From 1937 To 2025: Who Really Played Snow White? The Complete List Of Actresses And The New Live-Action Controversy

The question of "who played Snow White" has a surprisingly complex answer, spanning nearly a century of cinema, but the most current and controversial answer is Rachel Zegler. As of December 2025, the conversation is dominated by the upcoming Disney live-action remake, which has generated immense discussion, backlash, and anticipation since its announcement. This new film is set to redefine the classic fairytale for a modern audience, shifting the focus from the 1937 animated masterpiece that cemented the character in popular culture. The role of Snow White has been brought to life by a diverse group of actresses across various films and television projects, ranging from the definitive voice of the animated classic to stars of gritty, modern fantasy epics. To fully understand the legacy of the fairest princess of them all, one must look at the groundbreaking original performance and the highly scrutinized modern interpretations.

Rachel Zegler: The New Face of Disney's Live-Action Snow White (Biography & Controversy)

The current star playing the titular role is Rachel Zegler, leading the highly-anticipated, though often controversial, Disney live-action remake, which is now expected to be released in 2025. Her casting and subsequent commentary on the film have made her the most talked-about Snow White in recent history.

Rachel Zegler's Profile & Biography

• Full Name: Rachel Anne Zegler
• Date of Birth: May 3, 2001
• Place of Birth: Hackensack, New Jersey, U.S.
• Nationality: American (of Colombian and Polish descent)
• Breakthrough Role: Maria in Steven Spielberg's *West Side Story* (2021)
• Other Notable Roles: Anthea in *Shazam! Fury of the Gods* (2023), Lucy Gray Baird in *The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes* (2023)
• Disney Role: Snow White in the upcoming live-action film *Snow White* (2025)

The Live-Action Remake and Its "Woke" Backlash

Zegler's portrayal of the Disney Princess has been mired in controversy almost since its announcement. The film has been postponed, with a new release date expected in 2025. The major points of contention revolve around several key changes:

• The "Woke" Narrative: Zegler stated that her Snow White would not be "saved by a prince" and that the story would focus on her journey to become a leader. This shift from the original fairytale's themes sparked significant online debate about the modernization of the classic story.
• Casting and Diversity: Zegler, who is of Colombian and Polish descent, faced backlash from some critics regarding her casting as a character traditionally described as having "skin as white as snow." Disney defended the choice, emphasizing the importance of diversity in its casting decisions.
• The Dwarfs Redesign: The film has replaced the seven dwarfs with seven "magical creatures" to avoid perpetuating stereotypes, a change that also fueled the controversy.
• Co-Stars: The film also stars Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen and Andrew Burnap as the new male lead, a character who is not the traditional Prince Charming.

The Original Icon: Adriana Caselotti's Enduring Legacy

No discussion of Snow White is complete without acknowledging the definitive, original performance. The character was first brought to life in Walt Disney's 1937 animated feature, *Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs*, which was the world's first full-length animated film. The original voice of Snow White belonged to Adriana Caselotti. * A Defining Voice: Caselotti was personally chosen by Walt Disney when she was just 18 years old. Her distinctive, high-pitched, operatic voice perfectly captured the innocent and gentle nature of the character, setting the standard for all future Disney Princesses. * A Hidden Talent: In a surprising twist of Hollywood history, Caselotti was not initially credited for the role, and Walt Disney reportedly discouraged her from taking other film roles to preserve the mystique of the character's voice. This limited her career, making Snow White her most famous, and essentially only, major film credit. * The First Princess: Adriana Caselotti is considered the first named female voice actress in history to play a Disney Princess, establishing a legacy that endures nearly a century later.

Beyond Disney: Every Major Actress Who Has Played Snow White

While the Disney versions are the most famous, the character of Snow White, based on the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale, has been reinterpreted numerous times across different movies and TV shows. These portrayals offer varying degrees of grit, fantasy, and realism, providing a rich tapestry of adaptations.

Live-Action Movie Adaptations

The most notable live-action film portrayals of Snow White in the 21st century include:

1. Lily Collins in *Mirror Mirror* (2012)

Lily Collins, known for her distinctive eyebrows and charm, played a more active and feisty Snow White in this comedic and visually stylized adaptation. This version focused heavily on the rivalry with the Evil Queen, played by Julia Roberts, and gave Snow White a more modern, empowered edge, even featuring a sword fight.

2. Kristen Stewart in *Snow White and the Huntsman* (2012)

Released the same year as *Mirror Mirror*, this film offered a much darker, action-oriented, and grittier take on the fairytale. Kristen Stewart’s Snow White was a warrior princess who led a rebellion against the Evil Queen, played by Charlize Theron. This adaptation radically departed from the sweet, docile image established by Disney.

Television and Other Portrayals

The character has also been a central figure in popular television series and other notable films, further expanding the topical authority of the entity "Snow White." * Ginnifer Goodwin (and Jennifer Morrison) in *Once Upon a Time* (2011–2018): Goodwin played the classic Snow White in the fairytale world, while Jennifer Morrison played her daughter, Emma Swan, the Savior, in the modern world. This series heavily explored the backstory and relationships of the classic characters. * Stephanie Bennett in *Descendants* (2015): Bennett portrayed Snow White in the Disney Channel movie series, which focuses on the children of famous Disney heroes and villains. * Marguerite Clark in *Snow White* (1916): An important historical note, Clark played the character in one of the earliest known film adaptations of the story, a silent film, demonstrating the tale's enduring appeal. The history of "who played Snow White" is a fascinating journey through cinema, from the pioneering voice work of Adriana Caselotti in 1937 to the modern, highly scrutinized, and evolving interpretation by Rachel Zegler for the 2025 live-action blockbuster. Each actress, whether through voice or live-action performance, has contributed to the enduring legacy of the princess who proved that kindness and courage are the fairest qualities of all.