As with any profession in the 20th century (and still, albeit to a lesser extent today), gender inequity was prevalent. The merciless and often unforgiving world of the film industry, which was run predominantly by powerful men, is no exception. With the criminal, predatory exploits of Harvey Weinstein revealing how indifferent the industry often is to these problems, it is no wonder there has been a stark lack of women in executive and directorial roles within the film.
These discrepancies also extended to female actors who were frequently typecast, with filmmakers employing the standard stereotypical tropes of women as the love interest, repeatedly sexualized, mistreated, and usually depicted as emotionally vulnerable and at the mercy of men. Considering the inherent prejudice of an industry that, more often than not, would work against them rather than for them, it makes the achievements of theAmerican Film Institute’s best actresses of all time even more impressive.
Compiled in 1999, the American Film Institute, or AFI’s, list may be a bit dated, only including actresses who had their screen debuts in 1950 or earlier, but it’s still a wonderfully curated look at some of the most timeless, iconic stars in Hollywood history. Take a look at the women who paved the way, set a standard, and are still highly regarded in their field.
Update June 14, 2025: This article has been updated with even more great actresses from the AFI 100 Years…100 Stars List.
18Shirley Temple
Shirley Templehas been a sensation ever since she was a child. The famous star was loved for her cheerfulness and talent. She could dance, sing, and act, which made her an absolutely delightful presence on screen. With her optimistic presence during the Great Depression, the public grew to be even more attached to her. She is best known for films such asThe Little Colonel,Bright Eyes,The Little Princess, andRebecca of Sunny Brook Farm.
Due to her success and positive impact on the screen, she received an honorary Oscar at age 6 for her uplifting contributions to cinema. From 1935 to 1938, she was a major box office hit in anything she starred in. However, the playful actress didn’t just enjoy a filmmaking career; she was also able to continue a path that involved building a family, being an environmentalist, and being a diplomat, proving how versatile the actress is.
17Lillian Gish
Lillian Gishcomes from a tough childhood, which led her to act in an attempt to fend for herself in the world. She is especially notable for her performances in silent films, which powerfully depict her emotionally authentic screen presence. Acting in silent films requires a whole level of mastery that only the very best of actors can reach, as they rely on close-ups and have to convey everything that cannot be expressed verbally.
Despite silent films rarely being produced in the modern day, they provide a truly immersive cinematic experience that is truly one of a kind. The actress’s career spans 75 yearswith an impressive filmographythat includesThe Night of the Hunter, The White Sister,andThe Whales of August,and today, her work is more precious than ever. In 1971, the actress was awarded the honorary award for superlative artistry and for distinguished contribution to the progress of motion pictures.
16Vivien Leigh
British actressVivien Leigh,who sadly passed away at age 53 due to tuberculosis, was known for her beauty and her incredible acting performances both in theater and on film. She always wanted to be an actress and enrolled in the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts to pursue that dream. Her debut role was in the film Village Squire.One of her major strengths was her impressive memorizing skills, which helped her with her lines.
She deservingly earned two Oscars for Best Actresses in aLeading Role for bothGone with the WindandA Streetcar Named Desire,which were both very physically taxing to do for her. These are two of the most famous films of all time, so it is no wonder she made the list as one of cinema’s most important stars.
15Mae West
Mae Westwasn’t afraid to speak her mind. She expressed her opinions and creativity even if they were going to be met with controversial views. She openly portrayed her sexuality and sensuality. Her work often revolved around sex and the stigma attached to it. She began her acting career by writing, producing, and performing in her own plays, which were performed on Broadway. She later starred in her first brief role at age 40 inNight After Nightand then started to progressively appear in more motion pictures. She is best known for her roles in the filmsMy Little Chickadee,I Am No Angel,andGoin' to Town.
14Ginger Rogers
Ginger Rogerswas a dazzling dancer who started off her career as a performer on Broadway, which caught the attention of directors, especially her performance in42nd StreetandGold Diggers. This theater success would lead her to land her first performance in the filmFollow The Leader.She woud then later rise to stardom. However, there was one particular person who, when the actress was matched with, it was almost guaranteed that the film they starred in would be a hit. This is the actor and dancer Fred Astaire.
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They both first complemented each other on screen in the filmFlying Down to Rioand went on to star opposite each other in a number of films such asShall We Dance, Top Hat,andCarefree.However, Ginger Rogers' academy award-winning performance wasn’t one where she was dancing or where Astaire shared the screen with her; it was for her dramatic leading role in the film Kitty Foyle. Today, she is considered one of the most graceful actresses of all time.
13Grace Kelly
Grace Kelly’s career in acting was short-lived, but it is still often regarded as one of the most iconic. It didn’t end for reasons one might expect; she married Prince Rainier III, became the Princess of Monaco, and put her focus solely on her royal duties until her death. Her film debut was in the early 1950s when she played a role in a film calledFourteen Hours. Her big break didn’t come until a Western film calledHigh Noonhad her as the leading lady, as well asMogambo, a romance film that reportedly had a lot of issues while shooting across the continent of Africa.
Her career lasted the rest of the decade, and she even snagged two Academy Award nominations, one of which she ended up winning. She retired from acting at the tender age of 26 years old. Kelly passed away relatively young and unexpectedly, at 52, due to complications related to a car crash she was involved in a day prior. It was a tragic event for sure, but The Princess Grace Awards were established by her son to honor her legacy and to help out newcomers in show business.
12Claudette Colbert
Like a lot of the stars of her time,Claudette Colbert’s humble beginnings were in stage productions. She dived into the craze of talking pictures to make a name for herself. There was a unique look and an addictive aura to her that made her a casting director’s dream right off the bat.
Radiating poise and handling both comedic and dramatic scripts with finesse, Colbert was everywhere in the film between the 1930s and late 1940s. There was a point where she put her focus back into acting on stage, as well as doing some work on television. This renaissance in her career is where most of her award nominations lie, where she was recognized by the Tonys, Golden Globes, and Emmys. She also won an Academy Award for her role inIt Happened One Night.
11Barbara Stanwyck
Barbara Stanwyckwas raised in the foster care system, so she was never a stranger for working for what she had. Taking part in theater since she was a little girl, Barbara’s breakthrough in the Broadway show Burlesque established her as a national star. Shortly after that, she made the transition from the stage to behind-the-camera Frank Capra’sLadies of Leisure. After that came a string of memorable roles, four of those performances being nominated for Academy Awards.
While she did not win any of those nominations, it is still an impressive feat that shows just how talented and hardworking she truly was. Stanwyck shifted her career plans once again when she decided to make her television debut, where she won three Emmy Awards. Stanwyck was given an Honorary Oscar by the Academy in 1982 to show for her lifetime achievements.
10Joan Crawford
Classic actresses had the propensity to change their Christian names prior to their discovery of international fame, usually to something more alluring, seductive, and memorable.Joan Crawfordwas perhaps the only actress who achieved the opposite; from the elegantly sophisticated name of Lucille Fay LeSueur, her adopted name of Joan Crawford was both more basic and more akin to an elderly grandma. Name choice aside, with a career spanning 45 years, Crawford was an actor with remarkable dexterity and flexibility.
The ease with which she could slip in and out of character meant she was hot in Hollywood, and in 1945, this led to her first and only Best Actress Oscar for her role inMildred Pierceas the lead. Crawford reminded everyone of how talented she was, even when the industry discarded her in favor of younger actresses, with the'60s horror-drama cult classicWhatever Happened to Baby Jane?
9Marlene Dietrich
An ardent anti-fascist with strong moral principles, known specifically for her humanitarian work during World War Two, the German actressMarlene Dietrichhad famously donated her entire salary forKnight Without Armorto refugees who were fleeing war in Europe. While she was only ever nominated for one Academy Award, Dietrich’s impression as an entertainer and as a humanitarian was simply unforgettable. From early masterpieces likeThe Blue AngelandShanghai Expressto later classics likeTouch of EvilandWitness for the Prosecution, Dietrich never stopped being wonderful.
