The 1930s movie era saw numerous changes to the Hollywood industry and fantastic talent. The film industry helped stir up the nation’s morale while the world was facing a crushing depression and a terrible economic downturn. Despite the time period, the 1930s is considered the Golden Age of Hollywood. With it came multiple stars who continued to grace the big screen and give hope and entertainment to a world that felt a compressing weight. Read on below to see the top movie stars of the 30s.
To create a list of the top movie stars of the 30s, 24/7 Tempo consulted numerous sources. These include IMDb and biography.com. Here are the top movie stars of the 30s.
1. Marlene Dietrich
One of the top movie stars of the 30s was Marlene Dietrich. She was by far a leading lady in the 1930s and 40s. She was born in 1901 in Berlin, Germany. Dietrich had a sultry on-screen appeal that was almost unmatched.
As a teen, she went to Max Reinhardt’s drama school, and her acting career began to expand. While in Germany, Marlene’s fame grew with the film “Der Balue Engel.” After her move to America in 1920, Dietrich starred in “Morroco” opposite Gary Cooper. One of the most appealing aspects of Marlene Dietrich was her fearless ability to challenge what feminity meant. She chose to wear pants on-screen and off-screen. Dietrich moved to Paris in the 1970s, where she chose to give up her career and live life privately. She passed away on May 6, 1992.
2. Jean Harlow
Dubbed a “screen siren” and the “original blonde bombshell,” Jean Harlow’s success as a comedic and sensual actress was more distinct than previously seen on-screen. She was born in 1911 as Harlean Carpenter. Additionally, during her career, she starred in 36 movies.
In a heartbreaking turn of events, Jean Harlow died at only the age of 26 from kidney failure, which was the result of having scarlet fever as a child. Although she was young when she passed, Jean Harlow made quite an impact while on screen. A trend took root when Harlow emerged on screen with her platinum blond hair. Women flocked to the store to buy peroxide to have the same beautiful locks as Jean Harlow. She had become an icon, and some of her more famous movies came with her stardom. These include “Hell’s Angels,” “The Secret Six,” “Red Dust,” and “Dinner at Eight.” Although Harlow has been gone for quite some time, her comedic and sensual legacy lives on today.
3. John Wayne
John Wayne was born Marion Robert Morrison in Iowa on May 26, 1907. A true trendsetter, Wayne is considered one of the most iconic actors of the early 20th century.
Originally, John Wayne went to college on a football scholarship with a completely different future imagined. However, he lost his scholarship after an injury. Therefore, after school, he began working as a prop man and extra. His first role was in “The Big Trail” in 1930. However, this film did very little for his success.
Wayne’s big break came in 1939 during the film “Stagecoach.” Wayne went on to star in plenty of films, his most popular ones being “True Grit” and “The Alamo.” While the 1930s saw less success than the future years for John Wayne, his success in Western films would not have happened had he not continued with determination through that decade.
4. Greta Garbo
Greta Garbo is often considered one of the greatest actresses of the early 20th century. She was initially born in Stockholm, Sweden, and her birth name was Greta Lovisa Gustafsson. As a child, she didn’t dream of being an actress. Instead, her ambition began after starring in an advertising film for the company she worked for.
Afterward, Erik A. Petschler encouraged her acting career, and by 18, she was well on her way to immense success. Some of the most successful films that Garbo starred in include “Mata Hari,” “Grand Hotel,” “Anna Karenina,” “Queen Christina,” and “Two-Faced Woman.” Garbo retired after World War 2 and spent the rest of her life away from Hollywood.
5. Clark Gable
1901 saw the birth of William Clark Gable in Cadiz, OH. The play “The Bird of Paradise” inspired him to become an actor. In 1930, Gable was signed to MGM and began starring in several films. These include “The Painted Desert,” “Call of the Wild,” “Gone With the Wind,” and “A Free Soul.” His acting career earned him the nickname “The King of Hollywood,” and the 1930s was when his charming personality and appeal piqued. Not to mention, Clark Gable delivered the most quotable line in cinema history while starring in “Gone With The Wind.”
6. Shirley Temple
Would a list of the top movie stars in the 30s be complete without Shirley Temple? With her iconic curls and adorable singing voice, Shirley Temple delighted audiences everywhere in the 1930s. She became an actress with Educational Pictures at the age of three. Her first movies include “Baby Burlesques.” Later, at the age of six, she was signed with Fox Film Corporation.
At a time when the world was feeling defeat, Shirley Temple lifted spirits and morale with her singing and smiling face on screen. Movies she starred in include “On the Good Ship Lollipop” and “Little Miss Marker.” Her trademark bouncing curls and ever-present smile were gifts the world didn’t know they needed. Shirley Temple later retired from acting and moved into politics. She passed away in 2014 at the age of 85.
7. James Stewart
James Stewart was born in 1908 in Indiana, Pennsylvania. Stewart originally studied architecture at Princeton, yet the Great Depression was in full swing by this time. After graduating, the job prospects didn’t look great. Therefore, he took minor roles in shows on Broadway.
His career took a swift turn, and he became one of the most sought-after actors; he could do everything, from westerns to comedies. His most popular movies during this time period were “It’s A Wonderful Life,” “You Can’t Take It With You,” “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” and “Navy Blue and Gold.” During the 30s, Jimmy Stewart starred in 21 films. While he took a break from films after joining the military, his career spanned decades with plenty of success under his belt.
8. Cary Grant
You cannot have a list of the top movie stars of the 30s without including Cary Grant. Grant was born in 1904 as Archibald Alec Leach. At age 14, Cary forged his dad’s signature and ran off to join Bob Pender’s troupe of knockabout comedians. Of course, this didn’t last long after his dad made him come home. Later, his dad permitted him to join the troupe again. He was chosen to come to the United States and tour on Broadway. It was in the 1930s when Grant signed with Paramount Pictures, which started his extensive film career from the 30s to the 60s.
The first film Grant appeared in was “This is the Night.” He continued filming in several movies, including “Topper,” “The Awful Truth”, and “The Philadelphia Story.” Grant’s last film was “Walk Don’t Run;” after this film, he retired.
9. The Marx Brothers
Nobody did nonsense better than the Marx Brothers.
One of the more popular comedic teams in the 1930s was the Marx Brothers. The team consisted of brothers Groucho (Julius Henry), Chico (Leonard), and Harpo (Adolph). Zeppo, also known as Herbert, was part of the team for a while. The brothers gained their start in 1908 as a musical act, the Four Nightingales, on vaudeville.
Their individual personas on stage made them well-liked and led to success. In the 1930s, the Marx Brothers starred in several films, including “Duck Soup,” “Animal Crackers,” “Horse Feathers,” and “Monkey Business.”
10. Marion Davies
Marion Davies was born Marion Cecelia Douras in 1897. The first film she starred in was “Runaway Romany,” which aired in 1917. Marion Davies is considered one of the most popular silent film actresses of all time.
By the time the 1930s rolled around, Marian Davies had already established a career with films such as “The Cinema Murder” and “When Knighthood Was in Flower.” When films began implementing sound into their movies, Davies was a little worried. However, with films such as “The Florodora Girl” and “Not So Dumb,” she proved she was ready for the change. Throughout her career, she also began donating and participating in several children’s charities. Davies died in 1961 at the age of 64. ( If you would like to learn more about scandals in Hollywood history, click here.)