You may not realize this, but Hollywood is very old! It was in 1889/1890 that the first ever movie was shot in the US, many, many years before the “HOLLYWOOD” sign was installed in Los Angeles - in 1923.
Black and white silent movies have paved the way for 4k+ 3D technology that movies nowadays use. However, we must pay homage to the original actors and actresses of the movie industry for their invaluable contribution.
How many of them will you be able to recognize, you reckon? Come find out!
Let’s start easy… Who’s this blonde bombshell who died young?
Jayne Mansfield; Marilyn Monroe; Anna Nicole Smith; Martine Carol; 2
Say hello to Norma Jeane Mortenson, whose stage name was Marilyn Monroe. She’s been a model, a pin-up girl, actress, the subject of presidential controversy and a pop culture icon from the 50s. Just after 23 movies, Monroe passed away young under mysterious circumstances.
Who is this actor who died way too young?
James Dean; Marvin Gaye; Jeff Buckley; River Phoenix; 1
In the 50’s, James Dean would rise up to become a symbol of the restless, confused, and idealistic youth of the 50s. The Rebel Without a Cause star sadly died of a car accident at the age of 24.
He is regarded as the greatest dancer in film history. Who is he?
Christopher Walken; Gene Kelly; Fred Astaire; Donald O’Connor; 3
There was a time where nobody could keep up with the fast leg work of dancer, singer and actor Fred Astaire. You can see him shimmy in movies such as Top Hat and Easter Parade, and many more movies and shows, as he had a 76-year long career.
Who is this terrific actor who founded the Sundance Film Festival?
Robert Redford; Peter Sellers; Clint Eastwood; George Hamilton; 1
Robert Redford had such handsome boyish looks, but he was better known for his diversity of roles that he too on. Some of his most watched movies include Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and All the President’s Men.
Often referred to as greatest movie actor of all time, who is this man?
Montgomery Clift; Marlon Brando; Paul Newman; Frank Sinatra; 2
The eccentric actor Marlon Brando was known for his slurred, mumbling dialogue delivery, and immortalization of visceral, and brooding characterizations. Watch Godfather and Apocalypse Now to remember how good he was.
Who has the distinction of being the tragi-comedian of his times?
Kirk Douglas; Henry Fonda; Billy Wilder; Jack Lemmon; 4
While he may not have been as famous as the rest of the yesteryear stars, Jack Lemmon held his own. He had starred in famous movies such as Grumpy Old Men and Mister Roberts, for which he won an Oscar Award.
Before she became a Hollywood legend, she was a dancer in various traveling theatrical companies. Who is this?
Jean Harlow; Greta Garbo; Joan Crawford; Bette Davis; 3
Actress Lucille Fay LeSueur, better known by her stage name Joan Crawford starred in plenty of psychological melodramas to emerge as a glamorous screen diva dripping in furs and diamonds like in The Women and Dance, Fools, Dance.
She conquered Paris as a nightclub singer and then killed it in Hollywood and on stage. Who is this diva?
Eartha Kitt; Julie Newmar; Dinah Washington; Peggy Lee; 1
Before Eartha Kitt moved to Hollywood and showed off her distinctive singing style, she was performing in smokey nightclubs in Paris and killing it! She is best known for starring as Catwoman in the 60s show, Batman.
The English-American actor was the last true gentleman of Hollywood. Who is he?
James Stewart; Gregory Peck; Tony Curtis; Cary Grant; 4
Although he was born in Bristol, England, the debonair American actor Cary Grant made his mark in Hollywood with plenty of romantic comedy movies such as An Affair to Remember.
He was THE Hollywood star from the 1940s until the 1960s. Who is this actor?
Randolph Scott; Gregory Peck; Gary Cooper; Rock Hudson; 2
Gregory Peck cut an imposingly tall figure with a deep, baritone voice, making sure we all fell for him and his salt-of-the-earth personality. Some of his best movies are To Kill a Mockingbird, and Roman Holiday.
Who is this ladies’ man, whose career spans 6 decades in Hollywood?
Jack Nicholson; Al Pacino; Warren Beatty; Gene Hackman; 3
If you didn’t know, Warren Beatty of Bonnie and Clyde fame was a notorious Casanova who knew that he was a good looking man! He still acts today, and his acting career has spanned over 60 years.
Who is this pretty lady who has over 100 acting credits?
Joan Crawford; Bette Davis; Katherine Hepburn; Angela Lansbury; 2
Bette Davis is known for being a versatile actress who has always been on the top of her game. You can catch her amazing performances in Jezebel and All About Eve.
A former soldier who has acted in some of the biggest Hollywood movies and shows since the 50s. Who is this?
James Garner; Donald Sutherland; Steve McQueen; Tommy Lee Jones; 1
Not to be confused with James Garner, the English soccer player, American actor James Garner has been working in movies and television shows for 70 years now! The older generation know him for his work on Maverick, while the younger saw him in The Notebook.
This actor made many people afraid of what lurks in the ocean. Who is he?
Bob Fosse; Robert Shaw; Roy Scheider; Richard Dreyfuss; 3
A bona fide Hollywood Legend, Roy Scheider may not have starred in many leading roles in TV shows and movies, but just that one movie series made him an internationally known actor — the Jaws movie series.
Who is this actress, who quit showbiz early but left her permanent mark on it?
Audrey Hepburn; Ava Gardner; Ingrid Bergman; Grace Kelly; 4
While she was the Queen of Hollywood once upon a time, The Rear Window and High Society actress Grace Kelly left it all to marry the Prince of Monaco, to become a real life Princess!
French, Italian, British and American cinema owes a lot to this Egyptian actor. Who is he?
Rushdy Abaza; Omar Sharif; Ahmed Ramzy; Peter O'Toole; 2
He’s acted in a bunch of movies, but Omar Sharif would go on to star in Doctor Zhivago and Lawrence of Arabia, to become an international star, besides being the biggest actor in Egypt.
Despite a successful Hollywood career, he had quite a tragic life. Who is this actor?
Rock Hudson; James Dean; Marlon Brando; John Wayne; 1
Sure, he could have banked on just his good looks to get by in Hollywood, but Rock Hudson tried his hardest to act well on screen, too. Sadly, all the Giant actor is now remembered for is his tragic death due to AIDS.
Who is this actor from Hollywood's Golden Age, who starred in war-oriented and Western movies?
John Ford; Kirk Douglas; Clint Eastwood; John Wayne; 4
He could be a soldier as convincingly as he played a taciturn cowboy in movies, as John Wayne could really blend into any role he wanted. His Western movies True Grit and El Dorado are still watched today.
More than just a pretty face, who is this actress who made gender-bending fashion popular?
Jane Fonda; Audrey Hepburn; Katharine Hepburn; Elizabeth Taylor; 3
Academy Award winning actress Katharine Hepburn, has nothing to do with Audrey Hepburn, but she’s just as famous! The Philadelphia Story actress always gave a spirited performance in whatever role she was cast in.
Who is this actor, known for his piercing blue eyes and his love for racing?
Paul Newman; Robert Redford; Steve McQueen; Alain Delon; 1
To sustain a successful career of over 50 years in Hollywood, one has to be as lucky as actor Paul Newman. He had the perfect combination of intelligence, handsome looks and charisma. Didn’t we all love him in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid?
He has been starring in movies for more than 7 decades, and is still actively acting. Who is this gentleman?
Gary Oldman; Michael Caine; Alan Arkin; Donald Sutherland; 2
Best known for his distinctive South London accent, Michael Caine is known for playing versatile roles on the silver screen. The newer generations may know him for starring in the movie Miss Congeniality.
Who is this actor and diplomat, who was a true trailblazer?
Bill Cosby; James Earl Jones; Sidney Poitier; Harry Belafonte; 3
Besides being a Bahamian-American actor, who paved the way for many black actors after him, Sidney Poitier served as a diplomat and ambassador between his two countries. He also became the first Bahamian citizen to win an Oscar Award for Best Actor for Lilies of the Field.
This handsome actor managed to look dapper in every decade of his 37-year-long acting career. Who is he?
Leslie Howard; Spencer Tracy; Gregory Peck; Clark Gable; 4
Who epitomizes the idea of American ideal of masculinity and virility better than actor Clark Gable. Any lady who has watched the classic movie Gone with the Wind, knows what we mean!
Here’s another blonde diva who was known for her risqué style and publicity stunts. What’s her name?
Jayne Mansfield; Rita Hayworth; Kim Novak; Jean Harlow; 1
Screen siren Jayne Mansfield took full advantage of her bombshell curves and rose to stardom as a Marilyn Monroe look-alike. She died very young, in a tragic car crash.
Who is this Hollywood biggie from the 40s and 50s who became famous for his dramatic and film noir roles?
Gary Cooper; John Huston; Humphrey Bogart; James Cagney; 3
Who hasn’t heard that name of the famous movie and theatre actor Humphrey Bogart! The box office-favorite almost always played the “tough guy” in the movies of the ‘40s and ‘50s. Who could forget his performance in Casablanca.
Who is this funny woman who has been nominated for 13 primetime Emmys?
Carol Burnett; Lucille Ball; Madelyn Pugh; Vivian Vance; 2
Lucille Ball is most famous for her comedic chops in her show, I Love Lucy, and it’s many spin offs; but this iconic redhead first took her baby steps in show business as a fashion model.
Who is this actress whose showbiz career spanned 5 decades?
Vera Miles; Christine Kaufmann; Ann-Margret; Janet Leigh; 4
Here, actress Janet Leigh shows the camera some love. The California native made her big screen debut with 1947’s The Romance of Rosy Ridge and then went on to act in Psycho, Little Women and Touch of Evil.
Who is this singer who made it big as an actor, as well?
Sammy Davis Jr.; Gene Kelly; Frank Sinatra; Dean Martin; 3
Much before his solo album, The Voice of Frank Sinatra, released in 1946, Frank got his start singing in clubs with his band, the Hoboken Four. He also acted in Guys and Dolls and High Society.
This British actress made it big in Hollywood, too. Who is she?
Olivia de Havilland; Joan Fontaine; Ann Sheridan; Hattie McDaniel; 1
Much before she became a household name, thanks to the cult classic, Gone With the Wind, Olivia de Havilland had just moved to San Francisco bay as a teen. She would eventually become one of the longest living stars from the Golden Hollywood era, before she passed away in 2020, aged 104.
This director’s name and fame just won’t die. Who is this?
Martin Scorsese; Alfred Hitchcock; Stanley Kubrick; Orson Welles; 2
British film director Alfred Hitchcock is rightly called the "Master of Suspense" as he has made plenty of psychological horror movies that garnered him worldwide recognition. Some of his best works are The Birds, North by Northwest and of course, Psycho.
This one is a doozy, but this “monstrous” actor can be called a ‘Scream King.’ Who is he?
Bela Lugosi; Peter Lawford; Bobby Van; William P. Moss Jr.; 1
Hungarian actor Bela Lugosi landed the coveted role of Count Dracula, and killed it both in the stage adaptations and the screen versions of Bram Stoker's Dracula. He was relatively older than his peers when he played the role, as he was 45!
Who is this actress and fashionista?
Sophia Loren; Julie Andrews; Ann Miller; Audrey Hepburn; 4
British actress Audrey Hepburn is both a movie and fashion icon, as you can judge by her performances in Breakfast at Tiffany's, Sabrina and Roman Holiday. More importantly, Audrey was an international humanitarian.
Her life was rather tragic, even though she was a Hollywood darling. Who is she?
Shirley Temple; Ann Miller; Judy Garland; Lorna Luft; 3
Judy Garland rose to stardom at a very young age, as she was just 16 when filming The Wizard of Oz. Before that, the Easter Parade and A Star is Born actress spent her tween years performing with dance groups and learning the ins and outs of her craft.
She loved performing on stage as much as she did being in movies. Who is this?
Dorothy Dandridge; Lena Horne; Shelly Winters; Mabel King; 2
Much before the Grammy Award-winning songstress, Lena Horne found her way to Hollywood, she, at just age 16, was singing in the chorus at various nightclubs. Her showbiz career spanned 7 decades.
He belongs to a famous Hollywood family, much like acting royalty. Who is he?
Lewis Stone; Freddie Bartholomew; Melvyn Douglas; Lionel Barrymore; 4
The Barrymores are probably the most famous acting family in Hollywood and Lionel was the eldest child of theatre actors, who he began acting in the 1910s. He acted in A Free Soul before taking a break to begin directing movies like Madame X.
Who is this handsome fella?
James Cagney; Edward G. Robinson; Mickey Rooney; Pat O'Brien; 1
Actor James Cagney’s breakthrough role was in The Public Enemy and it made him the ultimate tough guy on the silver screen. He was also a natural comedian, but acted in plenty of Gangster films such as Smart Money and Dirty Faces.
He may look moody, but this actor was actually a really nice guy. Who is he?
Eli Wallach; Montgomery Clift; Fred Zinnemann; John Huston; 2
Montgomery Clift played sensitive, often emotionally disturbed figures on the big screen, and the movie Red River marked his rapid rise in show business. But life-long health issues and mental problems led to the downfall of A Place in the Sun star’s career.
Who is this Oscar winning actor?
Walter Brennan; Thomas Mitchell; William Wyler; Gary Cooper; 4
Gary Cooper is a quintessential American silver screen hero, who lived every role he was given. The Mr. Deeds goes to Town star’s career spanned from the great Silent Era, until his death in 1961, and he starred in more than 100 movies.
Who is this talented actor who lived a very long life?
Tony Curtis; Anthony Quinn; Kirk Douglas; Laurence Olivier; 3
The newer generation may know him as actor Michael Douglas’ father, but Kirk Douglas is was a huge star of the Classical Hollywood era. He starred in Stanley Kubrick's two greats; Spartacus and Paths of Glory. He died in 2020, aged 103.
She wasn’t born in America, but she’s still managed to rule Hollywood. Who is this actress?
Greta Garbo; Marlene Dietrich; Rita Hayworth; Mimi Pollak; 1
This Swedish-Aerican starred in a dozen silent films in the 20s before she transitioned to making talkies in the 30s. Greta Garbo solidified her legendary status in movie classics such as Grand Hotel. After 1941’s Two-Faced Woman, aged 35, she retired from the movies and kept out of the public eye.
Who is this child star turned Hollywood great?
Sophia Loren; Elizabeth Taylor; Debbie Reynolds; Joan Collins; 2
In the 1940s, child performer Elizabeth Taylor got her start in a few Lassie movies, but fame would come her way in the 50s, with Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Father of the Bride. The Oscar winning actress is also known for her 8 failed marriages and her HIV/AIDS activism.
Who is this ‘extremely relatable’ star?
Frank Capra; Gary Cooper; John Ford; James Stewart; 4
The tall and thin James Stewart has acted in plenty of drama, suspense, comedy, and romance movies. He got an Oscar nod with his role in 1946’s It’s a Wonderful Life and eventually won one for acting in The Philadelphia Story.
She managed to stay relevant for more than 6 decades. Who is this lady?
Liza Minnelli; Barbra Streisand; Lorna Luft; Bette Midler; 2
She’s got multiple prestigious awards such as the Oscar, Emmys, Golden Globes, Grammys and even a Tony. That just proves how insanely talented singer and actress Barbra Streisand is. The Funny Girl star still acts sometimes and maintains her music career.
Who is this actress, whose death was very mysterious?
Rita Moreno; Jill St. John; Natalie Wood; Marion Marshall; 3
The Great Race and West Side Story star Natalie Wood was on her way to act in many more big budget movies, after taking a decade long break from acting, but things were not meant to be. She drowned on a boating trip with her husband, actor Robert Wagner.
A hero who was bigger than his screen image. Who is he?
Charlton Heston; Burt Lancaster; John Derek; Chuck Connors; 1
By starring in the 1959 Biblical epic Ben-Hur, which went on to make $1 billion at the box office, Charlton Heston bagged his Oscar for Best Actor. He went on to star in Planet of the Apes and other successful sci-fi/thrillers. He passed away in 2008.
Who is this screen siren?
Ava Gardner; Ingrid Bergman; Teresa Wright; Lauren Bacall; 4
Lauren Bacall, whose real name is Betty Joan Perske, made her debut in 1944, and made quite an impression with her sultry voice and alluring gaze. The Key Largo actress would keep making public appearances until her death in 2014.
She made being an onscreen ‘bad girl’ look cool! Who is this pretty blonde?
Jean Harlow; Carole Lombard; Myrna Loy; Lana Turner; 1
Arguably, Jean Harlow was Hollywood’s first bona fide siren. The Blonde Bombshell has starred in The Public Enemy and Hold Your Man, but sadly passed away at age 26 due to kidney failure while filming the movie Saratoga.
An institution by herself, who is this quirky actress?
Debra Winger; Shirley MacLaine; Annette Bening; Sally Fields; 2
Known for playing charmingly eccentric characters on the big and small screen, Shirley MacLaine was meant to be an actress, even as her mom was a drama teacher, and her brother, Warren Beatty was a huge Hollywood star. You must have seen Shirley in Downton Abbey and Steel Magnolias.
This actress didn’t have a single hater! Who is this icon?
Mary Steenburgen; Georgia Engel; Betty White; Cloris Leachman; 3
Working both in front of and behind the camera, Betty White was way ahead of her times. She had her own talk show, has written many books, and starred in beloved shows such as The Golden Girls and movies like The Proposal.
Who is this influential screen figure?
Lauren Bacall; Ingrid Bergman; Isabella Rossellini; Pia Lindström; 2
Casablanca, Gaslight and Murder on the Orient Express are only some of the movies that Swedish actress Ingrid Bergman has acted in. Whenever she was on the screen, all eyes were on her.
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