The Renowned Actor’s From Hollywood’s Golden Era

In 1999, the American Film Institute unveiled a listing of the leading 50 stars of American Movies. While these actors and actresses are terrific and well-known, many may judge that the stars of nowadays have transcended their talent. However, these stars from Hollywood’s golden era will not soon be forgotten.

The number one actor on the inventory was Humphrey Bogart. “Bogie” as he was rightly nicknamed starred in 75 films from the 1930′s to the 1950′s. One of the most significant is “Casablanca” from 1941. He was born in New York City on Christmas day, December 25, 1899. He passed away from cancer of the esophagus on January 14, 1957.

Coming in at the number 2 spot is Cary Grant. Born Archibald Alexander Leach on January 18, 1904 and passed away on November 29, 1986. The number 3 spot on the list goes to Jimmy Stewart, who is still seen every year at Christmas for the adored classic “It’s a Wonderful Life”.

Marlon Brando, Jr. Born April 3, 1924 and passed away July 1, 2004 comes in at number 4 on the list. He is followed by Fred Astaire, born Frederick Austerlitz on May 10, 1899 and died June 22, 1987. Fred Astaire’s stage and movie career spanned a totality of seventy-six years. During that time he completed thirty-one musical films. He made 10 motion pictures with the cohort with whom he was most often associated, Ginger Rogers.

Number six on the list is Henry Fonda, born May 16, 1905, passed away August 12, 1982. Henry is followed at number 7 by Clark Gable, whose most celebrated role was the renowned “Rhett Butler” in “Gone With the Wind”, which when accounting for inflation is the most lucrative film of all time.

The position of the number 8 spot goes to James Cagney. He is followed at number 9 by Spencer Tracy. Spencer Tracy was part of one of the most thriving movie pairings in times gone by along with Katharine Hepburn, who just happens to hold the top spot on the list of actresses.

Charlie Chaplin rounds out the top 10. Charlie Chaplin is the single one on the record that is from the silent film age. His career began in 1916 before the innovation of technology had made it doable for auditory on films. His first true “talking” movie was “The Great Dictator’ in 1940.

Of course, much loved actors, actresses and movies are always subjective. Every person has a diverse judgment on what is perceived as best. But the list of the top actors does consist of the group of actors who made their mark on film history.