Who was this handsome lady charmer that really shined in romantic comedies such as Bringing up Baby with Katherine Hepburn and My Favorite Wife with Irene Dunn, but was equally talented at his more serious roles in None but the Lonely Heart with Ethel Barrymore, and Hitchcock films North by Northwest with Eva Marie Saint and Charade with Audrey Hepburn?
Born Archibald Alec Leach, Cary Grant grew up in a poor family in Bristol, England. His father was an alcoholic, and his mother struggled with depression. She introduced him to singing and dancing at the age of four. By four-and-a-half, he was sent to a boys' school, where he was often described as scruffy, naughty, and noisy. Grant later shaped his adult persona largely after the refined actor Douglas Fairbanks, whom he admired deeply. He famously remarked, "I pretended to be somebody I wanted to be until finally, I became that person. Or he became me.
This couple of the silver screen only made two films together, years apart, each with one-word titles: Notorious and Indiscreet. Though they each acted with other people many more times, these two films were box office hits and gave each of their careers a boost. Who were these rock-solid Hollywood stars?
Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman had both established successful careers in Hollywood before collaborating on screen. They were first paired in Alfred Hitchcock's thriller Notorious in 1946, and then reunited 12 years later in the lighthearted romantic comedy Indiscreet. The duo received acclaim for their on-screen chemistry and maintained a friendship off-screen as well.
Born as Frances Ethel Gumm and getting her start as one of the singing Gumm Sisters, this actress went on to be one of the most loved teenage stars of all time. On the job, she was a professional in every sense, rarely needing to reshoot scenes, especially when singing was involved.
From her debut in the 1938 classic The Wizard of Oz, Judy Garland established herself as a genuine and relatable character. Her remarkable singing voice opened doors to many roles, particularly in the Andy Hardy movie series alongside Mickey Rooney, as well as in Meet Me in St. Louis and The Harvey Girls. Throughout her career, she also had notable relationships with several high-profile men, including Orson Welles and Vincente Minnelli, the latter being the father of her daughter, Liza.
While this actor was frequently seen in tough guy roles in films like Dark Passage, Key Largo, and Dead End, he also had a softer side as seen in Sabrina. His most famous work, Casablanca, earned him an Academy Award nomination.
Humphrey Bogart was frequently typecast as a gangster, partly due to the scar on his upper lip, his shifty demeanor, and his distinctive voice. He became the quintessential character we loved to hate in several classic gangster films, including The Maltese Falcon and The Petrified Forest. Throughout his life, he was married four times, most notably to his frequent co-star Lauren Bacall, who was 25 years younger than him.
What celebrated film star, who had a career that lasted more than 60 years, made her debut on film at age 10 in There's One Born Every Minute in 1942?
After relocating to California with her parents during World War II, Taylor signed a contract with Universal Studios and quickly landed her first film role in There's One Born Every Minute. However, she gained greater recognition the following year with a more significant role in Lassie Come Home.
In the 1953 black and white film noir Angel Face which actor has the starring male role as a hapless race car driver turned ambulance jockey?
Robert Mitchum is more than just a handsome presence in Angel Face. He put considerable effort into developing the character of Frank, a man struggling after World War II. Engaged to a dependable woman, he finds himself drawn to a wealthy femme fatale. One of the film's strengths is that director Otto Preminger refrains from judging or labeling its characters, allowing their complexities to unfold naturally.
The feisty Girl Friday in the 1946 film noir The Dark Corner gets involved in the dangerous troubles of her private detective boss when he asks for her help. Who plays this spirited secretary?
Though best known for her comedic roles, Lucille Ball showcases her acting range with a compelling performance in this dark film noir.
This iconic actor portrayed a dishonest insurance salesman in the thriller Double Indemnity opposite Barbara Stanwyck, yet went on to later play America's favorite bachelor-father in the television series, My Three Sons.
Tall and handsome, Fred MacMurray began his career as a singer and recorded for the Victor label. Typically cast as the nice, decent guy, he took on more complex roles, playing an underhanded insurance agent in Double Indemnity, a cynical lieutenant in The Caine Mutiny, and a womanizer in The Apartment. In his later years, he returned to more lighthearted roles opposite Claudette Colbert in The Egg and I and appeared in a variety of Disney films.
The 1949 noir crime drama Port of New York is a study in police procedural dramas and features law enforcement efforts to stop an opium shipment from being distributed. Who plays the leader of the ring of drug dealers?
Yul Brynner's first role was as the suave yet ruthless drug dealer Paul Vicola, a character he portrayed with a full head of hair. While the film received mixed reviews, Brynner's powerful performance stood out and helped pave the way for the iconic roles that followed in his career.
Who said this famous movie quote: "What is it you want, Mary? What do you want? You want the moon? Just say the word, and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down."
James Stewart plays George Bailey in the 1946 holiday classic It's a Wonderful Life. In a memorable scene, a teenage George and his crush, Mary (portrayed by Donna Reed), share a heartfelt wish and discuss their dreams for the future.
The Haunting of Hill House, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Wax Museum, and The Fly, were among cult favorites starring this unusual actor. He was adept at bringing horror tales to life, but his suspenseful romance Laura starring Gene Tierney was equally as successful.
Vincent Price graduated from Yale with a degree in history and taught for a year before pursuing a Master’s in Fine Arts. However, he found his passion in acting, initially portraying religious characters before transitioning into the horror genre. Price collaborated with stars like Gene Tierney, Ava Gardner, and Robert Taylor, and appeared in Cecil B. DeMille's The Ten Commandments. He later starred in a series of films inspired by the works of Edgar Allan Poe.
Who is this intense and sometimes cruel actor known for such films as Young Man with a Horn, Spartacus and Lonely Are the Brave? He also left the legacy of a son who follows in his acting footsteps
Born Issur Danielovitch, later known as Izzy Demsky, and ultimately adopting the name Kirk Douglas, this actor was renowned for his intense portrayals of unscrupulous and hard-hearted characters. He starred alongside legendary actresses like Lana Turner, Lauren Bacall, and Barbara Stanwyck. Douglas's filmography includes war films, westerns, and film noir, and he is particularly remembered for his role as the artist Vincent van Gogh in Lust for Life, where his striking appearance mirrored that of the master artist. Notably, his son, Michael Douglas, is also a prominent actor.
This controversial couple made many films together, including Woman of the Year and Guess Who's Coming To Dinner. They had an ongoing affair for 26 years in real life. Who is this couple?
The names of Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy were as inseparable in real life as they were through the nine films they made together. Tracy, who struggled with alcoholism and infidelity, also cheated on Hepburn. Despite being aware of his unfaithfulness, she remained by his side until his passing, just 17 days after they finished filming Guess Who's Coming to Dinner.
Spellbound, a 1945 film noir with deliciously complex characterizations, stars Ingrid Bergman as a psychoanalyst who is trying to help an amnesiac played by what well-known actor?
Gregory Peck starred in Spellbound during a particularly fruitful phase of his career, but he remained active in major films well into the 1980s.
This handsome actor made movies like, Bedtime for Bonzo, Cattle Queen of Montana, and King's Row, which elevated his acting career. He served as president of the Screen Actors Guild for seven years and was active on the House Un-American Activities Committee. It should be no surprise he later chose a life in politics.
Ronald Reagan started his career as a radio announcer, including broadcasting remote baseball games. On a whim, he took a screen test, leading to his acting career, where he made 19 films in his first two years, including Knute Rockne, All American, where he played George "The Gipper" Gipp, a nickname that stuck with him for life. Reagan’s second wife, Nancy, was also an actress, and they co-starred in only one film together, Hellcats of the Navy. When Reagan enlisted in the military, poor eyesight kept him from combat, so he was assigned to the First Motion Picture Unit in Armed Forces Public Relations.
What child star had completed most of her greatest box office hits before age 12?
Shirley Temple rose to fame in her most iconic roles in films such as Bright Eyes, The Little Princess, and Heidi, all of which she starred in between the ages of 3 and 12. Remarkably, she retired from acting at just 22 years old.
This popular and highly marketable actor did his best work in comedies including Some Like it Hot in which he dressed like a woman to get a job, The Odd Couple with Walter Matthau, and The Great Race with its all-star cast. Besides romantic comedies such as It Should Happen to You with Judy Holliday, he played several intense dramatic roles such as in Missing, Cowboy with Glenn Ford, and The China Syndrome
John Uhler "Jack" Lemmon III was a versatile actor known for his blend of comedy and drama. His ability to adapt his personality for each character made his performances highly believable. He showcased his comedic talent in films like Mister Roberts, alongside Henry Fonda, and Good Neighbor Sam, while delivering a serious and intense performance in The Days of Wine and Roses, for which he received an Academy Award nomination. Lemmon frequently collaborated with his friend Walter Matthau, and together,
Which actor played in several romantic comedies including Pat and Mike, Woman of the Year, and Desk Set opposite an actress he was openly having an affair with?
Spencer Tracy was married but openly acknowledged his long-term relationship with actress Katharine Hepburn. The duo starred in a total of nine films, beginning with Woman of the Year in 1942 and concluding with Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, which was finished just 17 days before his passing in 1967. A versatile actor, Tracy convincingly portrayed both the wise and lovable Father Flanagan in Boys Town alongside Mickey Rooney and a terrifying figure in the thriller Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
What prolific actress and quintessential girl-next-door is best known for her role in Pillow Talk opposite the dashing Rock Hudson?
Famous for her girl-next-door charm, Doris Day made her screen debut in 1948 with a role in Romance on the High Seas. While she enjoyed success in the early 1950s, Pillow Talk remains one of her most iconic and well-known films.
The classic, genre-defining gumshoe in the 1941 film noir The Maltese Falcon is played by which actor?
Directed by the legendary John Huston, Humphrey Bogart's iconic character Sam Spade continues to influence detectives in both television and film. One memorable scene features Bogart slapping Peter Lorre's character and delivering the line, "When you're slapped, you'll take it and like it."
Together off-screen as well as on, who was this couple that brought us classic film noirs the likes of To Have and Have Not and Key Largo?
Humphrey Bogart, who was twenty-five years older than Lauren Bacall, was captivated by her sultry voice and alluring pout. Bacall, affectionately known as "Betty," became his fourth and final wife. Despite being significantly younger, she was charmed by Bogart's charisma. The couple starred in four films together: To Have and Have Not, The Big Sleep, Dark Passage, and Key Largo.
This on-screen couple were the best of friends in real life and stayed in touch until he died of AIDS in 1985. Who was this couple that starred in the fan-favorite film Pillow Talk?
Doris Day and Rock Hudson starred in three films together, the most famous being Pillow Talk, which revolves around two apartment dwellers who are forced to share a party line. Another film, Lover Come Back, features Hudson as a man who pretends to be an innocent Texan to secure a business deal. They also collaborated on Send Me No Flowers, in which Hudson plays a hypochondriac husband convinced he is dying.
Long before his stint as James Bond, this actor was crowned as Mr. Universe. He has been in many classic films such as Darby O'Gill and the Little People, Hitchcock's Marnie, with co-star Tippi Hedren, and Robin and Marian opposite Audrey Hepburn.
Sir Thomas Sean Connery was hailed as Scotland's Greatest Living National Treasure. He started with humble beginnings, holding various menial jobs, including milkman, bus driver, lifeguard, artist's model, and coffin polisher. Connery dedicated time to bodybuilding, eventually earning the title of Mr. Universe, which may have contributed to his recognition as the Sexiest Man Alive. His most notable works include the seven films in the James Bond series, for which he took elocution classes, as well as The Man Who Would Be King, The Hunt for Red October, and later, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
This young actor quickly made a name for himself before he tragically died in a car crash after making only three films; East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause, and Giant.
James Dean possessed youth and striking looks, which helped launch his career. He began with a television commercial for Pepsi Cola and took on various small roles in TV shows before being discovered in the theatrical production The Immoralist. His first film, East of Eden, became a box-office success, making him an instant star. Dean was nominated for the first posthumous Best Actor Academy Award in history for his performance in this film. Tragically, he passed away before his other films were released, leaving him unable to see their debut.
Taking primarily feisty roles in films such as in, Susan Slept Here, The Unsinkable Molly Brown and Bundle of Joy with her future husband Eddie Fisher, who is this multi-talented singer, dancer and actress?
Debbie Reynolds was a versatile and talented actress, admired for her innocent appearance and exceptional singing and dancing skills. While filming Bundle of Joy with singer and actor Eddie Fisher, they fell in love and later married. During the filming of the dance-heavy classic Singin' in the Rain, Debbie was three months pregnant with her future famous daughter, Carrie Fisher. In addition to her acting career, she was a successful businesswoman, owning a dance studio, a Las Vegas hotel and casino, and serving as president of an organization dedicated to supporting mental health.
These two youngsters were paired for 10 performances and grew up together in front of America's eyes. They co-starred in the Andy Hardy movie series as well as a couple of special productions.
Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland co-starred in 10 films together, including Thoroughbreds Don't Cry (1937), Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938), Babes in Arms (1939), Andy Hardy Meets Debutante (1940), Strike Up the Band (1940), Life Begins for Andy Hardy (1941), Babes on Broadway (1941), Girl Crazy (1943), Thousands Cheer (1943), and Words and Music (1948). Their charming on-screen chemistry, often portraying young love, was a big hit with audiences and proved irresistible at the box office.
Who is this non-traditional classic film actor best known for his performances in White Christmas with Bing Crosby, The Court Jester with Glynis Johns, and both A Song is Born and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty with Virginia Mayo?
Known for his golden voice and impressive footwork, Danny Kaye was a multifaceted performer—singer, dancer, actor, and comedian—often blending these talents in a single film. Although he didn't fit the mold of the traditional tall, dark, and handsome leading man, he charmed audiences alongside greats like Virginia Mayo, Vera Ellen, Gene Tierney, and Dana Wynter. Kaye enjoyed a long marriage to Sylvia Fine, who wrote much of his material, lasting over 40 years. An accomplished chef and entertainer, he even had a custom-built Chinese restaurant at his home, complete with a kitchen and dining area. Remarkably, Kaye was the only non-professional chef to receive the prestigious Les Meilleurs Ouvriers de France culinary award.
What famous Hollywood bombshell was born Norma Jeane Mortenson?
On June 1, 1926, Norma Jeane Mortenson, later known as Norma Jeane Baker, was born to Gladys Pearl Baker in Los Angeles, California. She adopted the name Marilyn Monroe in 1946 after signing her first studio contract, and she would legally change her name to Marilyn Monroe in 1956.
Making 11 tumultuous films together, this on-again, off-again real-life couple had even more drama in their own lives than they shared on the screen which is saying a lot. Their performances in Cleopatra won critical acclaim and landed them in 10 more films together.
Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton starred in 11 films together, with Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? standing out as the most memorable. This emotionally charged film explores the life of an alcoholic woman whose husband fabricates stories to help her cope with the loss of their son. Their other collaborations include The V.I.P.s, Cleopatra, The Sandpiper, The Taming of the Shrew, Doctor Faustus, The Comedians, Boom!, Under Milk Wood, Hammersmith Is Out, and Divorce His – Divorce Hers. The couple famously married and divorced twice, adding a layer of complexity to their on-screen and off-screen relationship.
Hailed as a truly classic film noir, the 1946 gem The Killers featured a 23-year-old actor in a role that would make him an instant star. Which famous leading man played the part of a dreamy, thoughtful Swede in danger from multiple plots?
Burt Lancaster earned $20,000 for his starring role in The Killers, a performance that garnered significant attention. His unique blend of cool detachment and wholesomeness created an unworldly charm that audiences continue to admire.