Greatest American Screen Legends (Actresses)

Greatest American Screen Legends (Actresses)

The list of the American Film Institute’s 50 Greatest American Screen Legends continues. This time around we take a look at the twenty-five legendary screen actresses who were spotlighted for their work on the silver screen.

25. Ava Gardner (1922-1990)

Screen siren, Ava Gardner had a prestigious career on the silver screen that lasted several decades. Gardner co-starred with many of Hollywood’s elite in such films as “The Killers” (1946) with Burt Lancaster, “The Barefoot Contessa” (1954) with Humphrey Bogart, “The Sun Also Rises” (1957) with Tyrone Power and Errol Flynn and “On the Beach” (1959) with Gregory Peck and Fred Astaire. The versatile actress would go on to appear in 1966’s “The Bible”, 1974’s “Earthquake” with Charlton Heston and in the horror flick “The Sentinel” (1977). Gardner received one Oscar nomination for her role as Honey Bear in 1953’s “Mogambo”.

24. Mary Pickford (1892-1979)

From 1909 through 1933, Mary Pickford starred in hundreds of films. Among Pickford’s achievements is an uncredited appearance in the 1925 version of “Ben-Hur”, the 1926 film “Sparrows” and “The Taming of the Shrew” (1929) with off-screen husband Douglas Fairbanks. She received a best actress Oscar for her role as Norma in 1929’s “Coquette” and received an Honorary Award in 1975 for her contribution to the world of cinema.

23. Carole Lombard (1908-1942)

Carole Lombard appeared in numerous movies from the 1920s until her tragic death in 1942. Lombard appeared in “The Racketeer” (1929), “Bolero” (1934), “Made for Each Other” (1939) with James Stewart, the original Alfred Hitchcock version of “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” (1941) with Robert Montgomery and “To Be or Not To Be” (1942) with Jack Benny. She also appeared in 1932’s “No Man of Her Own” with future husband Clark Gable. Lombard was nominated for a best actress Oscar for her work in the comedy “My Man Godfrey” (1936).

22. Jean Harlow (1911-1937)

Although her career was cut short by her unexpected death, Jean Harlow, who starred in dozens of movies, has endured the test of time. Harlow made an uncredited appearance in the 1931 classic “City Lights” with Charlie Chaplin, starred opposite Spencer Tracy in “Goldie” (1931), co-starred in “The Public Enemy” (1931) with James Cagney and in the 1936 film “Suzy” with Cary Grant. She also appeared in “China Seas” (1935) and “Saratoga” (1937) opposite Clark Gable.

21. Sophia Loren (1934-)

From the 1950s to present, Italian born actress Sophia Loren has starred in a number of films. She appeared in the 1953 musical “Aida”, “The Pride and the Passion” (1957) with Cary Grant and Frank Sinatra and “The Black Orchid” (1958) with Anthony Quinn. In recent years she starred in “Grumpier Old Men” (1995) with Jack Lemmon and Walter Mathau and “Between Strangers” (2002) with Mira Sorvino. Loren was nominated for an Academy Award for 1964’s “Marriage Italian Style” and took home the Oscar for her role as Cesira in “Two Women” (1961). In 1990 she received an Honorary Award for her contributions to the world of cinema.

20. Lauren Bacall (1924-)

For over 60 years, Lauren Bacall has graced the silver screen. Her first movie role was in the movie “To Have and Have Not” (1944) where she met future husband, Humphrey Bogart. The pair would make several films together including “The Big Sleep” (1946), “Dark Passage” (1947) and “Key Largo” (1948). Bacall would also co-star with Betty Grable and Marilyn Monroe in the comedy “How to Marry a Millionaire” (1953). In recent years she has starred in the 1990 thriller “Misery” and in 2003’s “Dogville” and “Birth” (2004), both with Nicole Kidman. Bacall received a best supporting actress nomination for her role in 1996’s “The Mirror has Two Faces” with Jeff Bridges and Barbra Streisand.

19. Rita Hayworth (1918-1987)

Although she is probably best known for her starring role in “Gilda” (1946), Rita Hayworth’s movie career spanned several decades. She appeared in “Dante’s Inferno” (1935) with Spencer Tracy, 1940’s “Angels Over Broadway” and in “The Strawberry Blonde” (1941) with James Cagney and Olivia de Havilland. Hayworth later starred in the biopic “My Gal Sal” (1942), 1944’s “Cover Girl” with Gene Kelly and in “The Lady From Shanghai” (1947) with then husband Orson Welles.

18. Shirley Temple (1928-)

Shirley Temple is known for being one of the greatest child actors of all time. She became the youngest person to receive an Academy Award when she was the recipient of a Special Oscar in 1934, honoring her contribution to film. Temple became popular for starring in such films as “The Littlest Rebel” (1935), “Poor Little Rich Girl” (1936) with Gloria Stuart, “Wee Willie Winkie” (1937) and as the title character in 1937’s “Heidi”. She also appeared as Sara in “The Little Princess” (1939), Mytyl in 1940’s “Blue Bird” and later co-starred in “Fort Apache” (1948) opposite Henry Fonda and John Wayne.

17. Lillian Gish (1893-1993)

From 1912 through 1987, legendary screen actress Lillian Gish appeared in over a hundred films. Gish appeared in such memorable movies as “The Birth of a Nation” (1915), an uncredited role in the 1925 version of “Ben-Hur” and as Hester Prynne in “The Scarlet Letter” (1926). She starred opposite Robert Mitchum in the thriller “The Night of the Hunter” (1955) and with Burt Lancaster and Audrey Hepburn in 1960’s “The Unforgiven”. Gish was nominated for best supporting actress for her role as Belle in “Duel in the Sun” (1946) with Gregory Peck and Lionel Barrymore. She received an Honorary Oscar in 1970 for her contribution to the world of cinema.

16. Vivien Leigh (1913-1967)

Vivien Leigh may be forever known as Scarlett O’Hara in 1939’s Gone With the Wind but the actress had a distinguished career on the silver screen. Leigh appeared in the comedy “Things are Looking Up” (1935), “Sidewalks of London” (1938), “Waterloo Bridge” (1940) and in 1965’s “Ship of Fools” with Lee Marvin, which would turn out to be her final film. With off-screen husband, Laurence Olivier, Leigh appeared in “Fire Over England” (1937), “21 Days” (1940) and “That Hamilton Woman” (1941). The actress went two for two at the Academy Awards. She was nominated twice for her role as Scarlett O’Hara and as Blanche DuBois in “A Streetcar Named Desire” (1951) with Marlon Brando and won Oscar gold for each.

15. Mae West (1893-1980)

The iconic Mae West is probably best known for saying the line “Why don’t you come up sometime and see me?” in the film “I’m No Angel” (1933) with Cary Grant. West had a long and memorable career in cinema with films like “Night After Night” (1932), “Go West Young Man” (1936) with Randolph Scott, “My Little Chickadee” (1940) with W.C. Fields and “Myra Breckinridge” (1970) with Raquel Welch.

14. Ginger Rogers (1911-1995)

This renowned actress may be best remembered for her pairing with dancing partner Fred Astaire. The duo would appear in such films as “Top Hat” (1935), “Follow the Fleet” (1936), “Swing Time” (1936) and “Shall We Dance” (1937). Ginger Rogers also appeared in “Stage Door” (1937) with Katharine Hepburn, the title character in “Roxie Hart” (1942), “Lady in the Dark” (1944), “It Had to be You” (1947), 1952’s “Monkey Business” with Cary Grant and Marilyn Monroe, and the 1965 biopic “Harlow”. Rogers received the best actress Academy Award for the title role in 1940’s “Kitty Foyle”.

13. Grace Kelly (1929-1982)

Before Grace Kelly left Hollywood to marry Prince Rainier of Monaco, she had a remarkable film career. The future princess appeared in such films as “High Noon” (1952) with Lloyd Bridges, Lon Chaney Jr. and Gary Cooper and “The Bridges at Toko-Ri” (1955). Kelly also starred in the Alfred Hitchcock films “Dial M for Murder” (1954), “Rear Window” (1954) and “To Catch a Thief” (1956). She received a supporting actress nomination for her role in “Mogambo” (1953) and took home the best actress Oscar for “The Country Girl” (1954). Her last official movie was “High Society” (1956) with Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra.

12. Claudette Colbert (1903-1996)

Claudette Colbert made many memorable appearances in a variety of movies during her career. She appeared in one of cinema’s first adaptations of “Cleopatra” (1934) by Cecil B. DeMille. Colbert would go on to star in such films as “Midnight” (1939) with Don Ameche and John Barrymore, “Boom Town” (1940) with Spencer Tracy, “So Proudly We Hail!” (1943) with George Reeves, 1950’s “Three Came Home” and the 1961 film “Parrish”. She received best actress nominations for her work in “Private Worlds” (1935) and “Since You Went Away” (1944) with Guy Madison and Shirley Temple. Colbert won the Oscar for her role as Ellie in 1934’s “It Happened One Night” with Clark Gable.

11. Barbara Stanwyck (1907-1990)

While she may be best remembered for her role as Victoria Barkley on TV’s “The Big Valley” or as Constance on the night time soap “Dynasty”, Barbara Stanwyck had a long and distinguished career in film. Stanwyck appeared in such films as “Annie Oakley” (1935), “Meet John Doe” (1941) with Gary Cooper, the romantic comedy “Christmas in Connecticut” (1945), “No Man of Her Own” (1950), the 1953 version of “Titanic” with Robert Wagner and Clifton Webb, “The Maverick Queen” (1956) and the horror flick “The Night Walker” (1964). She was nominated for four Academy Awards for her roles in “Stella Dallas” (1937), “Ball of Fire” (1941), “Double Indemnity” (1944) and “Sorry, Wrong Number” (1948). Although she never took home a statuette, Stanwyck did receive an Honorary Oscar in 1981 for her contribution to the world of cinema.

10. Joan Crawford (1905-1977)

Although she may be best known for Faye Dunaway’s portrayal of her in the 1981 film “Mommie Dearest”, Joan Crawford had a phenomenal silver screen and TV career. Crawford starred in the classic film “Grand Hotel” (1932), 1936’s “Love on the Run” with Clark Gable, “Above Suspicion” (1943), “Queen Bee” (1955) with Fay Wray, “Autumn Leaves” (1956) with Lorne Greene and Cliff Robertson and the infamous Blanche Hudson in “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane” (1962). She received Academy Award nominations for her work in “Possessed” (1954) and “Sudden Fear” (1952) with Jack Palance. Crawford, however, won the best actress Oscar for her portrayal of the title character in 1945’s “Mildred Pierce”.

9. Marlene Dietrich (1901-1992)

This legendary screen siren received an Oscar nomination for her role as Amy Jolly in 1930’s “Morocco” with Gary Cooper. Marlene Dietrich would have a stellar movie career, appearing in such films as “Shanghai Express” (1932), “A Foreign Affair” (1948) and “Around the World in 80 Days” (1986). Dietrich also had memorable appearances in “Witness for the Prosecution” (1957) with Tyrone Power and “Touch of Evil” (1958) with Charlton Heston, Janet Leigh and Orson Welles.

8. Judy Garland (1922-1969)

Judy Garland was not only a star of stage and screen, but her music has also been included in a number of movies such as “Family Stone” (2005) and “Catch Me if You Can” (2002). Best known for her timeless role as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz (1939), Garland received a special Oscar for her work on the movie. Garland teamed with Mickey Rooney in several movies including “Babes in Arms” (1939), “Life Begins for Andy Hardy” (1941) and “Babes on Broadway” (1941) and also starred in such musicals as “For Me and My Gal” (1942) and “Meet Me in St. Louis” (1944). She received a best actress Oscar nomination for her work in “A Star is Born” (1954) and a supporting actress nod for “Judgment at Nuremberg” (1961) with Spencer Tracy.

7. Elizabeth Taylor (1932-)

Elizabeth Taylor’s career has spanned several decades. The versatile actress has appeared in a number of films including “National Velvet” (1944) with Mickey Rooney and Angela Lansbury, the 1949 version of “Little Women” where she portrayed Amy, “A Place in the Sun” (1951) with Montgomery Clift and Shelley Winters, the classic epic “Giant” (1956) with Rock Hudson and James Dean, “Cleopatra” (1963) with on and off screen love interest Richard Burton and even made an appearance in the 1994 movie “The Flintstones”. Taylor has received five Oscar nominations for her work in such films as “Raintree County” (1957), “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” (1958) with Burl Ives and Paul Newman and “Suddenly, Last Summer” (1959). She won the best actress Academy Award for “Butterfield 8” (1960) and 1966’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”. Taylor also received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 1992.

6. Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962)

Marilyn Monroe’s popularity has only grown since her untimely death in 1962. Monroe made a number of memorable appearances in such films as “All About Eve” (1950) with Bette Davis, “Monkey Business” (1952) with Cary Grant and Ginger Rogers, “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” (1953) with Jane Russell and “The Seven Year Itch” (1955). She also starred as Cherie in 1956’s “Bus Stop”, as Sugar Kane Kowalczyk in “Some Like it Hot” (1959) with Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon and in the drama “The Misfits” (1961) opposite Clark Gable and Montgomery Clift.

5. Greta Garbo (1905-1990)

Although this legendary actress opted for seclusion in later years, Greta Garbo still created a number of memorable movie roles. She appeared in “Mata Hari” (1931), the classic “Grand Hotel” (1932) with John and Lionel Barrymore and Joan Crawford, “The Painted Veil” (1934) and in the title roles in “Queen Christina” (1933) and “Anna Karenina” (1935). Garbo received Oscar nominations for her work in two 1930 movies (“Anna Christie” and “Romance”), “Camille” (1937) and in 1939’s “Ninotchka” with Bela Lugosi. She received an Honorary Award in 1954 for her contribution to the world of cinema.

4. Ingrid Bergman (1915-1982)

Ingrid Bergman starred in a number of unforgettable classics including “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” (1941) with Spencer Tracy, “Casablanca” (1942), “Indiscreet” (1958) with Cary Grant and the Alfred Hitchcock films “Spellbound” (1945) and “Notorious” (1946). She was Oscar nominated for her portraying Maria in “For Whom the Bell Tolls” (1943) with Gary Cooper, Sister Benedict in “The Bells of St. Mary’s” (1945) with Bing Crosby, as the title character in 1948’s “Joan of Arc”, and as Charlotte in “Autumn Sonata”. Bergman won two best actress Academy Awards for “Gaslight” (1944) and “Anastasia” (1956) with Yul Brynner. She won a best supporting actress Oscar for 1974’s “Murder on the Orient Express” with Lauren Bacall, Sean Connery and Albert Finney.

3. Audrey Hepburn (1929-1993)

Audrey Hepburn won a Best Actress Oscar for her first major film role as Princess Anne in 1953’s “Roman Holiday” co-starring Gregory Peck. She would receive four other nominations for her roles in “Sabrina” (1954) with Humphrey Bogart and William Holden, “The Nun’s Story” (1959), for her portrayal of Holly Golightly in the classic “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (1961) with George Preppard and the thriller “Wait Until Dark” (1967) with Alan Arkin and Efrem Zimbalist Jr. Hepburn also starred as Eliza Doolittle in the favorite “My Fair Lady” (1964) with Rex Harrison. She posthumously received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for her tireless work with UNICEF.

2. Bette Davis (1908-1989)

Bette Davis’ illustrious career spanned several decades and a number of memorable starring roles including the portrayal of Regina Giddens in 1941’s “The Little Foxes” and Baby Jane Hudson in 1962’s “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane”. Both performances ranked on the list of AFI’s Top 50 Villains. Davis also appeared in the drama “The Petrified Forest” (1936) with Leslie Howard and Humphrey Bogart, the horror flick “Burnt Offerings” (1976) and the mystery “Death on the Nile” (1978) with Peter Ustinov, Maggie Smith and George Kennedy. She received eleven Oscar nominations throughout her career for movies like “Of Human Bondage” (1934), “All About Eve” (1950) and “The Star” (1952) which co-starred Natalie Wood. Davis won twice for her work in “Dangerous” (1935) and “Jezebel” (1938).

1. Katharine Hepburn (1907- 2003)

Legendary actress Katharine Hepburn ranks number one on AFI’s list of screen sirens. From the 1930s to the 1980s, Hepburn raked up a whopping twelve Academy Award nominations for such films as “The Philadelphia Story” (1940) with Cary Grant and James Stewart, “The African Queen” (1951) with Humphrey Bogart and “Suddenly, Last Summer” (1959) with Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift. She would win an unprecedented four best actress Oscars for her work in “Morning Glory” (1933), “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” (1967), “The Lion in Winter” (1968) and “On Golden Pond” (1981). Hepburn, renowned for her popular pairing with actor Spencer Tracy, appeared with him in a number of films including “Adam’s Rib” (1940) and “Pat and Mike” (1952). She also starred in memorable roles in such films as “Little Women” (1933) where she portrayed Jo, the Queen of Scots in 1936’s “Mary of Scotland” and in “Bringing Up Baby” (1938) with Cary Grant.

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