The 1950s featured the rise of blonde bombshells and their beautiful brunette counterparts. Musicals and romantic comedies were still wildly popular throughout the decade, but suspense thrillers and dark dramas were also bringing in money at the box office.
Who was the most popular actress of the 1950s? Marilyn Monroe tops our list. With her iconic looks and wispy voice, Marilyn Monroe defined the classic Hollywood actress. She appeared in such classic 1950s films as Some Like It Hot, The Seven Year Itch and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Before becoming Princess Grace of Monaco, Grace Kelly was Hollywood royalty. In the 1950s, she starred in Rear Window, Dial M for Murder and To Catch a Thief.
Petite and spunky, Audrey Hepburn has remained a fashion icon years after her death in 1993. In the 1950s, she appeared in great films like Roman Holiday, Sabrina and Funny Face. Other great actresses from the 1950s include Shirley MacLaine, Jayne Mansfield and Dorothy Dandridge.
Which 1950s actress is your favorite? Take a look at this list and share your thoughts in the comments section.
http://www.ranker.com/list/1950s-actresses/ranker-film,
Audrey Hepburn
Petite and spunky, Audrey Hepburn has remained a fashion icon years after her death in 1993. In the 1950s, she appeared in great films like Roman Holiday, Sabrina and Funny Face.
Debbie Reynolds
In 1952, Debbie Reynolds appeared in one of the most iconic musicals of all-time, Singing in the Rain. She was only 19 at the time the film was made.
Grace Kelly
Before becoming Princess Grace of Monaco, Grace Kelly was Hollywood royalty. In the 1950s, she starred in Rear Window, Dial M for Murder and To Catch a Thief.
Jane Russell
Jane Russell was one of the most iconic sex symbols of the 1950s. So was Marilyn Monroe. It's no wonder that their 1953 film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes was a smash hit.
Jayne Mansfield
One of Hollywood's original blonde bombshells, Jayne Mansfield rose to stardom in the 1950s. Some of her best films include The Girl Can't Help It (1956) and Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (1957).
Kim Novak
Kim Novak frequently appeared alongside James Stewart in some of the best films of the 1950s. In 1958, they co-starred in Vertigo and Bell Book and Candle.
Marilyn Monroe
With her iconic looks and wispy voice, Marilyn Monroe defined the classic Hollywood actress. She appeared in such 1950s films as Some Like It Hot, The Seven Year Itch and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
Ruby Dee
For over 60 years, Ruby Dee appeared in films that were met with commercial and critical acclaim. In the late-1950s, she had roles in St. Louis Blues and Our Virgin Island.
Shirley MacLaine
Shirley MacLaine is still regarded as an amazing actress, but she got her start in the 1955 movie The Trouble with Harry. She has been nominated for an Oscar six times, and she finally took home a trophy for Terms of Endearment in 1984.
Dorothy Dandridge
Dorothy Dandridge was known for her beautiful voice and versatile acting technique. In 1955, she became the first African-American woman to be nominated for an Academy Award for her performance in Carmen Jones.