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From silent-film pioneers to modern-day Marvel heroes, the past century has seen some truly dazzling movie stars take the stage (and sometimes hog it). Each decade has brought its own breed of icons who’ve captured hearts, box offices, and a fair number of magazine covers. So grab a seat, because we’re about to go on a whirlwind tour of the brightest stars from Hollywood’s Golden Age to today’s blockbuster behemoths.

1920s: The Silent Sirens and Dashing Devils

Silent movies ruled, and so did their stars, who could express a novel’s worth of drama with one well-arched eyebrow.

Charlie Chaplin: The ultimate silent-film legend. As "The Tramp," Chaplin became the heart of early cinema, blending comedy with heart and earning himself global adoration.
Clara Bow: The original “It Girl,” Clara Bow captivated audiences with her big eyes, flapper style, and devil-may-care attitude. She was the embodiment of Jazz Age fun and freedom.
Rudolph Valentino: With smoldering eyes and Mediterranean allure, Valentino made women swoon as the "Latin Lover." When he passed away unexpectedly in 1926, the world mourned as if they'd lost a dear friend.

1930s: Hollywood’s Golden Age Begins

As talkies took over, actors who could actually talk (and charm) reigned supreme.

Clark Gable: Dubbed "The King of Hollywood," Gable stole hearts with his rugged charm, cementing his legendary status with Gone with the Wind.
Bette Davis: Fierce, dramatic, and larger-than-life, Davis dominated with films like Jezebel and Dark Victory. She didn’t just act; she commanded every scene.
Shirley Temple: Who could resist America’s littlest sweetheart? Temple’s curly hair and tap-dancing toes saved studios from the Great Depression one dimply smile at a time.

1940s: Wartime Heroes and Femme Fatales

World War II gave rise to gritty heroes and leading ladies who could hold their own.

Humphrey Bogart: Brooding, cynical, and oh-so-cool, Bogart made trench coats and tough talkers the height of 1940s style.
Ingrid Bergman: With Casablanca, Bergman became synonymous with romance and timeless beauty. Few could match her elegance or accent.
John Wayne: The Duke rode onto the scene with a swagger and drawl that turned him into America’s cowboy (and occasional war hero) forever.

1950s: The Golden Age of Glamour

Hollywood was all about polished perfection, Technicolor extravagance, and leading men and ladies who epitomized style.

Marilyn Monroe: The ultimate blonde bombshell, Monroe was an icon of glamour, sex appeal, and tragedy, wrapped in a pink satin bow.
James Dean: Rebel Without a Cause wasn’t just a title—it was a lifestyle. Dean became a legend after just a few films, leaving us to wonder what might have been.
Audrey Hepburn: With her timeless grace and pixie charm, Hepburn won hearts in Breakfast at Tiffany's and remains a style icon to this day.

1960s: Rebels, Romantics, and Rockstars

As society changed, so did its stars. Hollywood’s pristine polish got a little more rugged and rebellious.

Elizabeth Taylor: The violet-eyed diva owned the '60s with her scandalous romances, multiple marriages, and role in Cleopatra, the costliest (and most dramatic) film of its time.
Paul Newman: Cool as a cucumber, with blue eyes that could melt ice. Newman charmed audiences in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and Cool Hand Luke.
Sean Connery: The first and perhaps most legendary James Bond, Connery turned 007 into a global sensation, with wit as sharp as his tux.

1970s: Anti-Heroes and New Hollywood

The '70s got gritty, and so did its stars, who often brought raw realism to their roles.

Al Pacino: With The Godfather and Serpico, Pacino became the face of tough, complex anti-heroes that defined New Hollywood.
Robert De Niro: Intense, versatile, and never afraid to take a punch, De Niro went from Taxi Driver to Raging Bull, creating unforgettable characters along the way.
Diane Keaton: As both a Woody Allen muse and a romantic lead in Annie Hall, Keaton captured the quirky, intellectual vibe of the decade.

1980s: Blockbuster Heroes and Comedy Kings

Big hair, bigger muscles, and the biggest box office hits dominated the decade.

Harrison Ford: Between Indiana Jones and Star Wars, Ford became the ultimate adventure hero, charming audiences with a smirk and a fedora.
Eddie Murphy: Comedy king of the '80s, Murphy brought humor to the big screen in Beverly Hills Cop and Coming to America, and had everyone laughing along.
Meryl Streep: Already known as the greatest actress of her generation, Streep dominated with performances in Sophie’s Choice and Out of Africa.

1990s: Romantic Leads and Action Stars

Hollywood got a little glossier, with rom-com charmers and high-octane action stars.

Tom Hanks: From Forrest Gump to Saving Private Ryan, Hanks was the everyman with heart, wit, and two Oscars.
Julia Roberts: The smile. The laugh. The undeniable star power. Roberts reigned supreme with hits like Pretty Woman and My Best Friend’s Wedding.
Will Smith: Whether as the Fresh Prince or in Men in Black, Smith became one of the decade's most bankable and beloved stars.

2000s: Superstars and Superheroes

The millennium brought a new kind of blockbuster and megastars to match.

Johnny Depp: Quirky and unpredictable, Depp turned Pirates of the Caribbean into a billion-dollar franchise and became the king of eccentric roles.
Angelina Jolie: With Lara Croft and Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Jolie mixed action with allure and became a global icon both on and off-screen.
Denzel Washington: From Training Day to Man on Fire, Washington owned the screen with charisma, talent, and intensity.

2010s: The Era of the Franchise

As franchises took over, so did stars who could anchor them for a decade or more.

Robert Downey Jr.: Iron Man himself, Downey Jr. went from comeback kid to Marvel megastar, practically inventing the superhero one-liner.
Jennifer Lawrence: With The Hunger Games and Silver Linings Playbook, Lawrence became Hollywood’s “cool girl” and an Academy favorite.
Leonardo DiCaprio: From Inception to The Wolf of Wall Street, Leo showed his range, but it was The Revenant that finally nabbed him that elusive Oscar.

2020s: Streaming Stars and Genre Giants

The 2020s are still unfolding, but a new generation of stars is already making waves.

Zendaya: From Disney to Euphoria and Dune, Zendaya’s range and effortless cool have made her one of the most talked-about talents of her generation.
Timothée Chalamet: The internet’s boyfriend, with cheekbones sharp enough to cut glass, Chalamet has wowed audiences with roles in Call Me by Your Name and Dune.
Florence Pugh: With performances in Midsommar, Little Women, and Black Widow, Pugh’s talent and charisma have marked her as a powerhouse to watch.

Final Take

And there you have it—a century of film stars who defined their decades, from silent-film icons to today’s franchise favorites. Every era brought us stars who seemed to capture the spirit of the times. Whether they were battling villains or melting hearts, these legends didn’t just make movies; they made Hollywood.

The Biggest Film Stars of Each Decade – A Century of Glitz, Glamour, and Popcorn