1950 – 1990S

Marilyn Monro (1926 – 1962)

Real name:Norma Jean Baker

Data:Marilyn Monro was a model before she became an actress. Her first film appeared in 1948. After that she made 28 more – usually cast as a ‘dumb’ blonde. But Marilyn herself was far from dumb. She was, in fact, a very talented actress. After her early (and mysterious) death in 1962, movie fans quickly turned her from a star into a legend.

Best-known films:The Asphalt Jungle (1950), Niagara (1952), Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), How to Marry a Millionaire (1953), The Seven Year Itch (1955), Some Like It Hot (1959), The Misfits (1961).

Quotes: “The best way for me to prove myself as a person is to prove myself as an actress” Marilyn Monro.

“A professional amateur.” Laurence Olivier

James Dean (1931 – 1955)

Data:Youth culture began in American during the ‘50s and its first screen hero was James Dean. Moody, mixed-up and energy, he represented a new generation of teenagers – especially in his second film, ‘Rebel Without a Cause’. That was the movie which made him a major star. Tragically, though, he died in a car crash before it was released.

Best-known films: East of Eden (1955), Rebel Without a Cause (1956), Giant (1956).

Quotes:“We cannot speak of cinema without mentioning James Dean.” François Truffaut

“I’m not going to live past 30.” James Dean

Elizabeth Taylor (1932 - )

Data:Born in London, Elizabeth Taylor moved to California with her parents during World War Two. There she became (a) one of Hollywood’s most successful child stars in the ‘40s (b) one of its most beautiful and gifted actresses in the ‘50s and ‘60s. She has been married eight times and won two Oscars (for ‘Butterfield 8’ and Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?’) in a career that’s lasted over 40 years.

Best-known films: National Velvet (1944), Giant (1956), Raintree Country (1957), Cat On A Hot Tin Roof (1958), Suddenly Last Summer (1959), Butterfield 8 (1960), Cleopatra (1962), Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf ? (1966), The Mirror Crack’d (1980) The Flinstones (1994).

Quotes:“I don’t pretend to be an ordinary housewife. Elizabeth Taylor.

“I live in the present and look forward to the future.” Elizabeth Taylor.

Paul Newman (1925 - )

Data:Unlike many screen legends, Paul Newman is extremely popular in the film industry. He’s popular with movie fans, too, and has been ever since he first appeared in ‘The Silver Chalice’ in 1954. Since then there have been over 50 other films (including some which he directed). Off-screen he is married to actress Joanne Woodward, enjoys motor racing and is active in Democratic politics.

Best-known films:Cat On A Hot Tin Roof (1958), The Hustler (1961), Hud (1963), Cool Hand Luke (1967), Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid (1969), The Sting (1973), The Verdict (1982), The Color of Money (1988), Blaze (1990), Mr and Mrs Bridge (1991).

Quotes:“Acting is a question of absorbing other people’s personalities and some of your own experience.” Paul Newman.

“You don’t stop being a citizen just because you’re a movie star.” Paul Newman.

Meryl Streep (1951 - )

Real Name:Mary Louise Streep

Data:Maryl Streep acted at university and on the New York stage in the 1970s. Her early movie roles were small parts in ‘Julia’ (with Jane Fonda), ‘The Deerhunter’ (with Robert De Niro), and ‘Manhattan’ (with Woody Allen). Then came her first leading role, and an Oscar, in ‘Kramer Versus Kramer’. A second Oscar followed three years later for ‘Sophie’s Choice’. Since then, Maryl Streep has starred in a series of major international hits. Intelligent and cool on-screen, she is also famous for the many different accents she has used in her career.

Best-known films: The Deer Hunter (1978), Kramer Versus Kramer (1979), The French Lieutenant’s Woman (1981), Sophie’s Choice (1982), Silkwood (1983), Out Of Africa (1987), A Cry In The Dark (1989), She-Devil (1990), Postcards From The Edge (1991), The River Wild (1994), The Bridges of Madison County (1995), Before And After (1996), Marvin’s Room (1996), One True Thing (1998), Music of the Heart (1998), Adaptation (2002), The Orchid Thief (2002), The Hours (2002).

Quotes: “I don’t believe performances should be out up against each other for awards. It’s insane to have winners and losers in art.”

“Maryl Streep is an acting machine in the same way that a shark is a killing machine.” Cher.

Mel Gibson (1956 - )

Data: Mel Gibson was born in America but moved to Australia with his family when he was twelve. His first movies (including ‘Gallipoll’ and the action-packed ‘Mad Max’ series) were all made in Australia. By the mid-80s, though, he was an international star and had begun making films in Hollywood, too. Often described as ‘the most handsome man in the world’, Mel Gibson is one of today’s most popular box-office names.

Best-known films:The ‘Mad Max’ series (1978 – 1985), Gallipoll (1981), The Year Of Living Dangerously (1982), Mutiny On The Bounty (1984), Lethal Weapon (1987), Lethal Weapon 2 (1989), Hamlet (1991), Maverick (1994), Brave Heart (1995), Lethal Weapon-4 (1998), Patriot (2000), What Women Want (2000).

Quotes:“Being labelled a star isn’t necessarily a choice you make yourself.” Mel Gibson.

“When I was growing up I often thought about being an actor. I never believed it would really happen, though.” Mel Gibson.