1. Michael Ansara
Michael Ansara might not be a household name today, but in the ’60s, he was a rising star with the kind of talent that could’ve easily made him a Hollywood legend. Known for his role as the villain in Broken Arrow, he played a Native American character at a time when such roles were rare and powerful. His deep voice and commanding presence made him a sought-after actor in television and film, with appearances in shows like I Dream of Jeannie and The Outer Limits. Despite his early success, Ansara never quite achieved the superstardom he was destined for.
Behind the scenes, Ansara’s career was marked by struggles with typecasting, as his strong physical appearance often relegated him to tough-guy roles. His talents, however, reached far beyond just being the “tough guy” in every story. As time passed, he found a level of respect within the industry, but Hollywood never fully capitalized on his full range of abilities. If things had played out differently, Ansara could have easily become one of the greats of his time.
2. Sandra Dee
Sandra Dee was the picture-perfect blonde bombshell of the early ’60s, and she seemed poised for a long career at the top. Famous for her roles in Gidget and A Summer Place, Dee embodied the wholesome, girl-next-door image that captivated audiences. At the height of her popularity, she was married to teen heartthrob Bobby Darin, and together they were the golden couple of the era. But despite her early success, Dee never managed to transition into the more mature roles that would have solidified her place as a Hollywood legend.
Dee’s career faltered when the public’s interest began to shift toward more complex and dramatic roles. She spent much of the ’70s in relative obscurity, with only occasional forays into acting. Looking back, many wonder if Dee could have achieved the same level of long-lasting fame as contemporaries like Doris Day or Elizabeth Taylor if she’d been given the right opportunities at the right time.
3. Sal Mineo
Sal Mineo was a talented actor who seemed destined for stardom after his standout role in Rebel Without a Cause alongside James Dean. His portrayal of John “Plato” Crawford struck a chord with audiences, making him a symbol of youthful angst and alienation. However, despite being nominated for an Academy Award for Exodus in 1961, Mineo’s career never fully took off as expected. Hollywood’s reluctance to cast him in leading roles, compounded by his untimely death in 1976, meant that his potential was never fully realized.
Mineo’s talent extended beyond acting—he was also a skilled singer and songwriter—but it was his ability to portray complex, troubled characters that set him apart. Sadly, by the time Hollywood began to appreciate his full range, he was already a tragic figure. In another era, Mineo could have easily been one of the biggest stars of his generation.
4. Tab Hunter
Tab Hunter was a teenage heartthrob in the ’50s and early ’60s, with a stunning good looks that earned him a string of romantic roles. His popularity reached its peak with films like Damn Yankees and Battle Cry, where he captured the hearts of young girls everywhere. Despite being frequently compared to other heartthrobs like James Dean, Hunter never managed to break free from his pretty-boy image.
Behind the scenes, Hunter struggled with his identity in an industry that didn’t tolerate personal differences. His career faltered as Hollywood’s focus shifted, and Hunter’s attempts at reinventing himself were often met with failure. It wasn’t until much later in life, when he embraced his true identity, that Hunter gained a renewed sense of respect. Had his career taken a different direction, he could have very well achieved the legendary status that seemed so close in his youth.
5. Tuesday Weld
Tuesday Weld’s beauty and enigmatic presence made her one of the most intriguing actresses of the 1960s. With films like Pretty Poison and The Cincinnati Kid, she showcased her range, playing everything from the naïve girl-next-door to the sultry femme fatale. She was seen as the “next big thing,” but despite her promise, Weld’s career never fully blossomed in the way many had predicted. Instead of becoming a Hollywood legend, she spent much of her time in a series of roles that didn’t showcase her full potential.
Much of Weld’s career was derailed by personal struggles, including her tumultuous relationships and battles with Hollywood’s pressures. Despite her beauty and raw talent, she didn’t quite fit into the conventional mold that other actresses of her time did. Looking back, it’s clear that she had the potential to be a major star, but the industry just wasn’t ready for her to break out in the way she deserved.
6. Robert Fuller
Robert Fuller is best remembered for his role as Jess Harper on the hit TV series Laramie in the early ’60s. His rugged charm and natural charisma made him a beloved figure in the Western genre. Fuller had all the makings of a Hollywood legend—he was handsome, talented, and had a knack for leading roles. However, his career remained largely confined to TV, and despite his success, he was never able to cross over into major film stardom.
Fuller found steady work in Westerns and other television shows but never got the opportunities to expand his range in the way that other stars of the era did. His consistent work on TV earned him respect within the industry, but he never managed to break through to leading man status in Hollywood films. If circumstances had been different, Fuller might have become a more iconic figure, enjoying a legacy that stretched beyond television.
7. Barbara Eden
Barbara Eden’s role as Jeannie in I Dream of Jeannie made her a pop culture icon, but she never quite reached the legendary status of some of her contemporaries. While I Dream of Jeannie was immensely popular, Eden’s career never truly shifted toward the serious film roles that could have cemented her legacy. She had the charm, the talent, and the beauty to become a Hollywood legend, but for reasons that remain unclear, she was largely relegated to television and smaller roles.
Eden’s career suffered from typecasting, as her portrayal of a cute, magical genie in I Dream of Jeannie was so iconic that she struggled to break free from it. However, she maintained a long and successful career in television, even making appearances in the ’80s and beyond. In a different era, she might have been given the chance to break out of her typecast and achieve the same kind of legendary status as actresses like Lucille Ball or Mary Tyler Moore.
8. Peter Breck
Peter Breck was one of those actors who had all the right qualities to become a Hollywood legend but never quite got the recognition he deserved. Best known for his role as the brooding, tough-as-nails Nick Barkley on the popular Western series The Big Valley, Breck had the kind of rugged charm that usually made for an iconic star. Despite his ability to command the screen, he was often relegated to supporting roles in film and television, which held him back from achieving the leading-man status that seemed so within reach.
Breck’s career was filled with impressive performances in both film and TV, yet he never fully escaped the Western genre, a place where he seemed permanently confined. His dedication to his craft earned him respect within Hollywood, but Breck’s opportunities in major films were limited. Had he been able to transition into different genres, his potential could have been much more fully realized.
9. Jean Seberg
Jean Seberg was one of the most exciting, enigmatic stars of the ’60s, making waves with her role in Breathless (1960), which helped define the French New Wave. She was just as beautiful as she was talented, capturing the attention of both critics and audiences. Seberg was the picture of youthful rebellion, and her career had every possibility of becoming legendary. Yet, despite early success, her later years were filled with personal struggles and a controversial relationship with the FBI, which overshadowed her once-promising career.
Seberg’s life off-screen often grabbed more headlines than her roles, as she became entangled in political activism and was the subject of media scrutiny. She struggled to regain the popularity and opportunities she had in her prime, and by the ’70s, her career had largely faded. Had the media’s focus been different, and had she been given more room to grow as an actress, Seberg could have easily become one of Hollywood’s most celebrated figures.
10. Lee Marvin
Lee Marvin’s booming voice and tough-guy persona made him a standout in films like The Dirty Dozen and Point Blank, but despite his commanding presence, he never fully achieved the status of a Hollywood legend. Known for his roles as anti-heroes and villains, Marvin was a master of bringing complexity to rugged characters. His career was marked by critical acclaim, including an Academy Award for Cat Ballou, but his unique style of acting was often confined to the roles of supporting players or anti-establishment figures.
Marvin’s tough, grizzled persona made him a character actor who was always interesting to watch, but he was never able to break through to the kind of leading-man roles that could have cemented his place in Hollywood history. Had he been given a wider range of roles and more major projects, it’s likely that Marvin’s legacy could have been much more substantial in Hollywood lore.
11. Robert Mitchum
Robert Mitchum was the epitome of cool and mysterious in the ’40s and ’50s, but in the ’60s, his career took a hit, preventing him from reaching the legendary status his talent deserved. Known for his deep voice and rugged good looks, Mitchum was one of the first actors to embody the tough-guy archetype that later became a Hollywood staple. While Mitchum had a strong following, his career was not as active in the ’60s, and despite his earlier success, the industry’s focus shifted, leaving Mitchum somewhat on the sidelines.
His remarkable versatility, from dramas to noirs, allowed him to shine in any role. However, the ’60s didn’t offer Mitchum the same opportunities, and his acting became more sporadic. If Hollywood had capitalized on his talents with better roles and more consistent opportunities, Mitchum could have easily become one of the most iconic figures in the history of cinema.
12. Patty Duke
Patty Duke’s career was filled with promise, and she seemed on the verge of becoming a major Hollywood star after winning an Oscar for her role in The Miracle Worker (1962). Known for her youthful energy and range, Duke’s career was primed for longevity. However, she was often typecast in roles that didn’t allow her to fully showcase her versatility, and her personal struggles, including mental health challenges, often took precedence over her career.
Despite the hurdles she faced, Duke continued to act and find success, but her career never reached the sustained heights that many expected. She was more often seen as a character actress than the leading lady she could have been. Had the industry been more supportive and had she been given more complex roles, Patty Duke could have been remembered as one of Hollywood’s greatest stars.
13. Robert Walker
Robert Walker’s career was tragically cut short after a promising start in films like Strangers on a Train (1951). His youthful charm and ability to play both the boy-next-door and the troubled character made him a perfect candidate for stardom. Walker’s early success seemed to pave the way for a legendary Hollywood career, but personal issues, including a tumultuous marriage to Jennifer Jones, derailed his professional trajectory. After battling alcoholism and depression, Walker’s career began to fade.
Had Walker been given the opportunity to mature as an actor and take on more diverse roles, there’s no doubt that he could have reached the top tier of Hollywood stars. His untimely death in 1951 at the age of 32 meant that we never got to see the full scope of his talent, which could have positioned him as one of the greats of his generation.
14. Telly Savalas
Telly Savalas was known for his striking bald head and deep voice, which made him an unforgettable presence in film and TV, particularly as the unforgettable Kojak in the ’70s. However, his breakout role in Kojak came too late in his career to propel him into the legendary status he could have achieved had he hit his stride earlier. Before Kojak, Savalas had a series of notable roles in films like The Dirty Dozen and Birdman of Alcatraz, but despite his undeniable talent, he wasn’t offered the leading-man status that could have cemented his legacy.
Savalas spent much of his early career in supporting roles, making the most of the opportunities he was given, but his late success in TV didn’t leave enough time for him to reach the same legendary status as other actors from his era. Had his career taken a different turn, he might have been remembered alongside the greats of Hollywood’s golden age.
15. Gale Storm
Gale Storm was a popular TV star in the ’50s, starring in the hit series My Little Margie and The Gale Storm Show, but her career began to fade by the early ’60s. Known for her wholesome image and perky demeanor, Storm was a favorite among TV audiences, and her comedic timing was spot-on. Despite her early success, she struggled to transition into a more dramatic, mature role, limiting her ability to evolve into a Hollywood legend.
Though Storm continued to find work in television, her career never reached the peaks it had during the early years of her fame. If she had been offered more substantial opportunities to evolve as an actress, her legacy could have been much more prominent, solidifying her as a major Hollywood star of her generation.
16. Richard Chamberlain
Richard Chamberlain was a matinee idol of the ’60s, and his good looks and charm made him a favorite among fans. Most famous for his role in Dr. Kildare, Chamberlain became a household name. Despite his success on television, he wasn’t able to break into major Hollywood roles, and much of his career was tied to the small screen. His role in the Shogun miniseries in 1980 proved his acting ability, but by then, his chance for true cinematic legend status had passed.
Chamberlain’s career was successful but never elevated to the level of Hollywood royalty. While he earned a place in television history, he missed the opportunity to solidify his legacy in films. If he had managed to secure more film roles, it’s likely that Chamberlain could have earned the recognition as one of Hollywood’s great stars.
17. Diana Dors
Diana Dors was Britain’s answer to Marilyn Monroe, a blonde bombshell with the looks and charisma to become one of the biggest stars of the ’60s. She appeared in a string of successful films, including The Unholy Wife and Yield to the Night, but despite her beauty and talent, she never made it to the top tier of Hollywood stardom. Dors was typecast in roles that limited her opportunities for more substantial work, and as the ’60s progressed, her star began to fade.
Her career took a hit as the industry’s focus shifted, and Dors found herself mostly relegated to minor roles. While she continued to find work in the UK, she never achieved the legendary status she had once seemed destined for. Had Hollywood seen her potential for more diverse roles, Dors might have been a more iconic figure in film history.
18. Richard Widmark
Richard Widmark had a commanding presence and a career that spanned several decades, but despite his strong performances in films like Kiss of Death (1947) and Judgment at Nuremberg (1961), he never reached the level of superstardom expected of him. Widmark was known for his intensity and ability to play both villains and heroes, but his career never quite had the sustained trajectory needed to achieve the legendary status that his contemporaries did.
While Widmark remained a respected actor throughout his career, he was never offered the types of iconic roles that could have cemented his place among Hollywood’s greatest legends. His roles often came with limitations that prevented him from fully realizing his potential, and had he been offered more complex and starring roles, his career might have reached new heights.
