The bright lights of Hollywood only shine upon a select few, and even fewer go on to become timeless legends. Here, we look at the stars that will always be remembered as icons, even after death.
Marilyn Monroe
Stunning and iconic, Marilyn Monroe became the emblem of the sex revolution in the 1950s. Known for her “blonde bombshell” characters, she was born Norma Jeane Mortenson but changed her name when she joined an acting agency.
Charlie Chaplain
A pioneer in on-screen comedy, Charlie Chaplain became famous in the silent film era. This made him so good at physical comedy, as he could make audiences laugh with a simple change of expression.
Humphrey Bogart
With his instantly recognizable voice, Humphrey Bogart was the go-to of many directors when they needed someone for the “tough guy” role. He started in Broadway shows before getting his big breakthrough in High Sierra.
Bette Davis
A formidable actress, Bette Davis was one of the few who would play unsympathetic characters. She’s performed across a wide range of movies, acting in everything from crime dramas to romantic roles, and was the first person to get ten Academy Award nominations for acting.
Audrey Hepburn
Known for her elegance, Audrey Hepburn was born into the aristocracy in Brussels and starred in classics such as Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Charade. Her roles have won her an Oscar, a BAFTA, and a Grammy, making her one of a few to win all three major awards.
Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando used method acting in his roles, starting with a career on stage. His movie debut was The Men, closely followed by A Streetcar Named Desire. The 1960s saw a downturn in his fame, but this quickly picked back up in the 1970s.
Elizabeth Taylor
A glamor icon, Elizabeth Taylor was one of the few who made the successful leap from child actress to Hollywood idol. Starring in major movies such as Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf and The Taming of the Shrew, she was the world’s highest-paid movie star in the 1960s.
James Dean
A symbol of teenage disillusionment, James Dean acted for just five years before his tragic death at age 24. His roles in Giant and East of Eden made him the only actor to ever receive two posthumous Academy Award nominations.
Cary Grant
One of Hollywood’s leading men, Cary Grant, was known for his easygoing approach to his work and transatlantic accent. Born in the UK as Archibald Alexander Leach, he first went to the US as a stage performer before moving to Hollywood in the 1930s. One of his early roles was Nick Townsend in Blonde Venus.
Vivien Leigh
British actress Vivien Leigh is best known for her roles in Gone with the Wind and A Streetcar Named Desire. Although she was primarily a stage actress, she did enough in movies to earn her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Laurence Olivier
Despite his status as a legend in British theater, Laurence Olivier still managed to act in more than fifty films before he died, including Hamlet and the 1939 version of Wuthering Heights. The Society of London Theatre commemorates him with the Laurence Olivier Awards.
Orson Welles
Born in Wisconsin in 1915, Orson Welles didn’t limit himself to acting. His early movie, Citizen Kane, saw him co-writing, directing, producing, and taking the lead role. He became one of the most influential filmmakers of all time.
Clark Gable
Dubbed the “King of Hollywood,” Clark Gable has acted in over 60 movies over 37 years. One of his most famous roles was as Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind, appearing alongside Vivien Leigh and Leslie Howard.
Gregory Peck
Gregory Peck, one of the most popular stars of the 1940s to 1970s, first appeared in stage plays. The Keys of the Kingdom resulted in his first critical success and an Academy Award nomination. He went on to star in classic titles such as To Kill a Mockingbird and Roman Holiday.
Katharine Hepburn
With an impressive career as a leading lady spanning six decades, Katharine Hepburn’s public image of independence and outspokenness was reflected in her numerous roles. After a low point in her career, she organized her comeback, culminating in a starring role in The Philadelphia Story.
Spencer Tracy
A versatile actor, Spencer Tracy excelled in both comedies and dramas. His long partnership with Katharine Hepburn gave them stunning on-screen chemistry, resulting in nine movies. His final film with her, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, was finished just 17 days before his death.
Judy Garland
Starting her movie career as a teenager when she was signed to MKM, Judy Garland appeared in more than two dozen films for them, including The Wizard of Oz and Easter Parade. In later years, she received an Academy Award nomination for her role in A Star is Born.
Fred Astaire
First trained in dance and singing, Fred Astaire went on to star in musical comedies such as Funny Face and Royal Wedding. Known for his innovation and intuitive sense of rhythm, he enjoyed a long and successful career, which spanned 76 years.
Ingrid Bergman
Born in Sweden, Ingrid Bergman’s acting career began with Swedish and German movies before coming to the US to perform in the English-language remake of Intermezzo. Her career spanned five decades, and she earned three Academy Awards, one of which was for the iconic movie Gaslight.
Sidney Poitier
A trailblazer for Black actors, Sidney Poitier was one of the last surviving stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood before he died in 2022. Born in Florida, he received an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Lilies of the Field.
John Wayne
Born Marion Robert Morrison, John Wayne was known as a masculine, rugged icon in the Golden Age, starring in Western and war movies. He initially had a football scholarship but had to drop out due to an accident, leading to him working for Fox Film Corporation, landing his first leading role in The Big Trail.
Paul Newman
Paul Newman trained in acting from a young age and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in drama. His first screen role was in The Silver Chalice, but he was unhappy with his performance. He took out an advert in a trade paper, apologizing and asking people not to watch it.
Grace Kelly
Fashion and film icon Grace Kelly had her screen debut in Fourteen Hours and later received an Academy Award for her role in Mogambo. She retired at age 26 to marry Prince Rainier of Monaco.
James Stewart
Starring in a mix of comedy and drama, James Stewart was popular with audiences because of his relatable persona. He also played darker roles, including Jeff in Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window. During World War II, he joined the U.S. Army Air Forces, reaching the rank of brigadier general.
Debbie Reynolds
Debbie Reynolds’ first leading role in Singin’ in the Rain was also her breakout one, with her career spanning nearly seven decades. In 1969, she starred in her own TV show, the Debbie Reynolds Show, earning her a Golden Globe nomination.
Shirley Temple
Beloved child star Shirley Temple started acting at the age of three, before her breakthrough in 1934 with a role in Stand Up and Cheer! as Shirley Dugan. In later life, she became a diplomat, serving as U.S. Ambassador for both Ghana and Czechoslovakia.
Gene Kelly
Known for his energetic style and professionally trained as a dancer, Gene Kelly’s movie debut was alongside Judy Garland in For Me and My Gal. His entry into the film world allowed him to reinvent the Hollywood musical and dance styles, making ballet acceptable for mainstream audiences.
