Were These Hollywood's Brightest Stars?
The heyday of Hollywood glamor may have come and gone, but the stars that marked the era will forever be remembered, their legendary roles continuing to captivate audiences to this day. From Paul Newman's dazzling blue eyes and cheeky grin to Lauren Bacall's sultry voice and commanding presence, these weren't just actors; they were icons. Their very names conjure the images of glamour, charisma, and unparalleled chops that made the golden age of Hollywood as remarkable as it was. Here are the 20 most quintessential actors from Hollywood's golden age.
Warner Bros. Pictures on Wikimedia
1. Humphrey Bogart
Humphrey Bogart made a name for himself as the fast-talking, dark, mysterious, and handsome film noir anti-hero. He had such an on-screen presence that he was named the greatest male star of classic American cinema by the American Film Institute in 1999.
2. Cary Grant
Cary Grant was known for his self-deprecating humor, elegance, charm, and sparkly eyes that always looked like they were smiling. He starred in endless classics from screwball comedies like His Girl Friday to Alfred Hitchcock thrillers.
3. Ingrid Bergman
Ingrid Bergman was the picture of feminine charm. She was a Swedish actress whose career spanned an impressive five decades. Her breakthrough role in American cinema was in Casablanca, starring opposite Humphrey Bogart.
4. James Stewart
Starring in such beloved classics as Rear Window and It's a Wonderful Life, James Stewart is an enduring name in cinema. He had a natural sincerity that resonated with audiences. Outside of Hollywood, he had an architecture degree from Princeton and was a decorated war hero.
Studio publicity still on Wikimedia
5. Lauren Bacall
Lauren Bacall was a legendary American actress known for her sultry voice and piercing gaze. Her breakthrough role was in To Have and Have Not, starring opposite Humphrey Bogart. She quickly stole the hearts of audiences and that of her co-star: she and Bogart married the following year.
Liberty Publications on Wikimedia
6. Gregory Peck
Gregory Peck was known for his commanding presence, deep voice, and strikingly handsome features. He often depicted characters with a strong moral fiber, most notably, Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird for which he won an Oscar.
7. Katherine Hepburn
Katherine Hepburn cultivated a screen persona that defied conventions as a strong-willed, independent, and sophisticated woman. She holds the record for the most Academy Awards won by an actor, having earned four.
Photographer not credited on Wikimedia
8. Sophia Loren
Sophia Loren was an Italian sex symbol and actress, often regarded as one of the best of all time. Her repertoire boasts a remarkable range of roles in both Italian and American cinema, most notably her portrayal of Cesira in Two Women which earned her an Oscar.
9. Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of all time. He starred in such classics as The Godfather, A Streetcar Named Desire, and On The Waterfront. He was one of the first Hollywood actors to embrace and popularize method acting.
Trailer screenshot on Wikimedia
10. Natalie Wood
Natalie Wood was a captivating actress who captured audiences with her performances in such classics as Rebel Without A Cause and Miracle on 34th Street. She was one of the biggest stars of the 1960s but her life was tragically cut short at the age of 43 when she drowned in mysterious circumstances.
11. Paul Newman
Before his face was all over the label of your favorite salad dressing (Newman's Own), Paul Newman was a legendary Hollywood actor who captivated audiences with his piercing blue eyes and charisma. He garnered a staggering nine Oscar nominations throughout his career.
12. Elizabeth Taylor
Elizabeth Taylor was a British-American actress who was awarded Damehood for her extraordinary talent. She began as a child star in the 1940s and later won two Oscars for BUtterfield 8 and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Outside of her acting career, she was married eight times, twice to Richard Burton, and was an outspoken advocate for HIV/AIDS research.
MGM publicity still on Wikimedia
13. Henry Fonda
Henry Fonda was a beloved and prolific actor whose career on Broadway and in Hollywood spanned over 50 years. He was best known for starring in The Grapes of Wrath and 12 Angry Men. He was the father of Jane and Peter Fonda who also became major Hollywood stars.
Studio publicity still on Wikimedia
14. Steve McQueen
"The King of Cool" Steve McQueen was known for his rugged good looks, bad boy persona, and charisma. He was known for his "less is more" approach to acting, where a subtle look or facial expression would speak volumes, sometimes even cutting dialogue from his scripts. He was best known for starring in The Great Escape and Le Mans.
15. Bette Davis
Bette Davis was known for her intensity on screen and her ability to portray complex and unsympathetic female characters. Her strong will resulted in her butting heads with studio executives but also earned her two Oscars for her performances in Dangerous and Dark Victory.
Photoplay Publishing Company; Warner Bros. on Wikimedia
16. Marilyn Monroe
Perhaps the most famous American actress of all time, Marilyn Monroe was a global icon and sex symbol. She is best known for her performances in such blockbusters as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Some Like It Hot.
Studio publicity still on Wikimedia
17. Clark Gable
"The King of Hollywood," Clark Gable was known for his classically handsome face, twinkling eyes, and easy confidence. He is best known for his portrayal of Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind and the charming Peter Warne in It Happened One Night.
18. Rock Hudson
The quintessential leading man of the 1950s and 60s, Rock Hudson was known for his striking good looks and charming on-screen presence. He's best known for starring opposite Doris Day in several romantic comedies including Pillow Talk and Lover Come Back. A gay man, Hudson was one of the first major celebrities to be diagnosed with AIDS.
Universal Pictures on Wikimedia
19. Doris Day
Doris Day was known for her sunny "girl next door" disposition and wholesome image. She began her career as a big band singer, her vocal talent coupled with her lovable personality making for a seamless transition to Hollywood. She later starred in the TV sitcom The Doris Day Show and spent much of her life advocating for animal welfare.
Universal Pictures on Wikimedia
20. Ava Gardner
Ava Gardner was celebrated for his striking beauty, but she was more than just a pretty face. She resisted being typecast as a sex symbol and proved her acting prowess in films like Mogambo, which earned her an Oscar nomination. She had a high-profile and tumultuous relationship with Frank Sinatra which was often the subject of tabloids.
