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Beyond Margot Robbie: The Full List Of Actresses Who Played Barbie In The Blockbuster Film

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The question "who played Barbie" has a definitive and globally recognized answer in the modern era, but the full story is far more complex and fascinating. As of late December 2025, the actress indelibly linked to the iconic Mattel doll is the Australian powerhouse, Margot Robbie, who starred as 'Stereotypical Barbie' in Greta Gerwig's 2023 cinematic phenomenon. Her portrayal not only redefined the character for a new generation but also anchored a billion-dollar film that dominated the cultural conversation, making her the face of the live-action franchise.

However, to truly answer the question with topical authority, one must look beyond the main star to the ensemble of incredible talent that brought the entire world of Barbieland to life. The groundbreaking 2023 film featured an entire council of Barbies, each played by a prominent actress, reflecting the doll’s diverse careers and body types. Understanding the full cast list is key to appreciating the movie's unique, meta-narrative approach to the world's most famous doll.

The Definitive Biography of Margot Robbie: The Star of Barbie

Margot Elise Robbie, the actress who embodied the main Barbie, is one of Hollywood's most versatile and sought-after stars. Her career trajectory is a testament to her talent, moving from Australian soap operas to Oscar-nominated roles and now, to one of the biggest box office hits of all time.

  • Born: July 2, 1990, in Dalby, Queensland, Australia.
  • Early Career: Robbie gained initial recognition for her role as Donna Freedman on the long-running Australian soap opera Neighbours from 2008 to 2011.
  • Hollywood Breakthrough: Her international career exploded with her role as Naomi Lapaglia in Martin Scorsese's 2013 film The Wolf of Wall Street, opposite Leonardo DiCaprio.
  • Key Filmography Highlights:
    • *The Wolf of Wall Street* (2013)
    • *Suicide Squad* (2016) and *Birds of Prey* (2020) as Harley Quinn.
    • *I, Tonya* (2017) - Oscar nomination for Best Actress.
    • *Bombshell* (2019) - Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
    • *Barbie* (2023) - Also served as a producer through her company, LuckyChap Entertainment.
  • Producer Role: Beyond acting, Robbie is a highly successful producer. Her company, LuckyChap Entertainment, was instrumental in developing and producing the *Barbie* film, showcasing her significant creative control over the project.

The Full Cast: Every Actress Who Played a Version of Barbie in the 2023 Film

The brilliance of Greta Gerwig’s vision for *Barbie* was the idea of a utopian, matriarchal society, Barbieland, populated by numerous versions of the doll, each holding an important societal role. This ensemble cast of Barbies significantly broadened the answer to "who played Barbie," making the character a collective entity rather than a single individual. The following actresses played the most prominent, named versions of Barbie in the film:

The Council of Barbies and Their Actresses

The film’s topical authority is built on the fact that the role of 'Barbie' is not a monolith. Each actress contributed to the film's commentary on female representation and societal roles.

  • Margot Robbie as Stereotypical Barbie (The central, main character).
  • Issa Rae as President Barbie (The leader of Barbieland, reflecting the doll's political career).
  • Dua Lipa as Mermaid Barbie (A surprise cameo from the pop superstar).
  • Kate McKinnon as Weird Barbie (The "played with too hard" Barbie, serving as the sage of Barbieland).
  • Alexandra Shipp as Writer Barbie (A celebrated author in Barbieland).
  • Hari Nef as Doctor Barbie (A trans actress playing a professional, celebrated Barbie).
  • Emma Mackey as Physicist Barbie (A Nobel Prize-winning scientist, known for her role in *Sex Education*).
  • Ana Cruz Kayne as Judge Barbie (A Supreme Court-level judicial figure).
  • Ritu Arya as Journalist Barbie (A Pulitzer Prize winner).
  • Sharon Rooney as Lawyer Barbie (Another celebrated legal professional).
  • Nicola Coughlan as Diplomat Barbie (A high-ranking political figure).

This extensive list highlights the film's commitment to portraying the doll as an aspirational figure with a multitude of career paths, a key message from Mattel and director Greta Gerwig. The casting was deliberate, ensuring that the ensemble reflected a diverse and accomplished group of actresses, further cementing the movie's cultural impact.

The Evolution of the Role: From Failed Projects to a Cultural Phenomenon

The journey to the 2023 live-action blockbuster was long and filled with creative hurdles, demonstrating how difficult it was to find the right star and creative team to play and portray Barbie successfully. Before Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig finalized the project with Warner Bros., the role of Barbie was attached to several other major actresses, providing a crucial historical context to the role's legacy.

The Actresses Who Almost Played Barbie

The live-action film rights for Barbie have been in development for over a decade, with different studios and stars attached at various times. The two most notable almost-Barbies were:

  • Amy Schumer: In 2016, Sony Pictures announced that comedian Amy Schumer was cast to play the titular role. The film was reportedly going to be a fish-out-of-water story where Barbie is expelled from Barbieland for not being "perfect" enough. Schumer eventually dropped out due to "scheduling conflicts," though creative differences were widely speculated.
  • Anne Hathaway: Following Schumer's departure, Oscar-winner Anne Hathaway was in talks to take over the role in 2017, with a script rewrite by Diablo Cody. This iteration also ultimately stalled, and the project eventually moved from Sony to Warner Bros., paving the way for Margot Robbie and her production company.

The fact that the role passed through the hands of two major stars before landing on Margot Robbie underscores the unique challenge of adapting the globally recognized doll. It required a specific blend of star power, comedic timing, and a producer's vision to navigate the character's controversial history and turn it into a critical and commercial success.

The Animated Legacy

While the live-action film is the most talked-about version, the character of Barbie has been voiced in dozens of direct-to-video animated films since the early 2000s. The primary voice actress who played Barbie for the longest period and across the most titles is Kelly Sheridan, who voiced the doll from 2001 to 2010, and again from 2013 to 2015. Other notable voice talents include Diana Kaarina and Erica Lindbeck, who have continued the animated legacy, ensuring that the character's presence remains constant across different media.

In conclusion, the question of "who played Barbie" has evolved from a simple answer to a celebration of an entire ensemble. Margot Robbie is the undisputed face of the live-action film, but the collective power of actresses like Issa Rae, Kate McKinnon, and Dua Lipa in the 2023 blockbuster, combined with the long-running voice work of Kelly Sheridan, confirms that Barbie is a role that transcends any single performer, now representing a powerful, diverse, and collective feminine ideal.

who played barbie
who played barbie

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