These Famous Redheads Are Scorchin’
Natural-born redheads are a rarity in the world. According to World Population Review, black and brown-haired people are the most prevalent by a wide margin (particularly in Africa and Eastern…
Jessica Chastain attends the “Memory” premiere during the 71st San Sebastian International Film Festival at the Victoria Eugenia Theater on September 27, 2023 in San Sebastian, Spain. Sophie Turner attends the Louis Vuitton Womenswear Fall Winter 2023-2024 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on March 06, 2023 in Paris, France. Nicole Kidman attends The 22nd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on January 30, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.
Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images/Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images for Louis Vuitton/Jason Merritt/Getty Images for TurnerNatural-born redheads are a rarity in the world. According to World Population Review, black and brown-haired people are the most prevalent by a wide margin (particularly in Africa and Eastern Asia). Blonde is less common but still widespread. Red-haired people make up roughly two percent of the world's population. Ireland and Scotland have the highest percentage of people with naturally red hair (13% in Scotland and 10% in Ireland).
Redheads have thicker hair than other hair colors, though they have less hair. On average, Redheads have 90,000 strands while blondes have 110,000, and brunettes have 140,000. Culturally, redheads are treated differently. In Polynesia, red hair is considered a sign that one's ancestors were of noble status. At different times in history, Europeans have considered red hair a sign of immorality, lycanthropy (werewolves) or vampirism. Redheads are occasionally referred to as "gingers," but this term is often considered disrespectful when used by non-redheads.
Genetically, red hair is the result of two recessive genes located on chromosome-16. When both of these recessive genes are present, they result in red hair, very light/fair skin, freckles, heightened sensitivity to temperature and UV/sunlight, and increased pain tolerance. Because of their commonly fair skin and sensitivity to UV light, redheads are more likely to develop skin cancer. The International Journal of Cancer reported in 2010 that natural redheads are approximately two and a half times as likely to develop the dangerous cancer as people with other hair hues.
Scientists have also suggested that one can be a natural redhead due to environmental factors. In fact, the United Kingdom's high redhead population is believed to be caused in part by the weather. Because of a redhead's heightened sensitivity to sunlight, their bodies are able to generate vitamin D more efficiently. This makes redheads slightly better-suited to the UK's frequently cloudy and rainy weather.
Keep scrolling to see the hottest famous redheads:
Lisa Ann Walter
Phillip Faraone/Getty ImagesThe 'Abbott Elementary' actress has a gorgeous, full-figured body. For those who don't watch the mockumentary series, Walter also starred in 1998's 'The Parent Trap' as Chessy. She started her career in the early '90s doing standup comedy for five years before landing her own comedy series, 'My Wildest Dreams.'
Lily Cole
Antony Jones/Getty Images for CartierIf you've never heard of Lily Cole before, she started out her professional career modeling as a teenager, making the cover of 'British Vogue' at 16 years old. Her first leading role as an actress was as Valentina in 2009's 'The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.'
Madelaine Petsch
Mike Coppola/Getty ImagesWe first saw Petsch on the 'Riverdale' series as Cheryl Blossom for the show's entire seven seasons. At the age of three, she began dance classes, and two years later enrolled in theater classes.
Karen Gillan
Jesse Grant/Getty Images for DisneyJust by looking at her, you wouldn't be able to tell that this beauty was Nebula in the 'Guardians of the Galaxy' film series! The Scottish actress first gained recognition on 'Doctor Who' as Amy Pond, which earned her several awards and nominations for the role. Prior to her acting career, she worked as a model, but has said that though she enjoyed modelling, acting had always been her main interest and goal.
Marcia Cross
Jerod Harris/Getty ImagesThe 'Desperate Housewives' alum has the loveliest cheekbones. As a child, Cross showed an early interest in performing and took piano and dance lessons. During high school, she was the school's mascot, too!
Debra Messing
Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for Tribeca FestivalThe 'Will & Grace' star stood out on late '90s television with her red locks. Messing acted and sang in a number of musicals in high school and took lessons in singing, acting, and dance.
Sophie Turner
Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesThe British actress has a gorgeous face structure. Turner is best known for her work on the 'Game of Thrones' series as Sansa Stark.
Nicole Kidman
John Phillips/Getty ImagesThe Australian actress is probably one of the most well-known redheads in the industry, period. Kidman has starred in multiple notable works across film and television, with awards from her work in 'Eyes Wide Shut,' 'Big Little Lies,' and 'Moulin Rouge,' just to name a few.
Christina Hendricks
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Elton John AIDS FoundationWhen we watched 'Mad Men,' we couldn't help but notice the sultry office manager, Joan Harris. Hendricks was voted by female readers of 'Esquire' in 2010 as "the sexiest woman in the world," and by 'People,' the "Best Looking Woman in America." She moved to New York City after high school to pursue a modeling career, which lasted a decade before transitioning into acting.
Jessica Chastain
Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesThe 'Scenes from a Marriage' star is one of the most beautiful redheads we've laid eyes on. Chastain developed an interest in acting at age seven and would regularly put on amateur shows with other children, and considered herself to be their artistic director.
Julianne Moore
Cindy Ord/Getty ImagesThe 'Boogie Nights' star, whose real name is Julie Anne Smith, initially wanted to become a doctor. While being an avid reader, she became inspired to start acting in high school and pursued a theater career at first.
