Over the last 12 months, Americans viewed 1.4 movies in a theater on average.
If you could step back in time and spend a day with an iconic actress, you might learn something.
Vintage movie stars are fascinating people for many reasons. It’s fun to learn about the lives of the influential figures that helped the golden age of Hollywood into what it is today.
Read on for some of the vintage stars you didn’t know.
1. Clara Bow
Clara Bow was one of the first movie stars to become a household name. She is known for her curves and her sexually charged performances. She was one of the first female stars to appear on the cover of TIME magazine.
2. Louise Brooks
Louise Brooks was born in 1906 in Cherryvale, Kansas. Brooks began her career as a dancer in New York City at age 15. Pandora’s Box was a huge success and made Brooks an international star. In the late 1970s, Brooks’ career was revived when a new generation of film industry fans rediscovered her.
3. Rudolph Valentino
Rudolph Valentino was an Italian-American actor who became a sex symbol in the 1920s. His parents were married in a Catholic church, but his father, a tailor, was an atheist, while his mother believed in superstitions. As a young boy, Rudolph was sickly and often bedridden, which gave him time to dream and imagine adventures.
4. Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin
In addition to being movie stars, Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin were also talented directors and producers. Buster Keaton got his start in vaudeville, and Charlie Chaplin got his start in the music hall. Buster Keaton’s films often featured physical comedy, while Charlie Chaplin’s films featured pantomime and slapstick comedy.
5. Gloria Swanson
Swanson started her career as a teenager, working as an extra in silent films. She was often cast as a flapper or vamp due to her youthful looks and sex appeal. Swanson was one of the few actresses who successfully transitioned from silent films to “talkies.”
6. Lon Chaney, Sr.
Lon Chaney Sr. was one of the most famous and versatile movie stars of the early 20th century. He is known for his ability to transform his appearance with makeup and for his skill in performing physical stunts. Chaney Sr. was married three times and had three children, including Lon Chaney Jr., who also became a successful movie star.
7. Marilyn Monroe
Monroe was initially born Norma Jeane Mortenson but later took her mother’s maiden name, Monroe, as her stage name. Monroe was married to baseball player Joe DiMaggio, dramatist Arthur Miller, and musician Milton Berle three times. Monroe’s famous “diamond” necklace was fake. It was made of rhinestones and cost only $35.
8. John Wayne
He was born Marion Morrison but took on the name John Wayne when he started appearing in films. He was nominated for three Academy Awards and won one for his performance in True Grit. Wayne was an iconic figure in the Western genre, appearing in some of the most famous Westerns.
If you are looking for more facts about him, explore this John Wayne exhibit.
Vintage Movie Stars
While millions on social media follow movie stars, there was a time when fans knew very little about their personal lives. If you’re a fan of classic movies, be sure to check out these fun facts about your favorite vintage movie stars.
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