The Top Movie Stars of the 1960s

Anthony Perkins (1932 – 1992) was an Oscar-nominated actor who starred in many films throughout his acting career, though he’s most widely recognized for the role he played as Norman Bates in the film, “Psycho” (1960). Perkins starred in other films before his breakout role including, “Friendly Persuasion” (1956), “The Matchmaker” (1958), and “On the Beach” (1959). His last role was that of Paul Miller, P.I. in the crime/mystery/thriller “In the Deep Woods” (1992).

Known for playing a tough guy in his movies, Clint Eastwood’s career took off when he starred in the trilogy that included, “A Fistful of Dollars” (1964), “For a Few Dollars More” (1965), and “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” (1966). Eastwood was born in 1930 and has continued working into his nineties, not just as an actor but also as a director. His body of work is extensive, and his most recent films include “Cry Macho” (2021), “The Mule” (2018), “American Sniper” (2014), and “Trouble with the Curve” (2012).

The daughter of John Farrow, a director, Mia Farrow was born into the business. She was born in 1945 in Los Angeles, CA, and captivated audiences in the psychological horror film, “Rosemary’s Baby” (1968). Before that, she played a few small roles and after, she appeared both in theaters and on television. Other films Farrow is known for include “The Purple Rose of Cairo” (1985), “Crimes and Misdemeanors” (1989), and “Broadway Danny Rose” (1984).

Alain Fabien Maurice Marcel Delon was born in 1935 in France and met success in the early part of his career once he decided to pursue acting. He made his film debut in 1957 and a decade later got caught in a scandal. After he was cleared of charges, he moved on to direct his first film in 1981. Delon is best known for several films, including “The Samurai” (1967), “The Leopard” (1963), “Purple Noon” (1960), and “L’Eclisse” (1962).

Jack Lemmon (1925 – 2001) is from Newton, MA. His first movie was “It Should Happen to You” (1954), in which he starred alongside Judy Holliday. Before moving onto the big screen, he took on roles in television. He was an Academy Award nominee eight times and twice, he took the awards home. Lemmon is most known for several films, including “The Apartment” (1960), “Glengarry Glen Ross” (1992), “Some Like It Hot” (1959), and “Grumpy Old Men” (1993).

Charlton Heston (1923 – 2008), originally John Charles Carter, was born in No Man’s Land, IL. In his twenties, he was right at home in Hollywood, quickly becoming known, particularly after his role as Moses in “The Ten Commandments” (1956). He was well-known for several other films, including “Ben-Hur” (1959) that same decade and “Planet of the Apes” (1968) the following decade. His success and popularity continued over the years, especially with his role as Neville in “The Omega Man” (1971).

Sidney Poitier (1927 – 2022) is known for becoming the first African American to win an Academy Award for the category of Best Actor. Acting wasn’t his only passion; Poitier also directed several films. Poitier was born in Miami, FL, and later moved to the state of New York to pursue acting full-time. Poitier is most known for his films, “The Defiant Ones” (1958), “Lilies of the Field” (1963), In the Heat of the Night” (1967), and “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” (1967).

Dustin Hoffman was born in 1937 in Los Angeles, CA, and found success after dropping out of college. He struggled with low grades but he took an acting course and later attended the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music for training and later at The Pasadena Playhouse. Hoffman has played a litany of roles, though he’s most known for “The Graduate” (1967), “Midnight Cowboy” (1969), “Kramer vs. Kramer” (1979), “Tootsie” (1982), and “Rain Man” (1988).

Oscar winner, Sean Connery (1930 – 2020), was born in Scotland and is best known for his role as James Bond in a total of seven films starting in 1962. Connery worked odd jobs until he went into acting. Although his role as James Bond could have pigeon-holed him, he proved he could embody other roles just as well. He’s also well-known for his role as John Patrick Mason in “The Rock” (1996), as Jim Malone in “The Untouchables” (1987), and as William of Baskerville “The Name of the Rose” (1986).

Gregory Peck (1916 – 2003) is known for portraying extraordinary roles throughout his acting career, especially as Atticus Finch in “To Kill a Mockingbird” (1962). His focus was initially on medicine and he attended the University of California, Berkeley but his interest in acting pulled him to New York. Before taking on the role of Atticus Finch, Peck starred in “Spellbound” (1945) and “Roman Holiday” (1953). A couple of decades later, he starred as Dr. Josef Mengele in “The Boys from Brazil” (1978).

For Duane Jones (1937 – 1988), a low budget was no deterrent to becoming a cult figure in films. He proved this when he played Ben in “Night of the Living Dead” (1968), a pivotal role that wasn’t just a step forward in Jones’ career, but that positioned him as the first African American to take the role of a hero in a film. Jones is also well-known for his roles in “Ganja & Hess” (1973), “Vampires” (1986), and “To Die For” (1988).

Kirk Douglas (1916 – 2020), with his notable cleft chin, was born in Amsterdam, NY. During his early years, he was successful both as an athlete and student. He was born into poverty and realized through his early experiences that he could use acting as a way to evolve from his early roots. Douglas is most known for “Spartacus” (1960) but before that, he portrayed Vincent Van Gogh in “Lust for Life (1956) and Col. Dax in “Paths of Glory (1957).

Frank Sinatra (1915 – 1998), born in Hoboken, NJ, was a heartthrob who wowed audiences on stage and in film. Some of his most notable performances in films include Angelo Maggio in “From Here to Eternity” (1953), Mike Connor in “High Society” (1956), Dave Hirsh in “Some Came Running” (1958), and Major Bennett Marco in “The Manchurian Candidate” (1962).

Audrey Hepburn (1929 – 1993), known for her timeless style and humanitarian work, was an actress who became a top favorite in Hollywood. She is most known for her roles as Holly Golightly in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (1961), Regina Lampert in “Charade” (1963), and Eliza Doolittle in “My Fair Lady” (1964).

Paul Leonard Newman (1925 – 2008) wasn’t just an actor, he was also a director, philanthropist, and racing driver. He was easily recognized by his striking blue eyes in all the roles he played. Some of his best-known films include “The Hustler” (1961), “The Verdict” (1982), “Nobody’s Fool” (1994), and “Road to Perdition” (2002).

Omar Sharif (1931 – 2015) was born in Egypt, where he first met stardom. He earned international fame for his role as Sherif Ali in “Lawrence of Arabia” (1962). Sharif is also known for his role as Yuri in “Doctor Zhivago” (1965), Agent Cedric in “Top Secret!” (1984), and Monsieur Ibrahim Deneji in “Monsieur Ibrahim” (2003).

Natalie Wood (1938 – 1981) was in her teens when she made it onto the big screen in 1955, starring alongside James Dean. Tragedy struck in 1981 when she was out on a boating trip and drowned. Wood is most known for “Rebel Without a Cause” (1955), “West Side Story” (1961), “Splendor in the Grass” (1961), and “Love with the Proper Stranger” (1963).

Doris Day (1922 – 2019), originally Doris von Kappelhoff, was both an actress and singer, with her rise to fame occurring in the 1950s through the 1960s. She started with her singing career, performing with well-known bands and eventually pursuing a solo singing career. From 1968 through 1973, she also had her own sitcom, aptly called “The Doris Day Show.” Day is most known for “Love Me or Leave Me” (1955), “Lover Come Back” (1961), and “The Thrill of It All” (1963).

Peter Fonda (1940 – 2019) was born in New York City, NY and debuted on Broadway in 1961. After his Broadway debut, Fonda went on to start his film career. By 1971, he put on a director’s hat for the film, “The Hired Hand” (1971). His most popular movies include “Easy Rider” (1969), “Ulee’s Gold” (1997), “3:10 to Yuma” (2007), and “Wild Hogs” (2007).