During the 1950s, the United States economy was strong. People were able to afford more than ever, including suburban homes and cars. It was the birth of the “baby boom” era as well.
Televisions were also easier to afford in the 1950s, leading to a boom in pop culture and marking “the golden age of television.” According to History, 4.4 million Americans had a TV in their home as of 1950. From “I Love Lucy” to “Leave it to Beaver,” family-friendly shows owned primetime TV viewing spots.
Additionally, music and movies changed and prospered during this era. Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly rocked the music scene while John Wayne, James Stewart and Marilyn Monroe owned the big screen. As pop culture became more prevalent to the general public, it’s easy to see how these icons from the 1950s shaped history. (For more reading on pop culture, check out the 10 biggest icons of the 1960s.)
To compile this list, 24/7 Tempo consulted several entertainment and news sites including CNN, History, and Billboard.
Here are the 10 biggest icons of the 1950s:
Elvis Presley
It’s nearly impossible to talk about the 1950s without talking about Elvis. “The King of Rock and Roll” began his musical career in this era, when his first single “Heartbreak Hotel” was released in 1956. This single went on to sell millions over the next year. Additionally, Presley launched his acting career in the same year. “Love Me Tender” was released in November of 1956. Presley was most known in the 1950s for bringing a new sound to the music industry, as well as a few new dance moves that were seen as scandalous by others.
Preseley’s career was then cut short when he was drafted into the military in 1958. However, upon his return 2 years later, Presley picked up right where he’d left off, continuing to produce music and act. In the late 1960s, after a break from live performances, Presley returned to the stage in a solo act. This resulted in a Las Vegas residency. However, by the early 1970s, Presley’s health and drug abuse began to take a toll on his body. He passed on August 16, 1977, at the age of 42, leaving his fans in mourning.
Audrey Hepburn
Born and raised in England, Audrey Hepburn was known for both her incredible talent on screen and her iconic style. After studying ballet during World War II and becoming a chorus girl in West End’s musical scene, Hepburn’s big break came with the movie “Roman Holiday” which was released in 1953. In her role as Princess Ann, Hepburn earned an Oscar for Best Actress, as well as a Golden Globe and BAFTA award. She became the first female actress to earn all three for a single performance. Additionally, Hepburn earned a Tony in the same year for her performance in the play “Ondine.”
Throughout the 1950s, Hepburn continued to sing and act, earning numerous awards with large roles in movies like “Funny Face,” “Sabrina” and “The Nun’s Story.” These roles led to more work in the 1960s including “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and “My Fair Lady.”
Hepburn was also known for her iconic look and style. At the time, curvier actresses like Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor were popular on the big screen but created a style that was difficult for everyday women to achieve. Hepburn introduced a laid-back “gamine” look that women loved. From her cat eye sunglasses to her pixie haircut and pencil waist, Hepburn was known for creating her own iconic look. In her later years, Hepburn was known for her humanitarian work. She passed in Switzerland at the age of 63 after battling cancer.
Elizabeth Taylor
Though born in London, Elizabeth Taylor’s family moved to Los Angeles when she was 7. Upon their arrival, Taylor was chosen for a few different children’s roles including her first role at age 10 in “There’s One Born Every Minute.” Her major breakout role came in 1950 when she portrayed Kay Banks in “Father of the Bride.” Throughout the 1950s, her career continued to climb with roles in movies like “A Place in the Sun” and “Giant.”
Though mostly known for her acting, Taylor was also known for her scandalous personal life. Before passing in 2011 at the age of 79, Taylor had 8 marriages to 7 different men, marrying Richard Burton twice in the 1970s. She also was known for living a “jet set” lifestyle by embracing her wealth and love of jewelry.
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe is one of the most iconic public figures of the 1950s, largely due to her “blonde bombshell” acting roles and her appeal to men. Though Monroe had a challenging childhood and upbringing, she eventually made her way into modeling during the mid-1940s. After becoming known for her pinup photo shoots, Monroe signed an acting contract in 1946. Her breakthrough roles came in 1950 when she was cast in two movies, “All About Eve” and “The Asphalt Jungle.”
Throughout the 1950s, Monroe’s career continued to grow. This was in part due to more acting roles that were sent her way. But Monroe also found herself at the center of a few personal scandals. In 1952, it was revealed that Monroe had posed for nude photos a few years earlier. Additionally, Monroe was involved in a relationship with New York Yankees baseballer, Joe DiMaggio. The two wed in 1954, though their marriage only lasted about 18 months.
Though Monroe’s career continued to soar throughout the 1950s, her health and relationship with prescription drugs brought about her decline. Monroe passed in 1962 at the age of 36, likely by suicide from a drug overdose.
Frank Sinatra
Nicknamed “Ol’ Blue Eyes,” Frank Sinatra was one of the most prominent entertainers of the 1950s. Growing up, Sinatra related to the voice of Bing Crosby and got his start in the swing era. He released his debut album in 1946 through Capital Records. He continued to work with them throughout the 1950s before leaving in the ’60s to begin his own record label.
Aside from singing, Sinatra was also known for his iconic acting roles. He earned an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in 1954 for his role as Angelo Maggio in “From Here to Eternity.” This led to other acting roles including musicals like “Guys and Dolls” which was released in 1955. Additionally, Sinatra had his own television show, “The Frank Sinatra Show” which began airing in 1950.
Throughout the decades following the ’50s, Sinatra continued to make various public appearances until his death in 1998 at the age of 82.
James Dean
Few pop icons in the 1950s held as short of a career as James Dean. Dean obtained several small movie and TV roles, as well as theater performances before landing his breakout role as Cal Trask in “East of Eden.” The film was released in 1955 and it quickly led to him being cast in “Rebel Without a Cause,” which was released the same year. Following these films, Dean was cast in the 1956 film, “Giant.”
However, before “Giant” was released, Dean’s life and career were cut short. He passed due to a car accident on September 30, 1955 in California. Before his passing, Dean was becoming a household name due to his acting ability and style. Young men everywhere began dressing in a plain white t-shirt with a jacket and cuffed jeans.
Buddy Holly
Similar to James Dean, Buddy Holly was another icon of the 1950s who experienced an early death that ended his career. Holly was known for his musical talent, mixing country western sounds with rock and roll. He made his first TV appearance in 1952 before he began opening for Elvis Presley in 1955.
Following his opening acts, Holly decided to create his own band and go on tour. In 1959, he and his band were on a private plane heading from Clear Lake, Iowa, to Moorhead, Minnesota, when the plane went down shortly after take off. Holly, along with everyone else on the plane, passed in the crash. He was only 22. Despite his short-lived career, Holly was one of the first people inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame” in 1986. His iconic sound influenced many musicians after him.
James Stewart
Although his career began on Broadway, James (also called Jimmy) Stewart lit up the silver screen throughout the 1950s. Stewart had roles in more than 80 films between the years 1935 and 1991, earning his first Oscar for Best Actor in 1941 for his role in “The Philadelphia Story.”
Throughout the 1950s, Stewart acted in numerous movies. Some of his most notable roles were in films such as “Harvey,” “Anatomy of a Murder” and “The Naked Spur.” His career continued to soar into the 1960s as he worked with directors Anthony Mann and Alfred Hitchcock.
Outside of his acting roles, Stewart was also known for being a military officer. He enlisted in the Air Force during World War II before transferring to the Air Force Reserve in 1948. He eventually retired from the military in 1968 as a general. Additionally, Stewart only had one wife during his lifetime which was unusual in Hollywood culture. He married Gloria McLean until her passing in 1994. Stewart then passed in 1997 at the age of 89.
John Wayne
Though Stewart had numerous movie roles in his lifetime, John Wayne had significantly more. During his acting career which spanned from 1926 to 1979, Wayne totaled 142 movie roles in addition to several other television appearances. He was also primarily known to play parts in Western or war-themed movies.
Wayne’s career began with small acting parts in the 1930s. However, he rose to fame in the 1950s through movies like “The Searchers,” “The Quiet Man” and “Rio Bravo.” He continued to act and receive prominent roles in the 1960s as well. His role as Rooster Cogburn in the 1969 classic “True Grit” earned him an Oscar for Best Actor.
Wayne continued to act into the ’70s with his last role as J.B. Brooks opposite Lauren Bacall and James Stewart in “The Shootist” which was released in 1976. Wayne passed three years later at the age of 72 due to complications from stomach cancer.
Doris Day
While her singing career began in 1939, Doris Day rose to stardom and notoriety throughout the 1950s. Her first number-one hit singles, “Sentimental Journey” and “My Dreams Are Getting Better All the Time” hit the charts in 1945 while she was a member of the Les Brown Band. Day eventually left the band and began pursuing a solo career in 1947.
Aside from her musical talents, Day was also known as a Hollywood actress. Her breakout role was in her portrayal of Georgia Garrett in “Romance on the High Seas” which was released in 1948. In the 1950s, Day became a household name after she received roles in movies like “Pillow Talk” and “The Man Who Knew Too Much” opposite James Stewart. Day continued to accept movie roles through 1968 when she decided to end her film career. However, she soon realized her deceased husband had already signed her up for a television show which became “The Doris Day Show.” It ran from 1968 to 1973.
After the show ended, Day continued to do guest TV appearances from time to time, but put more of her time into humanitarian efforts instead. She died of pneumonia in 2019 at the age of 97. (For more entertainment news from this era, check out the best but forgotten movies of the 1950s.)