Elizabeth Taylor
Elizabeth Taylor’s acting career began when she was a child, with appearances in movies like Jane Eyre and Lassie Come Home. By the time she was in her teens, Taylor was regularly landing starring roles, and the actress would go on to become one of Hollywood’s greatest sex symbols thanks to films such as Cleopatra and Butterfield 8. Taylor’s glamorous but turbulent life – particularly her relationship with Richard Burton – was the subject of public fascination, and the actress was never far from the headlines.
Marilyn Monroe
Undoubtedly the most recognisable Hollywood icon of all time, Marilyn Monroe began her career as a model before getting her break in Hollywood. Despite the fact that her nervous nature often caused her problems on set, Monroe’s fame guaranteed her starring roles in films including Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, The Seven Year Itch and Some Like it Hot. Offscreen, Monroe struggled with her mental health, and the actress tragically committed suicide at the age of 36.
Rita Hayworth
The child of two professional dancers, Rita Hayworth would eventually become known as “The Love Goddess” thanks to her glamorous, mesmerising performances. Despite her image as one of Hollywood’s most famous idols, Hayworth was shy and reserved, avoiding the spotlight wherever possible. The actress inherited her parents’ talent for dance, appearing in a number of musicals alongside Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly.
Grace Kelly
Grace Kelly’s film career was brought to a premature end when she married the Prince of Monaco, but her departure from the silver screen did nothing to diminish her status as a Hollywood icon. Alfred Hitchcock counted Kelly amongst his favourite actresses, and the two collaborated on Rear Window, Dial M for Murder and To Catch a Thief. Kelly also won the Best Actress Oscar for her performance in The Country Girl.
Lauren Bacall
The daughter of Jewish immigrants, Lauren Bacall started modelling in her teens and quickly caught off eye of director Howard Hawk’s wife. After debuting in Hawk’s 1944 film To Have and To Have Not, Bacall went on to star in dozens of films, often alongside her husband Humphrey Bogart. In the latter half of her career, Bacall split her time between film and theatre, appearing in a number of Broadway productions including Cactus Flower and The Visit.
Ingrid Bergman
Swedish-born beauty Ingrid Bergman had an illustrious Hollywood career that spanned decades and saw the actress snag three Oscars for her work. After landing a lead role in the Swedish film Intermezzo, Bergman was brought to the States by of David O. Selznick and would soon become one of the most famous starlets of her generation. Films that Bergman starred in include Casablanca, Spellbound and Joan of Arc.
Joan Crawford
Born Lucille Fay LeSueur, Joan Crawford was signed by MGM in 1925 and soon became a Hollywood sensation. Crawford was known for playing single-minded, determined women, often acting opposite Clark Gable. The actress’ popularity waned slightly in the 1940s, but Crawford turning in giving critically acclaimed performances, winning an Oscar for her role in Mildred Pierce.
Marlene Dietrich
Born into a wealthy German family (her uncle piloted a blimp that bombed Britain in The First World War), Marlene Dietrich began her career in the cabaret clubs of Berlin before making the jump to Hollywood. Dietrich worked closely with director Josef von Sternberg, with whom she was involved with romantically, and the pair collaborated on films including Morocco, The Blue Angel and Blonde Venus. Dietrich also appeared in a number of Westerns and historical dramas before withdrawing from public life.
Ginger Rogers
Ginger Rogers’ preternatural gift for dance made her a natural costar for Fred Astaire, with the pair collaborating frequently on films including Flying Down to Rio and Shall we Dance. Rogers’ talents extended beyond dance, however, with the actress showing off her comedic chops in movies such as The Bachelor Mother, as well as turning in an Oscar winning performance in 1940’s Kitty Foyle. Rogers also penned a bestselling autobiography after retiring from Hollywood in 1965.
Greta Garbo
Another Swedish sensation, Greta Garbo got her break with the silent film Flesh and the Devil in 1926. The actress’ popularity only continued to grow with the advent of ‘talkies,’ with leading roles in Anna Christie and Romance propelling her to stardom and earning her critical acclaim. However, despite her status as one of the most influential actresses in Hollywood, Garbo felt ill at ease in the spotlight and permanently retired from Hollywood at the age of 35.
