1950s hollywood actresses

Learn more about our, 40 Iconic Photos of Old Hollywood Stars on Set. She was 17 years old and studying at the Centro Sperimentale in Rome when she entered a beauty contest, which resulted in her getting a succession of small film roles. She appeared in such 1950s films as Some Like It Hot, The Seven Year Itch, and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Just a few years later, she'd go on to make her Broadway debut in Sing Out the News. Shes taking a break in filming with actor James Dean on the set of Giant in 1955. She was the daughter of Gertrud (Lichtwitz), from Budapest, and Emil Kiesler, a banker from Lember (now known as Lviv). Her father was of Swedish descent and her mother was of English and German ancestry.One month before her 18th birthday, Jean landed the title role in Otto Audrey Hepburn was born as Audrey Kathleen Ruston on May 4, 1929 in Ixelles, Brussels, Belgium. Ephemeral, disposable, they served only one purposeto let someone know "I'm here. Her natural and unpretentious beauty and her immense acting talent made her one of the most celebrated figures in the history of American cinema. She was so eager to get inside for Thanksgiving, she loaded some of her luggage into the limousine herself. But the film was awful, and Joeys reputation was permanently besmirched. Anyone who loves B-movies of the 1950s appreciates this lovely actress Allison Hayes. By 1948, things had gotten particularly bleak and she is found dead on the bathroom floor of actor Rex Harrisons house. Cook Talks 'Criminal Minds: Evolution', See Joanna Gaines's "Amazing" Selfie With Daughter, Miranda Lambert Shares Rare Photos with Husband. So I gave the house a brunette personality., Admired for her daffy but distinguished performances in The Wizard of Oz and Dinner at Eight, actress Billie Burke lived in an English-style house in Beverly Hills in the 1930s, with her husband, showman Florenz Ziegfeld. Have some tissues handy these are some sad and troubling tales. She was born Mary Jane Hayes on March 6, 1930 in Charleston, West Virginia. She is still going strong over seven decades later and recently released a new preschool TV series called Julies Greenroom. She had numerous successful roles in the 1940s, though her personal life was a hot mess: She married eight times, and her daughter fatally stabbed Turners abusive boyfriend. She was educated at Northumberland House, Clifton, Bristol. Her mother encouraged her to audition when Hollywood talent scouts came to Dallas. Since then she has become heavily involved in Broadway Theater. Ava Gardner casts a spell on Hollywood in this gorgeous Halloween look from 1946. Marilyn Monroe is a Cupid cowgirl for Valentine's Day in 1951. Ekberg died after a long illness at the age of 83 in her home country of Italy in January 2015. Here, she smiles for a July 4th photo, while promoting How To Marry a Millionaire, which came out just a few months later. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Although she did have English movies as well, later in her career she starred in The Musketeer which was released in 2001. Architectural Digest may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. In the mid 1950s, actress Ava Gardner decorated her newly built brick house at La Moraleja, a suburb of Madrid, with antiques she purchased at local shops. Then the following year she had another smash hit with The Sound of Music. Here, she's on set with Gary Cooper in the 1931 film I Take This Woman. Heatherton was a long-time member of Bob Hopes USO troupe between 1965 and 1977, delighting soldiers with her enticing singing, dancing and provocatively revealing outfits. She married Clark Gable in 1939, and she was flying back from a WW II war bonds rally in the Midwest when her plane crashed. Purchased by the screen siren in 1957, Jayne Mansfields Pink Palace earned its name for obvious reasons: Inside and out, the Mediterranean Revival mansion in Los Angeles where she lived with her second husband, Mr. Universe 1955 Mickey Hargitay, was a paradise of rose-color excess, thanks to set designer Glenn Holse. He spent countless hours visiting the troops during WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, as well as in Lebanon and the Persian Gulf. The 1950s may have had less plastic surgeons, but my guess would be that they were highly ethical and talented surgeons who took their work seriously. If a film were made of the life of Vivien Leigh, it would open in India just before World War I, where a successful British businessman could live like a prince. Here, hes reading passages from Hemingways book on which the movie was based during shooting of A Farewell to Arms (1932). Oscar-winner William Holden relaxes in his home in Toluca Lake, a suburban neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley; the modest Georgian-style house was designed by African-American architect Paul R. Williams and was later owned by Denzel Washington. 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Carole Lombard got her first one-film contract at age 12. A group of rising stars in the '20sRichard Taber, Agnes Esterhazy, Liane Haide, Grit Haid, Walter Rilla, and painter Rauschercelebrate New Year's Eve together. All rights reserved. Hes on the set here with director Alfred Hitchcock on Rear Window (1954). His affair with actress Ava Gardner broke up his marriage, and his career stalled. His gentlemanly behavior and understated sex appeal quickly caught the attention of moviegoers, and he reigned during the '40s and '50s. With her gorgeous violet eyes and creamy white skin, Elizabeth Taylor was a child star, co-starring alongside horses and dogs in National Velvet and the Lassie movies, long before she was a screen siren in movies such as Cleopatra. This stunning actress is the one and only Katharine Ross that starred in two of the most popular films of the 60s, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, as well as in The Graduate. As for the houses decor, she added, My father loved Asian art and furniture, which he would mix in with other styles. You may not have heard of Ms. Monica Vitti because being Italian born she mainly starred in Italian films. A high-school dropout at age 16, Clark Gable decided to become an actor when he saw a play in his hometown. Her unpretentious beauty and skilled acting made her an immediate success, and she went on to become one of the biggest stars of the '40s in classics such as Casablanca. With his methodical delivery, natural acting abilities, and striking good looks, Gary Cooper enjoyed a long and respected career in Hollywood, including leading roles more than 80 films. . Sophia Loren poses for photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt, in 1964, in the master bedroom of Villa Sara, her 16th-century house near Rome. Now, I must admit I could be slightly biased on this one, because this might be my personal favorite on this list. She appeared in several silent movies before her first talkie in 1930 and starred in many 1930s movies including Mata Hari (1930) and Grand Hotel (1932). 100 . Despite being just steps from a glamorous stretch of Central Park, James Deans studio apartment on West 68th Street in New York City was decidedly collegiate. Her natural beauty was something most girls dream of, and what most guys dream about. She went to California and Tell us what you think about this feature. Vera Miles is the beautiful actress that starred in many Alfred Hitchcock films over the years. He appeared in a bit part in 1934 but soon garnered larger roles collaborating with director Frank Capra in movies such as Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) and Its a Wonderful Life (1946). Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. One of her most recent films was The Butler which was critically acclaimed in almost every category. This lovely lady is the French-born actress, Stephane Audran, who was a particularly famous actress who made her debut in 1957 in the French film Le Jeu de la nuit. The Flashbak Shop Is Open & Selling All Good Things. The one at left, formerly owned by Pittsburgh steel tycoon G. David Thompson, was described by Douglas as a seated child with a squashed-in face and two eyes on the same side of her head. She has been seen recently on British Television shows such as Dancing on the Edge and on the big screen with Drew Barrymore in Miss You Already. Here, shes taking a much-deserved break from filming on set in 1936. Although she found a break in the justice system, no breaks would be forthcoming in her career and personal life as an eating disorder and brain damage(!) In 1952, Debbie Reynolds appeared in one of the most iconic musicals of all-time, How Marilyn Monroe And Ella Fitzgerald's Friendship Gave Them Both Their Careers, Inside Debbie Reynolds And Carrie Fishers Rocky But Loving Mother-Daughter Relationship, The Best Actresses to Ever Win Oscars for Best Actress. 40 Rare Photos of Old Hollywood Stars on Set - Behind the Scenes Movie Photos. Her hit film, The Inner Circle, was released just a few months after the holiday. The house, which Crosby and his first wife, Dixie Lee, bought shortly after their marriage in 1930, had been constructed in the 1840s by the first mayor of San Diego, Juan Osuna, and enlarged in 1910. Her natural beauty will go down in history as one of the greats. One of Bob Hopes frequent co-stars, Bing Crosby started his musical career in the '30s. Working in a series of films during the '20s, her silky voice enabled her to transition seamlessly to talkies when sound became part of movies in the late '20s. Petite and spunky, Audrey Hepburn has remained a fashion icon years after her death in 1993. Starring Kj Apa, Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes, Cole Sprouse, Madelaine Petsch, Madchen Amick, Casey Cott, Charles Melton, Drew Ray Tanner, Vanessa . The Best Amazon Presidents' Day Deals of 2023. In the mountains above Calcutta, a little princess is born. She made her debut as a stage actress in the late 50s then switching to the big screen. To read and save unlimited articles, sign up to become a GH+ member. Shes on set here with W.C. Fields in My Little Chickadee (1940). On the Waterfront and The Wild One still go down as two of his best films. His easygoing manner and butter-smooth voice garnered a huge fan base, especially during the dark days of the Great Depression. The Chinese-American singer, dancer, and actress Jadin Wong was actually born Anna May Wong, named after the iconic actress. January 16, 1950 (age 73) Elizabeth Allen 1929-2006 Joan Allen born August 20, 1956 (age 66) Jonelle Allen born July 18, 1944 (age 78) Karen Allen born October 5, 1951 (age 71) Krista Allen born April 5, 1972 (age 50) or 1971 Laura Allen born March 21, 1974 (age 48) Nancy Allen born June 24, 1950 (age 72) Rosalind Allen born In the years that followed, Yvette bounced from B-movie to B-movie, making appearances on the convention circuit before fading into obscurity. If you enjoy what we do, please consider becoming a patron with a recurring monthly subscription of your choosing. Marilyn Monroe sure knows how to rock a holiday photoshoot. Unfortunately, she passed away in 2000 due to complications with brain cancer. We don't want to rely on ads to bring you the best of visual culture. Catherine Deneuve has made quite a name for herself over the years as both an actress as well modeling and even as a producer. She was also quite the singer; some even considered her to be the female version of Elvis Presley. Janaya is a Lifestyle Editor for Hearst Magazines. The dining room featured Louis XVI chairs and persimmon-color walls. She has a role in the film Wild Oats that was released just a few short months prior to this writing. The wheels start to fall off in 1945 when she accuses an attorney Charles L. Gramlich of rape, and a subsequent string of failed marriages and relationships. Above him hang two Pablo Picasso paintings that he and his wife Anne purchased in 1960. He remained married to Bacall until his death in 1957. The film was an instant hit and made him and his co-star Olivia DeHavilland, another then-unknown in Hollywood, huge stars. The role garnered her first Best Actress Oscar. It was downhill from here. Pacific Palisades was the California town where actor Gregory Peck chose to settle down in the late 1940s. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. The raven-haired beauty was the 1949 Washington, D.C. entry into the Miss America pageant. As a young man, he married his much-older acting coach, and the couple moved to L.A., where Gable was signed to MGM in 1930. She also landed roles in The Dark at the Top of the Stairs and Sweet Bird of Youth in the early 60s that earned her nominations for the Academy Award. The dining room featured Louis XVI . Audrans career was mainly based out of France but was occasionally seen in films from other markets such as the Dutch film Babettes Feast and WWII film The Big Red One that also co-starred Mark Hamil, otherwise known as Luke Skywalker. Kay Francis. The biggest career killer of them all was a sexual relationship with the famed producer Darryl F. Zanuck; after she ended the affair, he made sure she was blackballed. As his wife Nancy recalled, The house consumed so much energy, and involved so much intricate wiring, that a special switch box had to be installed on the outside. The couple sold the house in 1981, after Reagan was elected president. It doesnt happen all the time, but a very sad fall from grace for these girls is all too common especially when their career was almost exclusively based on their sex appeal. A Place in the Sun and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof are just a few of her films from the decade. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('Unit6'); }); Through the previous decades, McDonald had been known to sleep around. Actor Yul Brynner and Frank Sinatra chat poolside at the singers luxurious compound at the Tamarisk Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California. But it was after a screen test at 20th Century Fox that landed her a seven- year movie deal. In a book that became to be known as 'The People of the Abyss' London described the time when he lived in the Whitechapel district sleeping in workhouses, so-called doss-houses and even on the streets. When she was 16, Wong ran away to Hollywood to become a dancer. The CW has released a teaser showing the gang's aftermath of being transported to the 1950s, where they are now high school students. Here, Mitchum (right) plays checkers with his co-star Richard Hart on the set of the 1946 film, A Woman of My Own. Beside the actor is his Academy Award for Best Actor, presented for his performance in the 1953 film Stalag 17. She was eventually discovered by producer Norman Foster and his wife, actress Claudette Colbert. He won a Best Oscar for his role in Going My Way (1944), but hes often remembered most for crooning the classic holiday anthem, White Christmas and starring in the film of the same name (1954). Hes chatting with his co-star Bing Crosby and the director on the Road to Morocco (1942) set in this shot. Outfitted with indifferent, seemingly secondhand furniture and knotty-pine shelves, the small, round-windowed interior had abstract art tacked to the walls and a matadors cape hanging above the bedthe latter possession echoed in one of the books above the built-in desk: Volume 5 of Los Toros, a 1943 encyclopedia of bullfighting by Jos Mara Cosso. In 1986 she was arrested for assault for attacking a clerk while waiting in line to receive a passport because she did not receive preferential treatment. The following American film actresses are listed alphabetically. Here, shes on the set in 1948. On top of 7 marriages, she had affairs with 2 of Elizabeth Taylors ex-husbands and even mobster Bugsy Siegel. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('Unit4'); }); Ms. Heatherton is pictured above on the Perry Como and Red Skelton variety shows. She was known for her intense style and enigmatic personality. James Dean, Jerry Lewis, and William Holden were also popular 1950s male actors. Who was the most popular actress of the 1950s? Richard Tauber and Lee Perry ring in 1920 with streamers and balloons. During WWII, she became one of Americas most popular pin-up girls. Douglas had roles in numerous other movies and TV series, but Beverly Hillbillies was far and away her most prominent. Robert Sterling of Topper fame pulls out some mistletoe for a kiss from his wife, Anne Jeffreys. Once again, Marilyn Monroe didn't leave much to the imagination in this 1951 holiday snap, wearing a two-piece bathing suit and standing inside an oversized nylon Christmas stocking. James Stewart tops our list. Later owned by singer Engelbert Humperdinck, the Pink Palace was demolished in 2002. Cheerfulness kept creeping in." Nichols also becomes involved in a special program at NASA that helped recruit minority female personnel for the space agency. When discussing Audrey Hepburn, the iconic 1961 film "Breakfast at Tiffany's" must inevitably come up. Our website, archdigest.com, offers constant original coverage of the interior design and architecture worlds, new shops and products, travel destinations, art and cultural events, celebrity style, and high-end real estate as well as access to print features and images from the AD archives. It didnt help that she also kept threatening suicide, even having a few failed attempts. He often played gangster roles in the '30s and '40s but is best loved for portraying the composer George M. Cohan in Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942), which allowed him to showcase his amazing energy and singing and dancing abilities. Ms. Welch shows no signs of slowing down at this point, nor any signs of aging as a matter of fact. Born in India, Vivian Leighs parents emigrated to England when she was a small girl. As one of the neat-freak actresss decorators, Carleton Varney, once observed, There was more clear plastic on that furniture than was on the meat in an A&P supermarket. William Haines, Crawfords longtime friend, who had been a leading man during the silent era, originally decorated the apartment. In 1963, Barbara Payton, former movie starlet and tabloid sensation, sat down with an opportunistic ghostwriter named Leo Guild to tell the story of her tortured life. Once told by an interviewer, "Everybody would like to be Cary Grant", Grant is said to have replied, "So would I. Free shipping for many products! Kelsea Ballerini Wore a See-Through Plunging Gown, Lainey Wilson Rocks the Stage in a Lacy Crop Top, A.J. Known for his commanding voice, dimpled chin, and bad boy appeal, Robert Mitchum discovered acting in an amateur theater company, obtaining bit parts in many 1940s films. He won an Oscar for The African Queen (1951). googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('Unit3'); }); Those that knew her in her later years say she was paranoid and delusional, ultimately becoming a total recluse. This shows her with co-star Marlon Brando on set. Ive played a lot of evil, ball-breaking women. Bette Davis and her artist husband, William Grant Sherry, along with their daughter, Barbara, stroll through Central Park on their first Easter in New York. Then, her public image was further tarnished by an performance at the White House, and a guilt-by-association with a soon-to-be dethroned Richard Nixon. A Look at Sally Field's Iconic Life in Photos. The film also starred Humphrey Bogart, and the two married the next year. She first performed at the Open Air Theatre in Regent's Park, London. Ann-Margret has starred in numerous iconic films over five decades she has been in show business such as Viva Las Vegas,Bye Bye Birdie, and of course the Grumpy Old Men films. In 1935, he had a child with his Call of the Wild co-star Loretta Young; because of the strict morality clauses in their contracts and the fact that Gable was married they kept the child secret. Ms. Julie Andrews was one of the most popular theater actresses of the 1950s. Looking back at some of the leading ladies of Hollywood during the 1960s, you can immediately recognize that some, if not most, of these talented and lovely ladies are still going strong in their careers, even as we speak, playing in a variety of different roles. The picture shows the Pecks behind the green leatherclad bar of the den, which was accented by illuminated glass pilasters. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Beverly E. Fisher dies at 67; Errol Flynn's final girlfriend", "71-Year Old Black Actress Who Made Soap Opera History in the 1980's Refuses to Retire", Most popular American actresses on Wikipedia, with user comments on traffic jumps, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_American_film_actresses&oldid=1134124692, This page was last edited on 17 January 2023, at 03:22. Knowing what was to follow, the venue was apposite. Frank Sinatra was almost as famous for his movie roles as his decades of music. Merry Christmas from Old Hollywood Stars Glamour Daze presents a special Merry Christmas from Old Hollywood Stars video, featuring some of Hollywood's most enduring and loved actresses and actors from the 1940s and 1950s. Hes with Jean Harlow on the set of The Public Enemy (1931). In 1985 she was arrested in Long Island for skipping out on an unpaid hotel bill of nearly $5000. The bedroom features frescoes of the four seasons, which were moved there from another room in the house; the Louis XVI painted bed was made in Tuscany. I know Im not the only one either. St. Petersburg. With so many beautiful actresses to choose from, it's up to you to decide who should be . In 1995 she won an Emmy for her guest spot on NYPD Blue. Her hit film, The Inner Circle , was released just a few months after the holiday. During Old Hollywoods heyday from the 1930s to the late 1950s, lavish musicals, screwball comedies, and later, wartime dramas, dominated the screen. Marilyn Monroe tops our list. Additionally, throughout the 1960s, she interspersed her variety show appearances with strong dramatic turns in theatrical films and on numerous episodes of series such as Route 66. Whether a room was decorated in early American or modern, there would always be a piece, here or there, inspired by the Orient.. Well its safe to say that she made it. This drop-dead gorgeous woman really shouldnt need any sort of introduction. This was a common photo pose for stars of the era. She died on August 27, 1964 in . Joan Crawford carves a turkey for a Thanksgiving photoshoot. His rugged good looks and devil-may-care demeanor soon rocketed him to super-star status by the 1950s. Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. A 5-year-old Shirley Temple breaks into 1935 with a smile. Musicals and romantic comedies were still wildly popular throughout the decade, but suspense thrillers and dark dramas were also bringing in money at the box office. Heres is what 25 of the most talented and lovely actresses in Hollywood history looked like both then, and now! Donna Douglas sadly passed away last January due to pancreatic cancer, but her blonde hair, pigtails, and gorgeous smile that won the hearts of every man in America will forever be remembered. His real-life lover, Vivian Leigh, also launched her film career this year in Gone with the Wind. Purchased in 1952 by her future husband, producer Carlo Ponti, it was restored with architect and garden designer Imerio Maffeis and decorated by costume-and-set designer Ezio Altieri. At 11, she was modeling clothes, giving her age as 16. She started working as an actress at the young age of 10 when she appeared on the West End in 1948. Here, shes having her hair done between takes on the set. Her mother, Baroness Ella Van Heemstra, was a Dutch noblewoman, while her father, Joseph Victor Anthony Ruston, was born in zice, Bohemia, to English and Austrian parents.After her parents' divorce, Actress | New York socialite Gloria Baker and producer Howard Hughes attend a party together at the Pation Club in Palm Beach, Florida. Crooner and actor Bing Crosbys adobe house in Rancho Santa Fe, California, was the centerpiece of the entertainers 65-acre horse-breeding operationconveniently located near the Del Mar racetrack. Marlene Dietrich began her career as a cabaret singer in 1920s Germany. She and her mother both nearly died from the traumatic birth. Known for playing everyday men with real-life problems, James Stewart appeared in some of the most popular films of all-time in his over 50-year career. It was later demolished to make way for a condominium project. The beginning of the end really came with Bluebeard (pictured below) where Joey bared it all, inciting a decent amount of controversy and buzz. It wouldn't be Valentine's Day without America's sweetheart, Audrey Hepburn. An affair with the famous Italian director Roberto Rossellini (and pregnancy) tarnished her reputation because they were both married to other people at the time. Take a trip back in time with these iconic photos of Old Hollywood on the set: Jean Harlow epitomized old-school Tinseltown glamour with her cupids bow mouth, dramatic eyeliner, and platinum blonde curls. Deeds Goes to Town, The More the Merrier) takes tea on the Colonial-style canopy bed of the Hollywood home she shared with her second husband, Frank Ross, a screenwriter and producer. He married a total of five times, including his greatest love, actress Carole Lombard, who was killed in a plane crash in 1942. She subsequently performed with the Oxford Diana Dors was born Diana Mary Fluck on October 23, 1931 in Swindon, Wiltshire, England. Marlene Dietrich and Cary Grant pose in the garden of the S.S. Normandie, the French ocean liner that took them from Europe back to America just in time for Thanksgiving dinner. She could really heat it up. Her real name, of course, was Donna Douglas, a small town girl from Louisiana that had gotten her big break from her modeling career. #GeneTierney #actress #hollywood #oldhollywood #classic #vintage" Its free! Most of you will recognize Shirley Jones from her role as the mom on the hit TV show, The Partridge Family. He got his first movie role in 1945. As one of the most popular child stars of all time, Shirley Temples trademark golden curls, dimpled smile, charming personality and incredible dancing made her the top box office draw from 1935 to 1938. Louis Armstrong gets spooked while playing "Skeleton in the Closet," a song from the 1936 movie Pennies From Heaven.