2016’s Most Searched For Actors And Actresses

Google recently released its statistics about what was most often searched for in 2016, including the most search for actors and actresses of the year. In some regards, the inclusion makes perfect sense, as it’s someone who is immensely popular and audiences wanted to consume as much as them as they can, and with other names on the list, we still aren’t totally sure who they are and had to Google that information ourselves.

While browsing through the list, you’ll see stars of comic book movies, sci-fi projects, award-winning performers, and controversial characters. We can’t quite say that 2016 was a banner year for everyone on this list, as some made it due to infamy, but 2016 will surely be a year that none of these stars forget!

Who is your favorite actor/actress who made the cut? Let us know in the comments!

10) Lin-Manuel Miranda

Probably because…

2016 was a huge year for the star, as his play Hamilton set Broadway records, which opened the doors to hosting Saturday Night Live, and he also retired from starring in the play he created to pursue other projects.

 

9) Taylor Lautner

Probably because…

Despite the Twilight saga wrapping up years ago, Lautner continues to be a hot young actor on the Scream Queen TV series and people still want to see what he looks like with his shirt off.

 

8) Sebastian Stan

Probably because…

Thanks to Captain America: Civil War, Sebastian Stan once again starred in one of the most successful comic book movies of the year, as well as add fuel to theories that he might some day take over the reins of Captain America.

 

7) Thomas Gibson

Probably because…

Amid controversy, Gibson was fired from the hit show Criminal Minds due to regular creative conflicts on set that led to emotional outbursts.

 

6) Jeffrey Dean Morgan

Probably because…

His debut as the treacherous Negan on The Walking Dead had fans remembering the last time they saw him, with the answer probably being Grey’s Anatomy, as we can assume the shows have the same fanbase.

 

5) Tom Holland

Probably because…

As Spider-Man in Captain America: Civil War, Holland stole the show in the few scenes he appeared in, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe newcomer quickly became a fan-favorite. That, or people were really excited to research the director of Fright Night.

 

4) Jesse Williams

Probably because…

The Grey’s Anatomy star spoke passionately about racism while accepting the Humanitarian of the Year Award at the BET Awards in a speech that quickly went viral, which also sparked controversy over Justin Timberlake’s praise for the actor.

[H/T YouTube/CBSN]

3) Adam Driver

Probably because…

Hot off his breakout role of Kylo Ren in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Driver’s career launched incredibly quickly. In addition to people wanting to know more about the actor, in January he also starred in a hilarious viral video made for Saturday Night Live.

[H/T YouTube/Saturday Night Live]

2) Tom Hiddleston

Probably because…

Hiddleston starred in the hit mini-series The Night Manager, but it was most likely his personal life, and the discovery that he was in a relationship with Taylor Swift, that pushed him close to the top of the list.

 

1) Brad Pitt

Probably because…

More than his multiple years of winning the Sexiest Man Alive, in 2016, fan were far more interested in Pitt’s personal life, especially since he separated from his wife Angelina Jolie amidst rumors of an affair.

 

10) Millie Bobbie Brown

Probably because…

Brown had a standout performance in Netflix’s surprise hit Stranger Things, but it was her promotion of the series and discovery of many different talents that fans couldn’t get enough of, scouring every inch of the internet to see.

[H/T YouTube/The Late Show With Stephen Colbert]

9) Alicia Vikander

Probably because…

Shortly after winning the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Vikander quickly rose to the top of the casting list to take the reins from Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft in Tomb Raider.

 

8) Kate McKinnon

Probably because…

McKinnon was the biggest hit in this year’s Ghostbusters, giving audiences the biggest laughs of the movie, and towards the end of the year, her impression of Hillary Clinton during the presidential race on Saturday Night Live was at times gut-busting and other times inspiring.

[H/T YouTube/Saturday Night Live]

7) Leslie Jones

Probably because…

Similar to Kate McKinnon, Jones found huge success with her performance in Ghostbusters, but sadly, the Saturday Night Live star also had a memorable year because she was targeted on Twitter by racist and misogynist users, bringing the topic of harassment on the social media platform to the forefront of conversations.

 

6) Jenna Dewan Tatum

Probably because…

The star of the Step Up films might not have filmed another installment in the franchise, but her marriage to Channing Tatum and role in the hit TV series Supergirl made the internet want to know more about her.

 

5) Brie Larson

Probably because…

Winning an Academy Award would be the highlight of anyone’s year, but for Brie Larson, that was only the beginning, as this year she was also announced to play Carol Danvers in the upcoming Captain Marvel film.

[H/T YouTube/A24]

4) Daisy Ridley

Probably because…

Much like Adam Driver, Ridley had huge success thanks to The Force Awakens, as she lit up the screen with every scene she was in, and fans just wanted to know more ways to enjoy her acting abilities.

[H/T YouTube/The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon]

3) Jodie Sweetin

Probably because…

One of the more surprising entries on the list was the Full House star, who left the limelight early in career, and sadly turned to drugs for answers. Audiences were stunned when they saw a grown up Stephanie Tanner in Netflix’s Fuller House, and many turned to the internet to see what drugs she might have taken to look as good as she does in 2016.

 

2) Marion Cotillard

Probably because…

The accomplished actress inadvertently received plenty of attention as she was rumored to be the reason behind Brad Pitt’s split with Angelina Jolie, as the two starred in the film Allied this year. Cotillard denies these allegations, but in the age of the internet, things aren’t that easy.

[H/T YouTube/Movieclips Trailers]

1) Meghan Markle

Probably because…

In addition to her work on TV show Suits, Markle recently made public that she was a few months into dating Prince Harry, and if you don’t recognize Markle’s name, clearly you aren’t the only one who needed to figure out who she was.