Cinema Legends

Cary Grant, one of the most accomplished and recognizable actors of the twentieth century, was not always the influential icon he is known as today. He started from humbling beginnings in a broken family in a small town in England, running away from home and ultimately migrating to the States to pursue a film career that would remain resonant generations after his death.

A career marred by immigration and military issues, combined with the tragic loss of his young wife, David Niven's was one of distinguished grace and charm. Though his personal life interfered to varying degrees throughout his artisan career, he managed to climb the social and creative ladders to many of the most noteworthy celebrities of the twentieth century.

Both a blessing a curse, Edward G. Robinson would revolutionize, set the standard for, and ultimately become typecast as the quintessential gangster actor. Though his filmography spans decades of variant roles, his most recognizable attribute has remained his contribution to the gangster genre, and his iconic portrayals that would serve as capstones for gangster performances forever on.

Elizabeth Taylor, recognizable from nearly facet of her life, was noteworthy during her life and even long afterward thanks to her diverse filmography, her unmistakable beauty, and her tumultuous personal life, specifically her many marriages and divorces.

Frank Sinatra, widely recognized by the nickname, The Voice, proved his namesake year in and year out of his prolific career. His appeal stemmed from his roots, and ascended with him as his career trajectory pushed him into the international spotlight.

Humphrey Bogart, by now a name synonymous with artisan performance, has a catalogue to his name as substantial as the two closest actors combined. His plethora of iconic roles has had a lasting impact on screen performers and even the film industry in general.

James Cagney is widely accepted as one of the first undisputed stars of the then emerging and formative motion picture era. His ability to transcend all limitations set by his signature shortness enabled a career belonging to singularly the most recognizable and bankable star of the time.

Jimmy Stewart has been celebrated from his career's beginnings through present day as a champion of the everyman, portraying Americans on America's terms and vouching for the decency of American ideals and values. His reputation as a class act who returned from a deadly war and pursued his dreams to unmatched success still resonates with Americans, American art, and America at large.

Transcending boundaries set in the patriarchal studio system, Katharine Hepburn became the top-billed female performer on the silver screen by means of fluidly segueing from role to role, impressing and connecting all who saw her portrayals of humanity. The most celebrated actress in American history did not become an unstoppable force overnight.

Sir Laurence Olivier has been widely cited as one of if not the greatest screen actor since the medium's advent. Destined to be a star since being seen on stage and invited to Hollywood just so he could be made into a star, his destiny was laid out for him from the beginning.

Marilyn Monroe has retained a reputation as a universal sex symbol even decades after her death. Her sexual nature and sensuous performances/appearances have solidified her stature as the living embodiment of sexuality in cinema.

Shirley Temple's fame as a child star elevated her all the way until she was unquestionably the highest paid and highest grossing actor on the silver screen. Her unanimous favorability fared well on her and her art, with her pictures regularly taking in record amounts and her star status only amplifying with each film she appeared in.

Vivien Leigh is perhaps as well known for her tumultuous personal life and its effects on her career trajectory as she is for her immaculate career itself. Her affair and later marriage to Laurence Olivier, and her mental illness that affected the relationship and her subsequent career, nearly eclipsed her incomparable talent she exuded on the screen.