Can you name these ‘50s stars before they became famous?
While stars from the 1950s are sadly no longer around, many have left a remarkable mark on Hollywood and entertainment long after their deaths. With that, can you name these stars from the 1950s before they became famous?
This celebrity nearly went with the stage name Jean Adair before going with one of the most iconic names in history
Born Norma Jeane Dougherty, this 1950s actress, model, singer, writer and filmmaker nearly went with the stage name Jean Adair before switching to the most iconic name in Hollywood history. Her ultimate stage name was decided when a studio executive reminded him of a 1920s actress, and her last name was decided by going with her mother’s maiden name.
Marilyn Monroe
This legendary actress decided on her stage name when Ben Lyon, studio executive of 20th Century-Fox, said Marilyn Monroe reminded him of Marilyn Miller, a 1920s movie and Broadway actress. Monroe was decided by going with her mother’s maiden name, creating the forever immortal name Marilyn Monroe. Though it’s been 63 years since Marilyn Monroe’s death, her influence is everlasting, with Hollywood continuing to make biopics of the blonde bombshell.
Doctors thought this celebrity was stillborn. Fortunately, this celebrity was saved by his grandmother
This celebrity was born as a 13-pound newborn in his parents’ kitchen apartment in Hoboken, New Jersey. Because of his sheer size, the baby had to be delivered with forceps and was stillborn. However, when his grandmother ran him under cold water, the baby finally took his first breath. Because the doctor had to use forceps, this celebrity suffered severe scarring on the left side of his face and earned the nickname “Scarface.”
Frank Sinatra
If it wasn’t for his grandmother, the landscape of jazz music would not be the same. Frank Sinatra started his music career when he won a radio talent show in 1935 at the age of 20. He later joined several big bands like the Harry James Orchestra and the Tommy Dorsey Band before going solo in 1942. His recognizable, charming vocals and jazz arrangements changed music forever, with his albums continuing to have a lasting influence for generations to come.
This celebrity was told she was too tall and frail to be a prima ballerina, switching to acting instead
This Belgian-British star moved to Holland to escape World War II, where, despite enduring hardships, she still attended school and took ballet lessons. After the war, this celebrity continued to study ballet up until the early 20s, when she was told her stature didn’t fit the quintessential prima ballerina. This switch paved the way for her acting career, where she became the fifth artist to reach the highly sought-after EGOT status.
Audrey Hepburn
After moving on from ballet, Audrey Hepburn studied acting and began taking on small movie roles. While on the set of “Monte Carlo Baby,” Hepburn caught the attention of a French novelist who felt Hepburn would easily fit the role of her novel, Gigi, which was being turned into a Broadway. Though Hepburn had little acting experience, the play earned positive reviews, allowing her to star in her breakout movie “Roman Holiday,” for which she won an Oscar in 1954. By 1994, a year after her death, Hepburn became the fifth artist to reach EGOT status.
Though this celebrity was beloved around the world, he has never performed outside of North America
Despite performing in nearly 1,100 concerts, this celebrity has never performed outside of the United States and Canada. Though 40% of his total record sales are from outside the U.S., this celebrity has never traveled outside of North America to perform.
Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley’s influence around the world goes without saying. As one of the pioneers of rock and roll, Presley was able to capture the world’s attention through his performances on different talk shows, starring in movies and his high-number record sales. Though he’s known for his Las Vegas residency, where sold out 636 consecutive shows over seven years, his fame still reached on the international stage.
This celebrity famously stopped acting when she was only 26 years old
Though her father disapproved of her acting career, this celebrity started her acting career as a model first. When she moved from Philadelphia to New York City, she studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and graduated in 1949, where she made her Broadway debut that same year. In 1951, she earned her first film role in the movie “Fourteen Hours.” By 1956, this celebrity stopped acting after getting married to a member of one of Europe’s royal families.
Grace Kelly
Though Grace Kelly had an impressive acting career at a young age, she married Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956 at the age of 26. Being the Princess of Monaco made it impossible to pursue acting; thus, Kelly focused on her royal duties. However, before becoming a princess, Kelly starred in multiple successful movies, including three of Alfred Hitchcock’s movies — “Dial M for Murder,” “Rear Window” and “To Catch a Thief.” Kelly famously turned down the opportunity to star in Hitchcock’s “Marnie” since she had to focus on her royal duties.
This celebrity was expelled from two schools for bad behavior
When this celebrity was in high school, he was expelled for allegedly riding a motorcycle down the school hallway. This forced his father to send him to military school in Minnesota. While in military school, this celebrity removed a 150-pound bell clapper and buried it. Though he was never caught, he was expelled from military school for other reasons.
Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando’s rebellious youth, followed by his difficult behavior on sets, earned him his “bad boy” reputation. Brando famously refused to learn his lines, often showed up late to sets, and challenged directors’ authority. Despite his reputation, Brando became one of the most talented actors in Hollywood history, where he won two Academy Awards. In his 1973 win for “The Godfather,” Brando famously rejected his win and sent Sacheen Littlefeather to protest Hollywood’s treatment of Native Americans.
Despite not having any dancing experience, this celebrity endured eight-hour-a-day practices for three months to star in one of the biggest musicals of all time
This celebrity’s breakout role was in a musical with one of the biggest actors of the decade. She never had any dance experience, so she was forced to undergo grueling practices for three months. This actor famously said preparing for the role and childbirth were the hardest things she’s ever done. This actor’s daughter became a legendary actress, becoming one of sci-fi’s most famous characters.
Debbie Reynolds
To keep up with her co-star Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds endured brutal practices to gear up for “Singin’ in the Rain.” The work paid off, as the movie became adored by movie and musical lovers alike. Despite leaving her feet bleeding, “Singin’ in the Rain” ushered in a variety of other roles for Reynolds. In 1956, Reynolds gave birth to her daughter Carrie Fisher, who became sci-fi’s biggest character, Princess Leia of “Star Wars.”
This celebrity worked a variety of odd jobs, including a steelworker, gas station attendant and a boxer
Before becoming one of Hollywood’s biggest entertainers, this celebrity worked a number of odd jobs. Growing up in Steubenville, Ohio, he dropped out of high school as a sophomore, where he worked a variety of odd jobs like a steel mill laborer, coal miner, gas station attendant, croupier at illegal casinos, and even became a boxer under the name “Kid Crochet.” He started singing at local clubs in Ohio before moving to New York City.
Dean Martin
Throughout his Hollywood career, Dean Martin became a versatile entertainer, mirroring his path to fame. After working different types of blue-collar jobs, Martin teamed up with comedian Jerry Lewis in 1946 as a comedy duo, where his career then exploded. When the duo ended in 1956, Martin created a highly successful solo career, with movie roles, legendary songs and his own television show. He was also known for his Rat Pack years with Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop.
Wrap Up
From Frank Sinatra to Audrey Hepburn, these stars from the ‘50s had to start their careers from somewhere. But with hard work, these icons have become an inspiration for a lifetime of aspiring artists.
Related:
- From the archive: What immigration in America was really like 100 years ago
- Can you name these ‘80s stars from their yearbook photos?
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