1. Natalie Wood – The Tragic Beauty of West Side Story
When we think of Natalie Wood, we often picture her in West Side Story, where she captured hearts as Maria, the innocent girl caught in a whirlwind romance. While this iconic role solidified her as a star, she had a much more diverse career that included playing the love interest in Rebel Without a Cause alongside James Dean. However, it was her portrayal of a fragile, troubled woman in Splendor in the Grass that truly highlighted her range. In this lesser-known role, she explored the emotional depth of youth and heartbreak in ways that were groundbreaking for the time.
Wood’s career was filled with complexity, and while her early work garnered attention, it was her ability to tackle darker, more nuanced roles that truly defined her as a legend. Her talent transcended her glamorous image, leaving behind a legacy that extends far beyond her most famous roles.
2. Steve McQueen – The King of Cool in The Cincinnati Kid
Steve McQueen is often remembered for his role in Bullitt and as the epitome of cool in films like The Great Escape and The Magnificent Seven. However, one of McQueen’s most underrated performances was in The Cincinnati Kid, where he played a young poker player caught in a high-stakes game of skill and deception. It wasn’t the action-packed car chases that made McQueen memorable here, but rather his ability to convey tension and vulnerability beneath his tough-guy exterior. The film, with its blend of drama and character study, set McQueen apart from many of his contemporaries.
His performance in The Cincinnati Kid is a perfect example of how McQueen’s appeal extended beyond just tough roles. It was in the quieter moments, when he showed his inner turmoil, that he truly became a legendary figure in Hollywood.
3. Julie Andrews – A Star Born in Mary Poppins
Though Julie Andrews is beloved for her role as the magical nanny in Mary Poppins, many forget her incredible turn in The Sound of Music, which catapulted her to global fame. But before her Hollywood days, Andrews had an extensive stage career, notably on Broadway in My Fair Lady. Her early work showcased her impeccable voice and comedic timing, making her a favorite of theatergoers. In Mary Poppins, she combined those talents to deliver a performance that has remained timeless in its charm and grace.
Andrews’ versatility shone through in her various roles, especially in Victor/Victoria, where she broke type by playing a woman pretending to be a man pretending to be a woman. This role, which demonstrated her knack for both comedy and drama, further solidified her status as a true Hollywood legend.
4. Elizabeth Taylor – A Diva Beyond Cleopatra
While Elizabeth Taylor is perhaps best known for her iconic portrayal of Cleopatra, it’s her role in Butterfield 8 that truly defined her as a legendary actress. In the film, she played a troubled woman struggling with love and addiction, a portrayal that earned her an Academy Award. Taylor’s depth as an actress often gets overshadowed by her famous personal life, but in films like Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, she showcased her unparalleled ability to bring raw emotion and fierce vulnerability to her roles.
Her fierce intelligence and larger-than-life presence were evident in her every performance, and even in her later career, she remained a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood. Elizabeth Taylor’s legacy goes beyond her beauty and glamorous image, cementing her as one of the true icons of the silver screen.
5. Gregory Peck – The Moral Backbone of To Kill a Mockingbird
Gregory Peck’s performance as Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird has rightfully earned him a place in the pantheon of great film actors. However, his career spans far beyond this iconic role, with a wide range of performances in films like Roman Holiday and The Guns of Navarone. Peck’s ability to portray complex, morally upright characters made him a beloved figure both on and off screen. His portrayal of Finch, a man of deep integrity in the face of societal injustice, is still considered one of the best in film history.
Peck’s career in the 1960s was marked by a series of powerful roles, and it was his commitment to using his platform for social good that added an extra layer to his legend. His performances transcended the screen, and his dedication to his craft has made him a lasting symbol of moral courage.
6. Audrey Hepburn – From Breakfast at Tiffany’s to The Nun’s Story
Audrey Hepburn is often remembered for her iconic role as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, but it was her performance in The Nun’s Story that truly displayed her range. In the 1959 film, Hepburn took on the challenging role of a young woman torn between her religious calling and her personal desires. This performance, often overshadowed by her more glamorous roles, was a testament to her skill as an actress. Hepburn’s delicate beauty and poised demeanor allowed her to bring an unexpected depth to her character.
Her career, spanning both lighthearted roles and serious dramas, proved her versatility and made her a timeless figure in Hollywood. Hepburn’s ability to navigate both roles of glamour and gravity cemented her place as one of the most beloved stars of her era.
7. James Stewart – More Than Just It’s a Wonderful Life
James Stewart’s role in It’s a Wonderful Life might be the first thing that comes to mind when we think of the beloved actor, but it’s his work in films like The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance and Rear Window that truly solidified his place in Hollywood history. Stewart’s effortless blend of everyman relatability and dramatic intensity allowed him to create characters that audiences could both admire and empathize with. His portrayal of a man who chooses to stand up for what is right, despite the personal cost, in Liberty Valance is a shining example of his legacy.
Stewart’s skill as a character actor transcended the simple archetypes of the ’40s and ’50s, and his career spanned into the ’60s with roles that showcased his continued ability to surprise. He was as adept at playing heroes as he was at tackling morally complex characters.
8. John Wayne – True Grit Proved He Could Act
While John Wayne is synonymous with Westerns, his role in True Grit (1969) proved he was more than just the rugged cowboy figure he played for much of his career. As Rooster Cogburn, Wayne took on a gruff yet sympathetic character, earning him his only Academy Award. This film marked a turning point in his career, demonstrating that the Duke was capable of portraying deeper layers of emotion and vulnerability.
Wayne’s portrayal of Cogburn showcased his ability to take a tough-guy persona and imbue it with humanity, making the character both memorable and beloved. This role, among others, solidified Wayne as not just a star of the silver screen, but an enduring legend.
9. Shirley MacLaine – The Apartment Was Just the Beginning
Shirley MacLaine is often remembered for her role in Terms of Endearment, but it was her earlier performance in Billy Wilder’s The Apartment that truly earned her critical acclaim. Playing a woman caught in a complex love triangle, MacLaine showed her ability to blend comedy and drama in a way that few of her peers could match. Her natural charm and wit made her a standout, and her portrayal in The Apartment helped redefine the type of roles that actresses could play in the ’60s.
Over the years, MacLaine’s career has been a testament to her ability to defy expectations, always choosing roles that were as multifaceted as her talents. Whether in musicals, comedies, or dramas, her work continues to captivate audiences and solidify her as one of the great actresses of her generation.
10. Cary Grant – More Than Just North by Northwest
Cary Grant’s suave, debonair persona made him a favorite in romantic comedies and thrillers, but it was his role in Notorious that highlighted the true depth of his acting ability. In this 1946 Alfred Hitchcock thriller, Grant played a tortured man with a complicated moral code, a performance that is often overlooked in favor of his more lighthearted roles. His chemistry with Ingrid Bergman and the layers of emotion he brought to his character proved that Grant was more than just a pretty face with charm.
Grant’s legacy lies not only in his dashing good looks but in his ability to bring a sense of complexity to the roles he played, especially in the ’60s, when he began to take on more dramatic parts. His versatility and timeless appeal continue to make him a legendary figure in Hollywood history.
11. Gene Hackman – A Quiet Force in The French Connection
Before Gene Hackman became known for his later roles in Unforgiven and The Royal Tenenbaums, his gritty portrayal of Detective Popeye Doyle in The French Connection made him an unforgettable star. The role earned him an Academy Award and showcased his raw talent in a role that required both intensity and subtlety. Hackman’s commitment to authenticity in the role of Doyle—a hard-edged cop with questionable morals—set the tone for his career and solidified him as a legendary figure.
Hackman’s career was marked by a willingness to take on complex, often unlikable characters, and his work in the ’60s and ’70s pushed the boundaries of what was expected from leading men in Hollywood.
12. Robert Redford – The Heart of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Robert Redford’s legendary status often hinges on his roles in films like The Sting and All the President’s Men, but it was his portrayal of the carefree outlaw in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid that first solidified his place in Hollywood. Playing alongside Paul Newman, Redford’s natural charm and undeniable screen presence made him a star. What made his performance stand out, however, was the emotional complexity he brought to a character who was more than just a rebellious cowboy.
Redford’s career trajectory in the ’60s and ’70s took him from heartthrob to respected actor and director, with roles that demonstrated his commitment to his craft and his ability to transcend the limits of the roles often offered to him. His legacy, both as an actor and a director, continues to resonate in Hollywood today.
