This is a list of notable actresses who have played key roles in the Tamil cinema, primarily based in Tamil Nadu.
1930s Year Name Debut film Other notable films 1931 T. P. Rajalakshmi Kovalan Kalidas (1944), Miss Kamala (1948)1934S. D. Subbulakshmi PavalakkodiNaveena Sarangadhara (1936), Sampoorna Ramayanam (1958)
1940s Year Name Debut film Other notable films 1941 T. R. Rajakumari Kacha Devayani Haridas (1944), Chandralekha (1948)1944Pandari BaiHaridasVedhala Ulagam (1948), Marmayogi (1951), Parasakthi (1952), Andha Naal (1954)1944PushpavalliDasi AparanjiMiss Malini (1947), Chakra Dhari (1948), Samsaram (1951)1947 Anjali Devi Mahathma Udangar Marmayogi (1951), Doctor Savithri (1955), Chakravarthi Thirumagal (1957) 1947 S. Varalakshmi 1000 Thalai Vaangi Apoorva Chinthamani Chakravarthi Thirumagal (1957), Veerapandiya Kattabomman (1959), Poova Thalaiya (1969) 1948 Padmini Vedhala Ulagam Veerapandiya Kattabomman (1959), Thillana Mohanambal (1968) 1949 Bhanumathi Ramakrishna Ratnakumar Malaikkallan (1954), Madurai Veeran (1956), Nadodi Mannan (1958), Annai (1962)1949VyjayanthimalaVaazhkaiVanji Kottai Valipan (1958), Baghdad Thirudan (1960), Then Nilavu (1961)
1950s Year Name Debut film Other notable films 1952 Sowcar Janaki Valayapathi Bama Vijayam (1967), Iru Kodugal (1969) 1952 Savitri Kalyanam Panni Paar Missiamma (1955), Mayabazar (1957), Pasamalar (1961), Thiruvilaiyadal (1965) 1953C.R. Vijayakumari Naalvar Kalyana Parisu (1959), Naanum Oru Penn (1963), Poompuhar (1964), Rajaraja Cholan (1973) 1953 Vidyavathi Chandirani En veedu (1953), Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum (1956), Samaya Sanjeevi (1957) 1954 Sandhya Karkottai Malaikkallan (1954), Mayabazar (1957), Minnal Veeran (1959), Baghdad Thirudan (1960), Bale Pandiya (1962), Aasai Alaigal (1963) 1954 Raja Sulochana Mangalyam Rangoon Radha (1956), Gulebakavali (1955), Allavudeenum Arputha Vilakkum (1957)1954JamunaPanam Paduthum PaduMissiamma (1955), Tenali Raman (1956), Thangamalai Ragasiyam (1957), Nalla Theerpu (1959) 1957 B. Saroja Devi Thangamalai Ragasiyam Nadodi Mannan (1958), Puthiya Paravai (1964), Anbe Vaa (1966) 1957Kanchana Manaalane Mangaiyin BaakkiyamKaadhalikka Neramillai (1964),Adhey Kangal (1967), Shanti Nilayam (1969), Sivandha Mann (1969) 1957 Devika Manamagan Thevai Kalathur Kannamma (1960), Paava Mannippu (1957), Bale Pandiya (1962)
1960s Year Name Debut film Other notable films1960JayanthiYanai PaaganAnnai Illam (1963), Padagotti (1964), Bama Vijayam (1967), Iru Kodugal (1969) 1960 RajasreeBhakta Sabari Panam Panthiyile (1961), Kaadhalikka Neramillai (1964), Bama Vijayam (1967), Kudiyirundha Koyil (1968)1962SachuVeera ThirumaganKaadhalikka Neramillai (1964), Thenmazhai (1966), Bama Vijayam (1967), Delhi Mapillai (1968), Sorgam (1970)1962SheelaPaasamVanambadi (1963), Karpagam (1963), Idhayak Kamalam (1965), Vallavan Oruvan (1966) 1963 K. R. Vijaya Karpagam Iru Malargal (1967), Dheerga Sumangali (1974) Sharada Kunkhumam Gnana Oli (1972), Ninaithadhai Mudippavan (1975), Mr. Bharath (1986) 1965 J. JayalalithaaVennira Aadai Adimaippenn (1969), Engirundho Vandhaal (1970), Pattikada Pattanama (1972), Suryagandhi (1973) 1965 Vennira Aadai Nirmala Ennathan Mudivu (1965), Lakshmi Kalyanam (1968), Mannippu (1969) 1966 Vanisri Kathal Paduthum Padu Uyarndha Manithan (1968), Vasantha Maligai (1972), Vani Rani (1974) 1967 Jayabharathi Anubavi Raja Anubavi Naan Avanillai (1974), Allaudinaum Arputha Vilakkum (1979), Marupakkam (1990) 1968 Lakshmi Jeevanaamsam Dikkatra Parvathi (1974), Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal (1977)
1970s Year Name Debut film Other notable films 1971 Manjula Vijayakumar Rickshawkaran Ulagam Sutrum Valiban (1973), Anbe Aaruyire (1975), Cheran Pandiyan (1991) Srividya Delhi To Madras Annai Velankanni (1971), Apoorva Raagangal (1975), Unarchigal (1976) 1972 Jayachitra Kurathi Magan Arangetram (1973), Bharata Vilas (1973), Ponnukku Thanga Manasu (1973) 1973 Jayasudha Arangetram Apoorva Raagangal (1975), Mannavan Vanthaanadi (1975), Alaipayuthey (2000) Latha Ulagam Sutrum Valiban Urimaikural (1974), Pallandu Vazhga (1975), Uzhaikkum Karangal (1976) 1974 Sujatharowspan=2| Aval Oru Thodar Kathai| Annakili (1976), Mupperum Deviyar (1987), Uzhaippali (1993) |- |Fatafat Jayalaxmi |Iraivan Kodutha Varam (1978), Sakka Podu Podu Raja (1978), Kaali (1980) |- |Sripriya |Murugan Kaatiya Vazhi|Aattukara Alamelu (1977), Ilamai Oonjaladukirathu (1978), Neeya? (1979) |- |Shoba |Vairam|Azhiyatha Kolangal (1979), Pasi (1979), Moodu Pani (1980) |- | rowspan="2" | 1976 | Jaya Prada | Manmatha Leelai| Ninaithale Inikkum (1979), Ezhai Jaathi (1993), Dasavathaaram (2008) |- | Sridevi | Moondru Mudichu| Moondram Pirai (1982), 16 Vayathinile (1977), Sigappu Rojakkal (1978) |- | rowspan="3" | 1978 | Geetha | Bairavi| Kadamai Kanniyam Kattupaadu (1987), Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal (1989), Azhagan (1991) |- | Saritha | Thappu Thalangal| Netrikkann (1981), Achamillai Achamillai (1984), Julie Ganapathi (2003) |- | Radhika | Kizhakke Pogum Rail| Moondru Mugam (1982), Poonthotta Kaavalkaaran (1988), Kizhakku Cheemayile (1993) |- | rowspan="3" | 1979 | Ambika | Chakkalathi| Sagalakala Vallavan (1982), Mr. Bharath (1986), Vikram (1986) |- | Sumalatha | Thisai Maariya Paravaigal| Murattu Kaalai (1980), Kazhugu (1986), Oru Odai Nadhiyagirathu (1983) |- |Rati Agnihotri |Puthiya Vaarpugal|Ullasa Paravaigal (1980), Murattu Kaalai (1980), Anbukku Naan Adimai'' (1980)
1980s Year Name Debut film Other notable films 1980 Suhasini Nenjathai Killathe Palaivana Solai (1981), Sindhu Bhairavi (1985), Manathil Uruthi Vendum (1987) Vijayashanti Kallukkul Eeram Nenjile Thunivirunthal (1981), Mannan (1992), Sri Bannari Amman (2003) Silk Smitha Vandichakkaram Alaigal Oivathillai (1981), Silk Silk Silk (1983), Adhisaya Manithan (1990) Madhavi Pudhiya Thoranangal Thillu Mullu (1981), Raja Paarvai (1981), Thambikku Entha Ooru (1984) Menaka Ramayi Vayasukku Vanthutta Savithiri (1980), Netrikkan (1981), Urangatha Ninaivugal (1983) Archana Thai Ponggal Rettai Vaal Kuruvi (1987), Veedu (1988), Seethakaathi (2018) Shobana Mangala Nayagi Enakkul Oruvan (1984), Siva (1989), Thalapathi (1991) 1981 Radha Alaigal Oivathillai Tik Tik Tik (1981), Thoongadhey Thambi Thoongadhey (1983), Muthal Mariyathai (1985) Poornima Bhagyaraj Nenjil Oru Mull Mundhanai Mudichu (1983), Thanga Magan (1983), Neengal Kettavai (1984)NaliniRanuva VeeranNooravathu Naal (1984), 24 Mani Neram (1984), Pillai Nila (1985)1982SadhanaHitler UmanathNenjathai Allitha (1984), Unnai Thedi Varuven (1985), My Dear Lisa (1987)SulakshanaThooral Ninnu Pochchu Thoongathey Thambi Thoongathey (1983), Thambikku Entha Ooru (1984), Sindhu Bhairavi (1985) 1983 Ramya Krishnan Vellai Manasu Padayappa (1999), Panchathanthiram (2002), Baahubali (2015) Rohini Ilamai Kaalangal Thanthu Vitten Ennai (1991), Marupadiyum (1993), Magalir Mattum (1994) Revathi Mann Vasanai Mouna Ragam (1986), Thevar Magan (1992), Power Paandi (2017) Bhanupriya Mella Pesungal Chatriyan (1990), Azhagan (1991), Amaran (1992) Urvashi Mundhanai Mudichu Michael Madana Kama Rajan (1990), Magalir Mattum (1994), Siva Manasula Sakthi (2009)1984Monisha UnniPaavayya (short film) Pookkal Vidum Thudhu (1987), Moonravadhu Kaan (1993), Unna Nenachen Pattu Padichen (1992) 1985 Ranjini Mudhal Mariyathai Kadalora Kavithaigal (1986), Velicham (1987), Urimai Geetham (1988) Kalpana Chinna Veedu Sindhu Nathi Poo (1994), Sathi Leelavathi (1995), Dumm Dumm Dumm (2001) Nadhiya Poove Poochudava Uyire Unakkaga (1986), Rajathi Raja (1989), M. Kumaran S/O Mahalakshmi (2004) Jayashree Thendrale Ennai Thodu Manithanin Marupakkam (1986), Thirumathi Oru Vegumathi (1987), Vanna Kanavugal (1987)SeethaAan PaavamPenmani Aval Kanmani (1988), Guru Sishyan (1988), Unnal Mudiyum Thambi (1988) 1986 Amala Mythili Ennai Kaathali Agni Natchathiram (1988), Sathya (1988), Vetri Vizha (1989) Rekha Kadalora Kavithaigal Punnagai Mannan (1986), En Bommukutty Ammavukku (1989), Roja Kootam (2002) Pallavi Aruvadai Naal Dharma Devathai (1986), Oorai Therinjikitten (1988), Vedikkai En Vadikkai (1990), Sahadevan Mahadevan (1988)LissyVikramAnanda Aradhanai (1987), Manasukkul Mathappu (1988), Pagalil Pournami (1990) 1987 Saranya Nayakan Vanakkam Vathiyare (1991), Em Magan (2006), Thenmerku Paruvakaatru (2010)Shantipriya Enga Ooru Pattukaran Rayilukku Neramachu (1988), Poovizhi Raja (1988), Sirayil Pootha Chinna Malar (1990) Rupini Cooliekkaran Manithan (1987), Raja Chinna Roja (1989), Michael Madana Kama Rajan (1990) 1988 Nirosha Agni Natchathiram Soora Samhaaram (1988), Inaindha Kaigal (1990), Vetri Padigal (1991) Gautami Guru Sishyan Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989), Raja Chinna Roja (1989), Dharma Durai (1991) Khushbu Dharmathin Thalaivan Chinna Thambi (1991), Nattamai (1994), Kolangal (1995) 1989 Kanaka Karakattakaran Athisaya Piravi (1990), Periya Kudumbam (1995), Katta Panchayathu (1996) Sithara Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal Pudhu Vasantham (1990), Archana IAS (1991), Padayappa (1999)
1990s