The MOST Memorable Old Hollywood Actors You Must Remember

The Golden Age of Hollywood has given us beautiful movies and stories that have stayed with us ever since. And with those iconic movies, we got to see charismatic old Hollywood actors and iconic actresses of all time. 

These are the old Hollywood actors that we should always remember for the rest of our lives for their brilliant screen presence and charisma. So, if you are unaware of these brilliant icons of the entertainment industry, then let us scroll down and get to know them. 

Old Hollywood Actors You Must Remember

Most actors on the list below ruled the film industry during the 20th century and gave us the classic Hollywood films we are so fond of nowadays. 

So let me show you the handsome old Hollywood actors on the list of the Greatest Male Stars of All Time.

1. James Stewart

James Stewart, born in Indiana and of Scottish and English descent, was an American stage and film actor with decorated military rankings. He was in contract with MGM and also had a military ranking of a Brigadier General in the US Air Force during World War II and the Vietnam War. 

He worked with directors like Alfred Hitchcock, Billy Wilder, John Ford, and Anthony Mann. Having a long list of classic movies under his name, such as Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, The Man Who Knew Too Much, and The Philadelphia Story. James Stewart is considered among the finest actors during the “Golden Age of Hollywood.” He was also named the “Third Greatest Male Star of All Time” by the American Film Institute.

2. Spencer Tracy

Known as the ninth Greatest Male Star of All Time. Just like James Stewart, he also had a military career before stepping into Hollywood. Along with his classmate Pat O’Brien, he enlisted in the US Navy during World War I. 

After he completed his studies in acting, he appeared in many different plays on Broadway. Tracy made his movie debut with The Last Mile by John Ford. Then, he began his brief contract with Fox Film Corporation and joined Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer; this was when his career flourished.  

He won two Academy Awards for films like Boys Town and Captain’s Courage. He also received 12 Oscar nominations for the movie Father of the Bride(1950). 

3. Marlon Brando

Known for some of the iconic roles in Hollywood Classic movies, such as Julius Caesar, The Godfather, and A Streetcar Named Desire, Marlon Brando is a name known to all. Brando acted in movies for over half a century, significantly impacting the film industry. He became notoriously famous for his exceptional acting style and tumbling technique. Moreover, he is the fourth Greatest Movie Star of All Time. The Times magazine 1999 designated him as the “Actor of the Century.”

4. Cary Grant

He was designated with the title of the second Greatest Male Star of All Time. Cary Grant had an elegant demeanor, great comic timing, and a light-hearted acting approach, making him one of Hollywood’s classic leading men. He had definite looks, was charming, and had charismatic, handsome features. 

Besides being of English-American heritage, he had a distinctive Mid-Atlantic accent; his career skyrocketed with films like She Done Him Wrong, The Awful Truth, The Philadelphia Story, Notorious, An Affair to Remember, and Charade. 

5. Fred Astaire

Known as the greatest dancer in film history, Fred Astaire had uncanny rhythm and perfectionism when it came to dancing. This is why he acted in more than 31 musical movies and over 10 West End and Broadway musicals. 

Other than being designated the fourth Greatest Male Star of All Time, Astaire was also a famous singer. Songs like Something’ Gotta Give, The Way You Look Tonight, and One for My Baby are very popular. 

6. Henry Fonda

One of Hollywood’s most soft-spoken and remarkable actors, Henry Fonda, started his career as a Broadway actor. After coming to Hollywood, he gained success after starring in the movie The Grapes of Wrath. 

Henry Fonda stayed in the acting business for over six decades and gave some exemplary performances gaining him the title of the sixth Greatest Male Star of All Time. He has movies like Ox-Bow Incident, Mister Roberts and 12 Angry Men, Once Upon A Time In The West, Yours, Mine and Ours, and Midway.

7. Humphrey Bogart

Nicknamed Bogie, became a cultural icon in America. Humphrey Bogart was designated the title of Greatest Male Star in the history of American History. Beginning his career with Broadway, after the Stock Market crash in the year 1929, he turned towards the film industry. 

Bogart’s short approximately thirty years of acting year gave us amazing films like Casablanca, Sabrina, To Have and Have Not, The African Queen, and The Treasures of the Sierra Madre.

8. James Cagney

The “tough guy” of Hollywood was an accomplished dancer and a very private person in real life. Starring in movies like The Public Enemy, Cagney gained notable recognition for being the most influential Gangster film of the period.  

Because of movies like Angels with Dirty Faces, Yankee Doodle Dandy, and Love Me or Leave Me, he was named eighth Greatest Male Star of All Time. 

9. Richard Burton

Besides being a brilliant actor post-WWII, Burton is best remembered for his highly turbulent and controversial relationship with Elizabeth Taylor. Their on-again and off-again relationship was always highly publicized. More so since they married twice. 

For being the recipient of numerous Tony Awards and BAFTA Awards and six times nominated for an Academy Award, he was the highest-paid actor at one point.

 10. Charlie Chaplin

George Bernard Shaw called Charlie Chaplin “the only genius to come out of the movie industry.” Sir Charles Spencer “Charlie” Chaplin was one of the most iconic, creative, and recognizable personalities in the film industry during the silent era. His persona of the Little Tramp is one of the iconic characters of all time. 

His use of mime, visual comedy, and slapstick became hugely popular. But being a giant in the entertainment industry comes with controversies, scandals, and admiration. He gave the world relief with laughter and comedy during both World Wars. 

Chaplin has been designated the title of the tenth Greatest Male Star Of All Time for his ability to bring a war-torn world together with comedy and laughter. 

 11. Clark Gable

Popularly known as “The King Of Hollywood,” Clark Gable was given the title of the seventh Greatest Male Star Of All Time. Throughout his film career, Gable was paired with the biggest actresses of that time. 

His last film, The Misfits, opposite Marilyn Monroe, was released after his death, which was coincidentally her last screen appearance as well. 

 12. Richard Harris

Harris is a man of many talents and he is a great actor; he is also a singer, film director, writer, songwriter, and theatrical producer. He is best known for his role as King Arthur in Camelot. 

His appearance as Albus Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter movies, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and the Chamber of Secrets, earned him worldwide recognition. 

He also starred in classic films like Unforgiven, A Man Called Horse, and Gladiator. 

 13. Richard Widmark

Few people can establish themselves as an icon with their debut films, like Richard Widmark with the movie Kiss of Death. He established himself as the best criminal or anti-hero character in the industry. 

But later in his career, he went for more heroic roles as the leading male character. A few of his best movies are Slattery’s Hurricane, Panic in the Street, and The Tunnel of Love.

 14. Peter O’Toole

O’Toole succeeded after acting in one of the best Hollywood Classics, Lawrence Of Arabia. Known for his “hellraiser” of a lifestyle, Peter O’Toole became a highly-honored stage and film actor. 

With films like The Ruling Class, The Stunt Man, and Goodbye Mr.Chips, he holds the record for most Academy Awards nominations, although he never won one.

 15. Sidney Poitier

Being a Bahaman and American actor, Sidney Poitier had to face a lot of difficulties growing up. But that didn’t stop him from living his dream of becoming an actor during a difficult time in America.  

With a film like The Defiant Ones, which received nine Academy Award nominations, Poitier became the first black actor to win an Academy Award in 1964. 

He starred in other great films like To Sir, with Love, In the Heart of the Night, and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.

 16. James Dean 

One of the legendary cultural icons of the film industry, James Dean was not only a stunningly handsome young man in his youth and an immensely talented actor. 

But his untimely death at the young age of 24 made Hollywood lose a rising star. He was one of the most handsome old Hollywood actors. 

The films by James Dean created a revolution then and still now among the youth: Rebel Without A Cause, Giant, and East of Eden. He was the only actor who received two Academy Awards nominations after his death.

 17. Robert Duvall

Spanning an impressive acting career for over seven decades, Robert Duvall is known as one of the Greatest American actors of all time. 

From acting in movies like To Kill A Mockingbird, MASH, True Confession, Apocalypse Now, The Godfather, and The Godfather Part I, Duvall left a huge impression in the industry.

 18. Michael Caine

One of the British icons, Sir Michael Caine, is one of the best British actors known for his proper cockney accent. Appearing in more than 160 movies in seven decades, Caine is one of the most respected and recognizable actors. 

Starring in films like Alfie, Get Carter, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Hannah and Her Sister, The Cider House Rules, and The Dark Knight Trilogy. Caine is one of only two actors nominated for an Academy Award every decade.

 19. Sean Connery

The best way to describe this man is that he is Tall, handsome, and muscular; maybe that is why he was the original James Bond and the best one. 

He’s the man who gave birth to the suave and dignified man with a License To Kill. With the major success of the first Bond film, Dr. No, Connery became a Sex Symbol. He was one of the most handsome old Hollywood actors. 

Besides Bond, Connery starred in movies like Dragonheart, The Hill, Marnie, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and The Rock.  

 20. Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra was an American Actor, Singer, and Songwriter. He is among the best-selling music artists in the world, with over 150 million sales. 

Besides being a huge success in the music industry, he was a successful actor, winning an Academy Award for From Here to Eternity. He also starred in other movies like The Manchurian Candidate.

Wrapping Up!

There are more old Hollywood actors that are worthy to be remembered by all, but unfortunately, we couldn’t fit them all into this article. Nonetheless, tell us in the comment section who your favorite old Hollywood actors are.

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