Top 10 Greatest Classic Hollywood Actresses of All Time
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Date: 2023-11-21
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Comments and reviews: 30
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Some other honorable mentions are: Jane Russell, Rosalind Russell, Vivien Leigh, Natalie Wood, Ava Gardner, Jayne Mansfield, Sophia Loren, Mary Pickford, Barbara Stanwyck, Gene Tierney, Donna Reed, Olivia de Havilland, Hedy Lamarr, Jean Harlow, Ginger Rogers, Lucille Ball, Doris Day, Joan Fontaine, Maureen OHara, Carole Lombard, Brigitte Bardot, Myrna Loy, Veronica Lake, Loretta Young, Debbie Reynolds, Dorothy Dandridge, Jean Simmons, Susan Hayward, Shirley Temple, Kim Novak, Claudette Colbert, Deborah Kerr, Norma Shearer, Janet Leigh, Jennifer Jones, Anne Baxter, Irene Dunne, Gloria Swanson, Susan Shaw, Yvonne de Carlo, Joanne Woodward, Madeleine Carroll, Joan Bennett, Jeanne Crain, Kay Francis, Eleanor Parker, Ann Blyth, Kathryn Grayson, Hattie McDaniel, Jane Powell, Jane Wyman, Jean Arthur, Merle Oberon, Cyd Charisse, Ida Lupino, Sylvia Sidney, Linda Darnell, Paulette Goddard, Teresa Wright, Greer Garson, Virginia Mayo, Jeanette MacDonald, June Duprez, Helen Walker, Mary Beth Hughes, Lynn Bari, Tallulah Bankhead, Marion Davies, Mary Astor, Helen Hayes, Patricia Neal, Shelley Winters, Frances Farmer, Maureen OSullivan, Fay Wray, Eva Marie Saint, Gina Lollobrigida, Ann Rutherford, Judy Holliday, Gloria Grahame, Dorothy Lamour, Betty Hutton, Ann Sothern, Betty Grable, Lee Remick, Rhonda Fleming, Priscilla Lane, Ann Sheridan, Janet Gaynor, Delores del Rio, Anna May Wong, Deanna Durbin, Carmen Miranda, Lena Horne, Joan Blondell, June Allyson, Miriam Hopkins, Anita Page, Ruby Keeler, Judith Anderson, Ann Miller, Luise Rainer, Leslie Caron, Margaret OBrien, Esther Williams, Maria Montez, Jane Withers, Marie Dressler, Lizabeth Scott, Lupe Velez, Ethel Waters, Eleanor Powell, Constance Bennett, Alice Faye, Celeste Holm, Thelma Ritter, Gloria Stuart, Kay Kendall, Eve Arden, Lillian Gish, Clara Bow, Louise Brooks, Bessie Love, Ruby Dee, Diana Dors, Shirley MacLaine, Joan Collins, Agnes Moorehead, Jane Darwell, Beulah Bondi, Margaret Wycherly, Gladys Cooper, Anna Lee, Margaret Sullavan, and Ann-Margret
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Some other honorable mentions are: Jane Russell, Rosalind Russell, Vivien Leigh, Natalie Wood, Ava Gardner, Jayne Mansfield, Sophia Loren, Mary Pickford, Barbara Stanwyck, Gene Tierney, Donna Reed, Olivia de Havilland, Hedy Lamarr, Jean Harlow, Ginger Rogers, Lucille Ball, Doris Day, Joan Fontaine, Maureen OHara, Carole Lombard, Brigitte Bardot, Myrna Loy, Veronica Lake, Loretta Young, Debbie Reynolds, Dorothy Dandridge, Jean Simmons, Susan Hayward, Shirley Temple, Kim Novak, Claudette Colbert, Deborah Kerr, Norma Shearer, Janet Leigh, Jennifer Jones, Anne Baxter, Irene Dunne, Gloria Swanson, Susan Shaw, Yvonne de Carlo, Joanne Woodward, Madeleine Carroll, Joan Bennett, Jeanne Crain, Kay Francis, Eleanor Parker, Ann Blyth, Kathryn Grayson, Hattie McDaniel, Jane Powell, Jane Wyman, Jean Arthur, Merle Oberon, Cyd Charisse, Ida Lupino, Sylvia Sidney, Linda Darnell, Paulette Goddard, Teresa Wright, Greer Garson, Virginia Mayo, Jeanette MacDonald, June Duprez, Helen Walker, Mary Beth Hughes, Lynn Bari, Tallulah Bankhead, Marion Davies, Mary Astor, Helen Hayes, Patricia Neal, Shelley Winters, Frances Farmer, Maureen OSullivan, Fay Wray, Eva Marie Saint, Gina Lollobrigida, Ann Rutherford, Judy Holliday, Gloria Grahame, Dorothy Lamour, Betty Hutton, Ann Sothern, Betty Grable, Lee Remick, Rhonda Fleming, Priscilla Lane, Ann Sheridan, Janet Gaynor, Delores del Rio, Anna May Wong, Deanna Durbin, Carmen Miranda, Lena Horne, Joan Blondell, June Allyson, Miriam Hopkins, Anita Page, Ruby Keeler, Judith Anderson, Ann Miller, Luise Rainer, Leslie Caron, Margaret OBrien, Esther Williams, Maria Montez, Jane Withers, Marie Dressler, Lizabeth Scott, Lupe Velez, Ethel Waters, Eleanor Powell, Constance Bennett, Alice Faye, Celeste Holm, Thelma Ritter, Gloria Stuart, Kay Kendall, Eve Arden, Lillian Gish, Clara Bow, Louise Brooks, Bessie Love, Ruby Dee, Diana Dors, Shirley MacLaine, Joan Collins, Agnes Moorehead, Jane Darwell, Beulah Bondi, Margaret Wycherly, Gladys Cooper, Anna Lee, Margaret Sullavan, and Ann-Margret
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Ray
Good grief how to narrow the list down to ten, so many wonderful actresses of that era. Obviously the list is subjective, as the question iswhat credentials or qualifications provide the measuring stick to be among the best? Love Grace Kelly, every time she debuts that gorgeous face in Rear Window I fall for her all over again. Donna Reed is another personal favorite, something about her is so charming. Add Myrna Loy, Claudette Colbert & Doris Day who each had a smile that made one feel better. Maureen OHara shouldve been here as well as Natalie Wood, two more of my favorites.
Never was a Katherine Hepburn fan but I respect her work. Rita was amazing, Marilyn was better than most people realize & Audrey was a beautiful person in every aspect. something about the actresses of this time that I just do not see today. Maybe it was poise, a cultured grace & charm of the time that is all but absent today. Thanks for this list, good job
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Good grief how to narrow the list down to ten, so many wonderful actresses of that era. Obviously the list is subjective, as the question iswhat credentials or qualifications provide the measuring stick to be among the best? Love Grace Kelly, every time she debuts that gorgeous face in Rear Window I fall for her all over again. Donna Reed is another personal favorite, something about her is so charming. Add Myrna Loy, Claudette Colbert & Doris Day who each had a smile that made one feel better. Maureen OHara shouldve been here as well as Natalie Wood, two more of my favorites.
Never was a Katherine Hepburn fan but I respect her work. Rita was amazing, Marilyn was better than most people realize & Audrey was a beautiful person in every aspect. something about the actresses of this time that I just do not see today. Maybe it was poise, a cultured grace & charm of the time that is all but absent today. Thanks for this list, good job
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Nara
Marilyn and Liz should've been higher up the list. Liz has an amazing body of work and Marilyn despite being purposely reduced to 1-2 dimensional characters brought every single one to life like only she could. So tired of people dismissing her talent just because her roles were mostly comedic. Her and Audrey are the biggest gateway into old Hollywood. Lucille Ball and Judy are also massively underrated.
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Marilyn and Liz should've been higher up the list. Liz has an amazing body of work and Marilyn despite being purposely reduced to 1-2 dimensional characters brought every single one to life like only she could. So tired of people dismissing her talent just because her roles were mostly comedic. Her and Audrey are the biggest gateway into old Hollywood. Lucille Ball and Judy are also massively underrated.
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Rebecca
Along with so many of the other actresses already listed, I love Myrna Loy and Deborah Kerr. They both have such talent, range, and subtlety. They could be in films today and their acting would fit perfectly. I actually think their subtlety has led to them being overshadowed by showier performances. (And Myrna Loy in particular had phenomenal comedic chops.
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Along with so many of the other actresses already listed, I love Myrna Loy and Deborah Kerr. They both have such talent, range, and subtlety. They could be in films today and their acting would fit perfectly. I actually think their subtlety has led to them being overshadowed by showier performances. (And Myrna Loy in particular had phenomenal comedic chops.
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Esmee
Grace Kelly? Liz Taylor? Audrey Hepburn? Lauren Bacall? Thought this lineup was about acting ability, not a fashion parade or beauty pageant.
Judy Garland was primarily a musical performer, Mae West a comedian.
Barbara Stanwyck is the most ridiculous omission. When directors as demanding as De Mille and Fritz Lang say you're the best, you're the best.
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Grace Kelly? Liz Taylor? Audrey Hepburn? Lauren Bacall? Thought this lineup was about acting ability, not a fashion parade or beauty pageant.
Judy Garland was primarily a musical performer, Mae West a comedian.
Barbara Stanwyck is the most ridiculous omission. When directors as demanding as De Mille and Fritz Lang say you're the best, you're the best.
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terrytl1
Where on earth is Lena Horne and Dorothy Dandridge in this beauty vs. acting contest-LoL? Multi-talented, both were excellent actresses. One of my all time fav's would be Hedy Lamarr, who not only built a great film legacy, but was a brilliant techie! Her beauty and scientific mind were one of a kind!
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Where on earth is Lena Horne and Dorothy Dandridge in this beauty vs. acting contest-LoL? Multi-talented, both were excellent actresses. One of my all time fav's would be Hedy Lamarr, who not only built a great film legacy, but was a brilliant techie! Her beauty and scientific mind were one of a kind!
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roadtravel
Grace Kelly seems too high on the list. I think she doesn't deserve that. To be honest, she'd rather be ranked 15th? And Mae West. I wonder there aren't many who remember Ms. West, although she is one of the wittiest and most intelligent actresses ever.
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Grace Kelly seems too high on the list. I think she doesn't deserve that. To be honest, she'd rather be ranked 15th? And Mae West. I wonder there aren't many who remember Ms. West, although she is one of the wittiest and most intelligent actresses ever.
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Rachel
I have read your other lists and enjoyed them, but, apart from your no. 1, this one verges on self-parody. (Lane Turner, for God's sake) No Rosalind Russell, no Barbara Stanwyck, no Myrna Loy, no Deborah Kerr. Come on, you can do better than this.
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I have read your other lists and enjoyed them, but, apart from your no. 1, this one verges on self-parody. (Lane Turner, for God's sake) No Rosalind Russell, no Barbara Stanwyck, no Myrna Loy, no Deborah Kerr. Come on, you can do better than this.
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James
Good list but mis-titled; it should read stars rather than actresses.
Close your eyes and think Scarlett O'Hara.
Close your eyes and think Blanch DuBois.
The face of those performances you see in your mind should be on this list.
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Good list but mis-titled; it should read stars rather than actresses.
Close your eyes and think Scarlett O'Hara.
Close your eyes and think Blanch DuBois.
The face of those performances you see in your mind should be on this list.
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Dan
It's a solid list--but Mae West is not really of the same calibre as say Barbara Stanwyck or Vivien Leigh. West was more infamous than a great actress. She was much parodied, but she really didn't have the same kind of career as the others.
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It's a solid list--but Mae West is not really of the same calibre as say Barbara Stanwyck or Vivien Leigh. West was more infamous than a great actress. She was much parodied, but she really didn't have the same kind of career as the others.
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atacama56
Vivien Leigh, Ava Gardner, Olivia de Havilland, Joan Fontaine, Gene Tierney, Myrna Loy, Greer Garson, Carole Lombard, Barbara Stanwyck, Jean Simmons, Sophia Loren, Heddy Lamarr, Natalie Wood, Maureen O'Hara, Loretta Young, Jane Wyman
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Vivien Leigh, Ava Gardner, Olivia de Havilland, Joan Fontaine, Gene Tierney, Myrna Loy, Greer Garson, Carole Lombard, Barbara Stanwyck, Jean Simmons, Sophia Loren, Heddy Lamarr, Natalie Wood, Maureen O'Hara, Loretta Young, Jane Wyman
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Eileen
I agree! Especially the top 3. I loved Kathryn Hepburn in African Queen, Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady and Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca. I am going to watch all three in some of the other roles featured in this video. Thanks!
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I agree! Especially the top 3. I loved Kathryn Hepburn in African Queen, Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady and Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca. I am going to watch all three in some of the other roles featured in this video. Thanks!
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joyunicycle
Forgot these honorable mentions:
- Vivien Leigh
- Debbie Reynolds
- Angela Lansbury
- Ava Garner
- Hedy Lamarr
- Ginger Rogers
- Lucille Ball
- Olivia de Havilland
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Forgot these honorable mentions:
- Vivien Leigh
- Debbie Reynolds
- Angela Lansbury
- Ava Garner
- Hedy Lamarr
- Ginger Rogers
- Lucille Ball
- Olivia de Havilland
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Linsey
Quite a few missing like Vivien Leigh, Debbie Reynolds, Angela Lansbury, But how can you have an iconic actress list and miss out the queen of technicolour herself Maureen OHara? Baffles me
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Quite a few missing like Vivien Leigh, Debbie Reynolds, Angela Lansbury, But how can you have an iconic actress list and miss out the queen of technicolour herself Maureen OHara? Baffles me
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JadeZee
your superficial knowledge of movie history and actual talent precludes any ability you possess to be taken seriously.
you dont have a clue who the greatest female actors were.
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your superficial knowledge of movie history and actual talent precludes any ability you possess to be taken seriously.
you dont have a clue who the greatest female actors were.
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Randy
Good luck with this list! Even if you have 10 great actresses, you leave out more simply because the golden age had so many actresses of great talent. Only 10 is a joke!
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Good luck with this list! Even if you have 10 great actresses, you leave out more simply because the golden age had so many actresses of great talent. Only 10 is a joke!
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Vu
The difference between actresses then vs. now is a complete 360. Natural, stunning beauty has been replaced with our new normal Housewives look: plastic, lifts, and botox.
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The difference between actresses then vs. now is a complete 360. Natural, stunning beauty has been replaced with our new normal Housewives look: plastic, lifts, and botox.
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Harlequin19
I adore Bette Davis! If anyone gets a chance to read Bette and Joan: The Divine Feud, do it. It is a fantastic book and the series based on it is amazing too xoxo
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I adore Bette Davis! If anyone gets a chance to read Bette and Joan: The Divine Feud, do it. It is a fantastic book and the series based on it is amazing too xoxo
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Carlos
Bette Davis is my number 1. No way you can leave out Barbara Stanwyck. Myrna Loy and Greta Garbo also deserve space over some others; but they were all truly great.
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Bette Davis is my number 1. No way you can leave out Barbara Stanwyck. Myrna Loy and Greta Garbo also deserve space over some others; but they were all truly great.
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True
I think Natalie Wood should have been on this list. She was one of the most beautiful and talented actresses to grace the silver screen.
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I think Natalie Wood should have been on this list. She was one of the most beautiful and talented actresses to grace the silver screen.
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KEPC
I think you should have gone for the top 20. Vivien Leigh should be included along with several others. Top ten is too short of a list.
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I think you should have gone for the top 20. Vivien Leigh should be included along with several others. Top ten is too short of a list.
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Lu
Why is Grace Kelly ranked higher than Elizabeth Taylor who was the better actress of the two? (They are equally famous and beautiful)
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Why is Grace Kelly ranked higher than Elizabeth Taylor who was the better actress of the two? (They are equally famous and beautiful)
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cinphile
Ingrid Bergman, Barbara Stanwyck, Myrna Loy, Gene Tierney, Susan Hayward, Claudette Colbert, Carole Lombard et Gloia Grahame
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Ingrid Bergman, Barbara Stanwyck, Myrna Loy, Gene Tierney, Susan Hayward, Claudette Colbert, Carole Lombard et Gloia Grahame
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Hamza
My Personal List But Top 5
1 Katharine Hepburn
2 Bette Davis
3 Audrey Hepburn
4 Ingrid Bergman
5 Marilyn Monroe
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My Personal List But Top 5
1 Katharine Hepburn
2 Bette Davis
3 Audrey Hepburn
4 Ingrid Bergman
5 Marilyn Monroe
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JadeZee
Bette Davis was not only the greatest female actor in film history but may have been THE GREATEST actor in film history
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Bette Davis was not only the greatest female actor in film history but may have been THE GREATEST actor in film history
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Tony
Angela Lansbury, Jane Mansfield, Jean Tierney, Claudette Colbert should've got an honorable mention in my opinion.
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Angela Lansbury, Jane Mansfield, Jean Tierney, Claudette Colbert should've got an honorable mention in my opinion.
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JW
I would swap out Grace Kelly for Bacall and agree that Vivien Leigh should have at least an honourable mention.
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I would swap out Grace Kelly for Bacall and agree that Vivien Leigh should have at least an honourable mention.
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Ola
Excuse me, but where is Vivien Leigh! The best actress of all time (in my opinion) who also won two Oscars?
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Excuse me, but where is Vivien Leigh! The best actress of all time (in my opinion) who also won two Oscars?
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Vicki
Disagree with 2, Mae West and Grace Kelly and instead Greer Garson and Myrna Loy. No disrespect intended.
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Disagree with 2, Mae West and Grace Kelly and instead Greer Garson and Myrna Loy. No disrespect intended.
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Isabelle
Totally missing Ginger Rogers, who could act and dance. One of the Greatest classic Hollywood actress.
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Totally missing Ginger Rogers, who could act and dance. One of the Greatest classic Hollywood actress.
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