Most Beautiful Actresses of the 1940s
What's the most beautiful actress you've ever saw of the 1940s?The Top Ten
1 Vivien Leigh
Vivian Mary Hartley, later known as Vivien Leigh and Lady Olivier, was an English stage and film actress.
Vivian Mary Hartley, later known as Vivien Leigh and Lady Olivier, was an English stage and film actress.
2 Lauren Bacall
Lauren Bacall, born Betty Joan Perske (September 16, 1924 – August 12, 2014) was an American actress and singer known for her distinctive voice and sultry looks.
She was named the 20th greatest female star of Classic Hollywood cinema by the American Film Institute, and received an Academy Honorary Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2009, "in recognition of her central... read more
Lauren Bacall, born Betty Joan Perske (September 16, 1924 – August 12, 2014) was an American actress and singer known for her distinctive voice and sultry looks.She was named the 20th greatest female star of Classic Hollywood cinema by the American Film Institute, and received an Academy Honorary Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2009, "in recognition of her central... read more
3 Lana Turner
Lana Turner, born Julia Jean Turner (February 8, 1921 – June 29, 1995) was an American film and television actress. She was one of Hollywood's favorite sex symbols and femme fatales who was "discovered" while drinking soda at a diner counter. She made over 50 films and was married seven times.
Lana Turner, born Julia Jean Turner (February 8, 1921 – June 29, 1995) was an American film and television actress. She was one of Hollywood's favorite sex symbols and femme fatales who was "discovered" while drinking soda at a diner counter. She made over 50 films and was married seven times.
4 Gene Tierney
Gene Eliza Tierney (November 19, 1920 – November 6, 1991) was an American film and stage actress. Acclaimed as a great beauty, she became established as a leading lady. Tierney was best known for her portrayal of the title character in the film Laura (1944), and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance as Ellen Berent Harland in Leave Her to Heaven (1945).
Gene Eliza Tierney (November 19, 1920 – November 6, 1991) was an American film and stage actress. Acclaimed as a great beauty, she became established as a leading lady. Tierney was best known for her portrayal of the title character in the film Laura (1944), and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance as Ellen Berent Harland in Leave Her to Heaven (1945).
5 Anne Baxter
Anne Baxter (May 7, 1923 – December 12, 1985) was an American actress and star of Hollywood films, Broadway productions, and television series. She won an Oscar and a Golden Globe and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy.
Anne Baxter (May 7, 1923 – December 12, 1985) was an American actress and star of Hollywood films, Broadway productions, and television series. She won an Oscar and a Golden Globe and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy.
6 Bette Davis
Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis (April 5, 1908 – October 6, 1989) was an American actress of film, television and theater. Regarded as one of the greatest actresses in Hollywood history, she was noted for her willingness to play unsympathetic, sardonic characters and was reputed for her performances in a range of film genres, from contemporary crime melodramas to historical and period films and occasional... read more
Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis (April 5, 1908 – October 6, 1989) was an American actress of film, television and theater. Regarded as one of the greatest actresses in Hollywood history, she was noted for her willingness to play unsympathetic, sardonic characters and was reputed for her performances in a range of film genres, from contemporary crime melodramas to historical and period films and occasional... read more
7 Maureen O'Hara
Maureen O'Hara, born Maureen FitzSimons (17 August 1920 – 24 October 2015) was an Irish-born American actress and singer. The famously red-headed O'Hara was known for her beauty and playing fiercely passionate but sensible heroines, often in westerns and adventure films.
Maureen O'Hara, born Maureen FitzSimons (17 August 1920 – 24 October 2015) was an Irish-born American actress and singer. The famously red-headed O'Hara was known for her beauty and playing fiercely passionate but sensible heroines, often in westerns and adventure films.
8 Olivia de Havilland
Olivia Mary de Havilland was a British-American actress whose career spanned from 1935 to 1988. She appeared in forty-nine feature films, and was one of the leading movie stars during the golden age of Classical Hollywood.
Olivia Mary de Havilland was a British-American actress whose career spanned from 1935 to 1988. She appeared in forty-nine feature films, and was one of the leading movie stars during the golden age of Classical Hollywood.
9 Katharine Hepburn
Katharine Houghton Hepburn was an American actress. Known for her fierce independence and spirited personality, Hepburn was a leading lady in Hollywood for more than 60 years.
Katharine Houghton Hepburn was an American actress. Known for her fierce independence and spirited personality, Hepburn was a leading lady in Hollywood for more than 60 years.
10 Rita Hayworth
Rita Hayworth, born Margarita Carmen Cansino (October 17, 1918 – May 14, 1987) was an American actress and dancer. She achieved fame during the 1940s as one of the era's top stars, appearing in a total of 61 films over 37 years. The press coined the term "love goddess" to describe Hayworth after she had become the most glamorous screen idol of the 1940s. She was the top pin-up girl for GIs during... read more
Rita Hayworth, born Margarita Carmen Cansino (October 17, 1918 – May 14, 1987) was an American actress and dancer. She achieved fame during the 1940s as one of the era's top stars, appearing in a total of 61 films over 37 years. The press coined the term "love goddess" to describe Hayworth after she had become the most glamorous screen idol of the 1940s. She was the top pin-up girl for GIs during... read moreThe Contenders
11 Betty Grable
12 Doris Day
Doris Day, born Doris Mary Ann Kappelhoff (April 3, 1922 - May 13, 2019) was an American actress, singer, and animal welfare activist. She is best known for films like Pillow Talk, Calamity Jane, etc.
Doris Day, born Doris Mary Ann Kappelhoff (April 3, 1922 - May 13, 2019) was an American actress, singer, and animal welfare activist. She is best known for films like Pillow Talk, Calamity Jane, etc.
13 Lucille Ball
14 Yvonne De Carlo
15 Ava Gardner
Ava Lavinia Gardner (December 24, 1922 – January 25, 1990) was an American actress and singer. The American Film Institute ranked her as the 25th greatest female star of classic Hollywood cinema . Her third marriage was to singer and actor Frank Sinatra, from 1951 to 1957. She would later say in her autobiography that he was the love of her life. Sinatra left his wife, Nancy, for Gardner and their... read more
Ava Lavinia Gardner (December 24, 1922 – January 25, 1990) was an American actress and singer. The American Film Institute ranked her as the 25th greatest female star of classic Hollywood cinema . Her third marriage was to singer and actor Frank Sinatra, from 1951 to 1957. She would later say in her autobiography that he was the love of her life. Sinatra left his wife, Nancy, for Gardner and their... read more
16 Hedy Lamarr
Hedy Lamarr, born Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler (9 November 1914 – 19 January 2000) was an Austrian-American film actress and inventor. Often called “The Most Beautiful Woman in Films”, Hedy Lamarr’s beauty and screen presence made her one of the most popular actresses of her day.
At the beginning of World War II, Lamarr and composer George Antheil developed a radio guidance system for Allied... read more
Hedy Lamarr, born Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler (9 November 1914 – 19 January 2000) was an Austrian-American film actress and inventor. Often called “The Most Beautiful Woman in Films”, Hedy Lamarr’s beauty and screen presence made her one of the most popular actresses of her day.At the beginning of World War II, Lamarr and composer George Antheil developed a radio guidance system for Allied... read more
17 Veronica Lake
Veronica Lake, born Constance Frances Marie Ockelman (November 14, 1922 – July 7, 1973) was an American film, stage, and television actress. Lake won both popular and critical acclaim, most notably for her role in Sullivan's Travels and for her femme fatale roles in film noirs during the 1940s. She was also well known for her peek-a-boo hairstyle.
Veronica Lake, born Constance Frances Marie Ockelman (November 14, 1922 – July 7, 1973) was an American film, stage, and television actress. Lake won both popular and critical acclaim, most notably for her role in Sullivan's Travels and for her femme fatale roles in film noirs during the 1940s. She was also well known for her peek-a-boo hairstyle.
18 Irene Dunne
Irene Marie Dunn (December 20, 1898 – September 4, 1990) was an American film actress and singer of the 1930s, 1940s and early 1950s . Dunne was nominated five times for the Academy Award for Best Actress, and in 1985, she was given Kennedy Center Honors for her services to the arts.
Irene Marie Dunn (December 20, 1898 – September 4, 1990) was an American film actress and singer of the 1930s, 1940s and early 1950s . Dunne was nominated five times for the Academy Award for Best Actress, and in 1985, she was given Kennedy Center Honors for her services to the arts.
19 Marlene Dietrich
Marie Magdalene "Marlene" Dietrich (27 December 1901 – 6 May 1992) was a German actress and singer who held both German and American citizenship. This internationally famed actress cum singer was a frontline performer with an amazing long career in the show business. One of the highest paid actresses of her time she reached super stardom and was named the 9th greatest female star of classic Hollywood... read more
Marie Magdalene "Marlene" Dietrich (27 December 1901 – 6 May 1992) was a German actress and singer who held both German and American citizenship. This internationally famed actress cum singer was a frontline performer with an amazing long career in the show business. One of the highest paid actresses of her time she reached super stardom and was named the 9th greatest female star of classic Hollywood... read more
20 Lena Horne
21 Dorothy Lamour
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