It is generally agreed that the period from the close of 1929 to the close of 1941 represents the pinnacle of American filmmaking. The United States was a significant producer of serialized films at this time. Over five hundred movies are made every year.
The American film industry has also pioneered various subgenres, including horror, literary adaptation, and historical films. During this time, there was a dramatic growth in the number of people attending the movies. Hollywood’s film business grew in a monopolistic market during the silent cinema period until the 1930s, when the introduction of sound film and the end of the Great Depression sparked some reforms. Hollywood’s filmmaking methods and aesthetics are evolving.
1. Gene Tierney
| Gene Tierney | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Gene Eliza Tierney |
| Birthdate | November 19, 1920 |
| Birthplace | Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Date of Death | November 6, 1991 (aged 70) |
| Resting Place | Glenwood Cemetery |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years Active | 1938–1964, 1969-1980 |
| Spouses | Oleg Cassini (m. 1941; div. 1952), W. Howard Lee (m. 1960; died 1981) |
| Children | 2 |
| Notable Films | Laura (1944), Leave Her to Heaven (1945), Heaven Can Wait (1943), The Razor’s Edge (1946), The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947), Whirlpool (1949), Night and the City (1950), The Mating Season (1950), The Left Hand of God (1955) |
| Education | Brillantmont International School, Lausanne, Switzerland; Miss Porter’s School, Farmington, Connecticut; Acting training with Benno Schneider and George Abbott |
| Broadway Success | The Male Animal (1940), Mrs. O’Brien Entertains (1939), Ring Two (1939), What a Life! (1938), The Primrose Path (1938) |
| Academy Award Nomination | Best Actress for Leave Her to Heaven (1945) |
| Personal Life | Born to Howard Sherwood Tierney and Belle Lavinia Taylor; Raised in Westport, Connecticut; Married Oleg Cassini and W. Howard Lee; Close relationship with Howard Hughes; Brief affair with Spencer Tracy; Romantic involvement with Prince Aly Khan |
| Health Struggles | Developed smoking habit; Battled depression and mental health issues |
The Oscar-nominated actress made her big screen debut in Leaving Her to Heaven (1945). After appearing in Laura and The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, she was taken back to heaven. In 1944, she was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance in the film Laura, for which she was cast as the lead.
2. Natalie Wood
| Natalie Wood | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Natalie Wood |
| Birthdate | July 20, 1938 |
| Birthplace | San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years Active | 1943–1981 |
| Best-Known Films | Rebel Without a Cause, West Side Story, Splendor in the Grass |
| Academy Award Nominations | Best Supporting Actress (Rebel Without a Cause) |
| Notable Awards | Golden Globe Award (From Here to Eternity, 1979) |
| Spouses | Robert Wagner, Richard Gregson |
| Children | Natasha Gregson Wagner (daughter) |
| Relatives | Lana Wood (sister) |
| Tragic Death | Drowned in the Pacific Ocean near Santa Catalina Island |
Natalie Wood, or Natalia Nikolaevna Zacharenko, has appeared in 56 films throughout her career and is a well-known American film and television actress. She began performing at the tender age of four. She had her first significant role in one of the most financially successful movies when she was eight. Having established herself as a promising young actress with roles in films like “Rebellion Without Reason” and “The Wood West Story,” she was nominated for three Oscars before she reached 25.
3. Lauren Bacall
| Lauren Bacall | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lauren Bacall |
| Birthdate | September 16, 1924 |
| Birthplace | The Bronx, New York City, U.S. |
| Occupations | Actress, Model |
| Years Active | 1942–2014 |
| Notable Works | To Have and Have Not (1944), The Big Sleep (1946), How to Marry a Millionaire (1953), Written on the Wind (1956), The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996) |
| Awards | Academy Honorary Award, Tony Awards, Golden Globe, SAG Award |
| Contributions | Golden Age of motion pictures, Film noir genre |
| Height | 5 feet 8+1/2 inches (1.74 meters) |
| Spouses | Humphrey Bogart (1945-1957), Jason Robards (1961-1969) |
| Children | 3 |
| Family | Parents: Natalie Weinstein-Bacal and William Perske; Jewish heritage; related to Shimon Peres |
| Education | Highland Manor Boarding School for Girls, Julia Richman High School |
| Training | American Academy of Dramatic Arts |
| Career Highlights | Broadway performances (Applause, Woman of the Year), Major supporting roles in Misery, Dogville, Howl’s Moving Castle, and Ernest & Celestine |
| Legacy | Icon of film noir, 20th-greatest female star of classic Hollywood cinema (American Film Institute) |
The rich voice and sensual beauty of Lauren Bacall made her one of Hollywood’s most popular leading ladies in the 1940s and 1950s. When she was only 20, she made her film debut in To Have, And To Have Not (1944), starring opposite Humphrey Bogart (the Casablanca star who would later become her husband).
4. Elizabeth Taylor
| Elizabeth Taylor | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor |
| Birthdate | February 27, 1932 |
| Birthplace | London, England |
| Nationality | British-American |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Career Highlights | Child actress in the 1940s |
| Spouses | Conrad Hilton Jr., Michael Wilding, Mike Todd, Eddie Fisher, Richard Burton, John Warner, Larry Fortensky |
| Children | 4 |
| Philanthropy | Co-founder of the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) |
| Death | March 23, 2011 (aged 79) |
Elizabeth Taylor starred in films like Cleopatra and Butterfield 8 during the Golden Age of Hollywood when she was known as Liz Taylor. She shared the screen with Richard Burton in eleven movies, the most famous of which is Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? The 33-carat Krupp Diamond is only one of many enormous and renowned jewels in her collection.
5. Lana Turner
| Lana Turner | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lana Turner |
| Birthdate | February 8, 1921 |
| Birthplace | Wallace, Idaho, U.S. |
| Occupation | American Actress |
| Career Highlights | Achieved fame as both a pin-up model and a film actress |
| Notable Films | They Won’t Forget (1937) |
| Awards | Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for Peyton Place (1957) |
| Personal Life | Experienced intense media scrutiny due to her highly publicized personal life |
| Legacy | Considered a show-business legend and part of Hollywood mythology |
After making an appearance in Peyton Place in 1957, the Hollywood wool girl starred in Fake’s Life the following year, in 1959. Ziegfeld Girl (1941) and Somewhere I Will Find You (1942) featured her as a cast member. She became famous as a “Scream queen” thanks to her performances in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
6. Ruby Keeler
| Ruby Keeler | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ruby Keeler |
| Birthdate | August 25, 1909 |
| Birthplace | Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, dancer, singer |
| Years Active | 1923–1989 |
| Spouses | Al Jolson (1928-1940), John Homer Lowe (1941-1969) |
| Children | 5 |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Political Affiliation | Republican |
| Notable Works | – “42nd Street” (1933) |
Actress and dancer from Canada who made an appearance in the film version of 42nd Street in 1933. The 1972 Broadway revival of No, No, Nanette featured her as a leading actress. Ruby Keeler started her professional dance career when she was only fourteen years old.
7. Ava Gardner
| Ava Gardner | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ava Lavinia Gardner |
| Birthdate | December 24, 1922 |
| Birthplace | Grabtown, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Death | January 25, 1990 |
| Resting Place | Sunset Memorial Park, Smithfield, North Carolina |
| Alma Mater | Atlantic Christian College |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years Active | 1941–1986 |
| Spouses | Mickey Rooney (m. 1942; div. 1943) |
| Career Highlights | – Established herself as a leading lady during the Golden Age of Hollywood |
| Legacy | – Ranked among the greatest female screen legends of classic American cinema |
| Personal Background | – Born in North Carolina to a family of tobacco sharecroppers |
Star of the Hemingway film The Killers and wife of Frank Sinatra. Ava Gardner was also in Kilimanjaro’s Snow and The Barefoot Contessa, in addition to Judge Roy Bean’s The Life and Times. She received an Oscar nod for her performance in Mogambo.
8. Vivien Leigh
| Vivien Leigh | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Vivien Leigh |
| Birthdate | 5 November 1913 |
| Birthplace | Darjeeling, Bengal Presidency, British India |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1935–1967 |
| Best Known For | Academy Award-winning performances in “Gone with the Wind” and “A Streetcar Named Desire” |
| Education | Loreto Convent, Convent of the Sacred Heart, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art |
| Spouses | Herbert Leigh Holman (m. 1932; div. 1940), Laurence Olivier (m. 1940; div. 1960) |
| Partner | John Merivale (1960–1967) |
| Children | Suzanne Farrington |
| Awards | Academy Awards, Tony Award |
| Famous Characters | Scarlett O’Hara, Blanche DuBois |
| Stage Career | Notable performances in Noël Coward and George Bernard Shaw comedies, Shakespearean characters |
| Film Career | Collaborations with Laurence Olivier, starring in three films together |
| Bipolar Disorder | Struggled with bipolar disorder throughout her life |
| Legacy | Ranked as the 16th-greatest female movie star of classic Hollywood cinema by the American Film Institute |
Vivien Leigh is a Hollywood legend with a life that is no less interesting than the parts she played on screen. The actress’ birth name, Vivian Hartley, is Vivien Leigh. On November 5, 1913, her birth occurred in Darzilingh, India, near the Himalayas. A complete life is symbolized by the name Vivian.
9. Katharine Hepburn
| Katharine Hepburn | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Katharine Hepburn |
| Birthdate | May 12, 1907 |
| Birthplace | Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Death Date | June 29, 2003 |
| Resting Place | Cedar Hill Cemetery |
| Education | Bryn Mawr College (BA) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years Active | 1928–1995 |
| Awards | Four-time Academy Award winner for Best Actress |
| Screen Persona | Headstrong, independent, and outspoken |
| Career Highlight | Named the greatest female star of classic Hollywood cinema |
| Partnerships | Collaborated with Spencer Tracy in 9 films |
| Legacy | Iconic figure who challenged societal expectations |
Popularly known as Katharine Hepburn, Katharine Houghton Hepburn (May 12, 1907 – June 29, 2003) was an American film icon. Hepburn is the actress with the most Oscars, with four victories out of twelve nominations. She was named the best actress in Hollywood’s first 100 years by the American Film Institute in 1999.
10. Veronica Lake
| Veronica Lake | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Veronica Lake |
| Birthdate | November 14, 1922 |
| Birthplace | New York City, U.S. |
| Other Names | Constance Keane, Connie Keane |
| Education | St. Bernard’s School (Saranac Lake, New York), Villa Maria, Miami High School |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years Active | 1939–1970 |
| Spouses | John S. Detlie (1940–1943), Andre DeToth (1944–1952), Joseph Allan McCarthy (1955–1959) |
| Children | 4 |
| Career Highlights | Known for femme fatale roles in 1940s film noirs with Alan Ladd. |
In 1942, she appeared in The Gun That Rents Itself and caused a brief fad when her bangs slipped over one eye. She disappeared for a while but then came back to the TV. Image from the 1966 film Trong Tuyet. She rose to fame thanks to her performance in Sullivan’s Travels, but her struggle with mental illness and drinking throughout her life has made her infamous.
11. Ginger Rogers
| Ginger Rogers | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ginger Rogers |
| Birthdate | July 16, 1911 |
| Birthplace | Independence, Missouri, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Actress, dancer, singer |
| Years Active | 1925–1987 |
| Academy Award | Won Best Actress for Kitty Foyle (1940) |
| Film Career | Starred in 73 films, including 9 musicals with Fred Astaire |
| Broadway Debut | Notable stage debut in Girl Crazy |
| Major Films | Notable roles in 42nd Street, Gold Diggers of 1933, Stage Door |
| Box Office Success | Highest-paid actress and box-office draw of the 1940s |
| Honors | Recognized at the Kennedy Center Honors (1992) |
| Legacy | Ranked 14th on AFI’s 100 Years…100 Stars list of classic cinema |
She danced with Fred Astaire in several of the great cinematic musicals of all time, including Top Hat, Swing Time, and Gay Divorce. Her immortal line from the 1930s Manhattan picture Young Man, “smokes for me, big lad,” became a catchphrase of the era. She had connections to both vaudeville and Broadway. He was a dancer and performer in New York before heading to Hollywood.
12. Rita Hayworth
| Rita Hayworth | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rita Hayworth |
| Born | October 17, 1918 |
| Birthplace | New York City, U.S. |
| Died | May 14, 1987 |
| Resting Place | Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City |
| Occupations | Actress, dancer, producer |
| Years Active | 1931–1972 |
| Famous Roles | Gilda, Only Angels Have Wings, The Strawberry Blonde |
| Nickname | The Love Goddess |
| Awards and Honors | Listed as one of the top 25 female motion picture stars of all time |
| Spouses | Edward C. Judson, Orson Welles, Prince Aly Khan, Dick Haymes, James Hill |
| Children | 2, including Yasmin Aga Khan |
| Parents | Eduardo Cansino (father), Volga Hayworth (mother) |
| Dance Partner | Fred Astaire |
| Alzheimer’s | Diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease in 1980 |
| Cultural Ambassador | Visited Brazil as a cultural ambassador for the Roosevelt administration’s Good Neighbor policy |
An endearing performer who has played the role of the gorgeous Astaire You Were Never in various films. After 37 years in the business, she has appeared in more than 60 films. Since she was still too young to perform in Hollywood when the recession hit, she and her father crossed the border to work in nightclubs to make ends meet.
13. Judy Garland
| Judy Garland | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Judy Garland |
| Birthdate | June 10, 1922 |
| Birthplace | Grand Rapids, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Occupations | Actress, Singer, Dancer, Vaudevillian |
| Years Active | 1924–1969 |
| Significant Roles | Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz, A Star Is Born, Judgment at Nuremberg |
| Legacy | Ranked 8th-greatest female screen legend of classic Hollywood cinema by the American Film Institute |
| Spouses | David Rose, Vincente Minnelli, Sidney Luft, Mark Herron, Mickey Deans |
| Children | 3, including Liza Minnelli and Lorna Luft |
| Awards | Academy Juvenile Award, Golden Globe Award, Special Tony Award, Grammy Award for Album of the Year, Cecil B. DeMille Award, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award |
| Challenges | Struggles with physical and mental health, substance use disorder, financial troubles |
| Early Career | Started performing as a child in vaudeville with “The Gumm Sisters” |
| MGM Years | Appeared in more than two dozen films for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, starred in films like Meet Me in St. Louis, The Harvey Girls, Easter Parade, and Summer Stock |
| Later Career | Received critical acclaim for A Star Is Born and Judgment at Nuremberg, made record-breaking concert appearances, hosted The Judy Garland Show |
| Physical Appearance | Initially faced challenges due to her height and perceived lack of conventional beauty |
| Tragic End | Died from an accidental barbiturate overdose at age 47 |
Star of the silver screen who played Dorothy Gale in “The Wizard of Oz” and at age 39 became the youngest recipient of the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement. For her work in the film, she received an Academy Award nomination. In Nuremberg, Germany, a star is born and then condemned to death. She was 47 when she died of a heroin overdose in 1969. After passing in 1997, she was honored with a Grammy for Lifetime Achievement.
14. Ingrid Bergman
| Ingrid Bergman | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ingrid Bergman |
| Birthdate | August 29, 1915 |
| Birthplace | Stockholm, Sweden |
| Nationality | Swedish |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years Active | 1932–1982 |
| Notable Work | Casablanca, For Whom the Bell Tolls, Gaslight, The Bells of St. Mary’s, Spellbound, Notorious, Stromboli, Europa ’51, Journey to Italy, Indiscreet, Cactus Flower, Murder on the Orient Express, Autumn Sonata |
| Spouses | Petter Lindström (1937–1950), Roberto Rossellini (1950–1957), Lars Schmidt (1958–1975) |
| Children | 4 (including Pia Lindström and Isabella Rossellini) |
| Awards | 3 Academy Awards, 2 Primetime Emmy Awards, 4 Golden Globe Awards, Tony Award, BAFTA Award, Volpi Cup |
| Languages Spoken | Swedish, English, German, Italian, French |
The Swedish actress who played Ilsa Lund in the classic 1942 film will forever be remembered for her performance. The American Film Institute lists her as the number four best actress. She appeared in numerous successful films, such as For Whom the Bell Tolls and Gaslight.
15. Donna Reed
| Donna Reed | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Donna Reed |
| Birthdate | January 27, 1921 |
| Birthplace | Denison, Iowa, U.S. |
| Genre | Sitcom |
| Starring | Donna Reed, Carl Betz, Shelley Fabares, Paul Petersen, Patty Petersen |
| Country of origin | United States |
| No. of seasons | 8 |
| No. of episodes | 275 |
| Original network | ABC |
| Original release | September 24, 1958 – March 19, 1966 |
| Notable Achievement | First TV family sitcom centered on the mother as the main character |
| Notable Guest Stars | Don Drysdale, Harry James, Tony Martin, Lesley Gore |
| DVD Release | Seasons 1-3 available on DVD |
| Pop Culture References | Featured in Gilmore Girls and Major Payne |
The actress received an Oscar for Best Supporting Performance in 1953 for her work in the film From Here to Eternity. She first came to prominence with her part as Mary Hatch Bailey in the timeless 1946 film It’s a Wonderful Life. Her sitcom, The Donna Reed Show, ran from 1958 to 1966. Her first film roles were in 1941’s The Get-Away, Shadow of the Thin Man, and Babes on Broadway.
16. Betty Grable
| Betty Grable | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Betty Grable |
| Birthdate | December 18, 1916 |
| Birthplace | St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Occupations | Actress, pin-up girl, dancer, model, singer |
| Films and Box Office | Starred in 42 films during the 1930s and 1940s, grossing over $100 million |
| Career Highlights | Rose to prominence in the Broadway musical “DuBarry Was a Lady” (1939) |
| Notable Films | “Down Argentine Way” (1940) |
| Sex Symbol and Pin-up | Celebrated as a sex symbol and the number-one pin-up girl of World War II |
| Leg Insurance | Her legs were insured by her studio for $1 million as a publicity stunt |
| Personal Life | Married Jackie Coogan (1937-1939) and Harry James (1943-1965) |
| Relationships | Had a relationship with dancer Bob Remick |
| Retirement and Legacy | Retired from screen acting in 1955, but continued to perform on stage and television |
| Ancestry | Dutch, English, German, Swiss German, and Irish |
| Family | Parents: John Conn Grable and Lillian Hoffman Grable |
Pinup girl of World War II, renowned for having the most seductive legs in Hollywood. In 1953, she appeared in the film How to Marry a Millionaire.
17. Greer Garson
| Greer Garson | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Greer Garson |
| Birthdate | September 29, 1904 |
| Birthplace | Manor Park, East Ham, Essex, England |
| Death | April 6, 1996 |
| Resting Place | Sparkman-Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery |
| Citizenship | United Kingdom (1904–1996) United States (1951–1996) |
| Alma Mater | King’s College London University of Grenoble |
| Occupations | Actress, Singer, Philanthropist |
| Years Active | 1932–1986 |
| Political Party | Republican |
| Spouses | Edward Snelson (m. 1933; div. 1943) Richard Ney (m. 1943; div. 1947) Buddy Fogelson (m. 1949; died 1987) |
| Major Achievements | Portrayed strong women on the homefront during World War II |
| Philanthropy | Made significant contributions to the arts and education institutions |
Oscar-winning British actress who played Mrs. Miniver. As one of the most popular actresses of the 1940s, she was nominated for seven Academy Awards and was a significant moneymaker for the industry. She majored in French and literature in college to become a teacher, but she ended up in Hollywood instead.
18. Claudette Colbert
| Claudette Colbert | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Claudette Colbert |
| Birthdate | September 13, 1903 |
| Birthplace | Saint-Mandé, France |
| Nationality | American |
| Other Names | Lily Claudette Chauchoin |
| Education | Washington Irving High School |
| Alma Mater | Art Students League of New York |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years Active | 1925-1987 |
| Known For | It Happened One Night, Cleopatra, The Palm Beach Story, Since You Went Away |
| Spouses | Norman Foster (m. 1928; div. 1935), Joel Pressman (m. 1935; died 1968) |
| Awards | Academy Award for Best Actress (It Happened One Night), Golden Globe, Emmy, and Tony Awards |
| Significant Co-Stars | Fred MacMurray, Fredric March, Maurice Chevalier |
| Career Highlights | Versatile actress, successful in comedy and drama, one of the best-paid stars of the 1930s and 1940s |
| Legacy | Named 12th-greatest female star of classic Hollywood cinema by the American Film Institute |
| Notable Films | It Happened One Night, Cleopatra, The Palm Beach Story, The Sign of the Cross, Imitation of Life |
| Transition to TV | Turned to television and stage work in the early 1950s, earned a Tony Award nomination |
| Late Career Resurgence | Experienced a resurgence in theater in the late 1970s, received a Sarah Siddons Award |
Claudette Colbert performed in Cleopatra, released in 1934, and It Happened One Night, in which she co-starred with Clark Gable. She was nominated for acting awards for her parts in Private World and Did You Went Away; she was born in Paris.
19. Margaret O’Brien
The famous young actress received an Oscar in 1944 for her parts in films like Jane Eyre and Met Me in St. Louis during the 1940s. Changing her name after her role in Journey for Margaret, she made her stage debut in Babes on the Court at the tender age of four. Theater on Broadway.
20. Barbara Stanwyck
| Barbara Stanwyck | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Barbara Stanwyck |
| Birthdate | July 16, 1907 |
| Birthplace | Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Death Date | January 20, 1990 |
| Age at Death | 82 |
| Place of Death | Santa Monica, California, U.S. |
| Occupations | Actress, Model, Dancer |
| Years Active | 1923–1986 |
| Political Party | Republican |
| Spouses | Frank Fay (m. 1928; div. 1935) |
| Children | 1 |
| Orphaned at a Young Age | Raised in foster homes, always worked |
| Director’s Favorite | Highly regarded by directors such as Cecil B. DeMille, Fritz Lang, and Frank Capra |
| Broadway Star | Established herself as a Broadway star with lead role in “Burlesque” (1927) |
| Successful Film Career | Made 85 films in 38 years before transitioning to television |
| Film Highlights | “Stella Dallas” (1937), “Double Indemnity” (1944), “Christmas in Connecticut” (1945) |
| Television Success | Three-time Emmy Award winner for “The Barbara Stanwyck Show” (1961), “The Big Valley” (1966), and “The Thorn Birds” (1983) |
| Honors and Recognition | Honorary Oscar recipient (1982), Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award recipient (1986), and several other lifetime awards |
| Legacy | Ranked as the 11th greatest female star of classic American cinema by the American Film Institute |
Barbara Stanwyck appeared in eighty-five films in Hollywood and was consistently ranked as a top female performer in the industry. She had a successful career on television, making appearances on shows including The Big Valley and The Thorn Birds. She co-starred as two different Compensated and developed the image of a strong girl.