Born as Natalia Nikolaevna Zakharenko, Natalie Wood began her movie career as a child and became successful in Hollywood with three Academy Award nominations to her name before she’d even turned 25 years old. Wood had exemplary performances in big films like “Miracle on 34th Street,” “West Side Story,” and “Rebel Without a Cause.”
She won a Golden Globe award for her starring role in the 1979 remake of “From Here to Eternity.” Unfortunately, the Hollywood icon died at the age of 43 under mysterious circumstances. While accidental drowning was declared as her cause of death, the bruises and substances revealed by investigations sparked a few speculations.
Pam Grier, The First Female Action Star
Pam Grier earned popularity back in the 1970s when she starred in a string of “blaxploitation” films. Considered the first real female action star, Grier had notable roles in movies like "Foxy Brown," "Sheba Shayne," and "The Big Bird Cage." After starring in Quentin Tarantino’s film, Jackie Brown, in the late 1990s, she received nominations for Golden Globe and SAG awards.
The talented actress also appeared on Showtime’s "The L Word," and makes occasional guest appearances on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." What do you think about her villain role on the hit series "Smallville?" Indeed, Pam Grier is a natural when it comes to showcasing her world-class talent on TV and in movies.
The Gorgeous Jayne Mansfield At The Hollywood Publicists’ Ballyhoo Ball (1956)
Clad in a two-piece animal print is actress and nightclub entertainer, Jayne Mansfield, at the Ballyhoo Ball on October 30, 1956. Mansfield was a famous sex symbol between the 1950s and 1960s and was notorious for her wardrobe “malfunctions” and other publicity stunts. Although her career in the film industry was short-lived, she enjoyed box-office successes and earned a Golden Globe and a small collection of Theater Globe awards.
Her notable performances were seen in "The Girl Can’t Help It," and "Too Hot to Handle," among many others. Mansfield got married and divorced three times and was also romantically involved with John and Robert F. Kennedy. Those Kennedys clearly had a type, huh? She died at the age of 34 in a car accident.
Pin-up Model, Margaret Nolan, As A Bond Girl
Actress and former glamour model, Margaret Nolan, used the name Vicky Kennedy when her modeling career took off. She landed the role of James Bond’s masseuse in the 1964 film, Goldfinger. She was eyeing for the highly coveted golden girl role but it went to Shirley Eaton. Nolan also appeared in "A Hard Day’s Night," "Crossroads," "Steptoe and Son," "The Sweeney" and "Crown Court."
When asked about her liberating image, she responded by saying “It does celebrate the physical form. If I'd been nude it might have been about liberation because up to that point, you wouldn't have seen a nude woman in a publicly visible thing like that. I could have been very pretentious and said this is liberating. But because I was dressed up anyway I didn't get that sense.”
Sally Field Wins an Oscar
While many serious filmmakers and critics take issue with the glamorous Hollywood event, referring to it as more of a popularity contest than anything else, it still must be an incredible feeling to snatch up the Best Actor award. Who said winning a popularity contest has to be bad anyway? The highly acclaimed actress, Sally Field proved to the world that there is no shame when she received the award in 1985 for the film "Places in the Heart."
In her speech, the actress famously cried to the audience..."The first time I didn't feel it, but this time I feel it. And I can't deny the fact that you like me. Right now, you like me! Thank you."