Women Have Always Directed Movies

Women have been a part of moviemaking since the earliest days of cinema's beginnings - on both sides of the camera. From the first silent films to today's Oscar nominees, many great movies have been directed by women. Join us as we celebrate the legacies of female filmmakers who have died but live on in their great work.

Olivia de Havilland (1916–2020), Oscar-winning “Gone With the Wind” star

Olivia de Havilland was an Oscar-winning actress who played Melanie Hamilton in "Gone With the Wind" and won two Academy Awards for Best Actress.

Doris Day (1922–2019), legendary actress and singer

She was a symbol of innocence and wholesomeness as she starred in popular movies of the 1950s and '60s.

Bibi Andersson (1935–2019), Swedish actress starred in 13 Ingmar Bergman films

Bibi Andersson brought warmth and beauty to the films of Ingmar Bergman as she starred in 13 of the acclaimed director's movies.

Margot Kidder (1948 – 2018), “Superman” actress

Rose to fame playing Lois Lane in the 1978 film “Superman”…

Remembering Patty Duke (video)

A video tribute to the actress and mental health advocate.

Patty Duke (1946–2016), Oscar winner for The Miracle Worker

Actress Patty Duke won an Academy Award as a teenager for "The Miracle Worker" and went on to have a long and successful career.

Actors Making Statements

Celebrity is a powerful thing in our world. Many actors and actresses use their fame to advance the causes and political positions they care about. It's not unusual to hear a movie star voice an opinion on current events or to see one prominently featured on a charitable organization's advertising. A celebrity endorsement can do a lot for a cause, and it's usually easy for a star to pitch in by loaning their face and words to the fight

Natalie Wood in the News

Fans were shocked when Hollywood leading ladyNatalie Wood died in 1981 in a mysterious drowning accident. Three decades later her name was much in the news.

Dorothy Dandridge Did it First

When Halle Berry became the first African-American to win the Academy Award for best actress, for 2001's Monster's Ball , she dedicated her win to Dorothy Dandridge in her acceptance speech, along with and . Younger viewers may not have even known who Dandridge was. Her acting career was short, as was her life, and few of her movies have been canonized among the classics. But for Berry and her fellow Black actresses, Dandridge was a role model and a trailblazer.

Joan Leslie (1925–2015), actress in the golden age of Hollywood

Joan Leslie, an American movie actress during Hollywood's golden age who appeared later on television, has died.

Barbara Stanwyck: Rags to Riches

America loves a good rags-to-riches story, and Barbara Stanwyck's was one of the best in Hollywood history.

Mary Pickford: More Than the Girl With the Curls

She was perhaps the most powerful woman ever to work in Hollywood, with a hand in all aspects of movie making and a worldwide fame to rival that of any movie star today. On the anniversary of her death, learn how Mary Pickford shaped Hollywood.

Lillian Gish: First Lady of American Cinema

Lillian Gish had a legendary acting career. From her first silent film in 1912 to her final movie performance in 1987 at age 93, Gish worked for an amazing 75 years.

Natalie Wood Grows Up

Natalie Wood was one of the rarest types of actors — one who seamlessly transitions from child star to teenage ingénue to adult stardom.

Betty Grable's Million Dollar Legs

Blonde bombshell Betty Grable wowed crowds in Technicolor musicals of the 1940s and '50s, showing off her strong voice, skilled dancing and, of course, her million dollar legs.

Gale Storm, American Idol

On the fourth anniversary of Gale Storm's death, we look back at the sunny singer and TV star – and the talent competition that started it all...

Remembering Annette Funicello (1942–2013)

Annette Funicello's fans pay tribute and rememberall the things that made America love her.

Fay Wray: Damsel in Distress

The success of "King Kong" made its leading ape and leading lady household names.

The 5 Best Oscars Acceptance Speeches

We look at five of history's most moving Oscar acceptance speeches.

Audrey Hepburn's Best Roles

Audrey Hepburn starred in some of the most memorable films of her era.

Donna Reed: More Than a Mom

Donna Reed is the quintessential TV mom. We look back at the actress behind the pop culture icon.

Yvonne De Carlo: A Munster and More

Six years after Yvonne De Carlo's death Jan. 8, 2007, we remember her greatest TV gig and the movies that preceded it.

Dale Evans, Queen of the Cowgirls

Dale Evans was Hollywood's most famous cowgirl.

Bette Davis vs. The World

During her incredible film career, Bette Davis gained a reputation as a feisty actress who never backed down from a good fight.

Here's to You, Anne Bancroft

Anne Bancroft had a long, rich career on stage and in film and television, but she is best remembered for her turn as the prototypical cougar.

Grace Kelly's Fairy Tale

Grace Kelly was living proof that sometimes fairy tales aren't just stories...

Ingrid Bergman at the Oscars

We're celebrating Ingrid Bergman's life with a look at her Academy Award-nominated movie performances.

Lucy and Viv: Queens of Comedy

Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance – two of our very favorite funny women – made an unforgettable pair on I Love Lucy...

Very Vivien Leigh

We wish we had more movies from Vivien Leigh, but we're also glad of the great performances she left behind – and today, we're remembering her three award-winning roles.

Rita Hayworth's Fancy Footwork

100 years after her birth, we're remembering Rita Hayworth the way we think she would have wanted – as a dancer...

Joan Crawford's Greatest Roles

Joan Crawford's illustrious film career lasted nearly half a century.

Sandra Dee, Ingénue

With her cute-as-a-button features and her petite figure, Sandra Dee was the picture of wide-eyed innocence.

Betty Hutton: Incendiary Blonde

Blond bombshell Betty Hutton was a triple threat entertainer before her career derailed.

The Dramatic Life of Lana Turner

Drama wasn't just Lana Turner's job. It was an integral part of her personal life as well.

Anna May Wong: Dragon Ladies and Butterflies

Anna May Wong was a movie actress at a time when the U.S. wasn’t quite ready for Chinese-American leading ladies.

Happy Holidays, Marlene Dietrich

Born Dec. 27, 1901, Marlene Dietrich was a Christmas-season baby.

Janet Leigh's Best Roles

Janet Leigh appeared in more than 50 films during her career. On her birthday, we look back at five of her best roles – including one that involved standing in the shower for seven days in a row.

Judy Holliday's Best Movies

"You have to be smart to play dumb blondes over and over and keep the audience's attention without extraordinary physical equipment."

The Ghosts of Marilyn Monroe

Born this day in 1926, Marilyn Monroe remains an icon of 20th century America. Today we share some of our favorite depictions of her...

Maureen O'Sullivan: Ireland's First Movie Star

We look back on the life and career of the first big Hollywood film star to come out of Ireland: Maureen O'Sullivan.

Elizabeth Taylor's Style: Enough is Never Enough

Elizabeth Taylor has been renowned for her beauty and style since her earliest days as a starlet. As we mourn her death at the age of 79, we look back at a few of her most notable looks.

Ethel Merman: Secrets of La Merm

When most people think of Ethel Merman, they think only of that big, brassy voice. On the anniversary of her birth, we offer 10 things you might not know about La Merm...

Lee Remick's Memorable Performances

Lee Remick was born on this day 75 years ago. In honor of her memory, we look back at five of her most memorable roles...

Googling Greer Garson

Why was Oscar-winning actress Greer Garson trending on Google more than a decade after her death?