30 Famous Introverts – Introverted Personality Types and Traits
Julia Roberts - A Famous Introvert
This list of famous introverts includes a summary of introverted personality types and traits. Introverts, famous or not, do not have personality disorders! A reader recently asked me about introverted personality types and traits, and I was shocked at the misperceptions people have about introverts.
Here’s a quick way to tell if you’re an introvert or an extrovert:
“If there is an emergency do you tend to stand still and feel somewhat shut down or in slow motion? If you have a standstill reaction to stress more often, then you are probably an introvert,” says psychotherapist and author Marti Olsen Laney, author of The Introvert Advantage: How to Thrive in an Extrovert World. “In a crisis do you tend to move your body immediately and feel like taking action, maybe without pausing to think? Then you are probably an extrovert if you react with movement.”
If you’re an introvert searching for a career suited to your personality and skills, read 200 Best Jobs for Introverts — because introverts and extroverts are happier doing different jobs.
And, here’s a list of famous introverts, plus information about introverted personality types and traits…
Introverted Personality Types and Traits
Is introversion a personality disorder?
No, no, no! Introverts are normal. Extroverts are normal. Neither type of personality is a personality disorder. However, I did write an article called When Introverted Personality Traits Become Problematic, because some personality types can veer off in unhealthy directions. Of course, this can happen to extroverts, too.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with introverted personality traits, though introverts are commonly seen as abnormal, nerds, loners, withdrawn, shy, and unfriendly. Introverts can also be seen as lacking social skills.
Introverts:
- Enjoy time alone
- Consider only deep relationships as friends
- Feel drained after outside activities, even if they were fun
- Are often good listeners
- Appear calm and self-contained
- Think then speak or act
People with introverted personalities have an inward focus and aren’t usually the “life of the party.” Introverts have a strong sense of self that can make them feel highly self-conscious around other people – making walking into a crowded room a little nerve-wracking. Introverts have a hard time being goofy in front of the camera and telling jokes to more than a couple of people at a time, but they can be extremely witty. They’re less “Larry, Curly, and Moe” and more Woody Allen – but that doesn’t mean introverts’ personality traits are neurotic!
Introverts process their emotions, thoughts, and observations internally. They can be social people, but reveal less about themselves than extroverts do. Introverts are more private, and less public. Introverts need time to think before responding to a situation, and develop their ideas by reflecting privately. Introverts’ personality traits can be passionate, and sometimes aggressive.
Many introverts prefer working at home, in a telecommuting job.
Though different, introverts and extroverts can fall in love and have happy relationship. Read Extroverts and Introverts in Love if you’re an extrovert in love with an introvert, or vice versa!
Is it possible for an introvert to become an extrovert?
I suppose introverts can force themselves to be more extroverted, but why? Not for career success, because introverted people can be just as successful professionally as extroverts – especially if they’re armed with Tips for Networking Successfully for Introverts. Introverts don’t need to become extroverts for relationship success, even if they’re with extroverts.
There’s no reason for introverts to become extroverts.
What advantages does an introvert have? (if any)
According to Laney, author of The Introvert Advantage, there are several advantages to being an introvert:
- work well with others, especially in one-to-one relationships
- maintain long-term friendships
- flexible
- independent
- strong ability to concentrate
- self-reflective
- responsible
- creative, out-of-the-box thinking
- analytical skills that integrate complexity
- studious and smart
I’m an introvert, and it’s normal to me. Introverts aren’t as common as extroverts (there are more extroverts in the world than introverts), but that doesn’t mean they’re abnormal or have a personality disorder.
Famous Introverts — Actresses
- Candice Bergen, actress, writer, photographer
- Ingrid Bergman, actress
- Ellen Burstyn, actress
- Glenn Close, actress
- Audrey Hepburn, actress
- Helen Hunt, actress
- Diane Keaton, actress
- Grace Kelly, actress
- Jessica Lange, actress
- Laura Linney, actress
- Gwyneth Paltrow, actress
- Michelle Pfeiffer, actress
- Julia Roberts, actress
- Meg Ryan, actress
- Meryl Streep, actress
Famous Introverts — Actors
- Clint Eastwood, actor/director
- Harrison Ford, actor
- Tom Hanks, actor
- Sir Alfred Hitchcock, film director
- Jack Lemmon, late actor
- Bill Macy, actor
- Steve Martin, all around talented guy
- Noah Wiley, actor
Other Famous Introverts
- Johnny Carson, former Tonight Show host
- Jane Clayson, host of CBS Morning Show
- Matt Lauer, co-host on the Today Show
- David Letterman, host of the David Letterman Show
- Diane Sawyer, co-host of ABC’s Good Morning America
- Barbara Walters, host of 20/20
If you’re wondering if you’re an introvert, take this Test for Introverted Personality Traits.
Source of the “famous introverts” information: The Introvert Advantage.
If you have any thoughts about famous introverts or introverted personality types and traits, please comment below…
Category: Personality Traits & Types, Psychology Tips
Comments (47)
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Sites That Link to this Post
- It's Okay To Be "Quiet" | Minding Therapy | February 9, 2012
- I’m an open and closed book | jwsquared | August 4, 2011
- What’s all The Talk with Meryl Streep? « trevpost | July 20, 2011
I’m going back to school in the fall, after 6 years of working at home as a writer and blogger. I’m definitely an introvert (though not a famous one), and am a little worried at what it’ll be like to be in school and doing my practicum full-time.
Maybe I need to research and write an article on how introverts stay sane when they’re in school and counseling people for a living…
I sometimes like to refer to myself as an introverted-extrovert, or vice-versa..if you get my drift. Put me in the right mood, the right company..preferably no more than two others, add booze..And I can be quite lively, passionate, witty and all-round-company.Or at least I hope that’s the way I’m coming across. However I also have a natural tendency to withdraw from group social situations and hate to be forced into activities reflective of this..office Team-Building Days being at the top of this list. I also can’t stand group dynamics and the politics of the extroverts. I prefer to just get on with my job and don’t need to do all that collaborative girly office team-work crap(even while they’re stabbing each in the back to the be the next Queen Bee!)..But that’s just one example of it and not meant to sound like some sexist rant..I feel a disabling psycho/emotional kind of noise all around when I’m forced into these situations; it’s just not where I excel….I’m probably in a good job for it then because I spend a large part of my day in a nice darkly lit broadcasting booth talking into a stick.
@Mike
I think your life demonstrates precisely the fundamental nature of introversion. Many people as you know confuse it with shyness and social awkwardness and it’s not that at all. We recently did Myers-Briggs assessments at my job and many of us were surprised at those who tested introvert vs. extroverts. I was no surprise – the way I am matches the conventional ideas about what an introvert is. I am shy as well as introverted. But many of the guys in our IT department are extroverts and nearly half of my small department is introverted. They were a surprise, because they are not shy or soft spoken like me. On the outside they may resemble extroverts, but they prefer solitary pursuits as well like reading, web surfing, and don’t like being the center of attention. But we’re all different. Even shy me, loves to dance my butt off at parties. In fact, I enjoy parties that are centered around shared activities as opposed to small talk.
I have a lifetime of professional experience in emergency services. I’ve been a cop, firefighter, EMT, search and rescue diver, among others, I have also been in the military and then as a civilian, volunteered to go to Afghanistan to help train during this war, for 4 years. I could be described as an extrovert by some descriptions. I get off work and I absolutely prefer the singular pursuits. I love solo activities, prefer the company of my dog to friends, built a house that was in the country where my closest neighbor was a quarter mile away on a desolate road and 500 feet off the road behind the woods. People could drive right by my house and never know I was there and I loved it that way.
How can I explain this; this extreme difference in profession vs recreation in my socialization skills?
My response to this is that, “I am an introvert that plays an extrovert in TV.” No, I am not an actor at all. I am, however, a creative. Drawing and painting as a child and now a professional photographer, journalist and one preferring to remain on the sidelines of history, all the while absolutely ready to step up to the plate when an emergency occurs or to get right in the middle of the action, wherever it takes me.
Just thought I’d give another perspective…
This is so good. Thank you so much. I’m a total introvet and I find it really hard. It is really hard to go to school and watch everyone else socializing where as I would rather watch. I have been critized and misjudged because of it and I wish others would try and see how I see the world. I think it is important for introverts to not lose sight of who they are. I have tried to be more extroverted and I saw people like that but I was mad at myself for not being true to myself. I am unique. I am an introvert.
I’m very introverted but I have a lot of friends who say that’s a crazy statement because I can be the life of the party, and I’m great at networking. I’m a dj and performer and I love attention, as long as it’s within my control. What they don’t get is that it drains me to no end to be social & to network, and after I perform I go a week before I talk to ANYONE. And when I’m not performing, I dress down and look mousy because I mostly prefer to be left alone when not on stage.
I think introverts can come off as extroverted when it’s necessary, but they cannot actually force themselves to become a true extrovert. An extrovert can appear introverted on a bad day, so it goes both ways. I guess what I’m saying is we slide up and down the scale, there are many shades of grey on the scale between both poles.
Interesting article, I am an introvert, have two children that are introverts, have a father that was an introvert but belong to a very large family of extroverts. BTW, the kids Dad, an extrovert, I guess they got lucky. I have been very successful in life and business because I can sit back and watch and not jump at everything like an extrovert.I hire people that think before they answer and examine before they react. Being an introvert means being able to play the scenario through your head and making it work before presenting the idea. I usually work in an environment of extroverts but my new company is made of a management team of introverts that are strong, focus, and respective of those in the environment.
Hi, its a very useful article. would like to put forth a theory though, i wonder how many would agree with it, do you think a person can start of as an extrovert at the younger stages of life and move onto introversion?
What about people who show both the reactions to stress as mentioned in the 2nd paragraph of the article? My MBTI result shows that I am an introvert, but I have always had lots of friends, been the soul of a parties mostly, been very talkative and funny in a big group of people, have organized and been emcee to many events as well. now the paradox is that a lot of things mentioned in your post also hold true for me, like not having very close friends, and being introspective, not being able to show reactions to stress etc. Request you to please elaborate on the differences more for confused souls like me. thanks
Nice post. It’s all very accurate too. It took me awhile to figure out what I was. After taking quiz after quiz after quiz,and educating myself on introversion, I finally came to conclusion that I really am an introvert! It was very comforting to know.
I used to be a lonely extrovert, but now I’m just a loner,and I’m finally starting to accept it and move on after….5 years of pure loneliness. Progress! <3
Here’s another famous introvert, and we all know her as the actress in “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo”, Rooney Mara.
http://www.dazeddigital.com/artsandculture/article/12300/1/rooney-mara-whos-that-girl?utm_source=Link&utm_medium=Link&utm_campaign=RSSFeed&utm_term=Rooney-Mara-Whos-That-Girl
“Mara describes herself as a natural born loner, who loves nothing more than sitting alone in her bedroom and Googling stuff. “Yeah, I’m weird. But, like, everyone’s weird though, right? And yeah, a lot of things about my life are going to change, but I’m not at all worried… because I’m still going to be up alone in my room Googling stuff, whatever happens.””
I can relate to her, that’s why I like her a lot. Only lately did I came to accept my introvert personality, something I got from my mom. People would try to encourage me to be “more friendly” and “go out more often” but I realized it’s not really my thing. Not that I’m shy, but not just my type of activity. Lately, I’ve learned to go out from time to time, but I still want some alone time.
It was a great article!. But I wish it could be published on a site for extroverts, so that they can understand us better and don’t treat us the way they do. They all think that they are the superior ones!!
I’m a writer. Perhaps the most solitary occupation known to man. But when I have to do speaking engagements, book signings or whatever, it’s like death to me. I enjoy them. I actually get a charge out of them…. but, as this article says, when they’re over, I AM SPENT! I’d much prefer just sitting in my room typing away and let someone else do the book signings! LOL! But oh well.
I’m an introverts from a family of introverts. I am often misunderstood as being anti-social or unfriendly. I enjoy human interaction, however; for me to speak with someone you must stimulate my mind. Introversion is so often misunderstood by extroverts and I have found that extroverts do not seek the knowledge to understand introverts. Which is a big loss for extroverts, because introverts loyal friends and dedicated in relationships.
Good to see other Introverts recently found out of my different ”thinking” not sure how creditable this fact is but supposedly only 25% of the population have this way of ”thinking”
Hey ima Introvert , and this is just an awesome article . Thanx Laurie
I’ve got it twice as bad – I am a bashful as well as an introvert. Life can be hard. For many years I lacked any type of social skills. In high school walking past the loud, bright activity center imagining all eyes on me made me feel physically ill. I never spoke in class, unless I was forced to and I remember how hot my face felt and the butterflies swimming in my stomach.
I always thought I was just shy. But as I became a little more skilled socially and more confident I noticed I still couldn’t stand crowds, super loud noise, and even after doing something fun with others I always hit a wall when I was bored and wanted to escape to chill out read, watch a movie or just be on the internet – reading, of course.
My husband doesn’t understand how I can be on the net reading for hours on end. To him you’re not living unless you’re surrounded by people doing whatever they’re doing. Even if they’re just sitting at home like we are. Getting up from my comfortable home to go sit around someone else’s house makes no sense to me. I guess it does if you’re an extrovert and you crave group interaction of three or more people.
I’m being dealing with this personality situation myself since I was a teeneger. It’s very difficult when you don’t know what is going on until you heard other people with similar situations like yours. Makes me feel comfortable now to know more about it, and knows that I’m not alone in this world feeling like this. The introverts suffers a lot, people abuse ot them, take advantage, demands more of them, etc. Introverts are more smart, cautious, intelligent, preventive, etc., than extroverts in my opinion, extroverts are careless, hipocrits, demanding, offensive, talks on their backs about others, etc., not all extroverts but a huge mayority, I have seen that a lot, in workplaces, school, everywhere…I felt bad for a long while, but not anymore. I considered myself intelligent, caring, loving, cautious, a good thinker, with values,etc., and there’s nothing bad about being like this, even though that we all make mistakes and we are not perfect. I prefer, and thank God that created me introvert and no extrovert. Don’t like what extroverts do. I am pretty sure that the mayor problems of the world nowadays is caused by extroverts people while there’s introvert people trying to fix it. Excuse me if I made any mistakes in my writing, don’t know the language 100%…
Dear Lucy,
Thanks for your comment and question! I had so much to say, I couldn’t fit it all here
This article is for you:
4 Tips for Couples With Wildly Different Personality Traits
Sorry it took me so long to respond. I hope it helps, and welcome your thoughts here or there.
Blessings,
Laurie
I knew I was introverted – I scored 27 out of 29…I don’t think outside of the box…in fact I cannot even find the box. I am not creative that I know of. My parents never introduced us to the arts. We were always bookworms. How do I create calm in my marriage with my very extroverted husband. He thinks I am abnormal because I prefer to be alone, at home, or with family only, especially the grandkids.