Facebook-f Twitter

50 Hollywood Legends and How They Are Still Keeping Their Stars Bright

Trending

Amanda Bearse (Born In 1958) – Married…with Children

Amanda Bearse had her first taste of success in Hollywood after playing Amanda Cousins on “All My Children.” She was then put in independent films like “Protocol” and “Fright Night.” Little did she know, an enormous success awaits as she would appear on the sitcom “Married…with Children.” Her role as Marcy Rhoades D’Arcy was warmly accepted by the audience.

Bearse actually directed 31 episodes of the show. Her other directorial projects include “Malcolm & Eddie,” “Veronica’s Closet,” and “Mad TV,” to name a few. In 2020, she still showed off her artistic craft in the film “Sky Sharks.”

Helen Mirren (Born In 1945) – The Queen

Helen Mirren is the only actress to bag the Triple Crown of Acting in the United States and the United Kingdom for her performance as Queen Elizabeth II in “The Queen.” The Triple Crown of Acting is the highest American film and television award.

In 2003, Mirren was appointed a Dame for drama at Buckingham Palace during the Queen’s birthday. In 2013, she was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. With all these successes attached to her name, it is impressive to know that Mirren is still starring numerous projects. She even acted as the narrator in the series “When Nature Calls” in 2022.

Penelope Keith (Born In 1940) – To The Manor Born

Penelope Keith possesses a particular skill that most actors would kill to have. She only has to flip through about five pages of a script to determine whether or not it would be a good fit for her, which is how she was able to tell that “To the Manor Born” would be a worthwhile series.

Keith had just won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress for her performance in “The Norman Conquests” before landing the role of Audrey fforbes-Hamilton in “To The Manor Born.” And she’s received many more accolades during her decades-long career. Keith made her last TV appearance on “Death Comes to Pemberley” in 2013.

Joan Collins (Born In 1933) – The Virgin Queen

Joan Collins has been in the prime game since the early ’50s. This is not surprising as she started expressing interest in acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in her teenage years. Her first leading role was Elizabeth Raleigh in “The Virgin Queen.”

It seemed like her early interest in acting grew a lot as she played diverse roles in films like “Esther and the King,” “Dynasty,” and “The Royals.” Aside from acting, Collins is also known for her advocacy towards causes relating to children. In 2021, it looked like she was far from retiring and appeared in “2020: The Movie.”

Michael French (Born In 1962) – EastEnders

The English actor Michael French was born in the early ’60s and began partaking in school productions and plays as a teenager. His first breakthrough as an actor came in 1971 when he joined the cast of the Broadway musical “Godspell.” He later did many small productions before being cast for his most famous role as David Wicks in “EastEnders.”

His career now spans nearly four decades, and he has played a few other roles throughout those years. Some of his notable acting credits include his role as a clinical lead in the medical drama series “Casualty” and Jeff Slade in “Crime Traveller.”

Sally Field (Born In 1946) – Places in the Heart

Sally Field is the daughter of actress Margaret Field. Her career began in the ’60s when she got the role of Frances Elizabeth in the sitcom “Gidget.” Her first film appearance was in “The Way West,” where she acted opposite Kirk Douglas.

Field has starred in the highest-grossing and Oscar-winning films “Norma Rae,” “Places in the Heart,” and “Forrest Gump.” Her career has been steadily smooth. In 2020, Field played Janice in the series “Dispatches from Elsewhere.” Her entire fortune stands at $55 million in 2022, as per Celebrity Net Worth.

Sophia Loren (Born In 1934) – Two Women

Sophia Loren is named one of the greatest female stars of Classical Hollywood Cinema by the American Film Institute. By 2022, she stands proudly as one of the last surviving major stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Her performance in “Two Women” earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress. It also made her the first non-English-speaking actress to win an Oscar. Several years later, Loren still gracefully attends award shows as she claimed a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2019 European Culture Awards. In February 2021, she guested on BBC Radio’s “Desert Island Discs.”

Nancy McKeon (Born In 1966) – The Facts of Life

Nancy McKeon began her career way back when she modeled baby clothes for “Sears & Roebuck.” She also did over 65 commercials alongside her brother. Soon after, her real acting break came in the television series “Stone.”

Film producers have been so impressed by her performance that they eventually added her on “Facts of Life.” Her role as Jo Polniaczek made her a Hollywood star. As such, she continuously starred in various projects, including “The Division,” “Poison Ivy,” and even acted as a voice actor for “The Puppy’s Great Adventure.” It looks like her star is still glowing bright as she appeared in the series “Panic” in 2021.

Michelle Pfeiffer (Born In 1958) – Dangerous Liaisons

Michelle Pfeiffer started with minor television and film roles before landing her first leading role in “Grease 2.” The film received little success, and with judgments saying she is only an actress because of her good looks, Pfeiffer sought more challenging projects.

She went on to act in “Dangerous Liaisons” and “The Fabulous Baker Boys.” Both of which landed her two consecutive Academy Award nominations. Pfeiffer became a renowned leading lady and one of the highest-paid actresses during the ’90s, playing Catwoman on “Batman Returns” during that era. Her love for acting continues, as she appears in “The First Lady” in 2022.

Vanna White (Born In 1957) – Wheel of Fortune

Vanna White had appeared before our television screens since she became a hostess on “Wheel of Fortune” in 1982. However, there’s more to uncover in her story, as she first appeared in the game show “The Price Is Right” as a contestant. Soon after, she was selected to sub-host “Wheel of Fortune.” Her performance gained recognition from producers and audiences, and she became a regular host.

White’s acting appearances include “Looker,” “Simon and Simon,” and “Double Dragon.” She got her own Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 2006. She signed a contract to stay as a regular host on the game show until 2022.

George Hamilton (Born In 1939) – Zorro: The Gay Blade

George Hamilton paved his way to Hollywood through his dashing, charming, photogenic, leading man, and playboy image. Talent agencies saw star quality in him, and he eventually played the lead role in “Crime & Punishment.” His first television appearances were in “The Veil” and “Cimarron City.”

Hamilton rose to stardom and secured an acting resume that consists of iconic appearances in “Zorro: The Gay Blade,” “Home from the Hill,” and “Angel Baby.” He might have aged, but the star quality remains, apparent in the 2021 series “Dead Eyes,” where he played Colonel Sanders.

Raquel Welch (Born In 1940) – Fantastic Voyage

Raquel Welch is an entertainment icon of the ’60s and ’70s that first gained prominence in “Fantastic Voyage.” She rose more as she appeared in the 1966 adventure film “One Million Years B.C.” Although she had merely three lines in the film, her appearance marked her as a star.

After making a name in showbiz, Welch went on to appear in more projects, including “Bedazzled,” “100 Rifles,” and 2017’s “Date My Dad.” She took some time off from the limelight after that. Yet, in September 2021, fans were delighted as she was spotted in Beverly Hills for a public outing.

Angie Dickinson (Born In 1931) – Gun the Man Down

Angie Dickinson has been in the industry long enough to have over 50 films under her portfolio. She began acting in her early 20s and successively appeared in various projects like “City Detective” and “Lucky Me.” Not too long, she had her breakthrough in the 1956 film “Gun the Man Down,” where she received her first Golden Globe Award.

Dickinson went on to star in more movies and earn more acting awards, but her last film appearance was in 2009 for “Mending Fences.” Yet, she continued to shine bright in the documentary “King of Cool” in 2021.

Brigitte Bardot (Born In 1934) – Act of Love

Brigitte Bardot first established a modeling career in French magazines and appeared in “Elle.” Afterward, she tested her luck in acting, with her first on-screen appearance being in “Crazy for Love.” She expanded her career in America and appeared in the “Act of Love” but returned to her home in France.

Bardot’s other film credits include “Shalako” and “The Edifying and Joyous Story of Colinot.” After stepping out of the spotlight, she established “Foundation Brigitte Bardot” for animal rights. In 2020, she appeared in the documentary “A Night at the Opera.”

Ursula Andress (Born In 1936) – Dr. No.

Ursula Andress is a Swiss actress and model who made a name in American, British, and Italian films. Her story began when she met a producer who offered her a screen test to appear in the Italian film, “An American in Rome.” A Hollywood executive then persuaded her to try her luck in the industry.

Soon after, Andress rose to fame when she played the love interest of James Bond in “Dr. No.” Her success had its bloom throughout the ’70s, and her other acting appearances include “Casino Royale,” “Red Sun,” and “Clash of the Titans.” Andress had a brief guest appearance in the series “Hollywood Insider” in 2020.

Stanley Tucci (Born In 1960) – The Devil Wears Prada

Stanley Tucci is the son of a writer and art teacher. Perhaps the artistic genes have been passed on as Tucci has become one of the most respected entertainment personalities since the ’80s, making his film debut in “Prizzi’s Honor.” He first earned an Oscar nomination for “The Lovely Bones.”

During his peak, Tucci worked on award-winning and high-earning films like “The Devil Wears Prada” and “Hunger Games.” He still plays the A-game card even after all these years, and in 2021, he hosted the documentary series “Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy.” He then won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Host.

Mark Ruffalo (Born In 1967) – The Incredible Hulk

Mark Ruffalo is widely known for bringing the superhero Incredible Hulk into life in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, he has been in the acting game before he played the iconic role, first marking his place in the industry in the 1998 film “This Is Our Youth.”

Since then, his on-screen appearances have been consistently relevant in famous films such as “13 Going on 30,” “Shutter Island,” and the Marvel superhero film series. He also ventured into filmmaking and co-produced the 2019 film “Dark Waters.” In 2022, Ruffalo continues to bear Hulk and is filming the series “She-Hulk.”

Demi Moore (Born In 1962) – Ghost

Demi Moore has been credited as one of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood from the ’80s to the ’90s. Not only that, but she is also an award-winning one for having Golden Globe, Primetime Emmy, and Screen Actors Guild awards following her name.

Moore starred in films “Indecent Proposal,” “Disclosure,” and “Ghost,” which ended up to be the highest-grossing film of the ’90s. Aside from acting, she unleashed her passion for writing and released the memoir “Inside Out” in 2019. It turned out successful as she became a New York Times Best Seller. In December 2020, Moore had retained her star power and acted in the drama film “Songbird.”

Clint Howard (Born In 1959) – Solo: A Star Wars Story

Clint Howard is the second son of Hollywood actors Rance and Jean Howard and the younger brother of actor and director Ron Howard. Clint is among the most versatile actors in Hollywood, and it shows in his more than 200 acting credits.

Throughout his career, he has played roles in a variety of genres. Some of these include “Apollo 13,” “The Rocketeer,” and films directed by his brother like “Solo: A Star Wars Story.” It was clear Clint aged finely in the industry, and the best thing is that his charm and talent never faded. In 2021, he played Dr. Ulrich in “Beyond Paranormal.”

Marion Ross (Born In 1928) – Happy Days

Marion Ross is the famous personality behind her housewife role in the classic sitcom “Happy Days.” She portrayed the character of Marion Cunningham for ten years from 1977 to 1984, where she received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations.

She also had appearances in “Some Came Running,” “Gilmore Girls,” and is known as a voice actor on the animated cartoon show “SpongeBob SquarePants.” After marking her spot in the industry for a couple of years, Ross announced her official retirement from acting in 2018. However, she agreed to guest on the television series “Idol Chat” in 2021.

Brian Grazer (Born In 1951) – A Beautiful Mind

Brian Grazer is the producer behind hit films “Apollo 13,” “Splash,” and “A Beautiful Mind.” He has been making over a hundred projects for 25 years. His works have been nominated for 43 Oscars and 198 Emmys.

Grazer co-founded the production company “Imagine Entertainment” which earned $15 billion. He has been named by Time as one of the world’s 100 most influential people. His commercial and artistic excellence is still very relevant today, and in 2021, he produced 17 television and film projects. These include “Swagger” and “Who Are You, Charlie Brown?”

Anson Williams (Born In 1949) – Happy Days

Anson Williams’s career started in his high school years, as he participated in numerous school productions. Soon after, he rose to fame for playing Warren “Potsie” Weber in the sitcom “Happy Days,” which earned him a Golden Globe nomination.

After some time, he started transitioning from on-screen acting to working behind the scenes. He directed popular television shows such as “Melrose Place,” “Beverly Hills,” and “The Secret Life of the American Teenager.” Despite not being too active after the last series, he has already contributed history in the industry. Williams appeared in the documentary “History of the Sitcom” in 2021.

Connie Francis (Born In 1937) – Who’s Sorry Now

Connie Francis is the top-charting female musician during the ’50s and the ’60s. She shares Italian-American pop music that surprisingly captured the hearts of listeners globally. Francis grew up to be a music student of her father and graduated from Arts High School.

Francis has toured across the United States, Australia, South Africa, and Europe and made herself a top concert draw. Her top-charting hits include “Stupid Cupid” and “My Happiness.” Her chart successes dwindled in the late ’60s. However, her net worth continued to rank at $25 million in 2021, according to Celebrity Net Worth.

Barbi Benton (Born In 1950) – Hee Haw

Barbi Benton initially rose to stardom for her modeling work and sense of style but became more prominent for her appearance on the “Hee Haw” series. Her success in the show gave her opportunities to perform on numerous popular television shows like “The Love Boat” and “Fantasy Island.”

Aside from acting, Benton also established success in the music field. She recorded eight albums, and her most famous tracks “Brass Buckles” and “Ain’t That Just the Way” topped the Billboard charts during the ’70s. She retired in 1986 to focus on her family, and her last on-screen appearance was on “Q N’ A with Mikki and Shay” in 2014.

Kirstie Alley (Born In 1951) – Cheers

Kirstie Alley’s story of stardom is different. It started when she joined the game show “Match Game” and took home over $5K. It took some time before she fully committed herself to professional acting, with her breakout role being Rebecca Howe in the sitcom “Cheers.” Her performance landed her an Emmy and Golden Globe Award.

Alley has over 75 acting credits under her name, including hit films “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,” “Scream Queens,” and “David’s Mother.” She was awarded a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contribution to motion pictures. In 2020, Alley showed off her acting prowess in “You Can’t Take My Daughter.”

Amanda Bearse (Born In 1958) – Married…with Children

Amanda Bearse had her first taste of success in Hollywood after playing Amanda Cousins on “All My Children.” She was then put in independent films like “Protocol” and “Fright Night.” Little did she know, an enormous success awaits as she would appear on the sitcom “Married…with Children.” Her role as Marcy Rhoades D’Arcy was warmly accepted by the audience.

Bearse actually directed 31 episodes of the show. Her other directorial projects include “Malcolm & Eddie,” “Veronica’s Closet,” and “Mad TV,” to name a few. In 2020, she still showed off her artistic craft in the film “Sky Sharks.”

Brooke Shields (Born In 1965) – Endless Love

Brooke Shields has the blood of Italian nobility because of her father. Yet, she decided to establish her name and place in the entertainment industry, kicking off her career in modeling and acquiring a leading role in “Pretty Baby.” Her innocent charm and expressive eyes landed her starring roles in hit movies “Endless Love,” “The Blue Lagoon,” and “Suddenly Susan.”

Shields also flourished as a voice actor in the animated series “Mr. Pickles.” While her prime years were during the ’70s through the ’90s, she managed to have casual on-screen appearances afterward. In 2021, she acted on “A Castle for Christmas.”

Nancy Sinatra (Born In 1940) – These Boots Are Made for Walkin’

Nancy Sinatra followed the footsteps of her iconic musician father, Frank Sinatra. She is best known for her breakthrough hit “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’.” The single topped the charts during the ’60s and made Nancy a household name in music. Following this success are 13 top-charting hits, including “Sugar Town” and “You Only Live Twice.”

Nancy also tried acting and appeared in multiple films. She co-starred alongside Peter Fonda in “The Wild Angels” and Elvis Presley in “Speedway.” She appeared in the 2020 documentary “Jay Sebring…Cutting to the Truth.”

Lisa Bonet (Born In 1967) – The Cosby Show

Lisa Bonet will always be connected to her starring role in the hit comedy series “The Cosby Show,” where it all started. The show made her a famous actress and allowed her to embark on more noteworthy projects in Hollywood. The spinoff series “A Different World” earned a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.

Bonet took some time off but came back to the spotlight and co-starred with Will Smith in “Enemy of the State.” She secured important roles in hit movies “High Fidelity” and “Road to Paloma.” Bonet married fellow Hollywood icon Jason Momoa, but in 2022, the couple announced their separation.

Lynda Carter (Born In 1951) – Wonder Woman

Lynda Carter is an American actress, singer, and beauty queen. She was hailed Miss World USA in 1972. However, her biggest break came in the role of Diana Prince in the live-action series “Wonder Woman.” The Arizona-born beauty is still widely recognized today for giving life to the superhero icon.

After the series ended, more opportunities opened for Carter, like her musical specials called “Lynda Carter’s Special” and “Street Life.” She was also given significant roles in “The Love Goddess” and “Partners in Crime.” In 2021, Carter continued polishing her bright career and played Carlene Briggs in “The Cleaner.”

Diane Keaton (Born In 1946) – The Godfather

Diane Keaton is one of Hollywood’s most versatile actresses having over 73 acting credits in six decades. She started with Broadway and had minor roles before rising to prominence as Kay Adams-Corleone in “The Godfather.”

Her charm and versatility secured her successive roles in the drama, romance, and comedy films like “Love and Death,” “Annie Hall,” and “Interiors,” to name some. These roles earned her various accolades, including a Life Achievement Award. Keaton had undeniably carved her spot in the industry, but she didn’t stop there and starred in “Love, Weddings & Other Disasters” in 2020.

More in Trending

Related Items

You must be logged in to post a comment Login