Hollywood has been around long enough that some of the most famous and iconic actors and actresses have become a part of its history. However, did you know that there are many photos from Hollywood’s golden age? These photos show how much life on set had changed in just several decades. For example, while the 1920s actress is wearing her hair up with curls, the 1950s standards considered it to be an outdated hairstyle to some degree.
The old Hollywood stars were different kinds of celebrities. These iconic actors were the first to have their photos taken on set, and they always had a smile on their faces.
Take a look at some of the photos of old Hollywood stars that show just show their passion for what they did!
Judy Garland
At the tender age of 13, Judy Garland signed with Metro-Goldwyn Mayer (MGM), Hollywood’s largest movie studio. Her spirited personality, youthful innocence, and golden voice had made her an international sensation almost instantly. Garland appeared in her first major film in 1934. Several years later, she starred in Ziegfield Girl in 1940—excellent career investment planning.
Fredi Washinton
The talented actress and green-eyed beauty Fredi Washington eventually worked as an activist for the African-American stars in the entertainment industry. Later on, she married and retired from the show business. Washington starred in the film Imitation of Life in 1934, in which she co-starred with Louise Beavers, who played her mother in the movie.
James Cagney
James Cagney had a small stature but big on personality with his distinctive “tough guy” demeanor and staccato delivery. The actor had often played the gangster roles in the 1930s and 1940s, but he is well-loved for his portrayal of the composer George M. Cohan in the film Yankee Doodle Dandy in 1942, a role which earned credit for his stardom. This allowed him to exhibit his singing and dancing abilities, as well as his amazing energy. For his role, he was honored with an Oscar. Cagney was with Jean Harlow in the 1931 film The Public Enemy.
Errol Flynn
The often shirtless Errol Flynn had a swagger with real-life carousing that was nearly as adventurous as his on-screen brawls. He earned acting credits in the 1935 film Captain Blood that became an instant hit, which made him and co-star Olivia DeHavilland huge stars, with the latter being relatively unknown in Hollywood at the time. The pair would star in eight different movies together in the following years.
Jean Harlow
Jean Harlow epitomized the retro Tinseltown glamour with her dramatic eyeliner, platinum blonde curls, and cupid’s bow lips. She ran away at age 16 to get married and moved to Los Angeles with her husband. Early in her career, Harlow auditioned for so many roles as an extra, and the breakthrough came in the 1930s Howard Hughes’ hit, Hell’s Angels. The actress had often appeared with other big names in the industry of the time, such as with Clark Gable in the film Hold Your Man in 1933. She had never needed money loans since then.
Shirley Temple
Shirley Temple was among the most popular child stars of all time. With her trademark golden curls, charming personality, dimpled smile, and incredible dancing, she became her generation’s biggest star and even earned the top box-office draw between 1935 and 1938. However, Temple’s popularity had declined by the 1940s. She eventually pursued a diplomatic career.
Fred Astaire
At the age of 5, Fred Astaire started out in Broadway and vaudeville alongside his sister and partner, Adele, who was widely believed to be the more talented sibling. The actor then went to Hollywood following his sister’s marriage, and he made his first film in 1932. Astaire subsequently starred in a string of popular musicals throughout the 1930s up to the early 1950s. He then headed into the television movies in the 1970s with several credits. In the 1937 musical Shall We Dance, Astaire collaborated with renowned composers George and Ira Gershwin.