dress with structured chiffon flowers.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY
Kerry Washinton's canary yellow strapless gown was by Greek designer Celia Kritharioti.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY
Cynthia Erivo paired her strapless Louis Vuitton red latex dress with a matching shawl lined with fur and Tiffany jewelry.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY
Cate Blanchett took the plunge in a sleeveless black Armani Privé gown with stone embellishments and Pomellato jewelry.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY
Jung Ho-yeon looked lovely in a black Louis Vuitton spaghetti strap silk dress embroidered with crystals and silver beads.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY
In 2021, Jamie Chung donned red Oscar de la Renta in honor of her Korean culture, accessorized with an Edie Parker clutch that read: "Stop Asian Hate."
Dimitrios Kambouris, Getty ImagesIn 2020, Jennifer Lopez opted for a sleek and strapless gown by Georges Hobeika. She also sparkled in more than $9 million of Harry Winston jewelry.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAYJennifer Aniston exuded old Hollywood glam in this effortless silk Dior gown.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAYZoë Kravitz channeled Audrey Hepburn in her Oscar de la Renta column gown paired with long white gloves.
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin, FilmMagicScarlett Johansson stunned in a teal gown by Armani Privé, which she perfectly paired with a pop of bright red lipstick.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAYCynthia Erivo looked like the the belle of the ball in a custom pink Schiaparelli gown by Daniel Roseberry.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAYReese Witherspoon looked chic in a sparkling, one-shouldered Celine gown with a thigh-high slit.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAYLupita Nyong'o does no wrong when it comes to fashion. This black, white and silver Louis Vuitton gown was no exception.
Steve Granitz, WireImageLaura Dern's long-sleeved dress by Stella McCartney stood out thanks to the gorgeous green hue, bold shoulders and delicate gold chain detail that showed off her midriff.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAYCatherine O’Hara took a page out of Moira Rose’s playbook with this vibrant sequin gown by Marc Jacobs.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAYIn 2019, Sandra Oh crushed it wearing a red one-shoulder embellished crepe gown by Jenny Packham.
Dan MacMedan/USA TODAYEmily Blunt's 2019 Michael Kors collection confection was a pink dream.
Dan MacMedan/USA TODAY"The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" star Rachel Brosnahan, who won best actress in a comedy series in 2019, stood out in a pastel Dior gown and sleek straight hair.
Dan MacMedan/USA TODAYAmy Adams, who scored two nominations for her work on "Vice" and "Sharp Objects," brought glitz to the red carpet in a strapless black Celine by Hedi Slimane gown that featured an eye-popping peplum.
Dan MacMedan/USA TODAYMargot Robbie stood out at the 2019 show in a white and gold Chanel column gown with crocheted embellishments.
Jon Kopaloff, Getty ImagesGemma Chan looked picture-perfect in her Oscar de la Renta gown, which featured a high-low hem and glamorous ruffles.
Dan MacMedan/USA TODAYElisabeth Moss left her "Handmaid's Tale" closet behind, donning a gorgeous belted white Monique Lhuillier gown at the 2019 show.
Dan MacMedan/USA TODAYAt the 2018 awards, Reese Witherspoon looked chic in an off-the-shoulder emerald gown by Zac Posen.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAYHalle Berry wowed in a sequined Pamella Roland gown.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAYKristen Bell posed in an elegant black gown from Yanina Couture that featured a daring, deep neckline.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY"GLOW" star Sydelle Noel brought a pop of color to the red carpet.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAYGoldie Hawn showed off some shoulder in a pale blue gown.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY"This Is Us" star Susan Kelechi Watson perfectly pulled off this sapphire-blue gown by Rubin Singer.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAYMary J. Blige arrived in a black and white gown with feather detailing.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAYLupita Nyong'o stunned in a silvery Ralph and Russo gown with black feathers.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY"Godless" actress Michelle Dockery looked smashing in a technicolor Elie Saab creation in 2017.
Dan MacMedan/USA TODAYAnd this is how the Vivienne Westwood was won. Viola Davis rocked the fitted column gown with cinched waist.
Dan MacMedan/USA TODAYKirsten Dunst's Dior dress with structured bodice and bedazzled straps will endure the test of time.
Dan MacMedan/USA TODAYOctavia Spencer accessorized her Tadashi Shoji gown featuring a peplum waist and mesh neckline with turquoise earrings.
PAUL BUCK/EPAClaire Danes took color-blocking to glamorous heights in her multi-hued blue Stella McCartney gown in 2016.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY
Alicia Vikander sparkled in Louis Vuitton.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAYJulianne Moore complemented her red hair with a stunning green beaded Givenchy gown at the 2015 show.
Kevork Djansezian, Getty ImagesRashida Jones arrived wearing a design by Emanuel Ungaro with a bold black and white print and baby blue accents.
Dan MacMedan/USA TODAYLupita Nyong'o's 2014 aquamarine Gucci ensemble with a beaded, floral neckline is what fashion dreams are made of.
Gregg DeGuire, WireImageHelen Mirren, Mirren at the ball, you're one of the fairest of them all. The actress selected a stunning Escada look with gold embellishments.
Dan MacMedan/USA TODAYMother of dresses, Emilia Clarke, chose a rosy, one-shoulder, full-length frock by Calvin Klein Collection.
Dan MacMedan/USA TODAYRuffled layers make the navy Zac Posen gown Amanda Seyfried donned in 2013 a standout.
Dan MacMedan/USA TODAY"Dear White People" actress Teyonah Parris selected a vivid violet Monique Lhuillier one-shoulder dress.
Dan MacMedan/USA TODAYTake a moment to take in Rose Byrne's blush, floral Valentino frock. Soft ruffles made the design even more romantic.
Dan MacMedan/USA TODAYAre you red-y for it? Jessica Chastain arrived in a candy red Alexander McQueen column gown with sweetheart neckline.
Dan MacMedan/USA TODAYKerry Washington stunned in a sleeveless Rodarte design with an ornate, sculpted bodice.
Robert Hanashiro/USA TODAYCrystal spikes along the neck and sleeves gave Zoe Saldana’s romantic Givenchy dress edge at the awards show in 2012.
Jason Merritt/Getty ImagesA pregnant Natalie Portman looked beautiful in a strapless Azzaro number with stone-encrusted neckline in 2011.
Dan MacMedan/USA TODAYLea Michele's sparkly Oscar de la Renta dress made us "Glee"-ful.
Dan MacMedan/USA TODAYEva Longoria beamed in a beautifully draped gown by Georges Hobeika.
Dan MacMedan/USA TODAYMila Kunis' belted, floral Alexander McQueen creation turned heads.
Dan MacMedan/USA TODAYThe marigold Jason Wu design Diane Kruger wore to the awards show in 2010, which she paired with ruby accessories, lives on in our memories.
Dan MacMedan/USA TODAYChristina Applegate glowed in a breathtaking, slate blue number by Roberto Cavalli.
Dan MacMedan/USA TODAYTaraji P. Henson's blunt bob complemented the clean lines of her white Hervé Leroux dress in 2009.
Dan MacMedan/USA TODAYDebra Messing was bejeweled perfection in an Oscar de la Renta when she strolled the carpet in 2008.
Dan MacMedan/USA TODAYTeri Hatcher’s look at the awards show in 2007 is simply timeless. The former resident of Wisteria Lane selected a soft silver gown that cascaded into a soothing waterfall of a skirt.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAYJada Pinkett Smith showcased her toned arms in a bright pink Bob Mackie design.
Dan MacMedan/USA TODAYIn 2006, Thandie Newton donned a champagne Luisa Beccaria dress with ruched bodice.
Vince Bucci/Getty ImagesVa-va-voom! In 2005, Hilary Swank looked like a ‘Million Dollar Baby’ in a black halter dress with thigh-high slit.
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