Greatest classic stars, Ever!
by coreymax23 | created - 10 May 2014 | updated - 11 May 2014 | PublicAll are my humble opinion, which makes it perfectly right, thanks in advance for your agreement. Cheers
1. Betty Grable
Actress | How to Marry a Millionaire
Elizabeth Ruth Grable was born on December 18, 1916 in St. Louis, Missouri, to Lillian Rose (Hofmann) and John Conn Grable, a stockbroker. She had German, English, Irish, and Dutch ancestry. Her mother was a stubborn and materialistic woman determined to make her daughter a star. Elizabeth, who ...
She did it all and made it look easy. From 1941-1951 was consistently in the top ten, sometimes being the only woman on the list! No one has ever broke that record. The reason is clear, she brightened peoples lives during a terrible time in history. Betty would always play down her talents but she could dance to any gene of music, sang with one of the sweetest voices, could play comedy or drama and had one of the most effervescent personalities ever put on film.
2. Joan Crawford
Actress | What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
Joan Crawford was born Lucille Fay LeSueur on March 23, 1906, in San Antonio, Texas, to Anna Belle (Johnson) and Thomas E. LeSueur, a laundry laborer. By the time she was born, her parents had separated, and by the time she was a teenager, she'd had three stepfathers. It wasn't an easy life; ...
Beauty, glamour and acting talent seperate this Queen of the movies from the other movie "Plain Janes!" No one in movies reinvented themselves with so much skill. In the 20's the epitome of the jazz age flapper. 30's comedies and working girl pictures and a photo legacy with Hurrell that will never be matched for beauty and glamour. 40's great dramatic pictures and an Oscar. 50's tough middle aged man eater, except for "Autumn Leaves" which is incredible. 60's were some great thrillers and if she had not been I'll would have continued throughout the 70's and 80's. Joan had the greatest presence on film, that's why she's the "Ultimate Star!"
3. Laurel & Hardy
British reggae group from the 1980s (Paul Dawkins and Anthony Robinson), not to be confused with the comedy duo (Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy).
The greatest movie team bar none.
4. Susan Hayward
Actress | With a Song in My Heart
Susan Hayward was born Edythe Marrener in Brooklyn, New York, on June 30, 1917. Her father was a transportation worker, and Susan lived a fairly comfortable life as a child, but the precocious little redhead had no idea of the life that awaited her. She attended public school in Brooklyn, where she...
Susan was a tough cookie but always feminine and beautiful. Could also break your heart in many of her classics.
5. Barbara Stanwyck
Actress | Double Indemnity
Today Barbara Stanwyck is remembered primarily as the matriarch of the family known as the Barkleys on the TV western The Big Valley (1965), wherein she played Victoria, and from the hit drama The Colbys (1985). But she was known to millions of other fans for her movie career, which spanned the ...
What a classy woman who did not have the irritating mannerisms of Davis or Hepburn, with a much better acting range.
6. Cary Grant
Actor | North by Northwest
Once told by an interviewer, "Everybody would like to be Cary Grant", Grant is said to have replied, "So would I."
Cary Grant was born Archibald Alec Leach on January 18, 1904 in Horfield, Bristol, England, to Elsie Maria (Kingdon) and Elias James Leach, who worked in a factory. His early years in ...
Dinfines class and dignity.
7. Errol Flynn
Actor | The Adventures of Robin Hood
Errol Flynn was born to parents Theodore Flynn, a respected biologist, and Marrelle Young, an adventurous young woman. Young Flynn was a rambunctious child who could be counted on to find trouble. Errol managed to have himself thrown out of every school in which he was enrolled. In his late teens ...
Charming and under rated, Errol was a thrill to watch.
8. Ingrid Bergman
Actress | Casablanca
Ingrid Bergman was one of the greatest actresses from Hollywood's lamented Golden Era. Her natural and unpretentious beauty and her immense acting talent made her one of the most celebrated figures in the history of American cinema. Bergman is also one of the most Oscar-awarded actresses, tied with ...
Such a natural actress, never overpowering or overacted, gentle and sincere.
9. Jennifer Jones
Actress | The Towering Inferno
One of the world's most underrated Academy Award-winning actresses, Jennifer Jones was born Phylis Lee Isley on 2 March 1919 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Flora Mae (Suber) and Phillip Ross Isley, who ran a travelling stage show. As a young aspiring actress, she met and fell for young, handsome, aspiring ...
Watch "Love Letters" or "Portrait of Jenny" and you'll fall in love with Jennifer too!
10. Judy Garland
Actress | The Wizard of Oz
One of the brightest, most tragic movie stars of Hollywood's Golden Era, Judy Garland was a much-loved character whose warmth and spirit, along with her rich and exuberant voice, kept theatre-goers entertained with an array of delightful musicals.
She was born Frances Ethel Gumm on 10 June 1922 in ...
World's greatest entertainer. Her nickname wasn't "Miss Show Business" for nothing honey.
11. Marlene Dietrich
Soundtrack | Witness for the Prosecution
Her father was a police lieutenant and imbued in her a military attitude to life. Marlene was known in school for her "bedroom eyes" and her first affairs were at this stage in her life - a professor at the school was terminated. She entered the cabaret scene in 1920s Germany, first as a spectator ...
Her exotic looks were beyond compare, plus a terrific actress. What a life this woman led, one of a kind.
12. Doris Day
Soundtrack | Love Me or Leave Me
One of America's most loved actresses was born Doris Mary Kappelhoff on April 3, 1922, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Alma Sophia (Welz), a housewife, and William Joseph Kappelhoff, a music teacher and choir master. Her grandparents were all German immigrants. She had two brothers, Richard, who died ...
Always left you with a smile on your face, still does. How many famous stars of today do that? Drama, comedy, musical, Doris was magic on screen. The singing voice of an angel, what a gal!
13. Harold Lloyd
Actor | Safety Last!
Born in Burchard, Nebraska, USA to Elizabeth Fraser and J. Darcie 'Foxy' Lloyd who fought constantly and soon divorced (at the time a rare event), Harold Clayton Lloyd was nominally educated in Denver and San Diego high schools and received his stage training at the School of Dramatic Art (San ...
A "must see" comedian. Amazing performer!
14. Tyrone Power
Actor | Witness for the Prosecution
Tyrone Power was one of the great romantic swashbuckling stars of the mid-twentieth century, and the third Tyrone Power of four in a famed acting dynasty reaching back to the eighteenth century. His great-grandfather was the first Tyrone Power (1795-1841), a famed Irish comedian. His father, known ...
Tyrone was not only a beautiful actor but gave us many great performances including comedy, action, romantic and dramatic. Always fascinating to watch.
15. Lana Turner
Actress | Madame X
Lana Turner had an acting ability that belied the "Sweater Girl" image MGM thrust upon her, and even many of her directors admitted that they knew she was capable of greatness (check out The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946)). Unfortunately, her private life sometimes overshadowed her professional ...
Madame X, enough said.
16. Charles Chaplin
Writer | The Great Dictator
Considered to be one of the most pivotal stars of the early days of Hollywood, Charlie Chaplin lived an interesting life both in his films and behind the camera. He is most recognized as an icon of the silent film era, often associated with his popular character, the Little Tramp; the man with the ...
Genius, what else is there to say.
17. Ramon Navarro
Director | Perfidia
Ramon Navarro is known for Perfidia (2011), Habeas Corpus (2005) and À Margem Do Corpo (2006).
Great actor from the silent era. Check out "Red Lily" and "The Pagan" to see Ramon's wide range. Handsome to boot!
18. Robert Mitchum
Actor | Out of the Past
Robert Mitchum was an underrated American leading man of enormous ability, who sublimated his talents beneath an air of disinterest. He was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to Ann Harriet (Gunderson), a Norwegian immigrant, and James Thomas Mitchum, a shipyard/railroad worker. His father died in a ...
Love his "I don't care" attitude. Made it look so easy.
19. Fred Astaire
Actor | The Towering Inferno
Fred Astaire was born in Omaha, Nebraska, to Johanna (Geilus) and Fritz Austerlitz, a brewer. Fred entered show business at age 5. He was successful both in vaudeville and on Broadway in partnership with his sister, Adele Astaire. After Adele retired to marry in 1932, Astaire headed to Hollywood. ...
Greatest male dancer and what a wonderful actor. Always made you feel good and not a classic handsome man, this man made it on sheer talent. There will never be another Astaire!
20. Eleanor Powell
Soundtrack | Born to Dance
Eleanor Powell was born in 1912 in Springfield, Massachussetts, and got her professional start in Atlantic City clubs, from where she moved into in revue in New York at the Ritz Grill and Casino de Paris at the age of sixteen. She started her career on Broadway in 1929, where her machine-gun foot ...
Eleanor was the greatest female dancer of all time. She was a delight to watch and had one of the greatest screen smiles ever. Should be more well known but slowly her movies are being released on DVD which will delight a whole new generation.
21. Cher
Actress | Moonstruck
The beat goes on ... and on ... and as strong as ever for this superstar entertainer who has well surpassed the half-century mark while improbably transforming herself from an artificial, glossy "flashionplate" singer into a serious, Oscar-worthy, dramatic actress ... and back again! With more ups ...
I'm adding Cher to this list because in 30 years she will be number one on everybody's list. What can't this entertainer do? Hit tv show for over 5 years, movie actress, Broadway actress, top concert draw, hit records for 6 decades, fashion trend setter, remember bell bottoms, halter tops and square top fingernails to name a few, model, director, activest, comedian, philanthropist, author and mother to name a few. Has won an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, Hasty Puddings Woman of the year, Silver Ribbon' Italy's best actress award, people choice award, TV Land award, Walk of Fame, handprints in cement, 3 Golden Globes, Vanguard award, David do Donatello award, Cannes best actress award, Cable Ace award, oh well I'm running out of room but you should get my point by now. No other entertainer comes close, case closed.
22. Loretta Young
Actress | The Stranger
Sweet, sweeter, sweetest. No combination of terms better describes the screen persona of lovely Loretta Young. A&E's Biography (1987) has stated that Young "remains a symbol of beauty, serenity, and grace. But behind the glamour and stardom is a woman of substance whose true beauty lies in her ...
One of the beautiful actresses of all time. Had one of the longest careers in Hollywood. Starting in 1917, her last movie was in 1989! Get her TV show to see Loretta's full range and versatility.
23. Robert Taylor
Actor | The Bribe
Born Spangler Arlington Brugh, Robert Taylor began displaying a diversity of talents in his youth on the plains of Nebraska. At Beatrice High School, he was a standout track athlete, but also showed a talent for using his voice, winning several oratory awards. He was a musician and played the cello...
Started in comedies and that great part in "Camille" which he was more attractive than his female co-star and stole the movie. Throughout the war years, into Westerns and TV. A very likeable actor who puts this generations bunch of "pretty boys" to shame.
24. Marion Davies
Actress | Little Old New York
Marion Davies was one of the great comedic actresses of the silent era and into the 1930s.
Marion Cecelia Douras was born in the borough of Brooklyn, New York on January 3, 1897, the daughter of Rose (Reilly) and Bernard J. Douras, a lawyer and judge. Her parents were both of Irish descent. Marion ...
Great comedian and all around actress. Very under rated, deserves to be given acclaim for the talent and sparkle she brought to film.
25. Charles Boyer
Actor | Gaslight
Charles Boyer studied philosophy before he went to the theater where he gave his debut in 1920. Although he had at first no intentions to pursue a career at the movies (his first movie was Man of the Sea (1920) by Marcel L'Herbier) he used his chance in Hollywood after several filming stations all ...
Excellent actor with great presence.
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