Andie MacDowell | Source: Getty Images

Top 18 Most Beautiful Famous Brunettes Who Are Not Ashamed of Their Gray Hair

Aug 18, 2025

07:05 A.M.

These brunette icons once turned heads with their dark locks — but now, they're making headlines for proudly embracing their gray hair. See how these 18 famous women are redefining beauty and aging with confidence.

Once known for their rich, dark tresses, these 18 celebrities have chosen to go gray, and they aren't looking back. From red carpet veterans to supermodels and screen legends, each woman on this list has ditched the dye and embraced her natural hair with pride.

Andie MacDowell at the "Dossier 137 (Case 137)" red carpet during the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2025, in France. | Source: Getty Images

18. Whoopi Goldberg – Before

Goldberg has never been one to follow convention when it comes to beauty, and her hair has always reflected that. From the early days of her Hollywood career, she often wore her hair in natural textures or long braids, embracing styles that felt authentic to her.

Whoopi Goldberg at the 63rd Annual Academy Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, on March 25, 1991. | Source: Getty Images

After

Today, the actress confidently rocks a mix of gray and black locs, often shaved on the sides and styled with flair. Her silver strands are just another chapter in her decades-long journey of self-expression.

Whoopi Goldberg at a discussion of the book "Bits and Pieces" on May 6, 2024, in New York. | Source: Getty Images

Whoopi Goldberg at the grand opening of the Planet Hollywood NYC at Planet Hollywood New York City on March 11, 2025. | Source: Getty Images

Whoopi Goldberg at the 2025 Met Gala on May 5 in New York. | Source: Getty Images

17. Stacy London – Before

Stacy London at the 2005 Step Up Women's Network Inspiration Awards. | Source: Getty Images

After

Stacy London at the "Halftime" premiere during the Tribeca Festival Opening Night on June 8, 2022, in New York. | Source: Getty Images

16. Tia Mowry – Before

Known for her sleek brunette looks on red carpets and in her early TV days, Mowry consistently embraced polished hairstyles — from glossy bobs to elegant braids.

Tia Mowry at Rihanna's First Annual Diamond Ball at The Vineyard on December 11, 2014, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

Tia Mowry at the Los Angeles world premiere of "Focus" at TCL Chinese Theatre on February 24, 2015, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

After

But in recent years, the "Sister, Sister" star has chosen to celebrate a more natural look. She now confidently rocks her gray curls, which she proudly shares on Instagram, embracing aging with grace and authenticity.

Tia Mowry from a post dated August 4, 2020. | Source: Instagram/tiamowry

15. Elizabeth McGovern – Before

Elizabeth McGovern at the 39th Annual Directors Guild of America Awards on March 7, 1987, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Elizabeth McGovern during the 127th Tournament of Roses Parade on January 1, 2016, in Pasadena, California. | Source: Getty Images

After

Elizabeth McGovern at the world premiere of "Downton Abbey: A New Era" at Cineworld Leicester Square on April 25, 2022, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

Elizabeth McGovern during a reception at the Queen's Reading Room Literary Festival at Hampton Court Palace on June 8, 2024, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

14. Tracee Ellis Ross – Before

Ross has always embraced bold, voluminous curls that became part of her signature look in the early 2000s. Over the years, her style evolved, but her confidence never wavered.

Tracee Ellis Ross during Glamour Magazine's pre-Primetime Emmy Awards party in 2000. | Source: Getty Images

Tracee Ellis Ross in the press room during the 74th Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 8, 2017, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

After

Today, the "Black-ish" star proudly shows off her natural hair, including her emerging gray strands, which she often highlights on her Instagram page, proving that beauty and authenticity go hand in hand.

Tracee Ellis Ross from a post dated July 9, 2021. | Source: Instagram/traceeellisross

13. Jamie Lee Curtis – Before

Jamie Lee Curtis circa 1977. | Source: Getty Images

Jamie Lee Curtis at the "My Girl 2" premiere in 1994. | Source: Getty Images

After

Jamie Lee Curtis at Mall of America on September 23, 2016, in Bloomington, Minnesota. | Source: Getty Images

Jamie Lee Curtis at the "Freakier Friday" premiere at El Capitan Theatre on July 22, 2025, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Jamie Lee Curtis at the "Freakier Friday" special screening on July 28, 2025, in New York. | Source: Getty Images

12. Mo'Nique – Before

Mo'Nique in the press room at the 82nd Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theater on March 7, 2010, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

After

Mo'Nique at the premiere of "The Deliverance" on August 28, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

11. Salma Hayek – Before

Hayek's rich brunette waves were iconic throughout the 1990s and 2000s, often styled in glamorous curls that turned heads on red carpets worldwide.

Salma Hayek at the "Desperado" premiere at Mann's National Theatre in Westwood, Los Angeles, California, on August 21, 1995. | Source: Getty Images

After

More recently, the Oscar-nominated actress has embraced the silver strands that have naturally appeared along her hairline. Rather than hiding them, Hayek shares glimpses of her graying hair on social media, radiating the same confidence and elegance she always has.

Salma Hayek from a post dated July 27, 2023. | Source: Instagram/salmahayek

Salma Hayek at the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 5, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

Salma Hayek at the Balenciaga Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2025/2026 show during Paris Fashion Week on July 9, 2025, in France. | Source: Getty Images

10. Diane Keaton – Before

Woody Allen and Diane Keaton circa 1975. | Source: Getty Images

Diane Keaton at the 48th Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles, California, 1976. | Source: Getty Images

After

Diane Keaton at the "Poms" press conference at the Four Seasons Hotel on May 2, 2019, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

Diane Keaton at the premiere of "Very Ralph" at The Paley Center for Media on November 11, 2019, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

Diane Keaton at the Ralph Lauren SS24 runway show during New York Fashion Week September 2023 on September 8. | Source: Getty Images

9. Emmylou Harris – Before

Emmylou Harris circa 1970. | Source: Getty Images

After

Emmylou Harris at the Sun Records 70th Anniversary Event at Gibson Garage on October 25, 2022, in Nashville, Tennessee. | Source: Getty Images

Emmylou Harris at the premiere of "June" at Woolworth Theatre on January 9, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee. | Source: Getty Images

Emmylou Harris performing during the 17th Academy of Country Music Honors at Ryman Auditorium on August 21, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee. | Source: Getty Images

8. Andie MacDowell – Before

MacDowell's deep brunette curls were once a defining feature of her red carpet presence, often styled in classic waves or voluminous blowouts.

Andie MacDowell at the Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California, on January 20, 2002. | Source: Getty Images

Andie MacDowell at the 23rd Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party on February 22, 2015, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

After

But in recent years, the actress has fully leaned into her natural gray curls, whether she's walking the runway or gracing the Cannes red carpet.

Andie MacDowell during the "Le Defile Walk Your Worth" By L'Oreal Paris womenswear Spring/Summer 2023 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on October 2, 2022, in France. | Source: Getty Images

Reflecting on her decision to embrace the change, MacDowell said, "So all these people on Instagram that are going silver, I started looking at them."

Andie MacDowell at the "L'Ete Dernier (Last Summer)" red carpet during the 76th annual Cannes Film Festival on May 25, 2023, in France. | Source: Getty Images

"I was looking at real women out there who were transitioning to gray, as well as younger women in their 50s who were choosing to go natural. You could see the before and afters, and I like the afters," she continued.

Andie MacDowell at "The Old Oak" red carpet during the 76th annual Cannes Film Festival on May 26, 2023, in France. | Source: Getty Images

7. Queen Letizia – Before

Princess Letizia of Spain at the Royal Gala Dinner honoring President Vaira Vike-Freiberga at the Royal Palace on October 18, 2004, in Madrid. | Source: Getty Images

After

Queen Letizia of Spain at a Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at Westminster Abbey on March 29, 2022, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

Queen Letizia of Spain at Zarzuela Palace on July 10, 2023, in Madrid. | Source: Getty Images

Queen Letizia of Spain at the solemn opening of the 15th legislature at the Spanish Parliament on November 29, 2023, in Madrid. | Source: Getty Images

6. Katie Holmes – Before

Katie Holmes at the Annual Emmy Awards in 1998. | Source: Getty Images

Katie Holmes at the 9th Annual MTV Movie Awards in 2000. | Source: Getty Images

After

Katie Holmes at the Michael Kors show on February 15, 2023, in New York. | Source: Getty Images

Katie Holmes at the Chanel Dinner to celebrate the Watches & Fine Jewelry Fifth Avenue Flagship Boutique opening on February 7, 2024, in New York. | Source: Getty Images

5. Nichelle Nichols – Before

Nichelle Nichols circa 1966 | Source: Getty Images

Nichelle Nichols as Uhura on "Star Trek" in 1967. | Source: Getty Images

Nichelle Nichols as Uhura and William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk in "Star Trek" in 1968. | Source: Getty Images

After

Nichelle Nichols at the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards on April 18, 2009, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Nichelle Nichols at a screening of "Unbelievable!!!!!" on August 5, 2017, in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Source: Getty Images

Nichelle Nichols at the premiere of CBS's "Star Trek: Discovery" at The Cinerama Dome on September 19, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

4. Paulina Porizkova – Before

Porizkova was once the face of countless magazine covers in the 1980s and 1990s, known for her piercing blue eyes and signature brunette locks.

Paulina Porizkova at the Future of Our Children Benefit launch on January 30, 1986, in New York. | Source: Getty Images

Paulina Porizkova at Lord and Taylor's Department Store in New York on September 26, 1988. | Source: Getty Images

After

Today, the supermodel embraces a stunning silver mane, wearing her gray hair with pride. She frequently posts barefaced selfies and thoughtful reflections on beauty and aging on her Instagram account, offering fans an honest and empowering look at life beyond the spotlight.

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Paulina Porizkova from a post dated January 1, 2025. | Source: Instagram/paulinaporizkov

Paulina Porizkova from a post dated April 7, 2025. | Source: Instagram/paulinaporizkov

3. Lisa Bonet – Before

Lisa Bonet during Dreamworks Pictures' "Biker Boyz" event at Manns Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California, 2003. | Source: Getty Images

Lisa Bonet at the 21st Annual Warner Bros. and InStyle Golden Globe after-party on January 5, 2020, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

After

Lisa Bonet at the VIP North American premiere of "Amazonia" on October 19, 2022, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

2. Kelly Hu – Before

Kelly Hu during Maxim Magazine's Annual "Hot 100" Party in Hollywood, California, 2003. | Source: Getty Images

Kelly Hu at the 17th Annual Race to Erase MS event on May 7, 2010, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

After

Kelly Hu at the 2024 Astra TV Awards on January 8, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Kelly Hu at the Los Angeles Premiere of "BMF" on February 29, 2024, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

Kelly Hu at CAPE's Radiance Gala Celebrating API Women & Non-Binary Achievement in Entertainment at Wilshire Ebell Theatre on March 11, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

1. Rita Moreno – Before

Rita Moreno stunned audiences for decades with her voluminous dark hair, which she wore in sleek styles, curls, and elegant updos throughout her celebrated career.

Rita Moreno circa 1955. | Source: Getty Images

Rita Moreno at the 34th annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California, on January 29, 1977. | Source: Getty Images

After

Now well into her 90s, the EGOT winner has embraced a full head of soft, silver hair that only amplifies her timeless beauty. Whether worn in a chic pixie cut or styled with a bold pop of color, Moreno’s gray hair feels as iconic as her legacy.

Rita Moreno at the premiere of "The Prank" on March 13, 2024, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

Rita Moreno at the 2024 Academy Museum Gala on October 19 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Rita Moreno backstage at the musical "Buena Vista Social Club" on Broadway at The Schoenfeld Theatre on May 21, 2025, in New York. | Source: Getty Images

These women prove that beauty doesn't fade with age — it evolves. By embracing their gray hair, they've challenged outdated beauty standards and shown that confidence, not color, defines timeless style.