Close your eyes and picture the golden age of Hollywood. The dazzling lights, the sweeping orchestral scores, and the larger-than-life personalities that graced the silver screen.
And at the heart of this enchanting era were the unforgettable actresses who brought these timeless stories to life. They were trailblazers, rule-breakers, and icons who redefined what it meant to be a leading lady.
1. Katharine Hepburn (1907 – 2003)
Known for: “The Philadelphia Story” (1940), “On Golden Pond” (1981)
Katharine Hepburn’s independent spirit and sharp wit made her a trailblazer in Hollywood. She holds the record for the most Best Actress Oscar wins, with four victories throughout her illustrious career.
Hepburn’s on-and-off-screen partnership with Spencer Tracy remains one of the most famous Hollywood romances.
2. Bette Davis (1908 – 1989)
Known for: “All About Eve” (1950), “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?” (1962)
With a career spanning six decades, Bette Davis was known for her versatility and intense performances. She held the record for most Academy Award nominations for an actress until Katharine Hepburn surpassed her in 1999. Davis’s iconic roles and distinctive eyes made her a true Hollywood legend.
3. Audrey Hepburn (1929 – 1993)
Known for: “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (1961), “Roman Holiday” (1953)
Audrey Hepburn’s timeless elegance and philanthropic spirit made her a beloved figure in Hollywood and beyond. From her breakout role in “Roman Holiday” to her iconic turn as Holly Golightly in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,”
Hepburn’s performances captivated audiences and earned her an Academy Award, an Emmy, a Grammy, and a Tony.
4. Ingrid Bergman (1915 – 1982)
Known for: “Casablanca” (1942), “Anastasia” (1956)
When Ingrid Bergman first appeared on the Hollywood scene, her natural beauty and undeniable talent quickly made her a sensation. Her memorable performances in classics like “Casablanca” and “Notorious” showcased her versatility and emotional depth.
Bergman’s career was not without controversy, but she persevered, winning three Academy Awards and cementing her place among the greatest actresses of all time.
5. Marilyn Monroe (1926 – 1962)
Known for: “Some Like It Hot” (1959), “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” (1953)
Marilyn Monroe’s meteoric rise to stardom and tragic end have made her an enduring cultural icon. Her comedic timing and screen presence shone in films like “Some Like It Hot” and “The Seven Year Itch,” while her rendition of “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” in “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” remains a classic.
Although her life was cut short, Monroe’s impact on popular culture is immeasurable.
6. Elizabeth Taylor (1932 – 2011)
Known for: “Cleopatra” (1963), “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” (1966)
From child star to Hollywood royalty, Elizabeth Taylor’s career was as dramatic as her personal life. She became the first actress to earn a million-dollar salary for her role in “Cleopatra,” which was also notable for sparking her legendary romance with Richard Burton.
Taylor’s raw, emotionally charged performance in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” earned her a second Academy Award and cemented her status as one of the greatest actresses of her generation.
7. Judy Garland (1922 – 1969)
Known for: “The Wizard of Oz” (1939), “A Star Is Born” (1954)
With a career spanning over four decades, Judy Garland’s powerful voice and undeniable talent made her a legend. As a child actress, she captivated audiences in films like “The Wizard of Oz,” earning a special Academy Juvenile Award for her performances.
Despite personal struggles, Garland’s resilience and stage presence were undeniable, as evidenced by her iconic comeback in “A Star Is Born.”
8. Grace Kelly (1929 – 1982)
Known for: “Rear Window” (1954), “To Catch a Thief” (1955)
Grace Kelly’s cool, sophisticated charm and classic beauty made her an ideal Hitchcock heroine in films like “Rear Window” and “To Catch a Thief.” Kelly’s fairy-tale marriage to Prince Rainier III of Monaco and her enduring style icon status have made her a timeless symbol of elegance and refinement.
9. Greta Garbo (1905 – 1990)
Known for: “Anna Karenina” (1935), “Camille” (1936)
Greta Garbo’s enigmatic persona and expressive performances made her a symbol of Hollywood glamour. Garbo’s famous line, “I want to be alone,” only added to her mystique, and her decision to retire from acting at the height of her career has made her an enduring legend.
10. Marlene Dietrich (1901 – 1992)
Known for: “Morocco” (1930), “Shanghai Express” (1932)
Marlene Dietrich’s androgynous style and sultry performances challenged (ref) traditional gender roles in Hollywood. Her breakthrough role in “Morocco,” where she famously dressed in a tuxedo and kissed another woman on screen, shocked audiences and established her as a daring and unconventional actress.
11. Vivien Leigh (1913 – 1967)
Known for: “Gone with the Wind” (1939), “A Streetcar Named Desire” (1951)
Vivien Leigh’s portrayal of Scarlett O’Hara in “Gone with the Wind” is the stuff of legend. Her fiery performance earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress, but it was her turn as the fragile Blanche DuBois in “A Streetcar Named Desire” that truly showcased her range.
Leigh’s battles with bipolar disorder and tuberculosis cut her life short, but her legacy as one of the most talented actresses of her generation endures.
12. Lauren Bacall (1924 – 2014)
Known for: “To Have and Have Not” (1944), “The Big Sleep” (1946)
When Lauren Bacall made her debut opposite Humphrey Bogart in “To Have and Have Not,” a Hollywood legend was born. With her husky voice, smoldering looks, and quick wit, Bacall captivated audiences both on and off the screen.
Her romance and marriage to Bogart became the stuff of Hollywood lore, and their on-screen chemistry in films like “The Big Sleep” and “Key Largo” remains unmatched.
13. Joan Crawford (1904 – 1977)
Known for: “Mildred Pierce” (1945), “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?” (1962)
From flapper icon to Academy Award winner, Joan Crawford’s career spanned decades and defied expectations. Crawford’s determination and business savvy helped her navigate the cutthroat world of Hollywood, as she transformed herself from a dancing ingénue into a serious dramatic actress.
Her later years were marred by her bitter rivalry with Bette Davis, which reached its apex in the campy classic “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?”
14. Joan Fontaine (1917 – 2013)
Known for: “Rebecca” (1940), “Suspicion” (1941)
The only actor to win an Oscar in an Alfred Hitchcock film, Joan Fontaine’s performances in “Rebecca” and “Suspicion” showcased her ability to convey vulnerability and inner strength. Fontaine’s career was often overshadowed by her famous sister, Olivia de Havilland, and their long-running feud became the stuff of Hollywood legend.
15. Gloria Swanson (1899 – 1983)
Known for: “Sunset Boulevard” (1950), “Sadie Thompson” (1928)
Gloria Swanson’s career arc mirrored the rise and fall of silent Hollywood. One of the biggest stars of the 1920s, Swanson’s popularity waned with the advent of talkies, but she staged a triumphant comeback in Billy Wilder’s “Sunset Boulevard.”
Her portrayal of the delusional, faded star Norma Desmond earned her an Academy Award nomination and cemented her place in film history.
16. Ava Gardner (1922 – 1990)
Known for: “The Killers” (1946), “The Night of the Iguana” (1964)
Ava Gardner’s smoldering beauty and magnetic screen presence made her one of the most unforgettable actresses of her generation. Her breakout role in “The Killers” opposite Burt Lancaster launched her into stardom, and her tumultuous personal life, which included marriages to Mickey Rooney, Artie Shaw, and Frank Sinatra, kept her in the headlines.
17. Rita Hayworth (1918 – 1987)
Known for: “Gilda” (1946), “The Lady from Shanghai” (1947)
With her stunning looks and electrifying dance moves, Rita Hayworth was a quintessential Hollywood bombshell. Her performance in “Gilda,” particularly her iconic hair flip and clothing routine, made her an instant sex symbol.
Hayworth’s personal life was often tumultuous, with five marriages, including one to Prince Aly Khan, making her a constant subject of tabloid gossip.
18. Gene Tierney (1920 – 1991)
Known for: “Laura” (1944), “Leave Her to Heaven” (1945)
Gene Tierney’s hauntingly beautiful features and understated acting style made her a standout in the film noir genre. Tierney’s personal life was marked by tragedy, including a battle with mental illness, which forced her to take periodic breaks from acting.
Read Next:
Nancy Maffia
Nancy received a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.
