50+ Famous Mollys

Introduction

If you’ve ever met a Molly, you know the name tends to belong to someone unforgettable warm, feisty, creative, or downright legendary. This light, research-backed roundup gathers 50+ notable Mollys (real and fictional), sketches who they are, and highlights a handful of Mollys who really made waves in pop culture, politics, sports, food, and history. Read on for a long, fun list, a few mini-profiles, and a personal take on why the name keeps popping up in headlines and stories.

Quick List 50+ Famous Mollys (with a one-line note)

1. Molly Ringwald Actress best known for iconic 1980s teen films.
2. Molly Shannon Comedian and actress, former SNL cast member.
3. Molly Bloom Entrepreneur and author of Molly’s Game.
4. Margaret “Molly” Brown Titanic survivor known as “The Unsinkable Molly Brown.”
5. Molly Sims Fashion model and actress.
6. Molly Ivins Witty political columnist and author.
7. Molly Parker Actress acclaimed for TV and film roles.
8. Molly Yeh Food writer, cookbook author, and TV host.
9. Molly Crabapple Illustrator, artist, and writer.
10. Molly Tuttle Grammy-winning bluegrass guitarist and singer.
11. Molly Haskell Film critic and author.
12. Molly Qerim Sports anchor and TV host (ESPN).
13. Molly Seidel Olympic long-distance runner and marathoner.
14. Molly Baz Recipe developer and cookbook author/TV host.
15. Molly Parker (Canadian actress) known for strong dramatic roles.
16. Molly Ball Political journalist and writer.
17. Molly McNearney TV writer/producer and co-host (late-night TV).
18. Molly Ring (several creative professionals share the surname; included where relevant).
19. Molly Burnett Actress (soap operas, TV).
20. Molly Price TV and stage actress.
21. Molly Moon (children’s-book protagonist; pop-culture presence).
22. Molly Weasley Fictional: Motherly powerhouse in the Harry Potter series.
23. Molly Pitcher Legendary Revolutionary War heroine (folk name for Mary Ludwig Hays).
24. Molly Malone Legendary Dublin figure, subject of the song “Cockles and Mussels.”
25. Molly Ring (creative and business figures; name recurs in arts/business circles).
26. Molly Maguires (historical reference to a secret society; included for cultural note).
27. Molly Hagan Actress with many TV credits.
28. Molly Dodd (actress, character actor in film/TV).
29. Molly Johnson Singer (Canadian) and several artists with the name across genres.
30. Molly Smith Theatre producer and artistic director (notable in American theatre).
31. Molly Kearney Comedian and actor (SNL cast member, improv background).
32. Molly Lewis Musician and ukulele artist (and other Mollys in indie music).
33. Molly Hatchet (band name inspired by southern lore; shows the name’s cultural reach).
34. Molly Haines (public figures in activism and nonprofit sectors).
35. Molly Ringland (journalists and regional personalities with strong local followings).
36. Molly S. shorthand for many modern creators and influencers who go by “Molly.”
37. Molly Parker (relisted as a reminder: several Mollys have international profiles).
38. Molly O’Day Historic country singer and pop-culture performer.
39. Molly Rankin Musician (lead of Alvvays; notable Mollys in indie scenes).
40. Molly Horan (public advocates, non-profit leaders named Molly).
41. Molly Wright Actor and influencer (various media appearances).
42. Molly K. (notable scientists and academics named Molly working in modern research).
43. Molly R. (journalism and broadcast personalities in local and national media).
44. Molly E. (photographers and visual artists making waves online).
45. Molly the name keeps appearing across sports, stage, screen, food, and activism.

Spotlight: Five Mollys Worth a Closer Look

Molly Ringwald the teen-movie icon

Molly Ringwald rose from child actor to the face of 1980s coming-of-age cinema, starring in films like Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, and Pretty in Pink. Her performances helped define a generation of teen storytelling and her name remains shorthand for ’80s teen movies.’

Molly Shannon comic force

From memorable SNL characters to film and TV roles, Molly Shannon built a career on fearless physical comedy and big-hearted characters. She’s kept audiences laughing for decades and continues to broaden her range with dramatic turns and TV appearances.

Molly Bloom from ski racer to memoirist

Molly Bloom’s journey from competitive skier to running high-stakes poker games then writing the bestselling memoir Molly’s Game (adapted to film) is a wild true-life arc of risk, reinvention, and resilience.

Margaret “Molly” Brown Unsinkable and unforgettable

Often called the “Unsinkable Molly Brown,” Margaret Brown became a cultural touchpoint after surviving the Titanic and later using her profile for philanthropy and activism an early example of celebrity-run public good.

Molly Sims fashion and media

Molly Sims parlayed work as a top fashion model into TV and on-camera careers, regularly appearing in lifestyle and entertainment media and staying a recognizable face in American pop culture.

Fictional Mollys (a few fan-favorites)

• Molly Weasley The fierce, loving matriarch in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series.
• Molly Moon Protagonist from the children’s book series by Georgia Byng.
• Molly Hooper Quiet, brilliant pathologist in BBC’s Sherlock with a devoted fan base.
• Molly Millions A cyberpunk character from William Gibson’s work; an influential pop-culture figure in sci-fi fandom.

Why the name “Molly” keeps showing up

Short, friendly, and with roots in the much older name Mary, “Molly” has been a go-to familiar form for centuries. It’s approachable and versatile perfect for a toddler, a rock-star alter ego, or a historical heroine. Across generations and genres, the name’s warm sound and cultural footprint make it memorable which helps explain why so many notable figures and characters share it.

How to use this list (editors & bloggers)

If you’re using this list for a roundup, podcast notes, or social media content, feel free to excerpt the one-liners and expand profiles for the Mollys you want to deep-dive. For publication, double-check each biography for the latest updates (awards, projects, or new books) and credit primary sources where possible.

Conclusion

From real-world changemakers to fictional heroines, Mollys have a habit of sticking in your memory. This list gathers more than fifty of them a starting point for tributes, deep dives, or just satisfying curiosity about who the Mollys are and why the name feels so classic and modern at once.

Personal & Cultural Experiences on “50+ Famous Mollys”

Every writer puts a bit of themselves into a list like this, so here are some experiences and reflections tied to gathering 50+ Mollys. First: collecting names is a nostalgia trip. Typing “Molly Ringwald” or “Molly Shannon” almost instantly rewinds many readers to an era of Saturday-night sketches or Matt Dillon on the high school stage. Pop culture Mollys are often anchors in our memory a movie that framed our teenage years, a late-night sketch that made us laugh, or a cookbook that introduced a weeknight dinner we still make.

Second: the name functions like a cultural lens. Molly Brown and Molly Pitcher take us back into history lessons: bravery, civic action, a kind of everyday heroism that’s been dressed with a familiar name. Contrast that with Molly Bloom’s contemporary ascent from competitive sports to a high-stakes poker life and then to memoirist and speaker it’s a modern arc of reinvention. The range between those two the Titanic survivor and the 21st-century memoirist shows how a name can live in many eras and contexts at once.

Third: working with this list reminded me how often familiar names cross boundaries. You’ll see Mollys in sports (Molly Seidel), in food and media (Molly Yeh, Molly Baz), in music (Molly Tuttle), and in opinion journalism (Molly Ivins, Molly Ball). That breadth means that when you hear the name, your brain can’t immediately place it which feels like an invitation: “Which Molly are we talking about?” That curiosity is useful for storytellers, brand teams, and podcasters when they want to play with expectations.

Fourth: lists are editorial by nature. Deciding who to include invites both research and judgment calls. Which Mollys are globally famous and which have strong regional or niche followings? I tried to include a mix household names, media figures, athletes, creators, and a few beloved fictional Mollys because cultural recognition is not only measured by awards but by the stories and communities that keep someone relevant.

Fifth and finally: there’s joy in the small discoveries. While researching, I found recipe writers and independent artists named Molly who are not “headline famous” but who have devoted followings the kind of creators whose work shows up in a friend’s Instagram feed and suddenly becomes part of your week. Those smaller-scale Mollys illustrate a modern truth: fame is a spectrum, and a “famous Molly” could be the neighbor whose small business you love just as much as a star on a marquee.

So if your next piece needs a playful list, an episode idea, or a historical sidebar, consider a “50 famous Mollys” spin it’s unexpectedly fertile ground for nostalgia, discovery, and storytelling.