Carole Landis

Carole Landis

Frances Lillian Mary Ridste (January 1, 1919 – July 5, 1948) began a career in entertainment as a dancer and singer. She signed with Warner Brothers but mainly received minor roles in films like A Star Is Born (1937). Her breakthrough came in 1940 with the film One Million B.C., leading to more opportunities in B-movies and supporting roles at 20th Century-Fox. Despite notable performances, such as in I Wake Up Screaming (1941) and Having Wonderful Crime (1945), critics often focused on her beauty rather than her talent. By the mid-1940s, her career declined due to contract cancellations, failed marriages, health issues, and personal challenges. After her final films in 1948, Landis tragically took her own life at 29, leaving behind a legacy of unfulfilled potential as a talented actress.


Known for films such as: Topper Returns

Dorothy Lamour

Dorothy Lamour

Mary Leta Dorothy Slaton (December 10, 1914 – September 22, 1996) was an American actress and singer known for her roles in adventure films and musicals. Lamour gained fame for her performances in the "Road" film series with Bing Crosby and Bob Hope, including "Road to Singapore" (1940), "Road to Zanzibar" (1941), and "Road to Morocco" (1942). She was often cast as a glamorous and exotic leading lady, known for her striking looks and warm screen presence. Lamour also starred in films such as "The Hurricane" (1937). Her contributions to film and her enduring popularity in the "Road" series established her as a beloved figure in classic Hollywood cinema. Lamour's career spanned several decades, leaving a lasting legacy in film history.


Known for films such as: My Favorite Brunette & Road to Bali

Anthony La Penna

Anthony La Penna

Anthony La Penna (April 22, 1918 - January 27, 2011) also known as Leslie Daniels, was an American actor, voice actor, director, screenwriter and ran an acting school in Greenwich Village, NY.  During the mid-1960's, he moved to Italy, where his career turned extensively toward dubbing Italian cinema into English. He appeared in numerous B-movies in the 1960's, 70's and 80's. He is best known for his roles as JJ in Room To Let (1950) and as Kurt in The Brain that Wouldn't Die (1962).


Known for films such as: The Brain That Wouldn't Die

Peter Lawford

Peter Lawford

Peter Sydney Ernest Lawford (September 7, 1923 – December 24, 1984) was an English-American actor known for his work in films and television, as well as his connections with the Hollywood social elite. Lawford's career began in the 1940s, and he gained prominence for his roles in films such as "The Picture of Dorian Gray" (1945) and "Ocean's 11" (1960). He was also a member of the "Rat Pack," a group of entertainers that included Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr.  His career was marked by his suave screen presence and his contributions to both film and television, including appearances on shows like "The Thin Man" (1957-1959). Lawford's legacy is defined by his charismatic performances and his prominent role in Hollywood's social and entertainment circles.


Known for films such as: Royal Wedding

Linda Lawson

Linda Lawson

Linda Gloria Spaziani (January 14, 1936 – May 18, 2022) was an American actress known for her work in film and television during the 1950s and 1960s. Lawson's career included notable performances in films such as "Apache Rifles" (1964) and "Sometimes a Great Notion" (1971). She also appeared in television series like "The Donna Reed Show" and "Perry Mason." Her contributions to classic television and film continue to be appreciated by fans of mid-20th-century cinema.


Known for films such as: Night Tide

Virginia Leith

Virginia Leith

Virginia Leith (October 15, 1925 – November 4, 2019) was an American actress best known for her role in Stanley Kubrick's debut feature "Fear and Desire" (1953) and the science fiction film "The Brain That Wouldn't Die" (1962). Leith's performance in this cult classic, where she played the disembodied head of a woman, remains a notable part of her film career. She also appeared in other films such as "On the Threshold of Space" (1955) and "A Kiss Before Dying" (1956). Her distinctive roles and memorable performances continue to be appreciated by fans of these genres.


Known for such films as: Fear and Desire & The Brain That Wouldn't Die

Jerry Lewis

Jerry Lewis

Joseph Levitch (March 16, 1926 - August 20, 2017) was an American comedian, actor, and filmmaker celebrated for his pioneering work in comedy. Lewis began his career in show business as a teen, performing in nightclubs before achieving fame in the 1950s as part of the comedy duo Martin and Lewis with Dean Martin. The team was highly successful in film and television. Lewis later gained acclaim for his solo work, directing and starring in films such as "The Nutty Professor" (1963) and "The Bellboy" (1960). Although he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for "The Nutty Professor," he did not win. Lewis also became known for his extensive philanthropic efforts, particularly his work with the Muscular Dystrophy Association. His legacy is marked by his influential contributions to comedy and entertainment.


Known for films such as: At War With The Army

Pamela Lincoln

Pamela Lincoln

Pamela Gill (June 19, 1937 – November 21, 2019) was an American actress known for her work in film and television during the 1950s and 1960s. Lincoln began her career with notable roles in films such as "The Tingler" (1959) and "Tootsie" (1982). She also appeared in television series, including "Father Knows Best" and "Have Gun - Will Travel". Her contributions to classic television and genre films have left a lasting impression on fans of mid-20th-century cinema and television.


Known for such films as: Anatomy Of A Psycho

Gary Lockwood

Gary Lockwood

John Gary Yurosek (born February 21, 1937).  is an American actor known for his work in film and television, particularly during the 1960s and 1970s. Lockwood gained prominence with his roles in classic films such as "2001: A Space Odyssey" (1968), where he played astronaut Dr. Frank Poole, and "Splendor in the Grass" (1961). He also appeared in television series like "The Lieutenant" and "Star Trek." His performances in iconic genre films and series have secured his place in the history of classic cinema and television.


Known for such films as: The Magic Sword

Gina Lollobrigida

Gina Lollobrigida

Luigia "Gina" Lollobrigida (July 4, 1927 - January 16, 2023) was an Italian actress and photojournalist renowned for her work in European and Hollywood cinema during the 1950s and 1960s. Lollobrigida gained international fame with her roles in films such as "Beat the Devil" (1953), "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" (1956), and "Come September" (1961). Known for her striking beauty and charismatic performances, she was one of the leading actresses of her time. Lollobrigida was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in "Bread, Love and Dreams" (1955), but did not win. Besides her film career, she was also an accomplished photojournalist, capturing significant events and personalities. Her legacy is marked by her contributions to both cinema and journalism, making her an influential figure in the entertainment industry.


Known for films such as: Beat the Devil

Carole Lombard

Carole Lombard

Jane Alice Peters (October 6, 1908 – January 16, 1942) was an American actress celebrated for her work in screwball comedies and dramas during the 1930s and early 1940s. Lombard gained acclaim for her performances in films such as "My Man Godfrey" (1936), for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, and "To Be or Not to Be" (1942). Her dynamic comedic timing and charismatic screen presence made her one of the leading actresses of her era. Lombard's career was tragically cut short when she died in a plane crash while returning from a war bond tour. Her legacy is remembered for her influential contributions to comedy and her enduring popularity in classic Hollywood cinema.


Known for films such as: Nothing Sacred & My Man Godfrey

Richard Long

Richard Long

Richard McCord Long (December 17, 1927 – December 21, 1974) was an American actor known for his work in television and film during the 1950s and 1960s. Long gained recognition for his roles in television series such as "The Big Valley" (1965–1969), where he played Jarrod Barkley, and "77 Sunset Strip" (1958–1963), as Detective Rex Randolph. He also portrayed Tom Kettle in the first four Ma and Pa Kettle films. His work in popular television series and films established him as a notable figure in classic American television and cinema.


Known for films such as: House on Haunted Hill

Peter Lorre

Peter Lorre

László Löwenstein (June 26, 1904 – March 23, 1964) was a Hungarian-American actor renowned for his distinctive voice and versatile performances in film and television. Lorre gained early fame with his chilling portrayal of a child murderer in Fritz Lang's "M" (1931). He moved to Hollywood and became known for his roles in films such as "The Maltese Falcon" (1941), "Casablanca" (1942), and "Arsenic and Old Lace" (1944). Lorre's career included a range of characters, from sinister villains to comedic roles, demonstrating his exceptional talent. Lorre's contributions to film are celebrated for their impact on both the thriller and noir genres, and his performances remain iconic in classic cinema.


Known for films such as: My Favorite Brunette & Beat The Devil

Anita Louise

Anita Louise

Anita Louise Fremault (January 9, 1915 – April 25, 1970) was an American actress known for her work in films during the 1930s and 1940s. Louise began her career as a child actress and gained prominence with roles in films such as "Millie" (1931) and "Judge Priest" (1934). She was recognized for her beauty and acting skills, appearing in notable movies like "Marie Antoinette" (1938) and "The Gorilla" (1939). Her career spanned various genres, and she is remembered for her contributions to early Hollywood cinema.


Known for films such as: The Little Princess

Tina Louise

Tina Louise

Tina Blacker (born February 11, 1934) is an American actress and singer known for her iconic role as Ginger Grant on the television series "Gilligan's Island" (1964–1967). Louise's portrayal of the glamorous movie star on the show made her a household name and remains her most recognized role. She also appeared in films such as "God's Little Acre" (1958) and "The Wrecking Crew" (1969). Beyond acting, Louise has been involved in various charitable activities and remains a notable figure in popular culture for her contributions to entertainment.


Known for films such as: God's Little Acre


Frank Lovejoy

Frank Lovejoy

Frank Andrew Lovejoy Jr. (October 28, 1912 - October 2, 1962) was an American actor best known for his work in film noir and television. Lovejoy's career spanned from the 1940s to the 1960s, and he often portrayed tough, authoritative characters with a hint of vulnerability. He is perhaps best remembered for his starring role in the classic noir film The Sound of Fury (1950), where he played a man caught up in a crime spree, as well as his role in In a Lonely Place (1950), starring alongside Humphrey Bogart. Lovejoy also appeared in the popular TV series Meet McGraw (1957-1958), playing a private detective. His strong, gritty performances made him a staple of crime dramas.


Known for films such as: The Hitch-Hiker

Bela Lugosi

Bela Lugosi

Béla Ferenc Dezső Blaskó (October 20, 1882 – August 16, 1956) was a Hungarian-American actor best known for his portrayal of Count Dracula in the classic 1931 film "Dracula." Lugosi's performance defined the character and became one of the most iconic roles in horror cinema. He achieved early success on stage and in silent films, but his career was most significantly marked by his work in horror films, including "White Zombie" (1932) and "The Black Cat" (1934). His contributions to the horror genre were groundbreaking, and his influence on the portrayal of monsters and villains remains substantial. His legacy is remembered for his distinctive voice, charismatic presence, and significant impact on classic horror cinema.


Known for films such as: White Zombie & Invisible Ghost