7 Actresses Who Have Played Tinker Bell

Just when you thought your Friday couldn't get more exciting, the news that Reese Witherspoon will play Tinker Bell in an upcoming live-action Disney film arrives to cheer you up. Like the Angelina Jolie-led Maleficent, the film will provide a more compassionate look at the Peter Pan trickster. Maleficent took some liberties with the Grimm's fairy tale upon which Sleeping Beauty was based, and this Tinker Bell will have to do the same thing with J.M. Barrie's original script and novel. But, of course, Witherspoon isn't the only actress who has played Tinker Bell.

Tinker Bell made her first appearance in Barrie's play Peter and Wendy. Actually, she barely appeared at all. She was not cast in those early years, but was instead represented by a darting light and the sound of bells. The character could be affectionate at times and evil at others; her mood swings were due to the fact that fairies could only contain one emotion at the time. She was later portrayed by actresses in movies and stage productions of Peter Pan, although, in the iconic 1953 Disney animated film, Tink was a non-speaking part. That depiction in particular caught the public's imagination, and Peter Pan has since been remade again and again, with many iconic actresses playing the role of Tinker Bell.

Here are a few of the most famous actresses who have played or voiced the fairy.

Julia Roberts

The Pretty Woman actress played Tink in the iconic Robin Williams film Hook.

Mae Whitman

While you may not recognize her name, Arrested Development fans will remember her as Egg — I mean Ann Veal. She voiced Tinker Bell throughout the Disney animated franchise.

Rose McIver

The Lovely Bones actress plays the fairy on Once Upon A Time.

Aidy Bryant

OK, the comedian plays Tonkerbell on SNL, but it's close enough.

Ludivine Sagnier

The French actress played Tink in the 2003 live-action Peter Pan.

Kiera Knightley

The Pirates of the Caribbean actress voiced a spooky version of Tinker Bell in the miniseries Neverland.

Melissa McCarthy

She hasn't played Tink yet, but she's scheduled to in an upcoming comedic Peter Pan project. Whether this will be affected by the Reese Witherspoon film remains unclear, but I hope not.

Image: Getty Images