Actresses: Film, Stage and Television

The film and television industry is large and far-reaching. How are women in Hollywood treated, both onscreen and off? Has feminism been successful in Hollywood? How did the second-wave feminist movement affect women in film? Who has power behind the scenes? These books may prove helpful to those who want to learn more about feminism in...

About Mary Anderson, American Shakespearean actress.

Sex, drugs and -- well, she was too early for rock and roll. Tallulah Bankhead is better known for her lifestyle and her deep voice and outrageous wit than for her film and stage career, despite her many acting awards. A biography of Tallulah Bankhead, flamboyant and award-winning actress.

A photograph of Ethel Barrymore, the "First Lady of the American Theater," taken by Burr McIntosh in 1901.

Made famous by the 1960s musical play and film, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, the real Margaret Tobin Brown was not known as Molly in her lifetime. After rising from a working life to wealth, and after her fame as a Titanic survivor, she studied drama and acting and performed as an actress.

A biography of Eva Le Gallienne, 20th century English actress,producer, and director, known for her support of repertory theater and her classical roles and productions.

A biography on this site, with links to offsite resources, for Katharine Hepburn, known for playing roles depicting strong and intelligent women.

Lena Horne's career as a dancer and singer blossomed into fame for films and Broadway, as she struggled for success against the racism of her time.

Trained in ballet and drama, Lotte Lenya married Kurt Weill and collaborated with him. After his death she continued acting, and won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Sarah Siddons, a member of the Kemble theater family, was one of the most famous women of her day.

Empress of Byzantium 527-548, she was an actress before she caught the attention of Justinian, heir to Emperor Justin. The law had to be changed to permit him to marry an actress, and she went on to become one of the empire's most powerful women.

Quotes by Lily Tomlin - part of an extensive collection of quotations by notable women.

Resources for learning about an early Hollywood actress and film directory, Lois Weber.

Women Who Run the Show: How a Brilliant New Generation of Women Stormed Hollywood looks at women's power in the entertainment industry. Mollie Gregory went behind the scenes dig up the stories of the Women Who Run the Show.