Salma Hayek, Christie Brinkley, and More Stars Who Have Shown Their Gray Hair — Photos

Some of Hollywood's most recognizable women look noticeably different when they let their gray hair show. From silver streaks to white roots, their photos reveal a side of these familiar faces that fans don't always get to see.

Covering gray hair has long been part of the beauty routine for many women, especially in Hollywood. But not every actress wants to spend hours at the salon hiding her roots. Some have stopped coloring their hair, while others are happy to let a few silver strands show.

From casual selfies to red-carpet appearances, these famous women have shown their gray or white hair in different ways. Some have embraced the change for years, while others have given fans a rare glimpse of a look they're not used to seeing.

Salma Hayek

Salma Hayek has openly embraced her gray hair, sharing photos of her natural white strands while admitting that she sometimes prefers a quick beauty trick over dyeing them.

During a 2023 interview on "Good Morning America," the actress revealed her unconventional method to Rebecca Jarvis.

"You don't see the white hair right now because I put mascara [on]," she said. "Because I'm too lazy to dye my hair," Hayek added, demonstrating how she applies mascara to the strands framing her face.

She also jokingly suggested that co-host George Stephanopoulos try the trick.

The actress offered another playful tip in a July 2023 Instagram post, sharing a close-up photo of her hair and advising followers who wanted to conceal their grays without dye to avoid resting their glasses on their heads.

"Bring on the wisdom," she added in the caption.

Hayek had expressed a similar sentiment in September 2020, when she posted a selfie showing silver strands along her hairline. She captioned it "The white hair of wisdom," repeating the message in Spanish and French.

Christie Brinkley

Christie Brinkley showed off her natural gray roots in a series of Instagram photos taken during a beach outing in March 2023. The model, whose blonde hair had visible silver strands, admitted she was still deciding whether to let them grow out.

"Grey sky! Gray hair!" she began her caption, comparing the decision to keep her grays to the familiar dilemma of whether to keep newly cut bangs. "Thank goodness both are just a personal preference or a fun change of pace," she wrote.

Brinkley also revealed that her son approved of the look, although she wasn't entirely convinced it was time to make the change permanent.

"My son thinks it looks cool, but I think I may want to wait till it's more like the silver whitecaps than the grey wave itself!" she wrote, referring to the ocean behind her.

Despite her son's encouragement, Brinkley wasn't ready to commit to going fully gray. "The verdict is still out!" she concluded.

Andie MacDowell

Andie MacDowell began embracing her natural gray hair during the COVID-19 lockdown after her children encouraged her to keep the silver strands growing in.

In a July 2021 interview with Vogue, the actress recalled experimenting with different hairstyles as her roots became more visible.

"When I pulled it up in a bun, all you could see was the salt and pepper, which is what I am, you know, dark and silver," she said.

MacDowell also found humor in the transformation, comparing herself to another Hollywood star known for his silver hair. "I like to compare myself to George Clooney because why not?" she joked.

The actress had considered going gray for some time. During lockdown, she became interested in hairstylist Jack Martin's work with Jane Fonda and began sharing his photos as inspiration.

However, when an acting opportunity forced her to make a decision, her managers advised against the change. "They had actually said to me, 'It's not time,'" she recalled.

MacDowell stood by her decision, believing that her natural hair better reflected the person she had become. "I think you're wrong, and I'm going to be more powerful if I embrace where I am right now," she told them.

Her age also played a role in the decision. With her 65th birthday approaching in two years, she wanted to experience the salt-and-pepper look while she still could.

"If I don't do it now, I won't have the chance to be salt and pepper. I always wanted to be salt and pepper!" she explained.

Jamie Lee Curtis

Jamie Lee Curtis stopped dyeing her hair around 2000, becoming one of Hollywood's most recognizable stars to embrace her natural silver hair. But the decision initially faced resistance from people in the entertainment industry.

In an October 2007 interview with Marie Claire, the actress revealed that she had wanted to go gray earlier but delayed the change while working as a spokesperson for VoiceStream Wireless.

Once she made the switch, not everyone supported her decision.

"Oh, I had people who were emphatic in their disapproval, insisting it would age me," Curtis recalled. "Now they're all eating crow and saying how right I was to do it."

Curtis also shared practical advice for women considering giving up hair dye, recommending a shorter haircut to make the transition easier.

"It's much harder to transition with longer hair, since then you're stuck with two inches of gray roots," she explained.

Despite the initial criticism, Curtis said going gray had not hurt her career. She recalled offering to wear a wig for a movie in which she played a woman working in the beauty industry, but the director preferred her natural hair.

To maintain her look, Curtis credited hairstylist Sean James with keeping her short cut modern. She also praised Phyto Phytargent shampoo for adding shine to her silver strands.

Jane Fonda

Jane Fonda debuted her silver hair transformation at the 2020 Academy Awards, leaving behind her signature blonde locks after years of considering the change.

In a June 2020 interview with Glamour, the actress explained that she had discussed going gray with "Grace and Frankie" showrunner Marta Kauffman more than a year earlier. She initially considered having a wig made for the show to maintain her character's appearance.

Fonda began growing out her natural color while spending four months in Washington, D.C., often wearing hats to conceal the visible roots. When she returned to Los Angeles, she sought help from celebrity colorist Jack Martin to complete the transition.

According to a February 2020 interview with Modern Salon, Martin spent seven hours transforming her hair from warm golden blonde to icy silver, blending the color with her natural gray roots.

Fonda was delighted with the result, telling Martin, "You nailed it, Jack." The actress also credited hairstylist Jonathan Hanousek for the accompanying haircut, which made her new look easier to maintain.

Reflecting on the change during the COVID-19 lockdown, Fonda told Glamour she had no regrets about the timing. "I felt really good, and I'm actually loving the gray," she said.

With salons closed during the pandemic, Fonda appreciated the freedom from frequent coloring. "Now I'm like, boy, I did this just in time because everybody else hasn't been able to go to the hairdresser, and I don't have to worry," she added.

Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston caught fans' attention when she showed off visible gray strands while promoting a hair care product from her brand, LolaVie, in a June 2023 Instagram video.

The actress appeared in a casual navy long-sleeved top, with her blonde hair styled half-up and loose waves falling around her shoulders. Silver strands were visible near her hairline as she demonstrated LolaVie's Intensive Repair Treatment.

Her natural-looking appearance sparked a conversation about embracing gray hair.

On Facebook, commenters shared mixed reactions to Aniston's changing look.

One person suggested, "I am sure she entered the grey hair stage a while back - she's just starting to embrace it 😀." Others were less supportive. One commenter wrote, "She should keep it colored."

Meanwhile, another praised her appearance, "Aging gracefully ! Love it 😍." Someone else expressed enthusiasm for her silver strands, writing, "Love the grey hair look!!!" Another simply read, "So brave."

Aniston had previously shared her thoughts on going gray as a personal choice in a September 2022 interview with Glamour.

Asked what advice she would give someone hesitant to embrace their natural color, the actress encouraged people to make their own decisions.

"You do you! If you want to go gray, go for it! If you want to keep coloring your hair, that's great too," she said.

Aniston emphasized that hair color and style should reflect personal preferences rather than outside expectations. "Embrace whatever is going to make you happy," she added.

Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Jessica Parker became the subject of a viral conversation about embracing gray hair after photos of her dining outdoors in Manhattan circulated in 2021. But the actress was surprised by the attention, especially because she had never completely stopped coloring her hair.

In a June 2022 interview with Allure, Parker learned that her hairstyle had become an example of "herringbone highlights," a technique that blends highlights with natural gray strands.

For Parker, however, the look was less about following a trend and more about avoiding frequent salon appointments. "I can't spend time getting base color every two weeks. Can't do it. Nope. Too much," she explained.

The actress also addressed the headlines that had praised her for supposedly going gray. "It became months and months of conversation about how brave I am for having gray hair," she recalled.

Parker found the reaction excessive, particularly because her highlights had simply lightened in the summer sun. "I was like, please please applaud someone else's courage on something!" she said.

Her relaxed approach to hair color reflects her broader attitude toward aging. When asked whether she would turn back the clock 15 years if she could, Parker questioned the appeal of temporarily looking younger.

"What's the point? I just... don't care enough," she said.

Rather than worrying about other people's expectations, Parker prefers to focus on feeling comfortable with herself. "When I walk out the door, I want to feel OK — according to my standards," she explained.

The actress acknowledged that she notices the changes that come with age but doesn't believe they deserve constant attention. "I just don't understand why I'm supposed to be spending that much time thinking about it," she added.

On Facebook, several users expressed admiration for Parker's appearance and her approach to aging.

One netizen wrote, "Upmost respect for good looking women ageing gracefully and not chasing eternal youth till they look like a barbie [sic] doll that's half survived a house fire. Women can look great at all stages of their life without surgery."

Another appreciated Parker's natural appearance, commenting, "I think she's beautiful. Natural and healthy."

A third commenter suggested that Parker had become even more attractive with age, writing, "You were beutiful [sic] then and now even more!"

Someone else praised her appearance and long-standing career and marriage, remarking, "Atleast we know what she really looks like , she been married for 30 years and made a name for her self and she's stunning [sic]."

Ashley Judd

Ashley Judd has embraced aging naturally and living on her own terms, encouraging women to let go of unrealistic beauty standards and enjoy being themselves.

In a July 2025 Instagram post, the actress shared a video of herself splashing in the Baltic Sea while wearing a dark green one-piece swimsuit. Her short, wet hair was slicked back as she played in the shallow water.

Judd announced that she was joining the "We Don't Care Club," a movement founded by Melani Sanders that encourages women to stop worrying about societal expectations surrounding aging and menopause.

"'Cause menopause (peri - post) is human biology. It is universal to females & global," she wrote.

For Judd, the movement was about rediscovering the freedom to enjoy life without worrying about how others might judge her appearance or behavior.

She described the activities she wanted to embrace, writing, "Play! Be silly! Have Fun! Feel Boundless Joy!"

The actress also reflected on the confidence that comes with accepting her authentic self. "I bask in the unselfconscious being-ness of my True Self. My Inner Child is free to emerge," she shared.

She encouraged followers to consider what they genuinely wanted for themselves rather than focusing on other people's expectations.

On Facebook, admirers expressed appreciation for Judd's natural appearance. One netizen wrote, "This is my favorite picture so far of you. Quite relatable 😍."

Another user compared the actress to something that improves with age, commenting, "Just like fine wine 🍷❤️."

On another Facebook post, more supporters praised her appearance and willingness to show signs of aging. One commenter remarked, "You are more beautiful now than ever."

Another specifically admired her visible silver strands, commenting, "Thank your [sic] for sharing your beautiful true face with world. I love the silver sparkles in your hair."

Someone else said, "You are such an inspiration to me and millions of women everywhere. Thank you for being you." Another observed, "I love that you're not dying your hair."

Helen Mirren

Helen Mirren has long embraced her natural silver hair, admitting that her decision to stop coloring it had more to do with convenience than making a statement about aging.

In a March 2020 interview with People, the actress explained why she preferred letting her hair grow gray rather than spending hours maintaining its color.

"I did it because I'm lazy. Honestly, I'm so lazy about my hair!" she said. Mirren acknowledged the work involved in keeping up with regular coloring appointments, even when skilled professionals were available.

"It's a lot of work and as wonderful as many hairdressers are, I don't want to sit in a salon for hours. I just can't be bothered with that," she explained.

Her transition to gray hair was also relatively straightforward because she had always been naturally blonde.

In an October 2021 interview with Vogue, Mirren recalled that her hair would become almost white after spending time in the summer sun. As she aged, the change in color simply became more permanent.

"So the process of me losing the color of my hair was very easy—it just looked more and more as if I had been in the sun, but year-round," she said.

Although Mirren occasionally added lowlights herself, she had never been interested in paying for professional coloring. She also recognized that women with darker hair might face a more noticeable transition.

Still, the actress expressed admiration for women who had recently embraced their natural silver strands, describing their transformations as spectacular.

Mirren also drew inspiration from her experience playing Queen Charlotte in The Madness of King George. The 18th-century wigs worn in the film were powdered white and gray, shades she considered particularly flattering.

For Mirren, going gray should be celebrated, but personal preference remains important.

"Going gray is to be encouraged—that's not to say you can't have fun with your hair, because it's a very important part of how you feel about yourself," she told Vogue. "People should do whatever makes them feel comfortable," she added.

Glenn Close

Glenn Close gave fans a glimpse of her natural white hair in an Instagram video filmed outdoors at her home.

The actress appeared relaxed in a colorful plaid shirt, with her short silver-white hair tousled by the wind. Behind her, the setting sun illuminated a grassy landscape and distant mountains.

Close embraced the casual moment, drawing attention to her windswept hairstyle rather than trying to keep it perfectly styled.

"Hi, everyone. I'm home. Calming down. Wearing my mama's shirt," she said. As the breeze moved through her hair, she joked about her appearance. "Letting the wind blow through my white hair," Close said.

The actress ended the video by sharing her appreciation for the peaceful evening. "I'm watching the sun go down. I feel blessed."

For decades, audiences have seen these actresses with a range of hairstyles and colors. Their more recent appearances add another chapter to that visual history, whether through a red-carpet photograph, a social media post, or a candid moment. And as their comments suggest, gray or white hair isn't always something they feel the need to explain.