Hedy Lamarr (1914–2000)
The enigmatic actress, Hedy Lamarr, not only captivated audiences with her beauty but also contributed to groundbreaking developments in technology. Often dubbed as the ‘Mother of Wi-Fi’, Lamarr is widely recognized for the development of her ‘frequency hopping technology’ that led to critically important wireless communication tools like the GPS and Bluetooth.
Ava Gardner (1922–1990)
A leading lady in Hollywood’s Golden Age, Ava Gardner’s sultry beauty and timeless charm left an indelible mark on cinema. For her exceptional journey as a film actor, Gardner was ranked amongst the American Film Institute’s greatest female screen legends in the classic American era.
Rita Hayworth (1918–1987)
With her fiery red hair and captivating presence, Rita Hayworth was the epitome of 1940s Hollywood glamour. Hayworth, in her passing, brought immense attention to Alzheimer’s disease. Due to such significant attention on her deteriorating health and the disease itself, she helped enhance public and private funding for research into Alzheimer’s.
Dorothy Dandridge (1922–1965)
As the first African-American woman nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress, Dandridge’s beauty and talent broke barriers. Dandridge is often widely acknowledged for her contributions to the image of African Americans in American cinema. She gave life to several layered and complicated characters onscreen and, through that, opened avenues for those who aspired to be a part of the American film fraternity.
Katharine Hepburn (1907–2003)
The legendary actress’s independent spirit and classic beauty made her one of the greatest stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age. In her era, Hepburn is often credited with shattering the mould of the ‘woman’ onscreen and bringing to life characters that were strong-willed and, several times, feminist in their leanings. Both on and off screen, her legacy extends beyond film to fashion, as she helped make trousers an acceptable choice of clothing for women, a radical move at the time. For her contributions, Hepburn received the lifetime achievement award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America.
Grace Kelly (1929–1982)
Before becoming Princess Grace of Monaco, Kelly was a Hollywood star celebrated for her classic beauty and refined style. Her lasting legacy as a theater artist, television actress and film star kept intact by way of the Princess Grace Foundation, set up posthumously by the Royal Family of France, to continue the work Princess Grace had done during her lifetime. Widely known as the ‘classic Hitchcock blonde’, Grace Kelly later went on to contribute a foreword to Donald Spoto’s, ‘The Art of Alfred Hitchcock’. A cinema presence of immense magnitude, Kelly was often referred to as a refreshing change to Hollywood’s film sirens. Endearingly described as the ‘Girl in White Gloves’, she was often called the ‘lady’ or ‘Miss Kelly’ by film journalists of her era.
Audrey Hepburn (1929–1993)
Known for her elegance and grace, Hepburn’s timeless beauty has captured the attention and awe of all generations. Widely recognized as a film actor and fashion icon, Hepburn is held in exceptionally high regard for her humanitarian work with UNICEF—for which she was honored by the organization by way of a statue, ‘The Spirit of Audrey’, at their New York headquarters. Her service for children is also recognized through UNICEF’s ‘Audrey Hepburn Society’. Hepburn traveled widely for her work with UNICEF and was someone who “children would just come up to hold her hand, touch her… she was like the Pied Piper.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962)
An epitome of Hollywood glamour, Monroe’s iconic beauty and sensual charm made her a symbol of the 1950s and 1960s. While Marilyn Monroe’s life in public and private were immensely complex and led to many front-page spreads in her time, she was quite ahead of her time in many respects. Quite widely known among such instances is her public recognition and admiration of the Jazz icon Ella Fitzgerald—whose career and presence soared immensely upon Monroe’s unwavering commitment to attend all her shows from the front row at the Mocambo avenue in Hollywood where the singer was initially denied performance opportunity owing to her race.
Elizabeth Taylor (1932–2011)
The violet-eyed beauty, Taylor’s glamorous Hollywood career and striking looks made her an enduring icon. She is often known as the first ‘new type’ celebrity whose real private life was more interesting to audiences than her onscreen presence, thereby setting the template for the kind of celebrity news that we consume now. Taylor used this enduring appeal among the media and her admirers to bring attention to issues plaguing the LGBT community—in particular HIV/AIDS. Posthumously, GLAAD issued a statement in recognition and admiration of her efforts for the community and their rights.
Shirley Temple (1928–2014)
The child star turned diplomat, Shirley Temple’s timeless innocence and charm endeared her to audiences worldwide. While Temple was widely known for her performance onscreen—most notably as a child star appearing in several films that popularized her famous blonde curls—she is widely known for her role as an American delegate to the 24th United Nations General Assembly, held in 1969. In her passing, Temple brought immense public attention to women’s health issues, in particular breast cancer.