Top 10 Classic Hollywood Actresses of All Time

 Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Classic Hollywood Actresses of All Time.

For this list, we’ll be looking at the greatest leading ladies from Hollywood’s Golden Age. 

If we missed any of your favorite slapstick comedians or femme fatales, let us know in the comments below. 

<h4> #10: Elizabeth Taylor </h4>

From child actress to violet-eyed bombshell, Elizabeth Taylor had one of the most prominent careers and lives in Hollywood history. She was one of the rare classic actresses who made the transition from studio-controlled asset to much-talked about celeb in the new Hollywood era. Her many marriages delighted Hollywood gossip columnists, but her talent should have eclipsed all. In films like “A Place in the Sun,” her looks are luminous, absolutely lighting up the screen. But in other films, like “Suddenly, Last Summer,” she shows that she has the acting chops to match that stunning beauty. 

<h4> #9: Marilyn Monroe </h4>

Perhaps one of the most recognizable Hollywood actresses today, Marilyn Monroe has an image that’s stayed around for decades. Throughout the 1950s, she was a huge sex symbol and represented massive amounts of money for the movie industry. But when remembering those aspects of Monroe’s life and persona, it’s easy to forget what a capable performer she really was. She was hyper aware of how she looked on screen, and used that to her advantage in everything from noir to comedy. She was an incredibly skilled comedian, turning in hilarious performances in musical comedies of the era. But she also could turn in captivating dramatic performances when called to do so. We lost her too soon, and we’ll always think of what could have been. 

<h4> #8: Grace Kelly </h4>

A woman so beautiful, she became a literal princess. Grace Kelly gained prominence as an actress in the early 1950s. But it wasn’t until her collaborations with Alfred Hitchcock that the Grace Kelly we know today would solidify in the culture. Kelly made three movies with Hitchcock, “Dial M For Murder,” “Rear Window,” and “To Catch a Thief.” Her prominence and presence in these films makes you think she would have a long, lucrative acting career ahead of her. But, she left position at the ripe age of 26 to marry Prince Rainier III of Monaco. Kelly died tragically in a car accident at 52, but we’ll always remember her grace onscreen. 

 <h4> #7: Joan Crawford </h4>

Often controversial and always opinionated, Joan Crawford went through many transformations over her decades-long career. She became a massive star in the 1930s, often playing young women down on their luck who come into money or love. By the end of the decade, the public seemed to have turned against her, but in the mid 1940s she staged a comeback and won an Oscar. That sort of gumption defined Crawford in her personal life as much as it did publicly, but by the 1970s, she had shied away from public life. But we’ll always remember that rags to riches gal. 

<h4>#6: Mae West </h4>

If anyone in the Golden Age of Hollywood was going to speak their mind, it was Mae West. The vaudeville actress turned stage actress turned movie star had no problem telling you what she thought. And her screen persona reflected that very independence. West was one of Hollywood’s original sex symbols, and had a knack for turning social norms on their head. She was powerful and sexy, and she wasn’t afraid to show it. She had an over 70-year career on screen and stage, but she really shines in pre-code films like “I’m No Angel” and “She Done Him Wrong,” where she can really cook. 

<h4> #5: Judy Garland </h4>

Is there anyone who we associate more with our childhoods than Judy Garland? But even if she hadn’t taken us somewhere over the rainbow in “The Wizard of Oz,” there’s no doubt Garland would have been a star. Garland started out as a child actress in numerous films with fellow star Mickey Rooney, and then graduated to more adult-focused musicals. She was mired by a number of health and personal struggles offscreen, and had an almost eerily vulnerable screen presence. When you’re watching Judy Garland, it often feels like you’re really watching her, not a character she’s playing. Despite her struggles, she continued to have a lucrative career long after “The Wizard of Oz,” before dying tragically at age 47.

<h4>#4: Bette Davis </h4>

Being an unlikeable woman onscreen ain’t no picnic. But Bette Davis made it look cool. Known for her enormous, stunning eyes, Davis took to playing unsympathetic roles like other actresses took to romantic leads. She had a depth to her that made those characters leap offscreen, and often made you sympathize with their plight, not that Davis would have cared if you did or not. Despite her tendency for those types of roles, however, she had a versatility that allowed her to play in everything from romantic dramas to horror films. With a career that boasts roughly 100 acting credits, there’s no doubt she was one of the best actresses of her day.

<h4>#3: Audrey Hepburn </h4>

Being a movie star is hard enough. But taking on the burden of fashion icon alongside that? That’s Audrey Hepburn for you. Hepburn had a distinctive look that differed from the other stars of the day. She exuded a style and beauty that appealed to young women and was something they wished to emulate. On screen, she could be high class, likable, and funny, sliding right into romantic comedies and musicals with ease. She was nominated for an Academy Award five times over her career, winning for her delightful turn in “Roman Holiday.” Her look has a timeless quality to it that keeps her legacy strong today. 

<h4>#2: Ingrid Bergman </h4>

If there was ever a definition for cinema, it would be Ingrid Bergman on screen. Bergman experienced one of the most illustrious careers in all of cinema. She had great success in Hollywood in the U.S., but also found acclaim in the films of Italian director Roberto Rossellini. She often played troubled women, strong women who had to fight through inner and outer demons to achieve what they wanted. She was a master of letting her vulnerability shine through even in her moments of strength. Somehow, being able to see the cracks underneath her power only made her seem stronger. Her most remembered film today is “Casablanca,” in which she is absolutely luminous. 

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Lauren Bacall

The Voice of a Generation 

Greta Garbo

A Tragic Heroine For the Ages

Rita Hayworth

The Love Goddess We Always Wanted 

Lana Turner

Hollywood Glamour Personified 

Marlene Dietrich

A Pre-Code Vixen

<h4>#1: Katharine Hepburn </h4>

With perhaps one of the most instantly recognizable voices in Hollywood, Katharine Hepburn made sure her voice was heard. The actress appeared in a range of films over her 60-year career, taking control in everything from screwball comedy to Tennessee Williams adaptations. But one thing about Hepburn always remained constant. Her characters were often strong-willed and stubborn, unwilling to take no for an answer and happy to let you hear about it. In her real life, it seems that Hepburn was very similar to this screen persona. She never backed down from a challenge, using the late half of her career to take on difficult material she wouldn’t have touched before. She was all we could ask for from a leading lady.