Myrna Loy

Loy's long history in Hollywood began in 1912, when her father bought land there that he later sold to Charlie Chaplin, who built a studio on the property. A dancer and model, the 20-year-old Loy broke into movies in 1925 as a chorine (alongside Joan Crawford) in 'Pretty Ladies.' Her exotic beauty got her typecast as foreign temptresses in such films as 'Across the Pacific' and 'The Desert Song.' The trend continued into the sound era, although she was also becoming known for roles in musicals, starting with the very first sound feature, 'The Jazz Singer' (1927). Her luck finally changed after her appearance opposite Clark Gable and William Powell in 1934 crime tale 'Manhattan Melodrama,' which became famous as the movie John Dillinger saw before being gunned down in front of a Chicago cinema. The Loy-Powell partnership would last for 14 films, including the six-part series of 'Thin Man' comic mysteries, where they played boozy sleuths Nick and Nora Charles. Later hits included 'The Best Years of Our Lives' (the 1946 Oscar-winner for Best Picture) and 'Cheaper By the Dozen' (1950). Her last film role came in 1980's 'Just Tell Me What You Want,' some 55 years after her silent debut.