The question "actresses who played Supergirl" spans multiple eras, formats, and continuities, from Golden Age serials to modern streaming. In live-action, Helen Slater originated the role in the 1984 film, establishing a grounded, hopeful benchmark. For television, Laura Vandervoort appeared in Smallville, while Melissa Benoist headlined Supergirl on The CW with a contemporary, character-driven interpretation. In animation, both Nicholle Tom and voice performers outside traditional superhero fare have embodied Kara Zor-El. This evergreen overview compares key performances, formats, and canons to clarify who has worn the cape across decades of storytelling.
