It Was The Golden Age
Way back before Netflix and on-demand movies, going to the cinema was the highlight of every family week. It was an event that everybody looked forward too. Hollywood’s Golden Age movies had purpose and passion in those classic years. They weren’t made only to escape from everyday life, they evoked genuine emotion in the audience: laughter, sadness, happiness, you name it.
Well, these screen icons got their starts during the Golden Age (and silent film era) of Hollywood, and now, as some of these living legends celebrate their 100th birthday, and they aren’t showing any signs of slowing down soon!
Jack Nicholson
“Here’s Johnny!” Well, Jack... Yes, you may know Jack Nicholson best as the iconic madman in The Shining but did you know he’s been making waves in the movie industry since 1953! Since then it’s safe to say he’s built an incredibly impressive portfolio throughout the years.
Some of his best performances include his role in movies like One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, As Good as It Gets, and Terms of Endearment. And let us not forget The Shining.
Angela Lansbury
Best known for her iconic role as Jessica Fletcher in the 1984 series Murder, She Wrote, actress Angela Lansbury has spent seven decades of her life entertaining audiences worldwide as one of the biggest stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood!
Jesica made her debut on the big screen as Nancy Oliver in George Cukor’s Gaslight and in 1945, she starred in The Picture of Dorian Gray. Since then, audiences worldwide have witnessed her incredible versatility, from gripping the viewers in The Manchurian Candidate and charming them in Bedknobs and Broomsticks.
Clint Eastwood
With an incredible career in the movie-making business that spans nearly seven decades, Clint Eastwood is among the last living legends of the Golden Age of Hollywood.
His most recent film, The Mule, that Clint starred and directed, was the actor's 72nd credited role! Although it was his first film he acted in four years, the actor doesn’t show any signs of stopping his passion anytime soon.
Eva Marie Saint
Best known for playing the lead female role in On The Waterfront in 1954, Eva Marie Saint has had a career that’s spanned six decades! Her role in On The Waterfront garnered her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Her next big role came when she was personally chosen by legendary filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock to star in his movie, North by Northwest. Although she’s had periods of where she only appeared in smaller roles, Saint has never stopped working. Her most recent acting credits were in 2014 in the movie Winter’s Tale and as a voice actor in the animated series The Legend of Korra.
Carole Cook
Carole Cook has been acting since 1956 in TV, movies, and musical theatre. Cook recently turned 96 years old and has taken a bit of a break. Her last acting credit is from 2018 in the movie Still Waiting in the Wings.
Reportedly, she was a protégé of actress and comedian Lucille Ball and made several appearances on many of Ball’s shows!
Roger E Mosely
Though legendary Roger E Mosely started playing minor roles in TV series in the ‘70s, it wasn’t until he landed a big one on Magnum P.I. when Roger E. Mosley received worldwide fame and praise.
The show was a huge success and Roger was invited back on the Magnum P.I. set for the 2019 remake! He’s well in his 80s now and remains somewhat active as an actor.
Rita Moreno
Award-winning actress Rita Moreno has a Hollywood career that has lasted for more than seven decades. She was one of the first stars to win a Tony, Emmy, Grammy, and Oscar award!
Some of her most popular roles were on West Side Story, The King and I, and The Electric Company. She is still making waves in the movie industry today and you can catch her on the web series – One Day At A Time.
Lee Meriwether
Back in 1955, Lee Meriwether was able to win the Miss America pageant. She later pursued an acting career and became a known name in the 1970s, thanks to her role in the show, Barnaby Jones.
Her performances on Barnaby Jones didn’t go unnoticed and she has garnered a number of nominations at the Golden Globe Awards.
Ruta Lee
Ruta Lee was once America’s sweetheart and one of the most popular movie stars of the 1950s and 1960s. A woman of many talents, Ruta was destined to become a major part of show business.
Ever since the ‘50s, Ruta Lee has maintained an incredibly busy acting career. She has played in some of the most legendary films of the 1950s including Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Witness for the Prosecution.
Gloria Henry
Gloria Henry is best known for her breakout role as Alice Mitchell, the mother of the titular character from the Dennis the Menace TV series, which aired from 1959 to 1963.
After Dennis the Menace was canceled in 1963, Henry appeared in a few movies and shows from time to time. She didn’t act for several decades but returned to film in 2005 in Her Minor Thing. After the movie, Henry took another long break and her last acting credit is for a minor role in Parks and Recreation in 2012.
They Will Forever Live On
Wow, what an incredible list of Hollywood legends! While everybody knows that many people take part in the process of making a film, from directors to caterers, it’s the actors and actresses who draw the most attention.
It is their job to make the film come alive. Back then, actors and actresses were immortalized by the roles they played; it was the time when the term movie star actually meant something. Some may not be here anymore, but their work and legacy will forever live on!