Let’s kick things off with the wonderful Drew Barrymore. The actress has been working since she was a small child, and has embraced lots of different styles over the years. In 2010, the star wore this stunning vintage dress to a magazine party. Apparently, Drew snapped up this Janine bargain in a Texas thrift store.

This gorgeous beaded dress looks much more expensive than it actually is. Drew Barrymore paired it with balayage hair, boho jewelry and muted makeup. We love it!

Who could forget this iconic outfit? At the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, pop star Lady Gaga stepped out in a dress actually made from meat. No really! This isn’t a dress that looks like meat – it’s a dress literally made from stitched together meat. The meat itself was fine cuts of beef provided by the Old Homestead Steakhouse.

This dress was designed by Franc Fernandez and styled by Nicola Formichetti. Amusingly, it was preserved by taxidermists who made it into a kind of jerky.

Up next we have model Hailey Bieber wearing one of her beloved Meshki dresses. The star loves this Australian online fast fashion brand and regularly wears their clothes to red carpet events. The brand was founded by Australian-Persian businesswomen Natalie Khoei and Shadi Kord.

On this occasion, Hailey was attending a New York Fashion Week party hosted by British makeup artist Pat McGrath. The model accessorized this white, satin number with a tight updo and minimal jewelry. She looks fabulous.

Now we’re getting into some Academy Awards fashion. When British actress Kate Winslet won the Best Actress award in 2007, she was draped in pale green Valentino. Initially, this color was considered a gamble, but Kate looks like a stunning English rose in the unusual hue.

Kate Winslet carried a vintage Bulgari clutch and Chopard jewelry with this gorgeous gown. Apparently, her daughter Mia helped to choose the draped affair. Kate even remarked, “One day maybe she’ll borrow this and play dress-up in it.” Lucky!

Next up is Northern Irish and New Zealand model Stella Maxwell wearing a delightful dress from Pretty Little Thing. This fast-fashion brand appears quite a lot on our list, especially because they work with lots of celebs. This particular pink ruffled number was the perfect choice for a PLT perfume launch decorated with loads of pink roses.

Former Victoria’s Secret angel Stella looks angelic in this sweet mini. The high neck and embroidery are offset by the short hem and flirty skirt.

Now, on a list that includes very expensive outfits, of course we’re going to cover the Met Gala. The star-studded affair is held every year in New York City and is considered the world’s most celebrated fashion event. Guests are expected to wear haute couture and to match their look to the yearly theme.

For the 2016 Met Gala, Beyoncé went all out for the theme, ‘Fashion in an Age of Technology.’ Her custom Givenchy gown was made from organic latex and covered in pearls.

We’re back with the bargain hunters for our next entry. Of course, lots of celebrities that wear high street fashion are paid to do so by the brands themselves. In this case, actress Gabrielle Union was a spokesmodel for American retailer New York & Company. During this time, the star released her own fashion collection with the company.

However, Gabrielle wasn’t just wearing these clothes for the paycheck. Here she’s seen wearing a one-shouldered black playsuit for a movie premiere.

Will and Jada Pinkett Smith were the buzz of the Academy Awards in 2022. But, they also attended other events. For the Critics Choice Awards, Jada wore this striking gold headpiece. The unusual item was designed by LA-based jewelry designer Jacquie Aiche, and included 53 diamonds. That’s bound to be expensive!

Much has been said about Jada’s alopecia, but she chose to center her shaved head by adorning it with this gorgeous headwear. It perfectly matches her stunning, structured gown.

It’s time for yet another item from Pretty Little Thing! The UK-based retailer was founded in 2012 and has expanded to multiple countries around the world. It’s loved by celebrities, though it has been criticized by activists who say it creates large amounts of waste.

American actress and singer Janel Parrish wore a romper from the brand for a Paleyfest panel in 2017. The star looks stunning in the blush-toned ruffled romper. Who says celebrities need to spend a fortune to look great?

We’re back at the Academy Awards next, with Cate Blanchett’s stunning 2007 look. The actress was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at this ceremony and she was certainly dressed like a winner. In fact, some would say this is one of the best looks to ever grace the Oscars red carpet. It’s definitely one of the most expensive!

Australian actress Cate opted for a gunmetal haute couture Armani Privé gown, emblazoned with Swarovski crystals. Her dark jewelry matched the gown’s gorgeous epaulets.

When it comes to fashion, American actress Winona has always been an inspiration. She does her own thing, including wearing a thrifted little black dress to a movie premiere. The star has stated that most of her wardrobe is vintage, and that she re-wears items. Imagine!

Winona also wore this unusual black dress to a gala for Haiti hosted by Sean Penn in 2014. We love a fashionista who repurposes her outfits. After all, isn’t that what clothes are for?

On the other hand, it’s hard to believe that actress Rooney Mara had the chance to re-wear her 2016 Oscars look. Though it would certainly be cost-effective if she had! The American actress wore this striking Givenchy haute couture gown on the Academy Awards red carpet.

Unsurprisingly, this dress was custom-made for Rooney Mara. She styled it with sci-fi slicked back hair, strong brows, and a deep red lipstick. It’s giving updated Audrey Hepburn, and personally, we think it’s fabulous.

Since she first appeared on our screens, actress Angelina Jolie has been a pleasure to look at. We could easily list some of our favorite Angie looks, from simple denim to the famous leg split dress. But the A-list actress isn’t just about high fashion. As shown here, she’s also a fan of vintage items.

For a movie premiere in 2007, Angelina wore a black vintage dress that she picked up from Wasteland on Melrose Avenue. The crushed velvet gown looks much more expensive than it is.

Speaking of gowns that look much more expensive than they are, check out Lana Del Rey’s 2020 Grammys dress. At the ceremony, the American singer-songwriter was nominated for Album and Song of the Year. We’re seriously impressed with this silver beaded gown that looks like it’s right out of a speakeasy.

Interestingly, Lana had a different outfit planned for this star-studded event. However, when she spotted this dress in the mall she snapped it up instead. Good decision!

Our next awards show look is on the other end of the financial spectrum. Indian actress, model, and singer Priyanka Chopra was dripping with jewels at the 2017 Academy Awards. She wore this beautiful structured Ralph & Russo couture gown with Lorraine Schwartz jewelry. Just check out those bedazzled cuffs!

American jewelry designer Lorraine Schwartz is beloved by celebrities. She’s also made items for Beyoncé, Kim Kardashian, and Angelina Jolie. In fact, Bey even name-checks her in the song, “Upgrade U”.

When celebrities have their own fashion line, chances are they’ll wear some pieces out and about. That’s what Canadian singer-songwriter Avril Lavigne did with this black, tulle mini. The punk-pop queen founded clothing line Abbey Dawn back in 2008.

Apparently, Avril actually designs her own garments, rather than just lending her name. Avril Lavigne wore this punky dress at an after-party in Las Vegas in 2011. However, she’s continued to wear items from her brand on the red carpet ever since.

She may come from a showbiz family, but that doesn’t mean Nicole Richie is always dressed in high fashion. In fact, she’s been spotted several times wearing high street items, even on red carpets. In 2014, the TV personality and designer wore this gorgeous, white H&M number to an event.

Of course, the fashion pro matched her white turtleneck midi dress with a floor-length Tadashi Shoji cape and white Christian Louboutin pumps. After all, she is Nicole Richie!

Nicole’s former BFF and reality TV co-star Paris Hilton isn’t exactly one for H&M. On the contrary, Paris wore this silver gown, known as the Million Dollar Dress to the 2017 Hollywood Beauty Awards. The stunning item was designed by American designer August Getty, and is covered in 500,000 Swarovski crystals.

Now, that sounds like Paris Hilton! The socialite and heiress looked like a doll in this incredible gown. Naturally, it took five people eight months to make this dress.

For our more frugal fashionistas, we now turn to American actress and TV host Aisha Tyler. Here, the Emmy award winner is rocking high street fashion on the red carpet at a 2017 movie premiere. This cute jacquard floral mini is from Spanish brand Zara, but it definitely doesn’t look like it.

While this dress is on the more affordable side, its embellished collar and details make it fit for a celebrity. Aisha wore simple jewelry and see-through heels with the floral mini.

Rihanna’s astonishing 2015 Met Gala look is truly one for the books. The yellow embroidered creation is surely one of the most memorable fashion moments in recent history. All hail the much meme-d yellow gown!

As a true fashionista, Rihanna always understands the assignment when it comes to the Met Gala. In 2015 the theme was China: Through the Looking Glass, and RiRi did not disappoint. Chinese designer Guo Pei designed this canary yellow floor-length gown, which came with a stunning circular train. Incredibly, it weighed 55 pounds!

Our next dress is so expensive that someone actually stole it from the London West Hollywood hotel where actress Lupita Nyong’o was staying. Thankfully, it was later found stuffed underneath the bathroom counter in the same hotel. Phew!

The Kenyan Mexican actress wore this striking gown to the 2015 Academy Awards. The white Calvin Klein Collection dress featured 6000 Akoya pearls on a halter neck, scooped back silhouette. Lupita added stunning Chopard diamond earrings and rings. That’s one expensive look!

Actress Zendaya has always been a fashionista, as proven by this thrifty look. The actress is known for her bold, experimental style and has been pulling off red carpet triumphs since the beginning.

Here, the actress wears an orange Daya slip for the 2017 Kids Choice Awards. Of course, we should mention that Daya is designed by the star herself. Speaking about her approach to style, Zendaya has said that she doesn’t believe in trends or “what’s hot now.”

When it comes to memorable red carpet looks, this outfit by Jessica Biel is definitely up there. For the 2014 Academy Awards, the actress wore this incredible Chanel gown. Sure, it looks fairly simple in silhouette, but it’s teaming with chic details.

This dress is from the Chanel Spring 2014 Couture collection and is perfect for red carpet glamour. It featured a long row of buttons at the back, and fit Jessica’s body perfectly. The actress accessorized with Tiffany Blue Book Collection jewelry.

Asides from the Met Gala, the Academy Awards are where the fashionistas really come to play. After all, it’s where the who’s who of Hollywood congregate to celebrate their glitzy achievements. Where better place to don a glamorous gown and a host of jewels?

For the 2013 Oscars, South African actress Charlize Theron wore this white, structured Christian Dior gown with peplum detailing. However, the outfit’s value rocketed with the addition of Harry Winston diamond cuffs and earrings. That’s one pricey look!

It’s always a good strategy to wear a dress that matches the red carpet. That way, you’re bound to look extra regal. That’s what American actress Amy Adams opted for during the 2014 Golden Globes. The star dazzled in this red Valentino Haute Couture gown from the brand’s Shanghai collection.

Combined with her jewelry, this Amy Adam’s fashion moment is one of the most expensive to ever grace a red carpet. The dress was worn with a 30 karat diamond pendant and 10 karat diamond earrings.

American dancer Julianne Hough started out as a professional dancer helping stars to shine. After several years, and several wins, she took a spot on the judging panel. However, that didn’t mean that she lost sense of her roots.

While walking the pre-show red carpet during 2017, Julianne wore this affordable black dress. The one-shouldered, cut-out flirty frock would also be very well-suited for the dance floor. We love that Julianne styled this look with a perky high ponytail.

Here comes another Met Gala stunner. And another big spender! While she claims she’s still Jenny from the block, superstar Jennifer Lopez certainly likes to indulge. However, with this sort of beauty comes pain. J.Lo has admitted to crying during the fitting for this look.

This flashy outfit was made by Versace (who else?) for the 2019 Met Gala. The theme was “Camp: Notes on Fashion” and we think J.Lo hit the spot! That year, she and then-boyfriend Alex Rodriguez were on the official committee.

While this dress is stunning – and pricey – it’s remembered more for what happened when actress Jennifer Lawrence wore it. You see, at the 2013 Academy Awards when J-Law was heading to the stage, she tripped and fell over.

As all eyes were on the Best Actress winner, she was tumbling forward in a tangle of Dior Couture. According to Jennifer Lawrence, she wasn’t thinking about how to walk. That may sound reasonable, but the star’s stylist had told her to kick before taking a step. Oops!

It must be tough to dress for red carpet events when you’re pregnant. It’s not like high fashion is designed for anyone other than catwalk models. So, instead of bothering with sourcing a fancy option, actress Natalie Portman opted for high street instead. For the 2017 Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon, the star wore a maternity dress from Topshop. Bravo!

The Israeli-American star looked simple and chic in the draped black dress. Her styling is also simplistically elegant, with natural hair and makeup.

Listen, this outfit mightn’t look great right now, but this snap was taken in 2010. Back then, leopard print was all the rage, especially for punk princesses like Kelly Osbourne. The star wore this H&M dress on the red carpet at a magazine party.

For further evidence that this picture was taken in 2010, please see Kelly’s leather gilet and oversized clutch. It’s giving us flashbacks! At this time, Kelly was working as a fashion expert on E!, so we trust that she knew what she was doing.

To be honest, we’re also a little unsure about our next item, even though it’s way more expensive than Kelly’s leopard dress. German-American model Heidi Klum wore this ensemble to the 2014 Golden Globes, along with rather 1970s style bangs.

Heidi’s floral gown is from Marchesa’s 2014 Spring Collection, but it’s the jewelry that pushes the price point up. She wears black diamond earrings, a ring, and a 200-karat necklace. The thing is, we don’t think it looks all that good.

It’s always satisfying when a celebrity wears something that the rest of us can buy. It’s almost like we’re celebrities too… almost. American actress and singer Connie Britton opted for an ASOS little black dress to attend a 2013 movie premiere.

The bodycon, capped sleeve dress had leather paneling at the side, giving it a glamorous edge. Connie paired her affordable outfit with black nails, black cut-out shoes, and her iconic strawberry curls. Clearly, there’s no need to spend a fortune to look like a million bucks.

Likewise, American actress and model Emily Ratajkowski proves you can look expensive without spending huge amounts of cash. For a magazine party in 2019, the star wore this gorgeous red bodycon dress from Zara. To be honest, it’s hard to imagine Emily looking bad in anything.

Emily Ratajkowski is certainly a fashion fan. She’s spoken about being inspired by the late Princess Diana’s casualwear and has topped multiple best-dressed lists. The star founded her own swimwear line, Inamorata, in 2017.

When Julia Roberts won the Best Actress Academy Award in 2001, the world was watching. The star had tried on multiple dresses before opting for this Valentino vintage number from the designer’s archives. Inspired by classic Hollywood, the floor-length dress featured a Y-shape bust and a fanned black tulle train.

Valentino himself said that watching the A-lister receive her Oscar in his dress was the high point of his fashion career. Apparently, Julia plans to gift the dress to her daughter.

Frankly, we love a fashion risk-taker, and that’s exactly what we have here. For the Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala in 2017, actress Octavia Spencer wore this mock two-piece gown.

Comprising a three-quarter length white shirt top and ballgown skirt, the star was certainly the center of attention. This quirky outfit is by Eliza J, but it looks like high fashion. Octavia wore her hair slicked back into a low bun with smokey eyes and hoop earrings.

When you’re the host of the Academy Awards, the pressure is on to look tiptop on the red carpet — and we think Anne Hathaway succeeded. For the 2011 Oscars, the actress wore this incredible red Valentino dress made from silk faille.

We know she is one, but she really looks like a movie star here. Breathtaking! On top of her designer dress, Anne wore very expensive Tiffany jewelry. Alas her fashion choices were more celebrated than her hosting skills.

Perhaps it should be no surprise that models tend to be spotted in high street fashion. After all, they’re bound to look gorgeous in just about anything. Indeed, Miranda Kerr has been seen wearing H&M outfits several times.

In this picture, the Australian model is rocking a red lace H&M dress while at a promotional event in 2017. As always, she looks like a bombshell. She paired the dress with red suede pumps and a pop of red lipstick.

She’s played the Queen in a movie, won an Oscar for it, and we can definitely see why. English actress Helen Mirren always looks fabulous on a red carpet. Perhaps it’s because she glows from the inside out. This woman is comfortable with herself and it shows!

On this occasion, Helen Mirren was attending the 2018 Academy Awards. She opted for a gorgeous custom Reem Acra gown, and some truly impressive jewelry. The star wore sapphire and diamond Harry Winston earrings and a necklace. Wow!

But not to be outdone, Carrie Underwood may have one of the most expensive pieces of jewelry on this list. The country star attended the 2013 Grammy Awards wearing this striking black Robert Cavalli dress. More importantly, though, she donned a 380-karat diamond necklace to really make herself shine.

At this ceremony, the country singer took home the award for Best Country Solo Performance. In total, Carrie has an amazing eight Grammys, as well as a host of other trophies and accolades.

Enough of all those diamonds, though — let’s get back to our frugal celebs. We’ve already seen some Topshop items on this list, and now we have another. American actress Bryce Dallas Howard chose to wear the British brand at the 2016 Critics Choice Awards. And we have to say, it looks fabulous.

Bryce picked up this olive-toned empire line maxi dress while shopping in department store Nordstrom. Absurdly, Bryce likes to buy her own gowns because she struggles to find designers to dress her.

We’re back to Pretty Little Thing with our next item — Kylie Jenner’s orange mini. Despite being an extremely wealthy celebrity, Kylie wore this affordable and bold dress at a launch party for the brand. She certainly did them some favors as the item sold out pretty much immediately.

As always, Ky looked stunning in this asymmetrical tangerine dress. She wore her ever-changing hair long and dark, in OG Kar-Jenner style. A gold choker, bangles, and strappy sandals accessorized the look.

It’s time for another iconic Academy Awards dress, this time from the ’90s. Australian actress Nicole Kidman attended the 1997 Oscars ceremony with then-husband Tom Cruise. But really, all eyes were on her chartreuse, chinoiserie embroidered Dior gown. Who else could pull off that color?

This incredible ’90s dress was designed by British designer John Galliano, and made quite the splash. At the time, it was considered the most expensive dress ever worn to the industry’s top awards show.

In the opposite direction, Kerry Washington’s 2010 Sundance Film Festival outfit was certainly not the most expensive. The celebrated actress took the unusual decision to go fully casual for her walk on the red carpet. Yes, she’s actually wearing jeans!

This annual independent film festival takes place in Salt Lake City, Utah in January each year. That means it’s bound to be pretty cold. Kerry’s fair-aisle, turtleneck sweater certainly makes more sense in that context. Give it up for a comfortable queen!

Well, well, well, this next dress has definitely caused quite the controversy. For the 2022 Met Gala, reality star and lawyer in training Kim Kardashian wore an iconic item. The star wore a dress originally for Marilyn Monroe, who sang her famous rendition of “Happy Birthday” while wearing it.

Kim borrowed this dress from Ripley’s Believe It or Not! museum, and wasn’t allowed to have it altered. Some felt that KiKi shouldn’t have worn the historical and pricey item, but alas, she did.

We close our list with a royal who has a bit of a thing for high street fashion. Kate Middleton is a fan of British, high-end, high street brands — like Whistles, Jigsaw, and Reiss. In this snap, she’s wearing a white silk and lace gown by Self-Portrait.

The London-based brand was founded in 2013 by designer Han Chong. This sophisticated dress has a long, sweeping train but also a risky leg slit. Kate paired the gown with a red suede clutch and matching stilettos.

Any list of the most successful people in up for serious debate. Many of these women became successful thanks to their looks, so if we’ve piqued your curiosity, check out which women we have selected.

Elizabeth Hurley first became known in the public eye for dating Hugh Grant, who saw significant success with the 1994 film Four Weddings and a Funeral. At the film’s premiere, she wore an iconic black Versace dress that was held together by golden safety pins. This has been credited with helping Versace become a household name, as well as launching Hurley to stardom. The next year, 1995, and with no prior modeling experience, she became the spokesmodel for Estée Lauder. In acting, she is best known for roles in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery and Bedazzled.

Charlize Theron grew up on a farm in South Africa before she ended up making her way to the silver screen. She was originally an aspiring ballet dancer, but the effects of the training on her body took their toll. Meanwhile, her beauty made her constantly alluring to modeling scouts. Later she branched off to acting and hasn’t looked back since. Not just a pretty face, the actress won an Academy Award for Best Actress for portraying serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster.

During the ’80s and ’90s, Michelle Pfeiffer was one of the most popular actresses on the silver screen, thanks to her skilled acting and drop-dead gorgeous looks. She managed to break the typecast of the pretty girl in her late ’70s movies, going on to have a supporting role in Scarface that led to obtaining more serious roles as she rose to stardom. According to one Daily Telegraph contributor, hers is “the kind of beauty you find yourself involuntarily taking a moment to marvel at mid-conversation.”

Tyra Banks is a well-known American model and a television personality. In 1990, she started her modeling career with Elite Model Management, one of the most famous agencies in the world. She also appeared on the cover of Vogue magazine in Spain, being named the new Naomi Campbell – and it is easy to see why!  One of her greatest accomplishments on the public scene was her experience on America’s Next Top Model, where she was both a host and executive producer.

French actress Catherine Deneuve had her international breakthrough with Les Parapluies de Cherbourg, a unique French film in which all the dialogue is sung, like in an opera. After this, she played in Roman Polanski’s Repulsion, which brought her more widespread fame. Since then, she has accumulated an impressive corpus of roles. France honored her in 1985 by making her the official face of Marianne.

Aishwarya Rai has topped the “most beautiful woman in the world” lists for years, so her spot here should come as no surprise. She began modeling when she was in college, winning the title of Miss World in 1994. She moved on to act in Bollywood movies later that decade. Her performances are marked by a “delicate presence and physical grace,” according to Derek Elley of Variety.

Jayne Kennedy was born Jayne Harrison in 1951, and she is an American model, actress, and sportscaster. In 1970, she was crowned Miss Ohio, the first African-American woman to win the title. She had numerous TV appearances, having a role even in The NFL Today. In the 1980s, she began producing exercise videos.

While many praise the late Burt Reynolds for the success of Smokey and the Bandit, it’s important not to sleep on Sally Field’s performance too. The actress, who was at one point romantically linked to her co-star, went on to star in a number of great movies. These included the likes of Steel Magnolias, Mrs. Doubtfire and Forrest Gump, to name a few. She recently played Aunt May in The Amazing Spider-Man 1 and 2 and was also nominated for Best Actress for her role in Lincoln.

Like many on this list, Vivien Leigh said that she had to overcome her physical beauty because it overshadowed her acting prowess. Indeed, one director described her as a “consummate actress, hampered by beauty.” Although she is most famous for roles in Gone with the Wind and A Streetcar Named Desire, she was actually more prolific onstage during her career.

Ava Gardner’s southern accent (she hailed from South Carolina) made her almost incomprehensible to MGM. That didn’t stop her from banking on her beauty and they quickly signed her. It took five years for her to achieve a breakthrough with the film noir The Killers, which launched her to stardom. She was a leading Hollywood actress for five decades.

At the age of 16, Canadian-born Parkins moved to Los Angeles to become famous. The young girl started as a backup singer and dancer behind major stars in nightclubs. By 1961 she made her debut in the low-budget crime flick 20,000 Eyes. However, one of her larger projects was appearing in the film adaptation of Valley of the Dolls. She stayed with the series for the entire run and was nominated in 1966 for an Emmy Award as Best Actress in a Lead Role.

Julie began working as a model from the age of 15. She came second in the Miss Norway competition at the age of 18 and later competed for the title of Miss Universe before moving to England to work as an au pair in order to improve her English. By the late 1960s, she began acting in a few small roles but is best remembered for her part in the 1971 comedy film Up Pompeii.

Sophia Loren is known for her acting work and is one of Italy’s most beloved and adored stars. She started her career as a 14-year-old and is still making films to this day. She has appeared in dozens of movies including The Pride and the Passion, A Countess From Hong Kong, and Grumpier Old Men.

With big movie titles such as Chinatown, Bonnie and Clyne, and The Thomas Crown Affair, it’s amazing to think how much Faye Dunaway has achieved in her star-studded career. The actress, who still isn’t officially retired at 78 years of age, has also had a pretty successful career in theater, having starred in numerous productions.

Vanessa Williams made a surprising appearance to the beauty world, being named Miss America in 1984. But due to some personal problems, she had to give up the title. Although it was thought that she would disappear from the public scene, in 1986, she began her career in the film industry. Her most popular role was in Ugly Betty, for which she received nominations and even a SAG award, an Emmy, and a Golden Globe award. She also performed in the music world, receiving numerous Grammy nominations for albums such as The Right Stuff and The Sweetest Days.

Swedish-American Ann-Margret Olsson is not only one of the most beautiful celebrities of the ’60s and ’70s, but also a multi-talented performer. She had her breakout acting role in Bye Bye Birdie while she was already a successful recording artist. Other roles include the Who’s Tommy, in which she played Tommy’s mother. She played recurring characters in Law and Order: SVU and Ray Donovan. Five decades after entering the public eye, her talent and beauty are still making their mark on the entertainment industry.

She might not be the most obvious choice on this list, but there is no denying that Julie Andrews has aged so gracefully and is still extremely active in the public eye, well into her 80s. Not many Hollywood stars have had roles in two iconic movies the way that she has. As Mary Poppins, Julie Andrews did an incredible job making that role her own and of course, her work in The Sound of Music can not be ignored.

The first black woman to be nominated for Best Actress, Dorothy Dandridge, had a thriving singing, acting, and dancing career over her short life. She was a comedy actress who began her career at a young age, being part of the band, the Dandridge Sisters. She was a singer in several nightclubs, such as Waldorf Astoria’s Empire Room. In 1954, she also received an Oscar nomination. Her most notable appearance was in Porgy and Bess, where she played the role of Bess.

Smith is a successful actress and businesswoman who is best known for starting her career off as the stunning Kelly Garrett in the television version of Charlie’s Angels. The show leaped her and the other Angels into stardom and she then returned for the same role in 2003 in the film Charlie’s Angels: Full throttle. Smith went on to appear in many other TV films and mini-series’s for the rest of her career.

Known for her looks and distinctive voice, this American actress was named the 20th greatest female star of classic Hollywood cinema and later in life received an honorary Academy Award “in recognition of her central place in the Golden Age of motion pictures.” Despite her outstanding acting career, she began as a model and appeared on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar, and even magazines such as Vogue.

Although the English actress had a successful career in British and French cinema, she attained her international fame from her decade-long relationship with Serge Gainsbourg. Even after their separation, Birkin continued to remain successful working as an actress and singer in various independent films such as Red Fox and A Soldier’s Daughter Never Cries.

The Swedish actress and singer appeared in many films throughout the 1960s and 1970s, and is most known for her roles in The Night They Raided Minsky’s and Get Carter. She also appeared as a Bond girl in The Man With the Golden Gun (1974). Ekland received most of her attention overnight as a result of her 1964 romance with actor Peter Sellers, who proposed to her after seeing her photograph in the paper. Throughout the 1970s she was one of the most talked-about and photographed celebrities in the world.

Loretta Young had a long and interesting career starting as a child as young as two or three in 1917 all the way until 1953. She was nominated for an Oscar for her role in Come to the Stable and an Academy Award for Best Actress for her part in the 1947 film The Farmer’s Daughter. Young was married to actor Grant Withers from 1930 to 1931 but had a public affair with co-star Spencer Tracy. As young as eight the child actress began smoking, yet quit in the mid-1980s in order to gain 10 pounds.

Grace Kelly only worked in Hollywood for some five years before she married Monaco’s Prince Ranier III, yet her elegance solidified her stardom as one of the greatest Hollywood personas of her age. Kelly would never act again after becoming a princess of Monaco, but this freed her up to concentrate on philanthropy and promoting the arts. Sadly, she passed away in a car accident that was caused by a stroke she suffered while driving her daughter. Her daughter luckily survived the crash. She is remembered for her class and elegance, both on and off the screen.

Starring in arguably the most iconic movie of all time in The Wizard of Oz, it seems like Judy Garland was a victim of the glitz and glamor that comes with being a Hollywood star. Nominated for Academy Awards for her roles in A Star Is Born and Judgment at Nuremberg, Garland had the world at her feet before meeting her tragic end. With her daughter Liza Minnelli carrying on the torch and Renee Zellweger starring as her in the 2019 biopic, Judy Garland’s legacy has definitely lived on.

Despite refusing to succumb to the pressures of Hollywood publicity, it seemed like fans and co-stars alike couldn’t keep their eyes off Katharine Hepburn. With that said, she did have a well-publicized marriage to fellow actor Spencer Tracy, in which she also starred alongside him in nine movies. And that’s just scratching the surface of her relationships. With a record four Academy Award nominations for Lead Acting Performance, it is clear that she was one of the greatest actresses of all time.

Born in England to American parents, Elizabeth Taylor moved with her family to California shortly before World War II broke out. Even as a young girl, her striking beauty was apparent enough that her mother was constantly told that Elizabeth should star in movies. A genetic mutation caused her to have two rows of eyebrows, which framed her eyes in a unique way. She became a child star, later blossoming into one of Hollywood’s most desired actresses. She went on to star in many movies and later in life became an advocate for Jewish causes and promoted AIDS awareness.

With her unique looks, Audrey Hepburn was launched to stardom after starring in Roman Holiday opposite Gregory Peck, a role which garnered her an Academy Award, a BAFTA, and a Golden Globe for Best Actress. Later in life, she concentrated on philanthropy, and she was honored for her humanitarian work both during and after her life. She succumbed to a rare form of abdominal cancer in 1993. Proof of her lasting legacy is evident in her appearances in popular culture throughout the decades since her death.

Many fans of Hollywood’s golden era forget that Greta Garbo wasn’t even from the US. The Swedish actress made a smooth transition to American cinema and in no time at all, she became a huge commercial and critical hit. She ended up being nominated for three Academy Awards for Best Actress. In 1954, she received an Honorary Academy Award for her unforgettable performances on the big screen. At just 35 years of age, Garbo retired from film acting, after starring in 28 movies.

It’s surreal to think that Veronica Lake passed away nearly half a century ago. Best known for her femme fatale roles in a variety of movies, Lake enjoyed her biggest run of success during the 1940s. However, after drinking problems and a string of failed relationships, her career started to go on the decline. And ultimately, it was this vice of hers that seemed to be what led to her death in 1973. Her last screen role was in the 1970 low budget horror film Flesh Feast.

Sadly, Sharon Tate’s life will always be overshadowed by her disturbing, tragic, and senseless death. Long before Quentin Tarantino reimagined how history could have been different in Once Upon a Time In Hollywood, the beautiful Tate started to act in movies. She was hailed as a promising newcomer, having enjoyed positive reviews for both comedic and dramatic acting roles. She married her director and co-star from The Fearless Vampire Killers, Roman Polanski, in 1968. She was eight months pregnant with their child when she was taken from this world.

Having one high profile celebrity partner is one thing. However, Mia Farrow ended up being in relationships with two of the most famous entertainers of all time! These were, of course, Frank Sinatra and later on, Woody Allen. Make no mistake about it though: Mia Farrow has been a huge star in her own right, and arguably one of the most beautiful actresses of her generation. Her most iconic role is, without a doubt, the title character of 1968’s Rosemary’s Baby.

She might not be the most household name on this list, but there is no denying Gene Tierney’s influences on Hollywood history. Best known for her role in the movie Laura, Tierney went on to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in 1945’s Leave Her to Heaven. Tierney’s last film role came in 1964’s The Pleasure Seekers. In the following decades, she would appear on a handful of TV shows before passing away in 1971.

An inspiration to millions of women across the galaxy, Carrie Fisher did something that had pretty much never been done before in modern cinema. In her role as Princess Leia from 1977’s Star Wars, she helped to subvert the classic “damsel in distress” trope. Instead, she portrayed a young, independent woman, who ended up helping her supposed rescuers, escaping the dreaded Death Star. Most of her career was dominated by her role as Leia, later on in the Disney sequels. She will appear posthumously in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker in December 2019.

Kim Novak was originally recruited by Columbia Pictures to be a replacement for the studio’s Rita Hayworth, one of the biggest stars of the 1940s whose popularity had declined in the ’50s, not to mention to compete with 20th Century Fox’s Marylin Monroe. She solidified her place in film history when she starred in Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo. Since the mid-’60s, Novak only sporadically acted until she completely retired in the early ’90s. She had a bought with breast cancer that was announced in 2010. Luckily her treatments were successful and she is still with us.

It’s fair to say that Goldie Hawn’s most successful years were back in the 70s. After winning an Academy Award for her role in Cactus Flower, she starred in numerous hits such as Shampoo and Private Benjamin. Hawn’s kids Kate and Oliver Hudson are successful actors in their own right and she has a long-lasting relationship with Kurt Russell. Make no mistake about it though: Goldie Hawn is still going strong until this very day. In 2017, she starred alongside Amy Schumer in the comedy film Snatched.

Often regarded as the queen of Blaxploitation movies, Pam Grier enjoyed tons of success during the 70s, starring in a variety of movies of the aforementioned genre. These included Coffy, Foxy Brown and The Big Bird Cage, to name a few. And it seems like Quentin Tarantino took her profile to a whole other audience when he cast Grier in the title role of his 1997 homage to Blaxploitation, Jackie Brown. Grier has also worked in TV, having starred in the Showtime series The L Word.

What else can be said about Julia Roberts? One of the greatest actresses of the last 30 years, the now 52-year-old has been a leading lady in Hollywood since her breakthrough role alongside Richard Gere in Pretty Woman. Since then, Roberts has starred in a number of commercial and critical successes such as Erin Brockovich, Runaway Bride, Notting Hill, My Best Freind’s Wedding, and Ocean’s Eleven, to name a few! One of Roberts’ most recent roles was the 2017 hit Wonder.

A dancer from a young age, Brigitte Bardot moved on to acting in the ’50s. She starred in the controversial Robert Vadim film, And God Created Women, which launched her to international fame in 1956. One American critic called her, “undeniably a creation of superlative craftsmanship.” Brigitte Bardot’s entrance onto the world scene during the conservative decade was so palpable that Simone de Beauvoir wrote a feminist essay titled Brigitte Bardot and The Lolita Syndrome. Later in life, she became an animal rights activist and, most controversially, was fined five times for inciting racial hatred.

Swedish actress Ingrid Bergman solidified her place in history by starring alongside Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca, but she was acting in Swedish and German movies since the mid-1930s. Her broad international appeal was such that one biographer described her as “arguably the most international star in the history of entertainment.” One of her directors, Anatole Litvak, noted that “through all her troubles she held to the conviction that she had been true to herself and it made her quite a person.” She departed from this world in 1982 after a bout of breast cancer.

Halle Berry became famous after winning the Miss Teen All-American Pageant, at which point she began her career as a model. But she is more than just a pretty face. In 1989, she appeared in Living Dolls and had another sensational appearance in 1994, where she played the role of Sharon Stone in the Flinstone Family. She is the winner of the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a TV Movie, for her performance in Dorothy Dandridge. But her success did not stop there, because in 2002 she won the award for best actress at the Academy Awards for her role in Monster’s Ball.

No list would be complete without Marilyn Monroe, one of the most recognizable celebrities in the world. “Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring,” she said, and she lived by those words.

Basinger made a career for herself as a successful model in the 1970s and moved to Los Angeles where she took a turn at acting. She starred in several films made-for-television, but her debut came in the drama Hard Country. After her performance in Never Say Never Again as a Bond girl, Basinger became a poster girl and continued into the 1990s. Since then she went on to appear in many more films and still is acting to this day.

French actress Sophie Marceau became known as a teenager after she starred in the film La Boum in 1980. For the next 15 years, she starred in many European films before becoming a star in Hollywood for her role in Braveheart. After that, she played in the James Bond film The World Is Not Enough. While she often makes it to the top of “most beautiful” lists, Marceau says she doesn’t really understand why people find her attractive. According to her, “I’ve never really been beautiful. I’m photogenic…” And modest!

Isabella Rossellini is the daughter of another woman on this list, Ingrid Bergman, from her marriage to Italian filmmaker Roberto Rossellini. In addition to her acting, she is known for her modeling work, although she began significantly older than usual in the industry. She eventually landed her a job as the spokesmodel of Lancôme, a job she held for 14 years. She has played in film and TV, including David Lynch’s Blue Velvet. She is also known for her activism, specifically in conservation work.

Barbara Eden is best known for starring in the popular ’60s sitcom I Dream of Jeannie, but many don’t know that originally the show’s creators wanted a brunette. This was because they wanted a departure from Bewitched, also a fantasy sitcom with a blonde lead. Barbara Eden was so funny, beautiful, and fit the role so perfectly that the show’s creators overlooked this minor detail. And it’s good that they did! Barbara has been a TV star ever since.

Russian-American Natalie Wood was in the limelight from the time she was a little girl, playing Maureen O’Hara in Miracle on 34th Street. Wood went on to star in classics such as Rebel Without a Cause and West Side Story. She died in dubious circumstances while on a weekend yacht trip to Santa Catalina Island with Robert Wagner, her husband; Christopher Walken, who co-starred in her latest movie; and the yacht’s captain. She was only 43. The investigation was re-opened in recent years, and Wagner was named a person of interest in February 2018.

Rita Hayworth was a performer from youth, dancing in New York venues before her family moved to California when she was 10. She had many roles in ’30s-era dancing movies before branching out to more serious acting roles in the ’40s. The ’50s were a difficult decade for her, as she was increasingly dogged by personal problems. Meanwhile, younger women rose to prominence as she descended into alcoholism and monetary problems. For decades, she suffered from what was finally understood to be symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, passing away in 1987.

Hedy Lamarr is one of the most fascinating women on this list. She holds a Guinness world record for being the first woman to be filmed doing particular activities, but her claim to fame is much more profound than that. After WWII broke out, she turned her mind to inventing “frequency hopping” to solve a problem of enemy vessels jamming the radio signals submarine use to control torpedos. Although she filed a patent that sat unused for years, it became the basis for many subsequent military inventions, as well as future civilian applications.

English actress Jacqueline Bisset has starred in movies since the 1960s when she played in Hollywood blockbusters such as Bullitt. Gradually she gained recognition for being a serious actress and received more serious roles, like in François Truffaut’s Day for Night. Her 1977 role in The Deep, which featured her only covered on top with a white T-shirt as she submerges from the water, soaking wet, is so iconic that it is credited with popularizing wet T-shirt competitions. Jacqueline Bisset has since played mostly in made-for-TV movies and shows.

A true powerhouse whenever Oscar season came around, Jane Fonda is still making movies even while in her 80s. The daughter of the legendary Henry Fonda is part of one of the most prolific families in all of Hollywood. Nevertheless, she has still managed to stand out from her relatives for her huge charisma, beautiful looks, and her long filmography. With success in film, TV and even on Broadway, it seems like there’s nothing that Jane Fonda can not do.

Italian-Tunisian Claudia Cardinale’s career began when she won the “Most Beautiful Italian Girl in Tunisia” contest, which earned her a trip to Italy. Although she struggled with Italian (as the Sicilian she knew from her parents is quite different), her beauty brought her offers to model and act. Her voice was actually dubbed over in the early part of her career due to her raspy tone and a French accent.

It seems like Jessica Lange has had two lives in the world of acting. Having made a name for herself with Academy Award nominations in six different movies during the 80s/early 90s, Lange seemed to slow things down a little and become a lot more selective with her work. However, in the last decade, the actress has seen something of a resurgence, especially since starring in five seasons of American Horror Story. She also starred as Joan Crawford in the miniseries Feud: Bette and Joan.

This Swedish born actress appeared in many American and European films during her career but was primarily based in Italy where she had a major role in La Dolce Vita. Her beauty was there from an early age and as a teenager, she worked as a fashion model. In 1950 she entered the Miss Malmö competition which led her to the winning the Miss Sweden contest. However, her beauty was much more universal and in 1951 she competed for the Miss Universe title, despite knowing very little English at the time.

Amazingly, Julie Gibson is still alive and kicking at the age of 105. The star has outlived so many of the Golden Era stars, despite being the oldest of them all. She happens to be the last surviving star to have worked alongside the Three Stooges. Having first appeared on shows over 80 years ago, Gibson’s most successful period came in the ’40s and she has certainly etched her name in showbiz lore. What casual fans don’t know is that her birth name is actually Gladys Camille Sorey.

Ursula Andress’ claim to fame is for being the original Bond girl, starring alongside Sean Connery in Dr. No in 1962. Although her voice was dubbed over to mask her Swiss-German accent, she quickly rose to stardom for this role, which is one of the most iconic introductions of a female lead in film history. After she appeared in a magazine, she was asked why she was okay with having her pictures published. She answered simply, “Because I’m beautiful.”

Although not her first role, Raquel Welch became something of a pop culture phenomenon after she played in the 1966 film One Million Years B.C., in which she wore an iconic fur bikini. She later starred in movies such as 1967’s Bedazzled, 1968’s Bandolero! and 1969’s 100 Rifles. She has continued to star in movies throughout the years, notably Legally Blond alongside Reese Witherspoon. In 2001 she received the “Imagen Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award” for positively promoting her Latin heritage.