Hollywood Star Walk Category
Bombshells
In the beginning, there was Theda Bara. The first movie bombshell seduced the male moviegoers as an exotic femme fatale in 1915’s “A Fool There Was.” She became known as “The Vamp” — short for vampire — for excelling as scantily clad sirens who turned macho men into whimpering fools for love. Ever since Bara nearly bared all, Hollywood has scurried to find the next great bombshell.
In the 1930s, there was platinum blond Jean Harlow; German-born Marlene Dietrich and Austrian-born Hedy Lamarr who had caused quite a stir appearing au naturel in the 1933 Czech film, ‘Ecstasy.”
During World War II, the bombshell also became the pin-up favorite of the armed forces, especially singer-dancer Betty Grable whose shapely legs were insured by Lloyds of London. She was such a favorite of the G.I.’s she even starred in a 1944 musical comedy called “Pin-Up Girl.”
The ultimate bombshell was Marilyn Monroe, who shot to stardom in the early 1950s especially after Hugh Hefner published the nude photo of her in Playboy.
But there’s more to a bombshell than a pretty face and shapely body. Harlow was a skilled farceur; Dietrich was an Oscar-nominated actress whose film career endured into her 60s; and Monroe not only had that “it” quality but demonstrated solid dramatic acting chops in such films as “Bus Stop” and “The Misfits.”
In fact, several bombshells have won Academy Awards including , Halle Berry, Gloria Grahame, Sophia Loren, Ginger Rogers and Shelley Winters.
Some bombshells had considerable brain power as well. During World War II, Lamarr co-invented an early form of spread spectrum communications technology, and Jayne Mansfield’s IQ was 163. But she often lamented that the only numbers her fans cared about were her measurements: 40-21-35.
— Susan King, who has covered Hollywood for The Times for more than 25 years.
Here's a look at some of the best-known bombshells with stars on the Walk of Fame. If you do not see the person you are looking for below please search our complete list of the stars on the Walk of Fame. And, if you haven’t yet, check out The Times virtual tour of the stars.
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23 thoughts about Bombshells
Where is Kim Novak?
You forgot Rita Hayworth, definitely a classic beauty.
Best representatives are Ava Gardner, Monroe & Hayworth
Take off Shelly Winters & Carole Landis, not worthy of bombshell description
Dorothy Dandrige should be an honorable mention.
Where is Vivien Leigh?
Where is the incomparable Maureen O'Hara?
Where is Julie Newmar?
Dale:
Julie Newmar does not have a star on the Walk of Fame.
To read more about the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce process and notable omissions visit our "About This Project" page: http://projects.latimes.com/hollywood/star-walk/about/
Boo! I think the term "Bombshell" is antiquated, derogatory and demeaning. Shame on you!
She's never been considered a "bombshell", but Lauren Bacall in 'To Have And To Have Not' should qualify for this list.
How about the french sex symbol Brigitte Bardot
Brigitte Bardot does not have a star on the Walk of Fame. Read more about the process for getting a star and some of the notable omissions on our "About This Project" page:
http://projects.latimes.com/hollywood/star-walk/about/
To see stories from the archives about Brigitte Bardot visit:
http://articles.latimes.com/keyword/brigitte-bardot
Marilyn is the gold standard. It's the intangible that makes someone a bombshell. Whatever you want to call it: vulnerability, sensitivity etc. You have it or you don't.
Rita Hayworth definitely belongs, how about Esther Williams?
I know they are huge stars but I wouldn't include Marlene Deitrich, Mae West or Shaelley Winters.
You also forgotten. A prolific. Bombshell
And pin-up girl For the african-american service-men in world war 2
And. Also a actress. In the 40's
another classic beauty of. Her time, her
Name is. LENA HORNE So plz
Investigate her life and post it. In
Los angeles times. Of. Celebrity bombshells
She also just died of a ripe old-age in
Her 90's. Thx. Matt
Agree about Rita Hayworth missing from list, she could easily be the reigning queen. To a reader's comment, Bombshell may be a term from bygone days, but most of the actresses to which it is ascribed are from those days. None of those actresses would have agreed with you about it being demeaning; who knows, a couple of them may have blushed about it, but all would have considered it a crowning achievement. If you think it's derogatory, then you give the term a meaning now that it didn't have in its time.
Where is rock Hudson???
His feminine side makes him a true bommbshell!!
Jane Seymour! The most beautiful, talented, gracious and sexiest actress of all time. She tops any bombshell list in my book!
Mae West will always be a timeless bombshell! There is noone who will ever be able to walk in Mae's shoes, not even Marilyn Monroe
1) If you put Theda BARA, why not Clara BOW, Louise BROOKS, Pauline STARKE and her wonderful smile...
2)In the "classical" Star list, I don't know if they have a Star on the Walk of Fame or not, but here are my suggestions of missing ones :
Lauren BACALL, May BRITT, Claudia CARDINALE, Cyd CHARISSE, Linda DARNELL, Yvonne DE CARLO, Dolores DEL RIO, Anita EKBERG, Rita HAYWORTH, Vivien LEIGH, Gina LOLLOBRIGIDA, Carole LOMBARD, Gloria SWANSON, Gene TIERNEY, Esther WILLIAMS, Natalie WOOD, Loretta YOUNG.
Bombshell doesn't mean only Blondeshell or Americanshell, does it ?
3)If there is Farrah FAWCETT and Raquel WELCH, there should be Bo DEREK and Olivia NEWTON JOHN, otherwise you've never seen "Grease".
And Ursula ANDRESS and Jacqueline BISSET !!!
4)In the "young" ones : Jennifer CONNELLY, Hilary SWANK, Uma THURMAN.
5)I would remove Hillary BROOKE, Gloria GRAHAME, Adele JERGENS, Carole LANDIS, Joi LANSING, Irish McCALLA, Shelley WINTERS. (some of them I never heard of...)
6)Thank you Patrick (March 8, 2010) for mentioning 1 french : Brigitte BARDOT.
In this case I would add :
Francoise ARNOUL, Martine CAROL, Michele MORGAN.
Thanks,
Fred (from Paris)
... and I forgot Joan CRAWFORD !
Fred.
Where is Thelma Todd. She was gorgeous and built.
Elizabeth Taylor should be first on this list.
She was the most beautiful actress ever!!
You list Sophia Loren but omit Silvana Mangano! Lizabeth Scott is certainly as worthy as some of the blonds listed. And where is Salma Hayek and Mira Sorvino?
There was an important omision. Debra Paget. Although she was petitte she was also a formidable bomshell
Share a thought about The Times’ “Bombshells” category
Which star best represents the group?
Does everyone here deserve to be on the list?
Who has been overlooked?