Famous 50s actors -The 1950s era of television was deeply embedded in the American psyche. The 50s was when youth culture exploded, leading to segregation and rock and roll. The below-mentioned portion will take you on a tour of what Hollywood cinema was like during these years and will tell you about some famous 50s actors.
At that time, plenty of famous 50s actors were around Hollywood with more prominent personalities. The James Stewart-Clark Gable rivalry had been going on for years as they each vied for the top spot alongside Marilyn Monroe, Humphrey Bogart, Shirley MacLaine, and Audrey Hepburn, wildly popular at the time too. Here are some of the most famous and most talented actors from the 1950s Hollywood era:
The era of 50s in Cinema:
1950s Cinema started in Hollywood with “The Awful Truth”. It was a film that made the entire world laugh, creating a new film category. At the time, people thought that movie comedies were only pre-made and were not something new.
In 1950, talkies and musicals were dominant in Hollywood, but comedies came with fragile scripts that gave actors like Mae West and Lucille Ball free rein to experiment and improvise. But this kind of comedy also led to some characters like Howard Hughes. Howard Hughes was a well-known producer and film director in Hollywood, but he did not do any acting before his death. Instead, he developed a habit of drugs, alcohol, and women. His most famous films were “The Outlaw” (1957) and “The Aviator” (1985).
1950s movies provided Hollywood with money-making machines such as Rock Hudson and Marilyn Monroe. They had a knack for making massive profits for the studios. But unfortunately, the studios were always looking for new actors to replace them, which led to the collapse of many stars’ careers just as quickly as they had started up, including Cyd Charisse, Mamie Van Doren, Jane Russell, Rita Moreno, and Vaughn Taylor to name but a few.
The 1950s was a decade of famous 50s actors that provided some of the most memorable movies ever made. These movies led to worldwide economic impacts. They also had an impact on the world’s cultural patterns.
James Stewart:
James Stewart (1932–1991) was one of the biggest 1950s male actors. He was born in the United States and got into acting after he graduated from Princeton University, where he gained a degree in architecture. He is best known for his role as a doughboy in Frank Capra’s “It Happened One Night,” which won him an Academy Award for Best Actor.
His other famous films include “The Philadelphia Story,” “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” “Harvey,” and “Anatomy of a Murder.” He was the pilot of 20 missions in World War II and earned the Air Medal and Distinguished Flying Cross. He was one of Hollywood’s most famous actors during the 50s, yet he did not receive recognition until well into his 40s.
2. Clark Gable:
This guy is best known for being a leading man in romantic comedies with an almost chiseled face and a perfect physique. He was called “The King” because of his solid presence with women on-screen. Unfortunately, roof died in 1960 after suffering a heart attack due to polymyositis, an inflammation of the muscles. He is best known for his legendary roles in movies such as “Gone with the Wind,” “The Misfits,” and “Million Dollar Baby.”
He was a conservative individual and was seen as being quite conservative on-screen. Shirley Temple (1928–2014) was another child star who managed to stay relevant into her 30s. She started in Hollywood at two and starred in over 100 films during her career. Her most famous films included “Curly Top,” “Stand Up and Cheer,” and “The Little Princess.”
Clark Gable (1918-1960) was one of Hollywood’s biggest stars in the 50s. He was born in Tennessee and only started acting after he had graduated from college. He is best known for his role in “Gone with the Wind,” which won him an Academy Award for Best Actor, as well as his other successful films such as “The Misfits” and “Imitation of Life.”
3. Marilyn Monroe (1945-1962):
Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962) is probably Hollywood’s most famous blonde 50s actress, and she is still famous today. She started as a model and entered into acting after she was discovered by the press when she was only 20 years old. Her most famous films include “Some Like it Hot,” “The Seven Year Itch,” “How to Marry a Millionaire,” and “There’s No Business like Show Business.” Monroe’s life was fraught with personal problems, but she still managed to be an iconic female figure during the 50s.
4. Humphrey Bogart (1921-1956):
Bogart was a happy-go-lucky guy who loved his work and was a famous 50s actor. Despite his many years of hard drinking, Bogart has been a role model for many actors and actresses. Frank Sinatra (1915–1998) was a famed crooner from the 50s whose legacy remains today.
He started as a band leader in his hometown of Hoboken, New Jersey, before becoming an opera singer. His role as Tommy, “The Irishman” in “The Untouchables,” made him a household name. He has had phenomenal success throughout his career and is known for the albums ” Songs for Swingin’ Lovers,” “In the Wee Small Hours,” “All or Nothing at All,” and “Francis Albert Sinatra and His Orchestra.” Bogart and Frank were great friends.
5. Audrey Hepburn (1948-1989):
Audrey Hepburn was the epitome of beauty. She was born in Amsterdam, but her family moved to England, and she began her acting career in London after leaving school. The English actress is most famous for her role as Holly Golightly in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” which earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress. Her other films include “Two for the Road” and “Ondine.” She had a lot of success throughout her career and is considered one of the best actresses of all time.
6. Shirley MacLaine:
Shirley MacLaine (born Shirley Maria Robertson) is an actress and writer who is an outspoken critic of the Church of Scientology. She was born in Baltimore and is best known for her roles in “Fame” and “Vanya on 42nd Street”. She was also a singer before becoming an actress, and she released her first album at 12 years old.Â
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7. Elizabeth Taylor (1942-2007):
It is probably the most photographed redhead in history. She is a famous actress, producer, and humanitarian. She has had more than 30 films to her name and has received numerous awards, such as two Oscars for Best Actress, a Golden Globe, and four Emmy Awards nominations.
She was married eight times (twice to the same man!) and had one child named Liza with her first husband, Nicky Hilton. This beautiful woman was a film, stage, and television actress who spent her early years becoming involved with ballet before making it big in Hollywood.
8. Sophia Loren (1950-Present):
Sophia Loren is an Italian actress whose career has spanned over six decades. She has received critical acclaim for her style and glamour and has won seven David di Donatello Awards, two Academy Awards, and five Golden Globe Awards. Her debut was in the movie “La Favorite” (1953), which was released when she was only 17 years old!
9. Elizabeth Montgomery (1933-1995):
Elizabeth Montgomery is best known as the star of the TV show “Bewitched,” in which she played a modern-day witch. The actress was born in NYC but went on to study acting at New York’s Neighborhood Playhouse before starring in a Broadway production of “Gigi.”
10. James Dean (1950-1955):
James Dean is probably the most famous Hollywood actor of the 50s, with his role as “Cadet” in “Rebel without a Cause” winning the hearts of millions. He was born in Marion, Indiana, and became interested in acting after he was discovered by an agent when he was just 17 years old. He starred in many films such as “Giant” and “East of Eden.” His death at the age of 24 was very tragic but helped cement his legacy as a movie legend.
James Dean became incredibly popular after his film “Rebel without a Cause” was released in 1955. He was a James Bond-like guy with a rebellious look that made him re-energize the 1950s movie industry. His passion for motorcycles, cigarettes, and clothes all added to his appeal as he became a sex symbol, one of the first to do so. The era of 50s in Cinema:
11. Tab hunter:
Tab Hunter was a heartthrob during Hollywood’s 1950s creation; with gorgeous looks and good looks, he became a prince among men, who appeared uniquely on magazine covers around America, including “Confidential,” “Harper’s Bazaar,” “Life Magazine,” and others. In addition, the tab was in the film “Damn Yankees,” a famous Broadway show also made into a movie. Tab also cameo in Debbie Reynolds’s “The Mating Game.” In the 50s, he appeared in 20 movies and acted alongside stars like Natalie Wood, Tony Curtis, Janet Leigh, Frank Sinatra, and Sandra Dee.
12. Anthony Perkins (1931-1992):
Anthony Perkins is best known for his role as Norman Bates in Alfred Hitchcock’s classic horror film “Psycho.” He won a Golden Globe Award for his work in the 1983 TV miniseries “End of Innocence.”
13. Kirk Douglas:
Kirk Douglas is a famous 50s actor who had his big breakthrough in “Spartacus” and has appeared in over 100 films since then. He has won an Academy Award, four Golden Globe Awards, and a BAFTA Award for Best Actor. He was also the first person to win the Best Actor Oscar without being nominated for an acting award for his role in “Paths of Glory.”
14. Greta Garbo (1882-1932):
Greta Garbo is best known for being one of America’s most famous silent film actresses from the 1920s to the 1930s. She is considered one of the finest actresses of the silent era and was one of the first to be involved in a Hollywood affair with her The Temptress co-star, John Gilbert. She is best known for her roles in films such as “The Temptress,” “Love,” “Flesh and the Devil,” and “Mata Hari.” She was very active in Communist activities and causes at that time. Check out my profile if you want more about Garbo’s life or other famous people’s.
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