By Natalie Duthie | October 30, 2024
In Hollywood, many actors and actresses shy away from getting undressed for the camera. However, some stars believe nudity plays a vital role in storytelling—whether to make an impactful statement or bring authenticity to their characters.
This list highlights 12 prominent performers who personally insisted on performing nude scenes, showcasing their dedication to their craft and the stories they aim to tell.
12/12 Nicola Coughlan
Nicola Coughlan, best known for her role as Penelope Featherington in Netflix’s Bridgerton, made waves when she decided to perform a nude scene in season three of the hit series. In an interview with Stylist, Coughlan explained why she made the choice.
“I specifically asked for certain lines and moments to be included,” she said. “There’s one scene where I’m very naked on camera, and that was my idea, my choice.”
Coughlan described the experience as empowering, saying, “It felt like the biggest ‘f*** you’ to all the conversations surrounding my body. I felt beautiful, and I thought, ‘When I’m 80, I want to look back on this and remember how f***ing hot I looked!’”
11/12 Margot Robbie
Margot Robbie’s breakout role in The Wolf of Wall Street was a turning point in her career, and she wanted her portrayal of Naomi Lapaglia to be as authentic as possible. Speaking to The Telegraph, Robbie shared her perspective on nudity in films.
“I think nudity for the sake of nudity is shameful,” she said. “But it’s equally ridiculous when characters who would realistically be naked are conveniently covered up. The whole point of Naomi is that her body is her currency, so when Marty [Scorsese] suggested a robe, I said, ‘She wouldn’t. She has to be naked.’”
10/12 Kathryn Hahn
Kathryn Hahn took creative control during Agatha All Along, suggesting a nude scene to highlight her character’s vulnerability. In an interview with Variety, Hahn said, “I thought it was important to see her as literally stripped down as possible. It showed her powerlessness in that moment.”
The decision was deeply symbolic. “She had nothing at that point, and the scene became about illustrating the gap between where she was and where she eventually finds her power again,” Hahn explained.
9/12 Kate Winslet
In the romantic drama Ammonite (2020), Kate Winslet chose to perform her intimate scenes without a body double. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, she explained her reasoning.
“I’m nearly 45, and Saoirse [Ronan] is almost half my age. I wanted to show my real, 40-something self, post-children. Women rarely have the courage to do that,” Winslet said. “I was excited to say, ‘This is what it is.’”
8/12 Jennifer Lawrence
Jennifer Lawrence performed a bold, fully nude scene in the 2023 comedy No Hard Feelings. Discussing her decision with Variety, she shared, “Everyone kept asking me, ‘Are you sure?’ But to me, it was hilarious. I didn’t even think twice.”
7/12 Emma Stone
Emma Stone made the decision to bare her breasts in The Favourite (2018) to enhance her character’s impact. She explained to The Hollywood Reporter, “At first, I was covered, but as we did more takes, I asked, ‘Can I just be naked?’”
She believed the choice made sense for her character. “It felt like a bold statement and gave Sarah [Rachel Weisz’s character] something to react to,” Stone said.
6/12 Jason Segel
For Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008), Jason Segel took nudity to a comedic level. In an interview with Vulture, he explained, “I wanted the opening breakup to be the most humiliating of all time. It wasn’t just for shock—it set the tone for the entire film.”
5/12 Pam Grier
Pam Grier, known for her iconic roles in 1970s Blaxploitation films like Coffy and Foxy Brown, used nudity to break stereotypes. In an interview with Rolling Stone, she said, “I wanted audiences to see women of color as powerful and attractive. It was part of a cultural revolution I called the ‘Brown Nipple Revolution.’”
4/12 Ken Jeong
Ken Jeong’s infamous nude scene in The Hangover was his idea. Speaking to Yahoo, Jeong revealed he was inspired by Will Ferrell’s naked antics in Old School. “It felt like the perfect way to top the tiger and Mike Tyson scenes. It defined my career in the best way,” he said.
3/12 Chris Pratt
During Parks and Recreation, Chris Pratt improvised a nude moment that became iconic. On The Graham Norton Show, he said, “I wasn’t getting the reaction I wanted with my underwear on, so I dropped it. That was the take they used!”
2/12 David Duchovny
David Duchovny appeared nude in Reverse the Curse to highlight the reality of aging. Speaking to Salon.com, he said, “Humor helps us confront universal truths. Aging and mortality happen to everyone, so why not laugh about it?”
1/12 Lena Dunham
Lena Dunham frequently included nudity in her series Girls, often without any specific narrative purpose. Responding to criticism during a press tour, Dunham said, “It’s a realistic expression of being alive. If you’re uncomfortable, that’s your problem to figure out.”
These 12 stars prove that when it comes to storytelling, their dedication to authenticity often leads them to boldly bare it all—whether to make a statement, enhance their character, or simply embrace their artistry.