Step right into the dazzling world of Hollywood’s “golden age,” where the glitz and glamour of the silver screen were matched only by the sensational lives of its female stars.
This era wasn’t just about the sparkling gowns and dashing leading men; it was also a time when some of the most iconic actresses engaged in scandalous romances and bold antics that turned heads and raised eyebrows.
Take Vivien Leigh and Elizabeth Taylor, for instance. Their love affairs weren’t just the talk of the town; they often entangled innocent bystanders in their passionate escapades. Meanwhile, stars like Jayne Mansfield, Lupe Vélez, and Louise Brooks were busy breaking the mold in their unique ways.
Whether they were keeping fans guessing with their unpredictable moves or intentionally stirring up controversy to challenge gossip mills and societal expectations, these women knew how to make a statement and leave an indelible mark on Hollywood history.
1. Vivien Leigh
Vivien Leigh, the iconic actress known for her unforgettable roles as Scarlett O’Hara and Blanche DuBois, was not just a symbol of talent and stunning beauty. Her journey to stardom and her stormy marriage to Sir Laurence Olivier were filled with personal trials and moral dilemmas.
Her relentless pursuit of success was evident early on. As one of her documentaries reveals, Leigh once saw Olivier in a play and instantly decided, “That’s the man I’m going to marry.” The irony? She was already married at the time. A friend had to remind her of this fact, but Leigh’s ambition was unyielding. She was determined to reach her goals, even if it meant leaving others in her wake.
Olivier, too, was not free from complicated personal circumstances. Already married to actress Jill Esmond and expecting a child with her, he found himself deeply entangled with Leigh during a holiday in Capri. This affair led to the dissolution of his marriage to Esmond. Not long after, Olivier and Leigh tied the knot, marking the beginning of a new, albeit tumultuous, chapter in both their lives.
2. Tallulah Bankhead
Tallulah Bankhead, the quintessential rebel of Hollywood’s golden era, was much more than a mere sex symbol. She was celebrated for her stunning looks, her fearless and outspoken nature, her razor-sharp wit, and her unapologetic way of living life to the fullest, even if it meant ruffling a few feathers along the way.
Her voice alone was a sensation. Actor-writer Emlyn Williams once described it as “steeped as deep in sex as the human voice can go without drowning.” Bankhead’s zest for life was insatiable, and her escapades were the stuff of legend.
One such tale, as recounted by The New Yorker, perfectly encapsulates her audacious spirit. It involves John Emery, a decently successful actor she met on the summer circuit and, on a whim, decided to marry. Emery wasn’t just any actor; he was a doppelganger for John Barrymore, not only in looks but in other, more intimate aspects. Bankhead, who once vowed only to be with men who were as ‘well-endowed’ as Barrymore, claimed to have remained true to her word – a bold statement, considering she also boasted of over five hundred romantic conquests.
One of Bankhead’s infamous party stunts involved leading guests to her master bedroom, where she would dramatically unveil a sleeping Emery under the bedcovers, exclaiming with her characteristic flair, “Did you ever see a prick as big as that before?” This anecdote is just a glimpse into the unbridled and unashamedly bold life of Tallulah Bankhead, a woman who truly lived by her own rules.
3. Jayne Mansfield
Jayne Mansfield, a name often whispered in the same breath as the legendary Mae West, was a quintessential figure of Hollywood’s risqué and glamorous era. She’s etched in memory for many reasons, not least for that unforgettable moment captured in a photograph where Sophia Loren appears to be giving a side-eye to Mansfield’s famously ample cleavage.
This blonde bombshell’s life was as colorful as her on-screen persona, filled with a string of lovers and tales of erotic adventures. Among the whispers and rumors, one even suggested a romantic link with none other than President John F. Kennedy.
Yet, it was her association with Anton LaVey, the notorious founder of the Church of Satan, that really set tongues wagging. Mansfield, never one to shy away from the spotlight, played a tantalizing game with the smitten Satanist. Despite her open acknowledgment of numerous affairs, she firmly denied any intimate knowledge of LaVey.
According to LaVey’s publicist, Mansfield would often call LaVey from her Los Angeles home, playfully teasing him in a seductive manner while her friends eavesdropped on the conversation. This teasing was a part of her allure, keeping her admirers always guessing and wanting more. Interestingly, LaVey only began to publicly claim an affair with Mansfield after her tragic death in a car accident. He even went as far as to assert that the accident was the result of a curse he had placed on her lover, Sam Brody. Mansfield’s life, filled with glamour, scandal, and mystery, remains a captivating chapter in Hollywood history.
4. Clara Bow
Clara Bow, the original “It” girl of silent films, was a trailblazer in the world of cinema, but her early retirement at the tender age of 28 in 1931 was overshadowed by a series of sensational scandals.
Interestingly, many of these so-called scandals were deeply rooted in the romantic ideals of the era, ideals that Bow herself passionately embraced. As the narrative goes, Bow, like many female stars of her time, viewed her romantic relationships, likely including those she was intimate with, as ‘engagements.’ This perspective led to a whirlwind of short-lived and quickly dissolved ‘engagements’ with notable figures like Gary Cooper, director Victor Fleming, and the ‘Latin Lover’ Gilbert Roland.
Her emotional vulnerability surfaced in the late 1920s when she sought treatment for a ‘case of nerves’ from a Hollywood doctor. Developing a crush on him, she unwittingly became embroiled in a scandal when the doctor’s wife filed for divorce, citing Bow as the reason for the ‘alienation of affection.’ This was, to put it mildly, not ideal.
But these weren’t the only controversies that swirled around Bow. One of the more infamous rumors was the wildly exaggerated claim that she had relationships with the entire USC football team. Adding to her troubles, Bow’s secretary betrayed her by stealing personal records and then attempting to blackmail the actress. The secretary made various damaging allegations, including claims of constant drunkenness and promiscuity.
Clara Bow’s life, marked by both dazzling success and scandalous rumors, remains a fascinating and cautionary tale of early Hollywood fame.
5. Louise Brooks
6. Lupe Vélez
Lupe Vélez, famously known as the “Mexican spitfire,” is a figure in Hollywood history often overshadowed by the sensational myths surrounding her tragic death. Contrary to the dramatic rumors that she died with her head in the toilet following a suicide driven by abandonment and pregnancy, the truth is less theatrical. Vélez was actually found in her bed by her secretary.
Her tumultuous love life, particularly her intense relationship with actor Gary Cooper, whom she deeply loved, added to her fame. Vélez’s fiery temperament often led her to suspect Cooper of infidelity, even accusing him of having an affair with actor Anderson Lawler in rather dramatic fashion. There are tales that she went as far as unzipping Cooper’s pants at social gatherings to sniff for Lawler’s cologne – a story that, while hard to verify, certainly fits her flamboyant persona.
Vélez was also known for her bold exhibitionism. She reportedly loved to shock and awe, engaging in provocative acts like lifting her dress over her head, often sans underwear. However, it’s important to note that many of these stories might have been embellished. Vélez herself was a master at stirring the pot of gossip, relishing in the attention and maintaining a highly publicized image.
Her life, a blend of true talent and carefully crafted public spectacle, remains a testament to the complex interplay of celebrity, scandal, and the hunger for sensational stories in the golden age of Hollywood.
7. Diana Dors
Diana Dors, a British cult actress, was the epitome of scandal and extravagance in her heyday. Known for her lavish mansion, over-the-top lifestyle, and wild parties, Dors lived a life that was as colorful and controversial as her film roles.
Her romantic life was a rollercoaster, marked by three marriages and a series of affairs, leading to some rather unflattering descriptions, including being labeled a “wayward hussy” by none other than the Archbishop of Canterbury.
But Dors’ notoriety went beyond her tumultuous personal life and her roles in low-budget films. She was also infamous for her willingness to embrace explicit content, often filming it within the walls of her own home.
According to sources, guests at her parties were treated to quite the spectacle. Amidst whoops and laughter, they would watch grainy footage, transmitted via video-link, of unsuspecting couples getting intimate in one of the dimly-lit upstairs bedrooms of her Orchard Manor in Sunningdale, Berkshire. These events were no ordinary gatherings; they were infamous sex parties where, it seems, almost anything went.
Diana Dors’ life was a testament to the wilder side of celebrity culture, where the boundaries of decency and privacy were often blurred in the pursuit of thrill and entertainment.
8. Barbara La Marr
Barbara La Marr, though not as universally recognized as some of her peers, was a silent film star whose life story is as compelling as any Hollywood script. Born Reatha Dale Watson in Yakima, Washington, she was drawn to the allure of Hollywood, aspiring to become a famous tragedienne, yearning to portray dramatic roles with a dramatic flair.
As reported by LA Weekly, La Marr’s quest for fame initially saw her traversing the country with her second husband. However, this chapter of her life closed as she ventured into her third marriage with a dancer who also happened to be a check forger.
Her path eventually led her to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, where she caught the attention of the legendary Douglas Fairbanks. But it wasn’t just her acting that made headlines; La Marr became equally famous for her tumultuous love life (she left her husband in 1921) and her bold, liberated statements that captivated the flappers and thinkers of the lost generation. She famously declared, “I take lovers like roses… by the dozen,” and “I cheat nature. I never sleep more than two hours per night. I have better things to do… one loves to live only because one lives to love.”
Tragically, Barbara La Marr’s life took a downward spiral, and she passed away at the young age of 29, possibly due to tuberculosis. In the wake of her death, she was remembered as “screenland’s beautiful lady of sorrow,” a poignant epitaph that captured the essence of her alluring yet tragically brief life and career.
9. Daisy and Violet Hilton
Daisy and Violet Hilton, the conjoined twins who found fame in Tod Browning’s “Freaks” and the film “Chained for Life,” had a career that spanned beyond these movies, shining in the vibrant vaudeville scene of the 1920s and ’30s.
Despite being physically joined at the lower back and spine, the twins were considered charming, lively, and attractive. They led a life filled with romantic escapades and were embraced by the elite circles of America, where they reveled in the pleasures of the era, partied heartily, and explored love and relationships. Remarkably, their journey even included experiences of marriage, divorce, and parenthood.
Living as conjoined twins meant that physical privacy was non-existent. To cope, they learned a mental technique from the legendary Harry Houdini to “tune each other out” when needed, a skill particularly useful in their intimate lives.
Their romantic endeavors were not without controversy. One of their early affairs reportedly involved a married man, leading his wife to name them in her divorce case.
Daisy’s attempt to marry musician Jack Lewis was met with legal hurdles; 21 states denied them a marriage license, citing the risk of “bigamy” due to their unique physical condition.
The Hilton sisters’ lives were a complex interplay of fame, societal norms, and the harsh realities of Hollywood. As they aged and their star power waned, they faced declining fortunes and eventually fell into poverty, marking a tragic end to their extraordinary lives.
10. Elizabeth Taylor
Elizabeth Taylor, celebrated for her stunning beauty and remarkable talent, was equally known for her captivating presence in Hollywood’s romantic landscape. She was often seen as one of the film industry’s most legendary seductresses.
One of her most talked-about romantic entanglements was with singer Eddie Fisher, who was then married to Taylor’s close friend, Debbie Reynolds. This affair caused a significant scandal, given the high-profile nature of all involved. Taylor and Fisher did marry eventually, but their union didn’t last, ending in divorce.
In a heartwarming twist, Taylor reached out to Reynolds, offering an apology for the turmoil caused. This gesture paved the way for the two women to rekindle their friendship, demonstrating a resilience and maturity that transcended past grievances.
Taylor’s personal life was marked by a series of marriages – seven in total. This included marrying and divorcing the same man, actor Richard Burton, whom she famously considered the love of her life, twice. After her final marriage to construction worker Larry Fortensky ended in 1996, Taylor chose to remain single for the rest of her life, until her passing in 2011. Her life, a blend of cinematic triumphs and personal trials, remains a captivating chapter in Hollywood history.
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