I’ve spent a while reflecting on the discussion of Valentino’s appeal–both in class and in Craig’s blog–and decided to make a list of the ten most iconic actors and actresses, in my opinion. I intentionally chose iconic rather than greatest, because I think there is a significant difference between the two. ‘Iconic’ is more about recognizability and enduring influence on popular culture rather than skill or importance to the evolution of the film industry in general. (For example, Veronica Lake was iconic, while Bette Davis was great.) So here they are, in no particular order. I think. (Or it could be in a mysteriously devious order that will take you months of intense thought to work out. Ha. You may never know.)
1. Marilyn Monroe: Curves, fluttering dresses, and clueless attitude. Somehow managed innocence and sensuality at the same time. Do I really need to explain this one any more?
2. Charlie Chaplin: The chocolate chip cookie of movie stars. Yes, I will explain that statement at a later time. I promise.
3. Audrey Hepburn: Even people who have never seen Breakfast at Tiffany’s can picture her exactly as she appeared in this film. I think that says a lot.
4. Humphrey Bogart: Starting his acting career fairly late in life, he became our image of the hard-boiled detective. Or hard-boiled cafe owner. Perhaps both.
5. Julie Andrews: I have confidence (haha) that Julie Andrews is one of my favorite things. Okay, that was bad. Whether flying a kite, singing in front of appropriately dramatic and picturesque landscapes, or inventing words that are unnecessarily long, Julie Andrews is pretty fantastic. Did anyone else feel the inexplicable need to go out and feed random pigeons after seeing Mary Poppins for the first time? Hm. Maybe that was just me.
6. John Wayne: Because he is the epitome of Western.
7. Groucho Marx: The mustache, the eyebrows, and of course his lovely singing voice. The only actor whose nose, glasses, and mustache are sold in costume and party stores.
8. Judi Dench: Perhaps not as widely revered as some of the above, but fully deserving of her place on this list. Easily recognizable and consistently magnificent.
9. Jimmy Stewart: One of those actors you can identify simply by the sound of his voice. And he sees giant invisible rabbits. Can’t beat that.
10. Johnny Depp: No, this is not me simply fangirling. I promise. But he’s already managed to establish himself successfully in various genres and roles. Every time we think of him as a certain type of character, he goes and plays a different sort. Not many of today’s movie stars can manage that. See? Beautiful and versatile.
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As for ‘greatest’, my list changes significantly:*
1. Ingrid Bergman
2. Bette Davis
3. Charlie Chaplin
4. Cary Grant
5. Jimmy Stewart
6. Audrey Hepburn
7. Katharine Hepburn
8. Fred Astaire
9. Gene Kelly
10. Humphrey Bogart
*Feel perfectly free to disagree with me on any of these. Who would you rather see on these lists, and why?
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Incidentally, AFI’s top 10 stars (thoughtfully and politically correctly divided by gender) are:
MEN: 1. Humphrey Bogart; 2. Cary Grant; 3. Jimmy Stewart; 4. Marlon Brando; 5. Fred Astaire; 6. Henry Fonda; 7. Clark Gable; 8. James Cagney; 9. Spencer Tracy; 10. Charlie Chaplin
WOMEN: 1. Katharine Hepburn; 2. Bette Davis; 3. Audrey Hepburn; 4. Ingrid Bergman; 5. Greta Garbo; 6. Marilyn Monroe; 7. Elizabeth Taylor; 8. Judy Garland; 9. Marlene Deitrich; 10. Joan Crawford
