In cinema, the 1950s were a decade of transformation, innovation, and seduction. The foundational elements of filmmaking have all changed, and today’s movies are about more than just entertainment. The idea of pop culture has become widely accepted. This time period is remembered as being crucial for the emancipation of women. This list features 20 of the most well-known actresses of the ’50s.
1. Audrey Hepburn
| Audrey Hepburn | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Audrey Kathleen Hepburn (née Ruston) |
| Birthdate | May 4, 1929 |
| Birthplace | Ixelles, Brussels, Belgium |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupations | Actress, humanitarian |
| Recognition | Ranked as the third-greatest female screen legend by the American Film Institute, Inducted into the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame |
| Education | Boarding school in Kent, England, Arnhem Conservatory |
| Notable Achievements | First actress to win an Oscar, a Golden Globe Award, and a BAFTA Award for a single performance (Roman Holiday, 1953), Tony Award for Best Lead Actress in a Play (Ondine, 1953) |
| Filmography | Roman Holiday (1953), Sabrina (1954), Funny Face (1957), The Nun’s Story (1959), Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961), Charade (1963), My Fair Lady (1964), Wait Until Dark (1967), Robin and Marian (1976) |
| Awards | Three BAFTA Awards for Best British Actress in a Leading Role, BAFTA’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award, Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, Special Tony Award |
| Humanitarian Work | Devoted time to UNICEF, worked in impoverished communities in Africa, South America, and Asia, received US Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1992 |
| Death | Passed away on January 20, 1993, at the age of 63 due to appendiceal cancer |
Audrey Hepburn is the best-known female Hollywood actor, and she has also served as a major style icon for people worldwide. When discussing Audrey Hepburn, the iconic 1961 film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” must inevitably come up. The name Audrey Hepburn, then relatively unknown, was introduced to the public through this work. It needs to shine a light on; it ought to spark up.
2. Shirley MacLaine
| Shirley MacLaine | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Shirley MacLaine |
| Date of Birth | April 24, 1934 |
| Age | 89 |
| Place of Birth | Richmond, Virginia, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Actress, Author, Former Dancer |
| Career Highlights | Academy Award, Emmy Award, BAFTA Awards, |
| Spouse | Steve Parker |
| Children | Sachi Parker |
| Relatives | Warren Beatty (brother) |
| Notable Films | Terms of Endearment, The Apartment, Sweet Charity, |
| Notable TV Series | Shirley’s World, Coco Chanel, Downton Abbey, Glee, |
| Notable Books | Out on a Limb, The Camino: A Journey of the Spirit, |
Shirley MacLaine has had a stellar career full of memorable scary parts and impressive partnerships with other A-list Hollywood actors. This well-known actress has been active for the better part of four decades, and during that time, she has amassed a remarkable body of work that includes several award-winning performances in each decade. Shirley MacLaine after a performance of a version of her one-woman stage show, `Shirley MacLaine Live,` on May 20, 1977, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. At the time, the Oscar-winning actress (`Terms of Endearment`) singer, dancer, activist and author was 43.
3. Marilyn Monroe
| Marilyn Monroe | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Marilyn Monroe |
| Birthdate | June 1, 1926 |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Other Names | Norma Jeane Baker |
| Occupations | Actress, Model, Singer |
| Years Active | 1945-1962 |
| Cause of Death | Barbiturate overdose |
| Burial Place | Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery |
| Spouses | James Dougherty (m. 1942; div. 1946) Joe DiMaggio (m. 1954; div. 1955) Arthur Miller (m. 1956; div. 1961) |
| Parents | Charles Stanley Gifford (father) Gladys Pearl Baker (mother) |
| Relatives | Berniece Baker Miracle (half-sister) |
| Pop Culture Icon | Renowned pop culture icon and symbol of the 1950s and early 1960s |
| Box Office Success | Her films grossed millions and became a top-billed actress |
| American Film Institute Ranking | Ranked as the sixth-greatest female screen legend from the Golden Age of Hollywood |
| Early Life | Born Norma Jeane Mortenson in Los Angeles, raised in foster homes and an orphanage |
| Modeling Career | Successful pin-up modeling career before transitioning to film |
| Film Success | Popular actress known for playing “dumb blonde” characters |
| Playboy Feature | Featured as the centerfold and cover of the first issue of Playboy magazine |
| Independent Production | Founded her own film production company for more control over her career |
| Method Acting | Studied method acting under Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio |
| Critical Acclaim | Received a Golden Globe for Best Actress for her role in Some Like It Hot |
| Personal Struggles | Faced personal struggles, addiction, and high-profile marriages and divorces |
| Tragic Death | Died at age 36 from a barbiturate overdose, ruled as a probable suicide |
As far as Hollywood stars go, Marilyn Monroe stands above them all. She conjures up visions of sexiness and seduction and the fluttering of skirts. Marilyn Monroe, with her funny “blonde bomb” image, became a famous sex icon throughout the sexual revolution of the 1950s and 1960s. Time. Marilyn monroe in the famous wax museum Madame tussauds london, england.
4. Debbie Reynolds
| Debbie Reynolds | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mary Frances “Debbie” Reynolds |
| Birthdate | April 1, 1932 |
| Birthplace | El Paso, Texas, U.S. |
| Occupations | Actress, Singer, Businesswoman |
| Years Active | 1948–2016 |
| Breakout Role | Kathy Selden in “Singin’ in the Rain” (1952) |
Debbie Reynolds received an Oscar nomination for her performance in “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” and an Emmy Award nomination for her role in “The Rosie O’Donnell Story.” She also appeared in more than 50 films, and her song “Aba daba honeymoon” (from “Two Weeks with Love”) peaked in the Top 3 that same year. Actor Debbie Reynolds walks the red carpet for the opening of the TCM Classic Film Festival at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre April 12, 2012 Hollywood, CA.
5. Jane Russell
| Jane Russell | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jane Russell |
| Birthdate | June 21, 1921 |
| Birthplace | Bemidji, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Education | Van Nuys High School |
| Occupations | Actress, singer, model |
| Years Active | 1943–1986 |
| Known For | Hollywood sex symbol, starring in over 20 films |
| Beauty and Charisma | Recognized for her beauty, silhouette, and great presence |
| Talent and Seriousness | Known for her talent, charisma, and seriousness in performances |
| Philanthropic Endeavors | Founded Waif, the first international adoption program |
| Accolades | Received several accolades for her achievements in film |
| Hollywood Honors | Immortalized with hand and footprints in Grauman’s Chinese Theatre |
| Marriages | Bob Waterfield (m. 1943; div. 1968) |
| Children | Adopted three children |
| Statuesque Figure | Measurements: 38-24-36; Height: 5 ft 7 in |
| Enduring Quotes | Bob Hope introduced her as “the two and only Jane Russell” |
Jane was as famous a name in the ’40s and ’50s as Marilyn Monroe was at the height of her fame. The pair collaborated on the hit movie “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” which was released in 1953. Jane Russell à la première de “XXX : State of the Union” au Mann Village Theater, Westwood.
6. Grace Kelly
| Grace Kelly | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Grace Patricia Kelly |
| Birthdate | November 12, 1929 |
| Birthplace | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Spouse | Rainier III, Prince of Monaco (m. 1956) |
| Children | Princess Caroline, Prince Albert, Princess Stéphanie |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1949–1956, 1977 |
| Notable Films | High Noon, Mogambo, The Country Girl, Rear Window, To Catch a Thief |
| Awards | Academy Award for Best Actress, Golden Globe Awards (3) |
| Contributions | Established the Princess Grace Foundation, founded AMADE Mondiale |
| Charitable Work | Focused on children and the arts, support for local artisans |
| Final Film | The Children of Theatre Street (1977) |
| Cause of Death | Injuries sustained in a car crash |
| Legacy | Princess Grace Awards established by Prince Albert in her honor |
Grace Kelly, a former stage actress who earned an Academy Award for her film roles, is a vision of beauty and sophistication. She was a major Hollywood celebrity for five years, starring in 11 films, before leaving her fame in 1956 to marry Prince Rainier III of Monaco. Katherine Kelly Lang au gala des Princess Grace Awards 2017 au Beverly Hilton Hotel le 25 octobre 2017 à Beverly Hills.
7. Jayne Mansfield
| Jayne Mansfield | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jayne Mansfield |
| Birthdate | April 19, 1933 |
| Birthplace | Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress, singer, nightclub entertainer, Playboy Playmate, model |
| Years Active | 1954–1967 |
| Known For | Sex symbol of the 1950s and early 1960s |
| Notable Works | “Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?,” “The Girl Can’t Help It,” “Promises! Promises!” |
| Awards | Theatre World Award for Promising Personality (1956), Golden Globe for New Star Of The Year – Actress (1957) |
| Marriages | Paul Mansfield, Mickey Hargitay, Matt Cimber |
| Children | 5, including Jayne Marie Mansfield and Mariska Hargitay |
| Death | June 29, 1967, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Cause of Death | Brain trauma sustained in automobile crash |
| Resting Place | Fairview Cemetery, Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania |
| Education | Southern Methodist University, University of Texas at Austin |
| Notable Performances | Rita Marlowe in “Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?” (Broadway play and film adaptation) |
| Notable Achievements | First major American actress to perform a nude scene in a post-silent era film |
| Notable Relationships | Allegedly involved with Robert and John F. Kennedy, her attorney Samuel S. Brody, and Las Vegas entertainer Nelson Sardelli |
Jayne entered the world on April 19, 1933, and she never looked back. She married Paul Mansfield when she was just 17 years old, and they had a daughter soon after. Despite this, she never gave up on her ambition to become an actress. Jayne’s critically praised roles and significant honors, such as the Golden Globe or the Theater World Award, demonstrate that she is more than just a “moving vase.” Jayne Marie Mansfield au Mariska Hargitay Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Ceremony au Hollywood Blvd le 8 novembre 2013 à Los Angeles.
8. Kim Novak
| Kim Novak | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Marilyn Pauline “Kim” Novak |
| Birthdate | February 13, 1933 |
| Birthplace | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, Painter |
| Education | School of the Art Institute of Chicago |
| Years Active | 1954–1991 |
| Spouses | Richard Johnson, Robert Malloy |
| Notable Films | Picnic, The Man with the Golden Arm, Vertigo |
| Awards | 2 Golden Globe Awards, Honorary Golden Bear |
Kim Novak was born on February 13, 1933, in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He is most famous for his part in Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo (1958). The Man with the Golden Arm and The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders are two of her other critically acclaimed films. She was honored as the year’s Most Promising Newcomer for her performance in Picnic. Kim Novak at the Kim Novak Hand and Foot Print Ceremony at the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.
9. Dorothy Dandridge
| Dorothy Dandridge | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dorothy Dandridge |
| Birthdate | November 9, 1922 |
| Birthplace | Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress, Singer, Dancer |
| Notable Achievement | First African-American actress nominated for Best Actress Academy Award for her role in Carmen Jones (1954) |
| Spouses | Harold Nicholas (m. 1942; div. 1951) Jack Denison (m. 1959; div. 1962) |
| Children | 1 |
| Parent | Ruby Dandridge (mother) |
| Relatives | Vivian Dandridge (sister) Nayo Wallace (grandniece) |
| Recognitions | Hollywood Walk of Fame star |
| Famous Performances | Vocalist at the Cotton Club and the Apollo Theater Golden Globe-nominated role in Porgy and Bess (1959) |
| Biographical Film | “Introducing Dorothy Dandridge” (1999), portrayed by Halle Berry |
| Demise | Died on September 8, 1965, at the age of 42 in West Hollywood, California, U.S. |
| Legacy | Trailblazer for African-American actresses and a symbol of representation and empowerment in the film industry. |
When she starred as the lead in the 1954 film Carmen Jones, she won the Golden Globe for Best Actress for the first and only time she ever performed in front of an audience. Five years later, for her work in Porgy and Bess, she was nominated for a Golden Globe. She co-starred with James Mason as Margot in the film Island in the Sun.
10. Ruby Dee
| Ruby Dee | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ruby Dee |
| Born | October 27, 1922 |
| Birthplace | Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | June 11, 2014 |
| Resting Place | Ferncliff Cemetery |
| Alma Mater | Hunter College (1945) |
| Occupations | Actress |
| Notable Film Roles | A Raisin in the Sun (1961) |
| Awards | Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress nominee |
| Activism | Civil Rights Movement activist |
| Personal Life | Married to Ossie Davis |
| Legacy | Lifetime Achievement Freedom Award recipient |
The actress who has found success and who frequently appears alongside Ossie Davis. In 1961, she was a leading lady in A Raisin in the Sun. She entered the world in her twenties, and her performance in American Gangster earned her an Oscar nomination.
11. Natalie Wood
| Natalie Wood | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Natalie Wood |
| Born | July 20, 1938 |
| Birthplace | San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years Active | 1943–1981 |
| Spouses | Robert Wagner |
| Children | 2, including Natasha Gregson Wagner |
| Career Highlights | Transitioned successfully from child star to leading roles |
| Personal Life | Married Robert Wagner twice, had two daughters |
| Early Life | Born in San Francisco, California |
| Education | Received primary education on studio lots during her acting career |
| Transition to Adult | Successfully transitioned from child star to leading roles |
| Legacy | Considered a portrait of modern American womanhood in transition |
American film and television star Natalie Wood, Natalia Nikolaevna Zacharenko, has starred in 56 films over her illustrious career. Her early work in films like “Rebellion Without Reason” and “The Wood West Story” established her as a credible teen actress, and by the time she turned 25, she was a bona fide Hollywood star who had been nominated for three Oscars.
Natasha Gregson Wagner (daughter of the late Natalie Wood) at the world premiere of “The Kingdom ” at Mann’s Village Theatre, Westwood. September 18, 2007 Los Angeles, CA Picture: Paul Smith / Featureflash.
12. Eva Marie Saint
| Eva Marie Saint | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Eva Marie Saint |
| Birthdate | July 4, 1924 |
| Birthplace | Newark, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Alma Mater | Bowling Green State University |
| Occupation | Retired Actress |
| Years Active | 1946–2021 |
| Academy Award | Best Supporting Actress |
| Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Special |
| Golden Globe Award | Nominee for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama |
| Notable Roles | Edie Doyle in “On the Waterfront” |
| Notable Films | “On the Waterfront” |
| Other Achievements | Oldest living and earliest surviving Academy Award winner |
As an American actress, Eva Marie Saint is most well-known for her performance as Rose McGowan in Elia Kazan’s On the Waterfront (1954). In 1959, she earned the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her work in North by Northwest, directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Eva Marie Saint at the TCM Classic Film Festival – 40th Anniv of “Caberet” at the TCL Chinese Theater IMAX on April 12, 2012 in Los Angeles, CA.
13. Thelma Ritter
| Thelma Ritter | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Thelma Ritter |
| Birthdate | February 14, 1902 |
| Birthplace | Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Death | February 5, 1969 (aged 66) in New York City, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years Active | 1913–1968 |
| Spouse | Joseph Moran (married in 1927) |
| Children | 2 (Monica and Joe) |
In 1950 for her role in All About Eve, she received an Oscar nomination. She played Ellen McNulty in the film The Mating Season and was nominated for a Golden Globe the following year. Her work in the musical New Girl in Town earned her a Tony Award.
14. Doris Day
| Doris Day | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Doris Day |
| Birthdate | April 3, 1922 |
| Birthplace | Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress, Singer, Animal Rights Activist |
| Years Active | 1939–2012 |
| Spouses | Al Jorden (m. 1941; div. 1943) George Weidler (m. 1946; div. 1949) Martin Melcher (m. 1951; died 1968) Barry Comden (m. 1976; div. 1982) |
| Children | Terry Melcher |
| Notable Films | “Romance on the High Seas” (1948) “Calamity Jane” (1953) “The Man Who Knew Too Much” (1956) “Pillow Talk” (1959) “Love Me or Leave Me” (1955) |
| Awards | Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award Presidential Medal of Freedom Cecil B. DeMille Award |
| Top Box-Office Earner | One of the top box-office earners in the United States |
| Albums | Over 29 studio albums, including “My Heart” (2011) |
| Television Show | “The Doris Day Show” (1968–1973) |
| Singing Career | Recorded over 650 songs from 1947 to 1967 |
| Last Film | Ended her film career in 1968, starred in her own television sitcom, “The Doris Day Show” (1968–1973) |
Doris Day was born to parents who had emigrated from Germany to the United States, settling in Ohio. She always had a flair for the creative arts. She has made an incredible impact on the music and cinema industries during her career. Doris Day “encroached” upon the film industry with her debut performance in Romance on the High Seas (1948). Betty Hutton, a character she portrays, is a student forced to leave school because of an unplanned pregnancy. I’ll See You in My Dreams, Tea for Two, and My Dream is Yours are just a few of the subsequent musical films in which she appeared afterward.
15. Elizabeth Taylor
| Elizabeth Taylor | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor |
| Born | February 27, 1932 |
| Birthplace | London, England |
| Nationality | British-American |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Career Highlights | Child actress in the 1940s |
| Notable Films | National Velvet (1944) |
| Awards | Academy Award for Best Actress (1961, 1967) |
| Philanthropy | Co-founded American Foundation for AIDS Research (AmFAR) |
| Marriages | Conrad Hilton Jr. (1950-1951) |
| Children | 4 |
| Parents | Francis Lenn Taylor (father) |
| Notable Achievements | Named the seventh-greatest female screen legend by AFI |
Elizabeth Taylor, a former Hollywood star, used to have remarkable purple eyes and a gorgeous oval face that enchanted audiences. The multilingual Elizabeth Taylor was born in London in 1932. Growing up, she was pampered from the start. Elizabeth Taylor got her start when she was just 11 years old. She began her career as a child actress in the 1940s and went on to have a prosperous adult life. Elizabeth Taylor arriving at amfAr’s Cinema against AIDS 2002 benefit gala at Le Moulin de Mougins during the 55th Cannes Film Festival May 23, 2002 in Cannes, France.
16. Diana Dors
| Diana Dors | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Diana Dors |
| Birthdate | October 23, 1931 |
| Birthplace | Swindon, Wiltshire, England |
| Nationality | English |
| Occupation | Actress, Singer |
| Known For | Blonde bombshell persona, film performances, TV appearances, tabloid headlines |
| Education | London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art |
| Spouses | Dennis Hamilton, Richard Dawson, Alan Lake |
| Children | 3, including Mark Dawson |
| Prominent Films | The Shop at Sly Corner, Good-Time Girl, Dancing with Crime |
| Stage Performances | The Good Young Man, Man of the World |
| Career Achievements | Winner of London Films Cup, Actress of the Year (Theatre World magazine) |
The article’s featured image is of a young woman named Diana Dors, born on October 23, 1931, in a small town in England called Swindon. She made her film debut in 1948’s “Oliver Twist,” directed by the illustrious British filmmaker Devida Lina. Diana Dors’s 1956 film “Blond the Sinner ” is her most successful acting role.
17. Brigitte Bardot
| Brigitte Bardot | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Brigitte Bardot |
| Birthdate | September 28, 1934 |
| Birthplace | Paris, France |
| Other Names | B.B. |
| Occupation | Actress, Singer, Model, Activist |
| Nationality | French |
| Alma Mater | Conservatoire de Paris |
| Genre | Pop |
| Label | Philips Records |
| Studio Albums | Brigitte Bardot Sings |
| Notable Films | And God Created Woman |
| Latest Studio Album | B.B. |
| Released | 1964 |
Brigitte Bardot (BB) was a movie star in the 1950s and 1960s of the twentieth century, known for her free-spirited fashion and carefree attitude. She eventually left the film industry and focused on animal rights activism.
18. Sophia Loren
| Sophia Loren | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sophia Loren |
| Birthdate | September 20, 1934 |
| Birthplace | Rome, Italy |
| Other Names | Sofia Scicolone, Sofia Lazzaro |
| Citizenship | Italian |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years Active | 1950–present |
| Spouses | Carlo Ponti Sr. (1957-1962, annulled), Carlo Ponti Sr. (1966-2007, his death) |
| Children | Carlo Ponti Jr. (born 1968), Edoardo Ponti (born 1973) |
| Recognitions | – Named one of the greatest stars of Classical Hollywood cinema by the American Film Institute |
Sophia Loren’s portrayal in the 1961 film “Two Women” earned her numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, the Golden Palm at the Cannes Film Festival, and 20 more honors. It’s not hard to see why so many people worldwide continue to hold Sophia Loren in high esteem, despite her many years of stellar performance in the entertainment industry. Sophia Loren at the American Film Institute s special tribute gala in her honor as part of the AFI FEST 2014 at the Dolby Theatre, Hollywood.
19. Lucille Ball
| Lucille Ball | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Lucille Désirée Ball |
| Birthdate | August 6, 1911 |
| Birthplace | Jamestown, New York, U.S. |
| Death | April 26, 1989 (aged 77), Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Burial Place | Lake View Cemetery, Jamestown, NY |
| Occupations | Actress, Comedian, Producer, Studio Executive |
| Years Active | 1929-1989 |
| Known for | I Love Lucy, The Lucy Show |
| Spouses | Desi Arnaz (1940-1960), Gary Morton (1961-present) |
| Children | Lucie Arnaz, Desi Arnaz Jr. |
| Relatives | Fred Ball (brother), Suzan Ball (cousin) |
| Awards | 13 Primetime Emmy Awards, Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award |
| Notable Productions | I Love Lucy, The Lucy Show, Wildcat, Here’s Lucy |
| Contributions | First woman to run a major television studio (Desilu Productions) |
| Education | Attended John Murray Anderson School for the Dramatic Arts |
| Career Highlights | Nominated for 13 Primetime Emmy Awards, won 5 times |
| Honors | Received multiple accolades, including stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame |
| Legacy | Considered one of the greatest comedians in television history |
| Death and Legacy | Passed away in 1989, remembered for groundbreaking contributions to comedy and television |
Lucille Ball entered the world on August 6, 1911, in Jamestown, New York. Using the stage name “Diane Belmont,” she debuted on Broadway when she was just 15 years old.
20. Joan Collins
| Joan Collins | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dame Joan Henrietta Collins DBE |
| Birthdate | May 23, 1933 |
| Birthplace | Paddington, London, England |
| Occupations | English actress, author, columnist |
| Years Active | 1946-present |
| Awards | Golden Globe Award, People’s Choice Award, Soap Opera Digest Awards, Primetime Emmy Award nomination |
| Last Surviving Star | One of the last surviving stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood cinema |
| Philanthropy | Recognized for her philanthropy, especially towards causes relating to children |
| Honours | Damehood conferred by Queen Elizabeth II for charitable services |
| Training | Trained as an actress at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) |
| Hollywood Star | Awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1983 |
| International Fame | Achieved international stardom for her role as Alexis Colby in the soap opera Dynasty |
| Notable TV Roles | Played Edith Keeler in Star Trek: The Original Series and appeared in American Horror Story: Apocalypse |
| Recent Film Role | Starring role in the critically acclaimed film Gerry (2018) |
| Education | Attended Francis Holland School, an independent day school for girls in London |
| Siblings | Jackie Collins (sister) |
Originally from England, Joan Collins entered our world in 1933. Joan, who always knew she wanted to be an actress, trained at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. After starting in British television at age 18, Joan moved to the Hollywood film industry when she was 22. For her work on the famous TV show Dynasty, she was honored with a Golden Globe.
21. Jeanne Crain
| Jeanne Crain | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jeanne Elizabeth Crain |
| Date of Birth | May 25, 1925 |
| Place of Birth | Barstow, California, U.S. |
| Date of Death | December 14, 2003 (aged 78) |
| Place of Death | Santa Barbara, California, U.S. |
| Resting Place | Santa Barbara Cemetery |
| Other Names | Jeanne Crain Brinkman |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years Active | 1943–1972 |
| Spouse | Paul Brinkman (m. 1945; died 2003) |
| Children | 7 |
| Academy Award Nomination | Best Actress for “Pinky” (1949) |
| Notable Films | “Pinky” (1949), “In the Meantime, Darling” (1944), “State Fair” (1945), “Leave Her to Heaven” (1945), “A Letter to Three Wives” (1949), “Cheaper by the Dozen” (1950), “The Fastest Gun Alive” (1956), “The Joker Is Wild” (1957) |
| Early Talent | Won leads in school plays at 14 and beauty contests at 15, crowned Miss Pan-Pacific. |
| Breakthrough Role | Starred in “Home in Indiana” (1944) that established her as a film name. |
| Versatility | Demonstrated diverse acting skills in various genres, from musicals to dramas and comedies. |
| Television Work | Made appearances in TV adaptations like “The Great Gatsby” and “Meet Me in St. Louis.” |
| Personal Life | Married Paul Brinkman in 1945, had seven children, and remained active in promoting the Republican Party in the early 1960s. |
| Legacy | Her career and memorabilia are documented in the Jeanne Crain Collection at the Cinema Archives at Wesleyan University. |
Early in her career, Jeanne Crain was crowned Miss Pan Pacific, and she has since been cast as the girl-next-door type in several films, including State Fair and Left Her in Heaven. In Winged Victory, she received high praise.