1. George Peppard
George Peppard had leading man looks and a smooth, cool presence that made him a go-to actor in the ’60s. Most people remember him as Paul Varjak opposite Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, but his career included many more starring roles. He was often cast as the sophisticated, handsome type, balancing charm with a certain toughness. During that decade, he worked steadily in dramas and action films, and Hollywood clearly saw him as a big name.
What’s surprising is how much he’s faded from memory. Peppard continued acting for years, even leading The A-Team in the ’80s, yet his film career from the ’60s rarely gets talked about today. He never achieved the same iconic status as other leading men of his era, even though he was everywhere at the time. He’s one of those stars you recognize instantly, but his name doesn’t come up nearly as often as it should.
2. Carroll Baker
Carroll Baker started her career with a bang, starring in Baby Doll in 1956, which made her a sensation and an Oscar nominee. By the ’60s, she was working steadily in Hollywood films, becoming known for her daring roles and sultry image. She starred in movies like The Carpetbaggers and Harlow, often cast in roles that leaned into her sexuality. Studios saw her as a potential successor to Marilyn Monroe.
Yet, her career path took unexpected turns. Baker grew frustrated with typecasting and moved to Europe, where she made thrillers and lesser-known films that didn’t keep her name in the Hollywood spotlight. Although she worked for decades, many people today don’t realize how huge she was in the ’60s. She’s remembered by film buffs, but to casual audiences, she’s oddly forgotten.
3. Rod Taylor
Australian-born Rod Taylor became one of Hollywood’s most reliable leading men in the ’60s. He starred in The Time Machine, which remains a classic, and later played Melanie Griffith’s father in Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds. He had the rugged good looks and charm that made him a perfect fit for adventure and romance films. He was also one of those actors who could play American convincingly, which opened more doors.
Despite these successes, Taylor didn’t quite maintain superstar status. He worked steadily but never got that one defining role that kept him in the cultural conversation. While his films were popular in their day, he often gets overshadowed by other actors from the same era. Looking back, it’s surprising he isn’t mentioned more often, given how present he was in some of the decade’s biggest movies.
4. Jean Seberg
Jean Seberg was discovered in a very public way when Otto Preminger cast her in Saint Joan. By the ’60s, she became the face of the French New Wave with her unforgettable role in Breathless. She had a unique beauty and a modern, almost European aura that set her apart from many of her American contemporaries. She also made Hollywood films like Paint Your Wagon and Lilith, proving she could do more than just French art cinema.
Unfortunately, her personal life overshadowed her career. Seberg faced surveillance and harassment from the FBI, which took a terrible toll on her mental health. She died young under tragic circumstances, which cut her career short. As a result, she’s often overlooked in lists of major ’60s stars, despite having been one of the most stylish and talked-about actresses of her time.
5. James Darren
James Darren was a teen idol at the start of his career, gaining attention in the late ’50s before moving into bigger films in the ’60s. He starred in Gidget and went on to lead in The Time Tunnel, a sci-fi series that gave him even more visibility. He also had a successful singing career, with records that made him a multi-talented star. In the ’60s, he had the kind of career young actors dream about.
But somehow, Darren didn’t keep the same fame later on. He transitioned more into television and directing, stepping away from the big-screen spotlight. While he stayed active in the industry, his name isn’t usually brought up when people think about huge ’60s movie stars. He was everywhere at one point, but now he feels like a forgotten heartthrob of the era.
6. Dorothy Malone
Dorothy Malone had already won an Academy Award by the late ’50s, but she kept working steadily into the ’60s. She starred in films like The Last Sunset and Written on the Wind, cementing herself as a glamorous and talented actress. She had a sophisticated style that made her a frequent choice for dramatic roles. Later, she also made the jump into television with Peyton Place, which became a sensation.
Despite all this, Malone’s name isn’t as well remembered today. She had the looks, the talent, and the credits, but her career never quite got the same lasting recognition as some of her peers. Even with an Oscar, she tends to be left out of conversations about major actresses of the time. It’s an odd oversight considering how much she contributed to cinema during that decade.
7. Stuart Whitman
Stuart Whitman was a rugged leading man whose career peaked in the ’60s. He starred in The Comancheros with John Wayne and earned an Academy Award nomination for The Mark. He had the tall, commanding presence that made him a favorite in westerns and adventure films. Audiences saw him as a strong, reliable presence who could hold his own against bigger stars.
But Whitman didn’t maintain the same level of stardom after that. His career shifted into television and smaller roles, which made him less visible. While he worked consistently, he wasn’t often headlining major films anymore. Today, his name doesn’t come up often, even though he was once seen as one of Hollywood’s top leading men of the ’60s.
8. Carol Lynley
Carol Lynley was a striking actress who made her mark in the ’60s with roles in films like Blue Denim and Bunny Lake Is Missing. She often played youthful, sometimes vulnerable characters, and had a wide-eyed charm that made her appealing on screen. She became a familiar face in Hollywood, often cast in roles that highlighted her beauty and sensitivity.
However, Lynley’s career didn’t hold the same spotlight later on. She moved into television roles and appeared in fewer major films after the ’60s. While she had a strong following at the time, her name isn’t often remembered among the big stars of the decade. She’s a perfect example of someone who was everywhere once but has since slipped out of the spotlight.
9. Richard Harris
Richard Harris had a booming career in the ’60s, starring in films like This Sporting Life, which earned him an Oscar nomination. He was known for his intensity and striking presence, making him one of the most exciting actors of the decade. His role in Camelot cemented his place as a major star, combining acting with his musical abilities. He had the kind of charisma that made him unforgettable at the time.
Still, Harris isn’t often discussed in the same breath as other ’60s leading men. Though he later found a new generation of fans with roles like Dumbledore in Harry Potter, his earlier stardom is often overlooked. His powerful performances in the ’60s should be more celebrated than they are. Somehow, he remains underrated despite such a strong filmography.
10. Angie Dickinson
Angie Dickinson had a career that stretched for decades, but the ’60s were her peak movie years. She starred in Rio Bravo with John Wayne, Ocean’s 11 with the Rat Pack, and Point Blank with Lee Marvin. She was stylish, tough, and glamorous, and Hollywood loved to pair her with big-name leading men. She had a magnetic screen presence that made her stand out in every project.
Yet, Dickinson isn’t often listed among the era’s most remembered actresses. Her name doesn’t come up as much as Audrey Hepburn or Elizabeth Taylor, even though she starred in plenty of memorable films. Part of this may be because she later transitioned into television, which made her less of a “movie star.” Still, in the ’60s, she was undeniably huge.
11. Stephen Boyd
Stephen Boyd had a breakthrough role as Messala in Ben-Hur, one of the biggest films of all time. He followed that with starring roles in The Fall of the Roman Empire and Fantastic Voyage, making him one of the most recognizable faces of the ’60s. Boyd had a commanding presence and a flair for big, epic productions. He seemed poised to have a career on the level of other top leading men.
But his career stalled somewhat after those highs. He kept acting, but the roles weren’t as prominent, and by the ’70s his star power had dimmed. Looking back, it’s surprising that someone who starred in such massive films isn’t better remembered today. He was a big deal at the time, but history hasn’t kept him in the spotlight.
12. Tuesday Weld
Tuesday Weld had the kind of career that feels almost mythic now. She was a teen actress who transitioned into complex adult roles, earning critical acclaim. She starred in Wild in the Country alongside Elvis Presley and appeared in Lord Love a Duck and Pretty Poison. She was known for being both beautiful and deeply talented, with a reputation for choosing interesting, offbeat roles.
Still, Weld never quite became a household name. She was respected by critics and peers but avoided chasing stardom the way others did. While she had a long career, she is often overlooked in discussions about ’60s movie stars. Her talent was undeniable, but she remains a hidden gem rather than a celebrated icon.
13. Jim Brown
Jim Brown was already a football legend when he transitioned into acting, and the ’60s made him a movie star. He appeared in The Dirty Dozen and quickly became known for his tough-guy roles. His athletic background and charisma made him stand out in action films, and audiences loved seeing him on screen. He was one of the first Black athletes to successfully make the jump to Hollywood stardom.
Despite this, Brown’s film career is not as often discussed as his sports career. He worked in movies and television for decades, but he isn’t usually remembered as a top-tier ’60s star. His contributions to breaking barriers in Hollywood should be better acknowledged. He was a trailblazer in many ways, yet he often doesn’t get his due in movie history.
14. Claudia Cardinale
Claudia Cardinale was one of the most glamorous international stars of the ’60s. She starred in Italian films like 8½ and The Leopard, and also appeared in Hollywood productions such as The Pink Panther. Her beauty and talent made her a global icon, often compared to Sophia Loren and Brigitte Bardot. She brought elegance and charm to every role she played.
Still, Cardinale doesn’t get talked about as much today, at least outside of serious film circles. While her European work is still celebrated, casual movie fans often forget she was a major player in Hollywood too. She was truly an international star of the ’60s, but she hasn’t kept the same pop culture recognition as some of her contemporaries. Her career deserves more appreciation.
15. Lee Remick
Lee Remick was one of Hollywood’s most respected actresses in the ’60s. She starred in Days of Wine and Roses, which earned her an Academy Award nomination, and appeared in Anatomy of a Murder and The Wheeler Dealers. She was praised for her ability to bring depth and vulnerability to her roles. Critics adored her, and she was in demand throughout the decade.
Yet, Remick’s name doesn’t come up as often as it should when people talk about great actresses. She kept working in film and television, but she never quite had that one defining role that locked her into popular memory. While she was highly respected in her time, she has become oddly forgotten by many. Her performances remain worth revisiting, especially for fans of classic cinema.
16. Troy Donahue
Troy Donahue was the ultimate heartthrob of the early ’60s. With his blonde hair and California looks, he became a teen idol in films like A Summer Place. Warner Bros. promoted him heavily, putting him in romantic dramas and beachy stories that highlighted his appeal. He was everywhere for a stretch, appearing in both movies and television.
But Donahue’s career faded quickly once tastes changed. The rise of grittier films in the late ’60s didn’t suit his clean-cut image, and his popularity waned. While he kept acting, his days as a top star were short-lived. Today, he’s remembered as a teen idol, but many forget how big he really was in his prime.
