10 Hollywood Actresses Who Defined Glamour In The 1940s

The 1940s was a time when Hollywood glamour reached new heights, and these actresses became the shining stars of a golden era. Their beauty, talent, and unforgettable screen presence captured the hearts of audiences and left an enduring legacy. Keep reading to uncover the stories of these legendary women and how they shaped the industry.

Rita Hayworth

Originally named Margarita Cansino, Hayworth became the ultimate Hollywood star after her star-making turn in “Gilda” (1946). Her famous hair flip in “Cover Girl” and her magnetic dance routines established her as the era’s premier glamour goddess and America’s favorite wartime pin-up.

Ava Gardner

Gardner’s looks and raw talent took her from a studio contract player to a significant star. Though her most prominent roles came later, films like “The Killers” (1946) showcased the mesmerizing screen presence that would make her a Hollywood legend.

Vivien Leigh

Following her Oscar-winning role as Scarlett O’Hara, British actress Leigh continued to shine in the dramatic arts. Her portrayal of Blanche DuBois first dazzled London stage audiences in 1949 before she immortalized the character in the 1951 film “A Streetcar Named Desire,” which earned her second Academy Award and confirmed her status as one of the era’s finest actresses.

Hedy Lamarr

The Austrian-born Lamarr wasn’t just breathtakingly beautiful—she was a brilliant co-inventor who developed frequency-hopping technology during WWII alongside composer George Antheil in 1941. Onscreen, films like “Boom Town” (1940) and “Samson and Delilah” (1949) showcased Hedy’s exotic appeal and undeniable magnetism.

Lana Turner

Turner’s big break came when a talent scout discovered her at a soda fountain, and she went on to represent the American dream with her iconic platinum blonde hair and glamorous image. The “Sweater Girl” evolved into a serious actress in films like “The Postman Always Rings Twice” (1946), combining allure with dramatic intensity.

Judy Garland

Though she began as a child star, Garland blossomed into a multitalented adult performer in the 1940s. Films like “Meet Me in St. Louis” (1944) and “Easter Parade” (1948) showcased her unmatched ability to combine vulnerability, humor, and that extraordinary singing voice.

Betty Grable

With the most famous legs in Hollywood (insured for $1 million), Grable reigned as the number-one box-office draw for much of the decade. Her wholesome charm and vibrant energy in Technicolor musicals provided perfect escapism during the war years.

Veronica Lake

With her iconic “peekaboo” hairstyle and astounding blonde beauty, Lake became film noir’s quintessential femme fatale. Her pairing with Alan Ladd in films like “This Gun for Hire” (1942) created electric chemistry, though she famously changed her trademark hair to support the war effort.

Katharine Hepburn

Fiercely independent on and off screen, Hepburn defined a new type of Hollywood woman. Her string of comedies with Spencer Tracy, beginning with “Woman of the Year” (1942), showed off her quick wit and one-of-a-kind style. Thanks to these roles, she became known as a true American original.

Dorothy Lamour

Lamour combined exotic appeal with perfect comic timing as the sarong-clad star of the “Road” movies with Bob Hope and Bing Crosby. But her impact went beyond just comedy—she also helped raise $300 million in war bonds, making her contribution to the era much greater than just entertainment.