45 Rare Behind-The-Scene Photographs of Golden Age Hollywood Icons

Hollywood beauty Sophia Loren was photographed in 1956 on The Pride and the Passion‘s set while filming outside Avila’s walls in Spain. The actress peered through an eyepiece belonging to Franz Planer, the film’s cinematographer.

The film famously starred big names like Cary Grant and Frank Sinatra, along with Sophia Loren, making it a successful all-star flick. The captured moment here is sweet and casual and also showcases the playful and silly side of a serious actress like Loren.

This photo showcases Hollywood golden age diva Doris Day and her co-star Rock Hudson enjoying some casual downtime on the set of Pillow Talk. The pair is seen here beating the heat and chilling happily with glasses of icy cold drinks in their hands.

The famous 1959 flick made Day and Hudson lifelong friends and avid supporters of each other in real-life moments of crisis. The two stars also went on to work together in several other movies, such as Lover Come Back (1961), Send Me No Flowers (1964), and many more.

Eartha Kitt and her Anna Lucasta co-star Sammy Davis Jr. were photographed on the 1958 film noir drama set. The pair took a much-needed break after long hours of shooting. Kitt is seen massaging her aching leg while Davis looks on sympathetically.

Anna Lucasta was a remake of the 1949 original film, adapted from a 1936 play. It was the first dramatic role in Hollywood for Davis. His character had a minor role in the original play, but it was expanded in the movie to accommodate his star power.

Dubbed the first ‘Blonde Bombshell’ of Hollywood, Jean Harlow epitomized the classic Tinseltown glamor with her platinum blonde curls, dramatic eyebrows, and cupid’s bow mouth. Her breakthrough role was in Hell’s Angels, 1930, a hit made by Howard Hughes.

After that, Harlow appeared in several other big banner flicks, often paired with other stars of the era, like Clark Gable in Hold Your Man (1933). Here, in the backstage photo of the classic film, the beauty queen is seen giving her makeup a retouch in between the shots.

A talented actress from the golden age of Hollywood, Fredi Washington was a stunning green-eyed beauty. After her marriage, she retired from show biz. Washington eventually went on to work as an activist for African-American talents in the entertainment industry.

Fredi Washington starred in the 1934 hit film Imitation of Life, among many others. Here, in this on-set picture of the film, the actress is seen rehearsing a scene with co-star Louise Beavers. Beavers played Washington’s mother in the movie.

Famous actor and dancer Fred Astaire started on Broadway alongside his sister and partner, Adele, at the tender age of just five years old. Though Adele was widely believed to be the more talented sibling, Astaire made his mark with a string of popular musicals.

Fred Astaire made his first Hollywood movie in 1932. Eventually, he dominated the musical scene of Hollywood from the ’30s to the ’50s. Here, Astaire is seen collaborating with famed composers Ira and George Gershwin for the 1937 superhit musical Shall We Dance.

The iconic 1953 film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes propelled Marilyn Monroe into fame and also cemented the star status of Jane Russell. In this candid behind-the-scenes photo, the two blonde divas of Hollywood are seen together on the film’s set.

It’s not commonly known that Monroe suffered from massive stage fright throughout the film. A famous and seasoned actress by that time, Russell was instrumental in helping her get through it. This picture reflects the close friendship between them.

Sabrina is the all-time favorite movie for all fashion lovers of the world! In this iconic film, Audrey Hepburn treated the audience with a carousel of elegant tea-length dresses, delicately embroidered ball gowns, and a range of stylish turban caps.

This film initiated the decades-long friendship and collaboration between Hollywood glamor icon Hepburn and legendary French designer Hubert de Givenchy. In this photo, the actress stands on a chair while the stagehands are fixing her dress.

Elizabeth Taylor was 22 when she starred in The Last Time I Saw Paris alongside Hollywood bombshell actors like Donna Reed and Eva Gabor. Future James Bond, Roger Moore, was another star cast in this 1954 film.

In this backstage photo, Taylor is seen striking a pose for a wardrobe still for the film. Legendary designer Helen Rose created the costumes for the film. 10-time Oscar winner Rose also went on to design Taylor’s real-life wedding dresses.

Here, singer and future fashion designer Diana Ross is photographed with Hollywood actor Anthony Perkins on the set of Mahogany in Rome. In this 1975 flick, Ross played the character of a fashion design student turned model, in Rome.

This role in Mahogany hugely helped Diana Ross catapult into the fashion industry and spearheaded her Hollywood diva persona. The talented and fashion-forward actress herself designed all her costumes in the movie.

The 1956 film Bus Stop is widely considered Marilyn Monroe’s best performance. The Hollywood blonde bombshell is photographed on the film’s set, adjusting her makeup between shots using a handheld mirror.

Bus Stop was her first dramatic role after Monroe planned to pivot from comedy and musicals towards playing more serious characters. This film successfully showcased Monroe’s acting beyond the notion of being just a Hollywood glam doll.

Hollywood heartthrob Betty Grable started with side roles in her early teens before becoming the industry’s most significantly paid star by 1947. In this behind the scene photo from the 1938 movie College Swing, Grable is seen having her hair done on set.

During the Golden Age of Hollywood, Betty Grable was considered a classic American beauty. The actress is often remembered for her famous bathing suit pin-up pose, winning millions of hearts with her charismatic appeal.

A respected British actor, Laurence Olivier was famous for his perfect diction and dreamy good looks. He made a name for himself as a Shakespearean actor on stage before venturing to Hollywood and making his debut in 1939 with Wuthering Heights.

In this behind-the-scenes photo from the 1940 Hitchcock flick Rebecca, Laurence Olivier is seen being coached by the director alongside his lead co-star Joan Fontaine. Fontaine was selected for the role, surpassing Olivier’s real-life lover Vivian Leigh.

Jimmy Stewart had a long and distinguished acting career in Hollywood. Admired for his ordinary persona and boyish charm, the actor made his mark with his collaborations with director Frank Capra, playing leading roles in his movies during the 1940s.

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and It’s a Wonderful Life are two notable Capra movies Jimmy Stewart starred in. In this photo, Stewart is on the set of the 1954 film Rear Window along with director Alfred Hitchcock, possibly rehearsing his lines.

Long before being the screen siren of Hollywood, Elizabeth Taylor was a child star, playing with dogs and horses in the Lassie movies and in National Velvet. It was Cleopatra that cemented her bombshell image and appealing persona in the industry.

Elizabeth Taylor wooed movie audiences for decades with her beauty. In this photo, she’s seen taking a break alongside actor James Dean on the set of the 1955 movie Giant.

This behind the scene photo on the set of Funny Face perfectly captured the playful nature of Hollywood Golden Age diva Audrey Hepburn. Here, the talented actress is seen in a light mood, having fun with some extras during a break in filming.

Though Hepburn is wearing a simple trench coat in this photo, the 1956 musical packed some high-fashion moments. The credit for that goes to legendary costume designer Edith Head and Hepburn’s personal collaborator Givenchy.

Sometimes, actors need some downtime while filming on a tight schedule. So, they may take a precious nap in all sorts of places! Just like in this 1957 photo, Sophia Loren is captured napping in a fold-out chair on The Legend of the Lost set.

Set amidst the backdrop of Libya, this desert-adventure film was Loren’s first English-speaking role. In the movie, she starred alongside iconic actor John Wayne. The beauty of Hollywood earned a Best Actress Academy Award for her role in the movie.

After starting her career as a singer, multitalented actress Doris Day eventually broke into Hollywood by starring in musical comedies. Unfortunately, at the age of 16, she had to put a temporary stop to her dancing career.

That’s why her dancing opportunities in musicals were so significant. She also started to take vocal lessons, which helped her decorated career. In this snap, she’s rehearsing a dance number with partner Gene Nelson for the movie Tea for Two.

In this behind-the-scenes photo, actress Dorothy Dandridge was chatting with Harry Belafonte and the director Otto Preminger on the set of Carmen Jones. This 1954 musical made waves in the movie industry.

Carmen Jones was filled with Hollywood A-listers like Diahann Carroll and Pearl Bailey, among others. The movie propelled Dandridge into stardom and earned her a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Actress.

This 1988 photo was captured on the set of the TV mini-series The Women of Brewster Place. Here, actress Cicely Tyson is seen looking dignified in her costume while rehearsing her scene on set, playing the character of Mrs. Browne.

Revolving around multigenerational stories centered on several women, the mini-series was hailed by viewers and critics alike. It also earned a Primetime Emmy Award Nomination for Outstanding Miniseries, among many other recognitions.

Multitalented Frank Sinatra was famous for both his acting and music. Alongside his decades-long legacy in the music industry, teen heartthrob Sinatra also ventured into Hollywood and got his first big break in a movie in 1945.

After a temporary stall for personal reasons, Sinatra’s acting career in Hollywood kicked into high gear once again with the 1953 flick From Here to Eternity, earning him an Oscar. Here, he’s seen on the set with co-star Montgomery Clift.

As an amateur theater actor, Robert Mitchum started his Hollywood journey with bit parts in many films during the 1940s. But his rugged good looks and charismatic demeanor skyrocketed his fame by the 1950s.

Mitchum was widely known throughout his career for his bad-boy appeal, dimpled chin, and commanding voice. Here, in the 1946 photo, the actor is seen enjoying a break by playing checkers with his co-star Richard Hart on the set of A Woman of My Own.

A trained dancer, Rita Hayworth was one of the most prominent Hollywood glam girls during the Golden Age of the industry. After signing her first studio contract at age 16 and playing several minor roles, she had her first big break in Strawberry Blonde.

Hayworth finally got a chance to show off her dancing skill alongside Fred Astaire in You’ll Never Get Rich. She was briefly married to director, producer, and actor Orson Welles. Here, she’s seen alongside her husband Welles on the set of his 1947 film The Lady From Shanghai.

A high-school dropout, young Clark Gable decided to make acting his career, having been inspired by a play in his hometown. He was signed to MGM studio in 1930 and, by the mid-’30s, transformed into a massive star thanks to his roles in films like It Happened One Night.

The 1934 film earned Gable an Academy Award for Best Actor. Here, the actor is seen on the set of the 1932 movie Red Dust.

With his striking good looks, natural acting abilities, and methodical delivery, celebrated actor Gary Cooper enjoyed a long and distinguished career in Hollywood. He scored lead roles in over 80 films throughout the industry’s Golden Age and earned several Oscars.

Cooper was widely known for doing his own stunts in his films. He went on to win Oscars for his roles in Sergeant York and High Noon. In this behind-the-scenes photo, the actor is seen reading Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms, on which the eponymous 1932 film was based.

Model, singer, and actress Brigitte Bardot is an iconic name in the history of French cinema and the Hollywood film industry. Famous for portraying rebellious characters with questionable lifestyles, Bardot dominated the screen during the ’50s and ’60s.

This behind-the-scenes photo was taken on location for the 1956 French comedy film The Bride Is Much Too Beautiful. Bardot was just 22 years old during the filming of the movie. Here, the actress is seen casually relaxing on a chair, taking a break between shots.

Singer and actress Diahann Carroll made her name in Hollywood with iconic films and shows, including Julia, Dynasty, Carmen Jones, and many others. In this 1955 picture, she’s photographed backstage at The Eddie Fisher Show.

During that time, Carroll was at the beginning of her career. Here, the actress is seen posing happily with the show’s host Eddie Fisher, during her third appearance in the show. Together, they performed a duet song in that particular episode.

Created as an episode of the NBC TV series Producers’ Showcase, Mayerling was released theatrically as a European film. This 1957 version of the original 1936 French film was another project showcasing the on-screen high-fashion moments of Audrey Hepburn.

The filming of the entire movie was done live on set, except for some background footage shot in Vienna, Austria, to maintain historical accuracy. Giving a sneak peek behind the scenes, this photo shows hairstylists and makeup artists preparing Hepburn for a scene.

One of the most famous Hollywood Golden Age divas, Rita Hayworth starred in several hit musicals in her acting career. In her first two musicals, she starred opposite Fred Astaire, the legendary musical maestro of Hollywood.

The 1944 film Cover Girl was the fourth musical in Hayworth’s career. In this movie, actor Gene Kelly played the lead male character opposite Hayworth. This photo shows the gorgeous actress casually lounging on the set between takes.

The beauty queen of Hollywood, Elizabeth Taylor, is photographed here rehearsing a scene on the set of the 1963 film The VIPs. In this film, she starred alongside A-listers like Orson Welles, Richard Burton, and the legendary actress Maggie Smith.

The film was based on a true incident from the life of another iconic Hollywood diva Vivien Leigh. Initially, Sophia Loren was cast in the role, but Taylor convinced the director to cast her instead.

Betty Davis broke the Hollywood Golden Age glam girl stereotype with her biting wit, ironic delivery, and larger-than-life persona. With her gravelly voice and huge eyes, this gorgeous beauty starred in several hits throughout her career.

Reflecting her real-life personality, Davis used to insist on playing roles of strong and independent female characters and often feuded with studio authorities. Here, the actress is seen resting during a break while filming the 1941 movie The Bride Came COD.

Gorgeous actress Carole Lombard started young after getting her first film contract at just 12 years old. Within a few years, she worked in a series of silent films during the ’20s. She quickly became a sensation during the talkies era of Hollywood.

Lombard’s silky voice seamlessly enabled her to transition into the talkies during the late ’20s. The talented actress soon commanded one of the top billings in the industry. Here, she’s seen on the set of the 1931 movie I Take This Woman with her co-star Gary Cooper.

Actor/singer/comedian Bob Hope made his first Hollywood appearance with The Big Broadcast of 1938. His song in the film, named “Thanks for the Memory,” soon became his signature, quickly propelling him into fame and popularity.

In partnership with actress Dorothy Lamour and actor/singer Bing Crosby, Bob Hope starred in many comedies of the Road to… series during the ’40s and ’50s. Here, he’s seen chatting with his co-stars and director on the set of the 1942 flick Road to Morocco.

Mae West started her career as a child star and gradually moved into theater. She didn’t have her first Hollywood screen break until the age of 40 in the 1932 film Night After Night. Her cheeky persona made her famous!

Mae West eventually earned her star status in the industry thanks to her figure and swagger. In this photograph, the actress is seen on set with WC Fields rehearsing a scene for the 1940 film My Little Chickadee.

Born in Sweden, glamor queen Greta Garbo started her acting career in the Swedish film industry. When she attended film school, a Swedish film director gave her a role in his upcoming movie, which propelled Garbo’s Hollywood career.

Before appearing in talkies during the 1930s, Greta Garbo starred in several silent films. The actress won million of hearts throughout her career with her enigmatic personality and intense style. She’s seen here on the set of the 1932 film Grand Hotel.

Gregory Peck, the nation’s heartthrob during the Hollywood Golden Age, epitomized the definition of tall, dark, and handsome. After briefly working on Broadway, Peck headed to Hollywood and starred in a string of superhit flicks through the ’40s and ’50s.

A few of Gregory Peck’s notable works throughout his decorated career are The Yearling, The Gunfighter, Roman Holiday, Moby Dick, and To Kill a Mockingbird, among others. Here, he’s seen with Hollywood beauty Ingrid Bergman on the set of the 1945 film Spellbound.

Swedish-born Ingrid Bergman started acting in a few Swedish films when she got her chance in Hollywood with Intermezzo (1939) produced by David O. Selznick. Bergman’s skilled acting and unpretentious beauty made her an immediate success.

Bergman became one of the biggest Hollywood stars during the 1940s with classics like Casablanca and Oscar-winning performances in Gaslight, Anastasia, etc. Here, the actress is seen on the set of her 1948 historical classic Joan of Arc.

After coming to America from England in 1920 with a Broadway show, Cary Grant ventured to Hollywood to pursue a career as a film actor. His understated appeal and gentlemanly behavior quickly caught viewers’ attention, making him famous overnight.

Cary Grant reigned the screen in Hollywood during the ’40s and ’50s. The Philadelphia Story and An Affair to Remember are two of his greatest works. Here, the actor is seen with suspense thriller master Alfred Hitchcock on the set of his 1959 flick North by Northwest.

In this behind-the-scenes photograph, actress Rita Moreno is seen enjoying a moment of success, possibly after delivering a tricky dance take on the set of West Side Story.

This 1961 musical catapulted Moreno into history-making legendary fame in Hollywood. In 1962, Puerto Rican actress Moreno won an Oscar for her iconic performance in the film.

Dame Julie Andrews is one of the remaining Hollywood Golden Age stars gracing the screen. She rose to prominence in Broadway musicals like My Fair Lady and Camelot. Her feature debut in the 1964 film Mary Poppins made her an overnight star.

After winning an Oscar for Best Actress for her lead performance in Mary Poppins, Andrews continued her success the following year with the iconic 1965 musical drama The Sound of Music. Here, she’s photographed lying on the ground next to a camera on set.

In this behind-the-scenes snap, Brigitte Bardot is photographed on set, sitting on her sister’s lap, while in costume for her film Come Dance With Me. This 1959 French-Italian drama showcased Bardot at her best.

Bardot was already an established star at the time of the film. She demanded a whopping $200,000 while being cast, which was significantly larger than her usual salary. But the film didn’t do as well at the box office as expected.

At a certain point, a new type of brooding and not-so-nice hero emerged as a trend in Hollywood. Richard Widmark was one of the actors who never shied away from such challenging roles, departing from the stereotypical lead characters.

Widmark was often cast as conflicted and troubled characters in film noir movies like Kiss of Death in 1947, for which he received an Academy Award nomination. Here, the actor is seen resting on the set of the 1952 movie Destination Gobi.

One of the leading actresses of her time, Olivia DeHavilland, was first spotted by director Max Reinhardt in a college performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Appearing in Reinhardt’s stage and screen versions of the play kicked off her Hollywood journey.

Olivia DeHavilland quickly found fame with her numerous film appearances during the early 1930s. Some of her notable works are Gone With the Wind, To Each His Own, and The Heiress. In this photo, the actress is getting made up for the 1938 film The Adventures of Robin Hood.

These two striking Hollywood beauties were the two most impactful screen actresses during the Golden Age. While Ava Gardner made her big mark with the 1946 film The Killers, the 1940 musical Two Girls on Broadway made Lana Turner an overnight star.

The gorgeous divas were also good friends and often helped each other during filming. In this behind-the-scenes photo, Ava Gardner is seen discussing a script with Lana Turner while paying a visit to her on the set of her 1954 film Flame and the Flesh.