Henry Fonda was an icon of classic Hollywood, famous for his calm demeanor, commanding presence, and everyman appeal. In the first half of his career, he generally played righteous heroes in movies but later took on more diverse roles, including antiheroes and villains. Fonda won the Oscar for On Golden Pond and worked in a host of genres, from courtroom dramas like 12 Angry Men to Hitchcock thrillers like The Wrong Man, but probably turned in his best performances in Westerns that would later be canonized as classics of the genre.

The 10 Best Henry Fonda Westerns, Ranked

There was a reason Steve McQueen was anointed the "King of Cool." Idolized by men and adored by women back in the day, McQueen became a top box office star throughout the 1960s and 70s as the counterculture's idea of an action star. Like John Wayne and Gary Cooper before him, he gained fame by embodying the strong, silent type. But whereas Wayne and Cooper mostly played uncomplicated heroes, McQueen reflected the changing times by playing a more complicated antihero, someone with near antipathy towards acts of valor, who wasn't above using violence in ways that weren't necessarily noble. His star persona hit its apex with The Getaway, Sam Peckinpah's brutal, nihilistic heist film that was reviled in its time but has since been recognized as a classic of action cinema.

Steve McQueen Was Never Cooler or More Violent Than in This Sam Peckinpah Action Classic

Growing up as I did as a film lover in the 1990s, looking back now I can see it truly was a special time for both independent and mainstream cinema. Every month saw the release of half a dozen tent pole pictures, huge-budgeted blockbusters which essentially kept the film industry afloat so that there was more money to put into smaller, more intimate pictures.

10 Great 1990s American Movie Classics You Probably Haven’t Seen

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Herbie J Pilato

[Note: Unless otherwise indicated, the commentary and quotes in this article are from the author's interview with those mentioned.]. Elizabeth Montgomery was one of the most popular actors from the 1950s to her unfortunate passing from cancer in 1995. Before, during, and after her benchmark Emmy-nominated role as twitch-witch Samantha Stephens on TV's Bewitched (ABC, 1964-1972), Montgomery made over 200 additional appearances in other weekly shows, TV-movies, and feature films.

'Bewitched' Star Elizabeth Montgomery Received Death Threats for Protesting the Vietnam War

Reports of the Western genre’s demise have been greatly exaggerated many times over harkening back to its very conception in the silent era and glorious heydays as Hollywood’s premiere crowd-pleaser during the Golden Age, all the way to its gradual but steady decline in the latter half of the 20th century and subsequent revivals. And though unfairly pigeonholed as a source of mass entertainment with a strict American sensibility and old-fashioned values, the truth is that, despite greatly fluctuating in popularity throughout the decades, few genres if any have proven to be as timeless, resilient, varied, morally challenging and universally appealing as the Western.

The 10 Most Rewatchable Western Movies of All Time

Actor Buddy Ebsen, who died at age 95 in 2003, found fame by starring in two of the most popular classic television shows in history: The Beverly Hillbillies (CBS, 1962 to 1971) and Barnaby Jones (CBS, 1973 to 1980). On the Hillbillies, he played former Tennessee country mountain-folk-turned-wealthy Beverly Hills resident Jed Clampett. On Barnaby Jones, he was one of TV's most senior, slyest, health-conscious detectives. Ebsen, however, almost became even more famous for a certain big-screen classic film in which he ultimately did not appear.

'Beverly Hillbillies" Actor Buddy Ebsen Was "Bitter" about not playing the Tin Man in 'Wizard of Oz'

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I'll Never Watch "Singin' In The Rain" The Same Way Again After Learning These 16 Wild Behind-The-Scenes Facts

Robert Mitchum was an American actor born on August 6, 1917, in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Known for his deep voice and brooding intensity, Mitchum became a major figure in classic film noir and dramas, leaving a lasting impact on Hollywood. 2 / 10. Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer in 'Out Of The...

Iconic Noir Star: Robert Mitchum's Cause Of Death

It's been two decades since beloved actor Brian Kelly died of pneumonia at 73 in 2005. Best known as Porter Ricks in the classic TV family show Flipper(NBC, 1964-1967), Kelly had once suffered a paralyzing motorcycle accident that ended his acting career. However, he rechanneld his creative talent and became a producer. This is his story.

The Paralyzing Accident & Tragic Death of TV's 'Flipper' Father Brian Kelly: Two Decades Later

One of the most beloved Hollywood stars in the history of television, in particular, was actress Frances Bavier, who died in 1989 at age 85. The likable actress became best known for her compassionate and nurturing role as Aunt Bee on The Andy Griffith Show (CBS, 1960-1968).

Beloved 'Andy Griffith Show' Actress Frances Bavier ("Aunt Bee"): A Look Back at Her Life and Career

Despite rumors Matthew McConaughey would be heading up Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone 2024 spinoff series, the lead star has just been confirmed and it’s not him. It’s nice to get some exciting news as a Yellowstone fan, given the past year. Ever since Season 5 Part 1 of the flagship western series dropped in 2022, there’s been rumors of off-set drama, followed by John Dutton star Kevin Costner’s departure and the news that it’s been canceled.

Yellowstone 2024 finally confirms its lead star – and it’s not Matthew McConaughey

Actor Charlton Heston was born on October 4, 1923 in Wilmette, Illinois to Lilla and Russell Whitford. In his early years, he and his two siblings lived with their parents in St. Helen, Michigan. However, when Charlton was 10, his parents divorced. His mother eventually remarried another man, so he and his sister and brother moved with them back to Wilmette, Illinois.

'Ben-Hur': Do You Know How Charlton Heston Died?

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Mens Journal

The 'Sopranos' and 'White Lotus' star talks mob life and narrating History's new docuseries—'American Godfathers: The Five Families'—in a way only he can.

Michael Imperioli: 'Goodfellas' Didn't Scratch the Surface of Mob 'Horror Stories'

The List

Actor Cybil Shepherd has three children, and while growing up in Hollywood may have its perks, it doesn't stop a family from experiencing tragic moments.

Tragic Details About Cybill Shepherd's Kids

Goodfellas isn’t just one of the greatest films that Martin Scorsese has ever made, but one of the finest gangster dramas of all-time. It’s difficult to overstate just how radically Goodfellas changed the genre when it was released in the fall of 1990. While films like The Godfather and The Untouchables had delved into the brutality of the mafia, Goodfellas showed why the criminal lifestyle would be so attractive to aspiring gangsters. Scorsese has made films like Raging Bull and Taxi Driver that had been critically acclaimed but, Goodfellas instantly catapulted him to the list of the greatest filmmakers of all-time. Amazing, Goodfellas is actually based on a true story, as the film was loosely based on Nicholas Pileggi’s non-fiction novel Wiseguy.

Every Character From 'Goodfellas' Based on Real People

War History Online

'Kelly's Heroes' is one of the most famous war movies ever released. The following are some little-known facts about the popular film.

19 Behind-the-Scenes Facts About 'Kelly's Heroes' You Never Knew

Beloved actress Nichelle Nichols, who died at 89 in 2022, found fame with her pioneering role as Communications Officer Lt. Nyota Uhura on TV's original Star Trek series (NBC, 1966-1969). She went on to play a groundbreaking role in several feature films and, as an African-American actress, became a beacon of dignity and diversity in Hollywood.

'Star Trek's' Nichelle Nichols Was Not Allowed To Play Secretary 'Peggy Fair' on TV's 'Mannix'

Hitchcock's 1950s films showcase his creative range, from religious noir to comedic mystery. Mixed critical reception for Hitchcock's 1950s work reflect a shift in tone and audience perception. Hitchcock's collaborations with iconic stars like Cary Grant and Grace Kelly defined his 1950s legacy. After he spent a decade figuring out...

Every Alfred Hitchcock Movie From the '50s, Ranked

[Note: Unless otherwise indicated, this article features commentary and quotes from an interview conducted by the author with those mentioned.]. Actor Paul Lynde, who died in 1982 from a heart attack, left an indelible mark in movies and television. He was best known on the small screen for his performance as Elizabeth Montgomery's wise-cracking warlock Uncle Arthur on TV's Bewitched (ABC, 1964-1972), and as the celebrity "center square" on the original Hollywood Squaresgame show (NBC/syndicated, 1995-1980).

Sister to Actor Paul Lynde ('Bewitched' & 'Hollywood Squares')  Recalled His Comic Genius in 1988

Woman's World

The iconic 1967 film Bonnie and Clyde, which celebrated its 56th anniversary on August 13, told the story of the famed criminal duo. The film, directed by Arthur Penn, is led by Warren Beatty as Clyde Barrow, a criminal who intrigues a small-town waitress named Bonnie Parker (Faye Dunaway). When Clyde attempts to steal the ...

‘Bonnie and Clyde’ — 6 Surprising Facts About the Famed 1967 Crime Film, Starring Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty

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8 Surprising Facts You (Probably) Still Don’t Know About ‘The Deer Hunter’

The Academy Award-winning film The Deer Hunter (1978) is the most controversial Vietnam-era film – that’s not an opinion, it’s a fact. Starring Robert De Niro...

8 Surprising Facts You (Probably) Still Don’t Know About ‘The Deer Hunter’

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