1. Hedy Lamarr
Hedy Lamarr was the definition of exotic beauty in the black-and-white era. Known for her captivating performances in films like Algiers and Samson and Delilah, she exuded a sensual, almost otherworldly allure. But Lamarr wasn’t just a stunning face—she was also a brilliant inventor, co-patenting a technology that would later contribute to modern Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Her beauty and brains made her truly unforgettable.
2. Marlene Dietrich
With her sultry voice, seductive gaze, and androgynous appeal, Marlene Dietrich was a groundbreaking beauty. Known for her roles in Morocco and Shanghai Express, she exuded a mix of glamour and danger that left both men and women mesmerized. Her signature style—often donning a tuxedo or men’s suits—challenged traditional notions of femininity, making her a sex symbol in her own right.
3. Cary Grant
Few could rival the debonair charm of Cary Grant. With his sharp suits, impeccable timing, and that irresistible British accent, he was the perfect combination of elegance and playfulness. Whether in romantic comedies like The Philadelphia Story or suspense films like Notorious, Cary Grant always seemed effortlessly cool, the kind of man you couldn’t help but be drawn to.
4. Rita Hayworth
With her striking red hair and smoldering on-screen presence, Rita Hayworth was the “love goddess” of the black-and-white era. She brought undeniable sex appeal to films like Gilda, where her performance of “Put the Blame on Mame” had audiences in awe. Hayworth embodied Hollywood glamour, and her beauty and sensuality were as timeless as her performances.
5. Humphrey Bogart
Though not conventionally handsome, Humphrey Bogart’s rough-around-the-edges demeanor made him undeniably sexy. His tough-guy roles in Casablanca and The Maltese Falcon showcased his cool, detached persona, but it was that hint of vulnerability beneath the gruff exterior that made him irresistible. His on-screen chemistry with Lauren Bacall only added to his allure.
6. Ava Gardner
Ava Gardner was the epitome of old Hollywood beauty. With her dark, alluring eyes and full lips, she had a presence that commanded attention. In films like The Killers and Mogambo, she exuded a sensuality that was impossible to ignore. Gardner’s natural beauty and unapologetic confidence made her a symbol of classic elegance and sex appeal.
7. Gregory Peck
Gregory Peck was the tall, dark, and handsome archetype of the black-and-white era. His roles in films like Roman Holiday and To Kill a Mockingbird showcased his quiet strength and moral integrity. Peck had a calm intensity that made him both approachable and larger-than-life. His deep voice and warm presence only added to his lasting appeal.
8. Lauren Bacall
With her smoky voice and feline grace, Lauren Bacall was a standout from the moment she hit the screen. In her debut alongside Humphrey Bogart in To Have and Have Not, Bacall delivered the now-iconic line, “You know how to whistle, don’t you, Steve?” With her sultry looks and magnetic allure, Bacall became the epitome of cool, effortless sexiness.
9. Errol Flynn
No list of sex symbols from the black-and-white era would be complete without Errol Flynn. Known for his swashbuckling roles in The Adventures of Robin Hood and Captain Blood, Flynn’s athleticism, charm, and undeniable good looks made him a heartthrob for generations. He embodied the daring hero, and off-screen, his playboy lifestyle only enhanced his legend.
10. Veronica Lake
With her famous peek-a-boo hairstyle and mysterious persona, Veronica Lake was the femme fatale of the black-and-white era. Her roles in noir films like This Gun for Hire and The Blue Dahlia showcased her cool, confident sensuality. Lake’s beauty was both glamorous and slightly dangerous, making her a captivating figure on and off the screen.
11. Paul Newman
Though more associated with the transition to color films, Paul Newman’s early black-and-white roles showed off his classic good looks and undeniable magnetism. Films like The Hustler showcased his brooding intensity, but it was that twinkle in his blue eyes (even in black-and-white!) that made him an irresistible heartthrob. Newman’s rugged charm and easy smile made him an enduring sex symbol for decades.
12. Ingrid Bergman
Ingrid Bergman possessed a unique beauty that was both pure and captivating. Her role in Casablanca opposite Humphrey Bogart remains iconic, and her natural grace and sophistication made her a star. Bergman’s ability to convey vulnerability and strength made her incredibly appealing. She wasn’t just a pretty face—she was a magnetic force that lit up the screen.
13. Tyrone Power
Tyrone Power was one of the most classically handsome men of the black-and-white era, with his chiseled features and piercing gaze. Known for his romantic swashbuckler roles in films like The Mark of Zorro and Blood and Sand, Power’s charm and charisma made him one of the most popular actors of his time. He had a leading-man presence that drew audiences in from the very start.
14. Clark Gable
Known as “The King of Hollywood,” Clark Gable was the epitome of suave masculinity in the black-and-white era. His role as Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind cemented his place as a heartthrob, with that iconic mustache and devil-may-care grin that drove audiences wild. His rugged charm and effortless confidence made him one of the most beloved stars of the silver screen.
15. James Dean
Though his career was tragically short, James Dean left an indelible mark on the world of cinema and became an eternal symbol of youthful rebellion and sex appeal. Best known for Rebel Without a Cause, Dean’s brooding intensity and raw emotion made him the ultimate bad boy of the black-and-white era. With his tousled hair, piercing eyes, and smoldering presence, Dean’s iconic look and untamed spirit made him the poster boy for misunderstood youth, and his legacy as a heartthrob endures to this day.
16. Jean Harlow
Jean Harlow, often referred to as the “Blonde Bombshell,” was one of the first sex symbols of Hollywood. Her platinum blonde hair, sultry voice, and carefree attitude made her an instant sensation in films like Hell’s Angels and Red Dust. Harlow’s playful yet sensual on-screen persona captivated audiences, and her bold fashion sense and flirtatious charm embodied the liberated spirit of the 1930s. Despite her early death, Harlow’s larger-than-life allure remains an integral part of Hollywood’s golden age mystique.
These actors and actresses didn’t just dazzle on-screen—they became symbols of an era. They had a timeless quality that transcended their films and made them icons. Their allure, charm, and undeniable magnetism defined Hollywood’s golden age, leaving behind a legacy of cinematic beauty that still resonates today. Whether it was their smoldering gazes, elegant personas, or raw charisma, these stars captured our imaginations and set the standard for sex appeal in a way that’s never quite been replicated.
