Most Popular 50s Actresses (According to Data)
The 1950s were an era of the post-war boom and everything that came with it: even the average American could afford a television in their own home. I Love Lucy, The Honeymooners, The Twilight Zone, and Leave It To Beaver were popular TV shows. John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart, and Marlon Brando dominated at the box office. Elvis Presley shimmied and shook into history.
The 1950s also produced some of the most iconic films—along with cementing the status of Hollywood’s most beloved classic actresses. But who reigns supreme, even to this day?
I took to the Google machine to find out. These are the 1950s actresses you asked Google about the most. Without further ado, this is my quasi-scientific, totally nerdy guide to the top 10 classic actresses of the 1950s. With hundreds of thousands worth of monthly searches, the evidence seems to indicate that these actresses (and the Golden Age of Hollywood) are as popular as ever.
(Pssst… curious to know what these top “influencers” of their day loved to wear? From lipsticks to scarves to handbags shaped like baskets, we’ve got you covered…)
10. Ava Gardner
Ava Gardner and Doris Day Tie for 10th Place with 135,000 monthly searches!
9. Doris Day
Ava Gardner and Doris Day Tie for 10th Place with 135,000 monthly searches!
8. Debbie Reynolds
Debbie Reynolds and Grace Kelly take the next spot with 201,000 monthly searches.
7. Grace Kelly
Debbie Reynolds and Grace Kelly take the next spot with 201,000 monthly searches.
6. Elizabeth Taylor
We have a four-way tie with Lucille Ball, Elizabeth Taylor, Jayne Mansfield, and Sophia Loren in the next spot at 246,000 monthly searches!
5. Lucille Ball
We have a four-way tie with Lucille Ball, Elizabeth Taylor, Jayne Mansfield, and Sophia Loren in the next spot at 246,000 monthly searches!
4. Sophia Loren
We have a four-way tie with Lucille Ball, Elizabeth Taylor, Jayne Mansfield, and Sophia Loren in the next spot at 246,000 monthly searches!
3. Jayne Mansfield
We have a four-way tie with Lucille Ball, Elizabeth Taylor, Jayne Mansfield, and Sophia Loren in the next spot at 246,000 monthly searches!
2. Audrey Hepburn
In position 2 — the epitome of grace and poise — none other than Audrey Hepburn, with a whopping 450,000 monthly searches!
Marilyn Monroe
You saw this one coming, didn’t you? Marilyn Monroe blows all the rest out of the water with 823,000 monthly searches.
More From the Golden Age of Hollywood
Mother's Day is coming -- why not treat mom to a movie night? Settle in with a homemade dinner (courtesy of you) and watch one (or all!) of these heartwarming favorites? (Bonus hint: Looking for a recipe? Try this classic beef stew from Jean Harlow and make your Classic Hollywood themed night complete!)