World Actor

Any actor can rise to fame, but only a rare few become icons—legends—Gods of the Silver Screen. Clark Gable, John Wayne, Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Jack Nicholson, and Tom Hanks weren’t just stars; they were larger-than-life figures whose relentless passion and unshakable drive cemented their place in Hollywood history. Step into their world and hear firsthand accounts from those who knew them best. Discover the struggles, the triumphs, the private romances, and the untold secrets of Hollywood’s most celebrated leading men.

No history of American pop culture in the 1940s would be complete without mention of Betty Grable, the most popular pinup girl of the World War II era. Grable possessed the outstanding fortune of not only having an ideal body, but of arriving at the most fortuitous time imaginable. Not only were her legs famously adored by American soldiers, they were actually insured to the tune of one million dollars. Meanwhile, Rita Hayworth's life and career remain fascinating to both the general public and avid movie fans alike.

Hollywood has produced no shortage of famous movie stars, but none have been as culturally significant as John Wayne. Marion Morrison was born in a quintessentially quaint Midwestern town, but he eventually grew up to become John Wayne, the legend of the silver screen who embodied the Western frontier. History for Kids: An Illustrated Biography of John Wayne for Children looks at the iconic actor's life on and off the silver screen, from his out-sized influence to Hollywood to his outspoken views on politics.