Top 10 Actresses Who Played Women of Easy Virtue (13 photos)

A good actor must be able to play any role. Sometimes, the roles offered to them can challenge morality or even conflict with the actors' personal beliefs. But even so, sometimes turning down a role is much more difficult. To perform well, an actor must immerse themselves in it and feel their character. This selection features a role that few would want to experience: a woman who sells her body for money. So, let's look at actresses who weren't afraid to play prostitutes on screen.







1. Julia Roberts, Pretty Woman.

Julia Roberts' role as a prostitute in Pretty Woman earned her a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. Furthermore, this romantic comedy gave hope to many young women. Hope that their dreams can come true. That if love is true, even prejudices and social status don't matter.





2. Elisabeth Shue, Leaving Las Vegas

In the romantic drama Leaving Las Vegas, Elisabeth Shue plays a prostitute with a heart of gold. Her co-star was Nicolas Cage. Both actors received Oscar nominations for the film, but it seems that year the jury favored those who drank more than those with low moral character.



3. Catherine Deneuve, "Belle de Jour."

This great actress, a star of French cinema, is refined and elegant, even in the role of a prostitute. Unlike other films in which women turn to prostitution out of desperation and poverty, in this film you'll see a different kind of priestess of love. She has everything, including a husband she loves, but sometimes she wants to live fantasies about strangers. This role earned Catherine Deneuve a BAFTA nomination.



4. Jodie Foster, "Taxi Driver."

It's unlikely anyone can forget the image of a young Jodie (she was only 14 at the time!) as a teenage prostitute in "Taxi Driver." Ah, that big hat, shorts, flowery top, and naive smile. The role earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.



5. Jane Fonda, "Klute."

In 1971, Jane Fonda proved that you need to be completely committed to your work, and that playing a prostitute can earn an Oscar. She played Bree Daniels, a prostitute who helps a detective shed light on a mysterious disappearance case. The film was directed by Alan J. Pakula, and featured Donald Sutherland and Roy Scheider.



6. Charlize Theron, "Monster."

The beautiful Charlize outdid herself in this role. Not only is she unrecognizable in this role, but the role was truly psychologically complex. The actress played a prostitute, a lesbian, and a murderer. It's no wonder she rightfully won an Oscar for this performance.



7. Jessica Alba, "The Killer Inside Me."

Jessica plays a prostitute who is practically trampled into the ground by a perverted cop (played by Casey Affleck). This role, however, failed to bring Alba critical acclaim and even earned her a Worst Actress nomination that year. Well, director Michael Winterbottom was unlucky.



8. Mira Sorvino, "Mighty Aphrodite."

Another prostitute role... for which she won an Oscar. The film was directed by the great Woody Allen. It's a fantastic comedy about a family that adopts a boy genius and suddenly discovers the identity of his real parents. It turns out the boy's mother is Judy Cam, a porn actress.



9. Kim Basinger, "L.A. Confidential."

Kim Basinger was lucky enough to star in one of the sexiest films of the 90s, playing high-priced prostitute Veronica Lake. She performed brilliantly and even won an Oscar for the role.



10. Emily Browning, "Sleeping Beauty."

"Sleeping Beauty" is an Australian film in which actress Emily Browning appears naked for nearly 90% of the film. She plays a woman who sleeps while having sex with men.



11. Melanie Griffith, in "Pocket Money."

Melanie plays Vee, a prostitute with a heart of gold who sells her body because she has no other options. But she meets three wonderful children who want to introduce her to the widowed father of one of them. And in an instant, everything turns from drama to comedy.



12. Theresa Russell, "Whore."

Finally, a film with a straightforward title that doesn't hide behind beautiful metaphors and lays it all out there. Ken Russell turned Theresa Russell into a vulgar prostitute whose life is analyzed in detail.