12 Hollywood Stars Who Kept Working While Pregnant On Screen

When Hollywood’s biggest names find out they’re expecting, their work doesn’t always grind to a halt. In fact, some of the most iconic and hardworking actresses have filmed hit shows and movies while pregnant, sometimes keeping it secret, sometimes letting the world know! From dramatic period pieces to hilarious sitcoms and thrilling action hits, here’s a look at some incredible women who navigated the challenges of filming while expecting.

Morena Baccarin

Morena Baccarin‘s on-screen roles are full of charm and depth, and that didn’t stop when she was expecting. Her performances across genres continued without pause, blending her real-life experiences with her powerful acting talent. In 2016, Baccarin was visibly expecting her first child with Gotham co-star Ben McKenzie while promoting Deadpool in theaters, according to Inquirer Entertainment.

Claire Danes

Known for emotionally rich performances, Claire Danes took on complex characters even while navigating pregnancy. Her professionalism and ability to immerse herself in her craft set a high bar for work ethic in the industry and inspired fans worldwide. She has shared that she was around seven-and-a-half months along while shooting an intense kidnapping sequence for Homeland‘s second season, per The Hollywood Reporter.

Emily Blunt

From stage to screen, Emily Blunt has always impressed with her versatility and dedication. Working through pregnancy, she continued to embrace challenging roles, never letting family life slow her meteoric rise in Hollywood. She secretly hid her pregnancy while shooting The Girl on the Train, leaving co-stars simply thinking she seemed unusually worn out, as reported by NBC News. She was likewise expecting her first daughter while portraying the child-longing Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, according to Playbill.

Naomi Watts

Naomi Watts discovered she was pregnant just two weeks into filming the 2007 thriller Eastern Promises. Still early in her pregnancy, she kept the news quiet and continued working, even performing demanding scenes and some of her own stunts. Her role as a midwife longing for a child added an unexpected layer of poignancy to the performance, per Boston Herald.

Reese Witherspoon

Always a trailblazer, Reese Witherspoon continued to deliver memorable performances and produce groundbreaking projects during pregnancy. Her work ethic and advocacy for women in entertainment made her a true Hollywood role model. While filming the period drama Vanity Fair in 2003, Witherspoon was pregnant with her second child, and director Mira Nair chose to write the pregnancy into the story, per Irish Examiner.

Julia Roberts

The beloved star kept her signature smile lighting up sets even as she worked through her pregnancy. Her effortless charm and professionalism never wavered, and she remains a favorite among audiences and fellow actors alike. Julia Roberts was pregnant with twins during production of Ocean’s Twelve, prompting her co-stars, including George Clooney, to look out for her on set, according to Cheat Sheet.

Helena Bonham Carter

With a career defined by bold and eccentric roles, Helena Bonham Carter didn’t slow down when she was expecting. She continued to inhabit unforgettable characters, showing how pregnancy and creativity can thrive together in showbiz. She was expecting her second child with then-partner Tim Burton during the filming of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, as reported by Backstage.

Kerry Washington

Kerry Washington commanded the screen while balancing the demands of pregnancy, becoming an inspiration for women aiming for it all. Her portrayal of powerful characters resonated even more knowing the extra challenges she overcame behind the scenes. Washington has said her Scandal castmates knew about both of her pregnancies even though the storyline never acknowledged them, per ABC News.

January Jones

January Jones managed to balance the pressures of lead roles with real-life pregnancy, giving fans plenty to talk about on screen and off. Her style, strength, and dedication stood out in every scene she filmed during this time. Jones was around eight months pregnant when she stopped filming Mad Men‘s fifth season, returning to the set only weeks after giving birth, according to CTV News.

Sarah Jessica Parker

As a true fashion and television icon, Sarah Jessica Parker was unstoppable, even while pregnant. She remained at the forefront of pop culture, stunning at events and on screen, all while quietly handling her new role as a mom-to-be. Parker was expecting her first child in 2002, causing Sex and the City‘s fifth season to be shortened and Carrie Bradshaw’s wardrobe to grow baggier, per Cheat Sheet.

Jenna Fischer

Beloved for her relatable characters, Jenna Fischer‘s pregnancy became a behind-the-scenes story as she worked on set. Her authentic performances and openness about juggling career and motherhood inspired fans and colleagues alike. Fischer’s pregnancy was ultimately written into The Office‘s storyline, with Pam and Jim welcoming their second child around the same time, as reported by NBC Insider.