1940 to 2020 – Check Out Which Female Icons Ruled The World (2 of 8)

1950: Bette Davis

Born in Massachusetts, Bette Davis worked in theatres before making it big in Hollywood. She was one of the most popular actresses the industry has ever seen, starring in well over a hundred movies. Some of her most popular films include Dark Victory, The Man Who Played God, and All About Eve. She even won an Academy Award for Best Actress, apart from other notable awards.

1951: Leslie Caron

Leslie Caron happens to be a French-American actor, dancer, and model who worked in well over fifty movies throughout her career that spanned over multiple decades. She is widely acclaimed for her musicals such as An American Paris, Gigi, and Daddy Long Legs. She is also best known for her acting in other flicks such as Fanny, and The Man With a Cloak. Caron was nominated for and won multiple awards throughout her acting career.

1952: Debbie Reynolds

One of the most famous actresses in the 50s and later decades, Debbi Reynolds made it big in her career with classics like Singin’ in the Rain, June’s Bride, and The Unsinkable Molly Brown. The Unsinkable Molly Brown also earned her an Academy Award for best actress. She also went on to win other major awards such as the Golden Globe and the BAFTA.

1953: Brigitte Bardot

Brigitte Bardot, popularly known as B.B, was a French singer and actress. She was known for portraying those bold, independent women on screen, which made her an iconic sex symbol in the 1950s. She went on to win the BAFTA award for Best Foreign Actress and received several other accolades.

1954: Ava Gardner

Ava Gardner was a singer and actor who made it big after signing a contract with MGM. She grabbed small roles that earned her critical acclaim before she moved on to star in popular movies such as The Killers and The Night of Iguana. She was nominated for Academy Awards, along with several others for her role in Mogambo. With a career that spanned over thirty years, Gardner worked in movies that made her a popular household name.

1955: Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe certainly needs no introduction. One of the most popular stars Hollywood has ever seen, Monroe was a controversial figure as well. She attracted a lot of attention for her relationships with popular men of the day such as Joe DiMaggio, Arthur Miller, and John F. Kennedy. Some of her best work includes Niagara, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and All About Eve.

1956: Grace Kelly

Grace Kelly was another popular actress from the 50s who went on to star in a lot of popular movies. She first gained recognition with her brilliant performance in High Noon. She worked in The Country Girl as well, which earned her an Academy Award nomination. She also starred in a number of Alfred Hitchcock’s flicks such as Dial M for Murder, Rear Window, and To Catch a Thief. She also worked in the theater for a while before making her way to television shows that made sure she remained popular as ever before.

1957: Lucille Ball

A singer, model, and actress, Lucille Ball was one of the very first actresses that pulled off comedy to perfection. In fact, she even created a show named I Love Lucy, which also starred her husband Desi Arnaz. While the duo split up shortly afterward, she created a series of sequels to the original show such as Here’s Lucy and The Lucy Show. Her famous movie appearances include The Three Musketeers and Stage Door.

1958: Nina Simone

A legendary singer and dancer, Nina Simone was known for her wide range of singing skills, which included folk, blues, and jazz. She first worked in a nightclub, and that is where she discovered her love for jazz, which helped her move up in her singing career. Her famous albums include Little Blue Girl, Plain Golden Ring, and I Love You Porgy.

1959: Jane Wyatt

Jane Waddington was a renowned actress who starred in a number of popular flicks in the 50s, apart from working in numerous other popular TV shows. From NBC’s comedy series Father Knows Best to movies such as Last Horizon, Star Trek, and House By The River, Waddington became a household name.