Long before there were filters or social media, these women knew how to turn heads with classic style and larger-than-life screen presence.
Elizabeth Taylor
Elizabeth Taylor was born in 1932 and had what many call movie-star quality. She could hold her own against Hollywood’s elite with her signature dark hair, striking eyes, and glamorous fashion.
Starting off as a child actress, she made a smooth transition into adult roles. Movies like Giant, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Cleopatra allowed her to shine. Taylor earned herself two Oscars for Best Actress. But her style, jewelry, love life, and humanitarian efforts kept her much longer in the spotlight.
Sophia Loren
Born in 1934, Sophia Loren epitomized an Italian style of glamour for audiences worldwide. Her expressive face, brazen confidence, and voluptuous figure contrasted with Hollywood’s carefully manufactured styles at the time.
Loren broke into American movies while remaining active in Europe, starring alongside such actors as Cary Grant, Clark Gable, and Marlon Brando. Loren won an Academy Award for Two Women, making her the first actor ever to win an Academy Award for Best Acting Performance in a primarily non-English-language film.
Natalie Wood
Starting at an early age, Natalie Wood was a household name to American audiences. After finding success as a child star in Miracle on 34th Street, she made the difficult transition to adult stardom, starring in films like Rebel Without a Cause, Splendor in the Grass, and West Side Story.
Her fiery hair, big eyes, and small frame made her one of the most identifiable actresses of the 1950s and ’60s. Wood had three Academy Award nominations by the time she was 25.
Joan Collins
Born in London in 1933, Joan Collins was already gaining recognition well before “Dynasty” catapulted her into becoming a household name on television. Following her career in British cinema, she began taking roles in Hollywood films in the 1950s, with appearances in movies like The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing and The Virgin Queen.
Her brunette hair, high-drama eyes, and sparkly gowns became her signature look. Years later, her portrayal of Alexis Carrington on Dynasty brought her signature glamour to a whole new generation.
Brigitte Bardot
Brigitte Bardot became one of the most iconic beauties and fashion icons of the twentieth century. Her tousled blonde hair, heavy eyeliner, and effortless vibe contrasted Hollywood’s fine-blonde glamour.
And God Created Woman made her a global sensation in the 1950s, and her appeal extended far past French films. Hairstyles, makeup, clothing, even the Bardot neckline became part of her signature look.
Ursula Andress
Swiss-born actress Ursula Andress first caught our attention with her unforgettable scene from the James Bond movie Dr. No in 1962. Playing the Bond girl Honey Ryder, Ursula emerged from the water clad only in a bikini, sparking worldwide fame and cementing her status as one of the decade’s screen icons.
Ursula shared the screen with Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. She went on to star in many other films, but will always be remembered for her role in James Bond.
Kim Novak
Kim Novak was born in Chicago in 1933 and rose to superstardom during Hollywood’s last studio era. Known for her blonde locks, unique features, and enigmatic demeanor, Novak was unforgettable in Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo.
She starred in many films, such as Picnic, Pal Joey, and Bell, Book and Candle. However, unlike many celebrities before and after her, Novak left Hollywood behind and spent the majority of her life dedicated to her passion for art and living quietly.
Shirley MacLaine
Born in 1934, Shirley MacLaine never quite fit the Hollywood stereotype, and that endeared her to many. Right from her debut film, her boyish figure, fiery red hair, expressive face, and palpable energy created a unique magnetism.
She’s been in a number of classics, such as Some Came Running, The Apartment, and Irma la Douce. She was nominated for a number of Oscars, until she finally took home the award for Terms of Endearment. Shirley MacLaine is still working today and has been in show business for over seven decades.
Diahann Carroll
Diahann Carroll (born in 1935) brought glamour, style, and talent to a career that challenged racial barriers. She starred in films such as Carmen Jones and Porgy and Bess before landing the role of Julia in 1968.
Carroll became one of the first Black actresses to star in a network television show without playing a stereotypical domestic worker. Her poised demeanor and chic wardrobe made her a style icon both on and off screen.
Jane Fonda
Born in 1937 to a Hollywood legend, Jane Fonda made a name for herself early on, separate from her last name. From the gamine superstar of Barbarella to the chic menace of Klute, Fonda’s style changed throughout the 60’s and 70’s.
She was awarded two Oscars for Best Actress, then later became just as well known for her fitness programs and political protests. During all of her transformations, Fonda stayed one of the most glamorous women of her time.
Claudia Cardinale
Claudia Cardinale became a great star of European cinema. With her dark hair, prominent eyes, and features, she rose above many other actresses during a time that was saturated with international movie stars.
She starred in films such as Federico Fellini’s 8½, The Leopard, and The Pink Panther, as well as Sergio Leone’s epic Once Upon a Time in the West. Working with many great European and American directors allowed Cardinale international appeal that was rare for Italian actresses of her time.
Angie Dickinson
Born in North Dakota in 1931, Angie Dickinson became known to moviegoers and television viewers across America in the 1950s and thereafter. Her big screen breakthrough was Howard Hawks’ Rio Bravo opposite John Wayne and Dean Martin.
With her tall, leggy blonde presence and an air of relaxed self-assurance, Dickinson projected a glamour that felt approachable rather than rigid. She enjoyed even greater success on TV as Sergeant Pepper Anderson in Police Woman.
Leslie Caron
Leslie Caron was born in France in 1931 and was a dancer before Hollywood made her a star. Cast by Gene Kelly to dance opposite him in An American in Paris, Caron began an international career from the start.
She starred in Lili, Daddy Long Legs and the Oscar-winning musical, Gigi. Caron’s petite frame, expressive face, and Parisian style offered a very different look from the buxom Hollywood glamour girls of the era.
Ellen Burstyn
Ellen Burstyn was born in Detroit in 1932 and started out as a model before transitioning to television and film.
Burstyn’s natural beauty and emotive face would grace some of the greatest films of the 1970s, like The Last Picture Show, The Exorcist, and Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, for which she won an Academy Award for Best Actress. Burstyn didn’t capitalize on one glamorous image; she was known for being natural on screen.
Julie Newmar
Julie Newmar was born in Los Angeles in 1933. She had an unusual combination of statuesque beauty with dance and acting training, as well as a great sense of humor.
After working as a dancer and actress in films and on Broadway, she is best known for her role as Catwoman on the 1960s television show Batman. Her signature costume, movements, and cheeky performance made her portrayal an enduring favorite among fans of the character.
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
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