24 Famous Actresses Of The 1930s

Katharine Hepburn earned love from Hollywood for over 60 years. She began her career in the 1930s.Holiday, Bringing Up Babyand Alice AdamsHepburn starred in nine films with her longtime love Spencer Tracy during the golden age of cinema. These are just a few of the films she starred in.

Bette Davis, famous for her intense eyes and cynical characters, began her career in the 1931 filmThe Bad Sister.She won two Academy Awards during her fifty-plus years in the industry.

Vivien Leigh starred in a major 1930s film and later in the 1939 Oscar-winner alongside Clark Gable.Gone with the Wind. She married actor Laurence Olivier from 1940 to 1960.

In her later years, Barbara Stanwyck appeared in popular TV series likeDynasty and The Colbys, yet she appeared in over a dozen feature films in the 1930s. She received an Academy Award nomination for her role in the 1938 pictureStella Dallasand she won an Honorary Oscar for her film work in 1982.

Joan Crawford worked as an actress for over 40 years, but she became a major movie star in the 1930s. MGM signed her in the 1930s and 1940s, and she was one of thehighest paid womenin film.

Claudette Colbert appeared in many memorable 1930s films, includingIt Happened One Nightand Drums Along the Mohawk.She skipped the 1935 Oscars, not expecting to beat Bette Davis. She was wrong; she won the award for Best Actress.

Greta Garbo possessed a timeless beauty. She was one of themost popular actressesof the 1920s and 1930s. She appeared in films likeNinotchka, Camilleand Anna Karenina.

Rita Hayworth started her career in the 1930s, though she was credited as Rita Cansino for many early roles. Stephen King's novellaRita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption.

Five-time Oscar-nominee Irene Dunne started her film career in Leatherneckingin 1930. She appeared in many popular films of the decade, includingCimarron, Theodora Goes Wildand The Awful Truth.

Mae West challenged censorship with her bawdy, seductive characters. Mae West appeared in films such asI'm No Angel, She Done Him Wrong,and Klondike Annie.

Dancer turned actress Myrna Loy captivated audiences playing Nora inThe Thin Man (1934). She received an honorary Oscar for her film work in 1991.

Ginger Rogers is famous for her partnership with Fred Astaire. This dancing pair appeared in 10 films together, includingShall We Dancein 1937.

Carole Lombard reached her career peak before she died in a 1942 plane crash. Throughout the 1930s, she appeared in films likeMy Man Godfrey, Made for Each Otherand Nothing Sacred.

Gloria Swanson is known for playing the spotlight-hungry actress, Norma Desmond, inSunset Blvd.Gloria Swanson transitioned easily from silent films. In the 1930s, she appeared in "Music in the Air" and "Perfect Understanding."Music in the AirandPerfect Understanding.

Jean Harlow had a curvy figure, a brassy voice, and blonde bombshell hair. She was a sex symbol and leading lady for MGM. Jean Harlow starred in the gangster movie "The Public Enemy".The Public EnemyShe appeared in 1931 and six films with Clark Gable before he died of liver failure at age 26.

Marlene Dietrich worked as an actress for over 60 years, but her most memorable work came during the 1930s. Marlene Dietrich appeared in "The Blue Angel".The Blue AngelShe appeared in 1930 and "Destry Rides Again".Destry Rides AgainShe appeared in 1939.

Lucille Ball is best known for playing the zany Lucy Ricardo on "I Love Lucy".I Love LucyShe appeared in dozens of films in the 1940s. In 1938, she appeared in "The Affairs of Annabel".The Affairs of AnnabelandRoom Service.

Jane Wyman started her film career in 1932. She won an Oscar for her role in the 1948 film "Johnny Belinda".Johnny BelindaFun Fact: She was married to Ronald Reagan from 1940 to 1948.

Janet Gaynor became one of Hollywood's most successful leading ladies in the 1920s. Some of her best work came in the 1930s. Janet Gaynor appeared alongside Fredric March in the 1937 classic "A Star is Born".A Star is Born.

Dorothy Lamour's first credited film role was in the 1936 picture "The Jungle Princess".The Jungle PrincessShe was good friends with Bing Crosby and Bob Hope.

Anna May Wong is considered the first Chinese American movie star. Anna May Wong appeared in 1930s classics like "Shanghai Express" and "Daughter of Shanghai".Shanghai ExpressandDaughter of Shanghai.

Carmen Miranda started in film in the 1930s, known for her colorful headdresses and bombshell image. In the 1940s, she became the highest paid performer in the U.S.

Judy Garland had a career spanning over four decades. She was a prominent American actress, singer, vaudevillian, and dancer.

Jeanette Anna MacDonald was an American singer and actress.singer and actressShe is best remembered for her musical films of the 1930s with Maurice Chevalier and Nelson Eddy.