Top 10 Elegant Women In Movies
Published on November 2, 2007 - 103 Comments
In compiling this list I was very sorry to see so few modern women that can really be classified as elegant. This has been a very difficult list to compile as there are so many women who deserve to be on it - so please be sure to tell us who you think should be in the top 10 (or even 15). If the response is overwhelming I may increase the list.
10. Eva Gabor 1919 - 1995
Eva Gabor is the elegant daughter in the family (unlike Zsazsa who hit a policeman). Eva was the first of her family to emigrate to the United States from Hungary. She is best known for her role in Green Acres, the comedy about a wealthy couple who move from the glamour of the big city to a farm.
9. Lauren Bacall 1924
Lauren Bacall is included here not just because of her style and appearance - she is also one of the finest examples of a woman who is strong without being manly or overbearing. She exudes the perfect balance of class and strength. Known for her husky voice and sultry looks, she became a fashion model and role model for women in the late 1940s.
8. Lucy Liu 1968
Lucy Liu was a tough pick - mostly because some of her publicity photos may be deemed to be anything but elegant, however, when fully clothed, Lucy Liu is always stylishly presented and carries herself with grace. She is also one of the most beautiful actresses in Hollywood today. Liu is also an artist in several media, and has had three gallery shows showcasing her collage, paintings, and photography.
7. Elizabeth Taylor 1932
Despite many personal problems throughout her life, Elizabeth Taylor has always managed to appear elegant on screen. She is one of the true bright lights of the American movie industry. The American Film Institute named Taylor seventh among the Greatest Female Stars of All Time.
6. Ava Gardner 1922 - 1990
Ava worked in the salt mines of the movie industry; in melodramas, historical romances and safari movies, in crime films and westerns: movies that film critics affect to despise. In the mid and late 1950s, Ava became a byword in beauty, a yardstick by which other actresses were judged. As middle-age caught up with Ava, she moved from Spain and settled in London where she lived in Ennismore Gardens, a very prestigious address, until her death in January 1990, shortly after her sixty-eighth birthday.
5. Ingrid Bergman 1915 - 1982
For her contributions to the motion picture industry, Ingrid Bergman has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6759 Hollywood Blvd. She continues to be a cultural icon — not only for her role in Casablanca, but for her career as a whole and for her innocent, natural beauty. In addition, she is considered by many to be one of the foremost actresses of the 20th century.
4. Cate Blanchett 1969
Cate Blanchett is an Academy Award- and Golden Globe Award-winning Australian actress. She has also won various awards, most notably including two SAGs and two BAFTAs, making her one of a few actors who won all four major motion picture acting awards.
3. Grace Kelly 1929 - 1982
Not only was Grace Kelly one of the most beautiful and talented Actresses of her time, she also became a Princess.
2. Catherine Deneuve 1943
Catherine Deneuve is the epitome of “French Chic” - even today she remains as beautiful and elegant as always.
1. Audrey Hepburn 1929 - 1993
By the mid 1950s, Hepburn was not only one of the biggest motion picture stars in Hollywood, but also a major fashion icon. Her gamine and elfin appearance and widely recognized sense of chic were both admired and imitated. In 1955, she was awarded the Golden Globe - World Film Favorite - Female. Outside of her Hollywood fame, she was a great humanitarian.
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1. Hobolad - November 2nd, 2007 at 8:53 am
Cool list- Audrey Hepburn was always gonna be top, she rocked.
2. jfrater - November 2nd, 2007 at 9:03 am
Hobolad: As soon as I decided on the list I knew she would be number 1
3. JMurf - November 2nd, 2007 at 9:07 am
ahh…marylin monroe?
4. Binglebore - November 2nd, 2007 at 9:11 am
Nine legendary screen icons and Lucy Liu. LUCY LIU!?! That is truly embarrassing. Some would even argue that she is a B-lister.
5. evan - November 2nd, 2007 at 9:14 am
well remember ginglebore this is top elegant, not best acting ability. with that said, i too was a little surprised to find her on the list.
6. jfrater - November 2nd, 2007 at 9:21 am
JMurf: Marilyn Monroe was not elegant IMHO - she was very beautiful, but was more of a bimbo - the women on this list I do not think are Bimbos
Binglebore: Even if she were a B Lister, she is elegant when appearing in public. This is a list of ten elegant women in movies - not ten elegant A listers
7. Binglebore - November 2nd, 2007 at 9:23 am
B-listing aside, it is shameful that she is on a list, ANY list, with these other nine actresses.
8. evan - November 2nd, 2007 at 9:31 am
why?
9. Kelsi - November 2nd, 2007 at 9:46 am
Excellent list! I wish so much for a return to class and elegance instead of this modern trash we have. =/ Very glad to see Cate Blanchett on the list, she’s one of my favorites. I think Nicole Kidman is also very elegant, but her roles are not always, so I guess it would be hard to place her on this list. And that’s just my honest opinion. Loved seeing this list, thanks!!
10. Bonnie_ - November 2nd, 2007 at 9:46 am
Kyra Sedgwick. She is wonderful in “The Closer” but she’s also been a beautiful actress in films like “Secondhand Lions” and “Phenomenon.”
Plus, she’s been happily married to Kevin Bacon for almost twenty years and they have two fine children. Whenever I think Hollywood is a pool of sleaze, I think of elegant Kyra Sedgwick and I feel better.
Elegant pic here:
http://www.ba-reps.com/artists.....uble2-.jpg
11. Mathilda - November 2nd, 2007 at 9:47 am
I think Nicole Kidman is elegant, and also seems to conduct her personal life with some discretion (it’s hard to appear elegant if the whole world knows that you’re going into rehab, or having DNA tests to try to prove who your baby’s father is, or are on a reality show.) It would have been a lot easier to do a list of trashiest actresses, I bet!
12. heavybison - November 2nd, 2007 at 9:53 am
I would put in a word for scarlett johannson. Anyone seen Lost in Translation? If she can look elegant in panties, i suppose she can carry anything off!!
13. jen - November 2nd, 2007 at 9:56 am
I have a girl-crush on all 10 of these ladies.
14. jfrater - November 2nd, 2007 at 10:01 am
Bonnie: great pic - I didn’t know she was married to Kevin Bacon! Good choice.
Mathilda: I really considered Nicole Kidman - I like her a lot.
heavybison: I considered Scarlett too - she is a great young actress.
jen: heh
15. StewWriter - November 2nd, 2007 at 10:15 am
I would have to say Jennifer Connelly. She is exceedingly beautiful, a risk taker in certain acting roles, and always seems to handle herself like a complete professional in public. Just a thought…
16. Randall - November 2nd, 2007 at 10:27 am
I think “elegance” in this context should not only reflect how an actress appears in screen roles, but what she’s like in her (public) private life. By that definition most of these women should come out on top, yes. I’d add Katherine Hepburn to the list—sad to see her not make it… but also by that definition I’d lose Elizabeth Taylor. She was goddamned hot back in the day, and I wouldn’t have hesitated to bang her… but “elegant” is not the first word that comes to mind when I think of her.
Same goes for Marilyn Monroe—the tops as far as sex symbols go… but not “elegant.”
Nicole Kidman and Winona Ryder are both lust-inducing (as least as far as I’m concerned) and they both veer very close to “elegant”… but only superficially, because they’re both gorgeous women who have the air of the professional model about them. But that doesn’t make either one of the Audrey Hepburn. On the other hand… how about Natalie Portman?
Lucy Liu though… no, I agree. She doesn’t belong.
17. jfrater - November 2nd, 2007 at 10:36 am
Poor Lucy Liu
18. Randall - November 2nd, 2007 at 10:44 am
jfrater: Hey, it’s YOUR site, pal. You want Lucy Liu, you got her. That’s the beauty of the internet.
19. Ravyn - November 2nd, 2007 at 10:47 am
jfrater: I agree poor Lucy Liu.
20. jfrater - November 2nd, 2007 at 10:51 am
Randall: oh - yeah - I forgot. Lucy Liu deserves to be here and that is that! okay?!
Ravyn: thank you - someone else with impeccable taste
21. Leo - November 2nd, 2007 at 11:08 am
Beauty is definetely in the eye of the beholder…..how come Julia Roberts is not in the list?
22. Randall - November 2nd, 2007 at 11:25 am
“oh - yeah - I forgot. Lucy Liu deserves to be here and that is that! okay?!”
There you go. Just assert yourself. “I wrote this damn list and if I want Lucy Liu then by God I shall HAVE her.”
And I hope someday you get her. That’d be nice, wouldn’t it now?
‘Cause don’t get me wrong… she’s a hottie.
23. jfrater - November 2nd, 2007 at 11:31 am
Leo: because it is not a list of top 10 beautiful horses?
Randall: Thanks for the lesson - I will assert myself from now on! Maybe Lucy Liu will see this list and give me a call!?
24. Randall - November 2nd, 2007 at 11:33 am
Leo:
NOW I MUST PROTEST. I have argued with people on this site on other topics, but NOTHING makes my blood boil more than a Julia Roberts lover.
JULIA ROBERTS?!!
That you or anyone would think that Julia Roberts belongs in the company of these (for the most part) classy, distinguished, hot, elegant women just *sickens* me.
Tell me HOW Julia Roberts qualifies as “elegant?” A) she’s not all that attractive—her mouth is too big, her teeth are too big, her body is nothing special. B) she displays no natural grace in her movements, no natural poise, she exhibits no innate (or pretended) breeding. C) She’s known to be an arrogant bitch. D) She’s a lousy actress who’s been touted as some great talent when in fact she’s simply gotten lucky with a few choice roles.
No no no. Julia Roberts is in a company with Meryl Streep, Glenn Close, and Andie MacDowell… women who “everyone” supposedly thinks are great actresses and great beauties. But I submit to you that it’s *women* who think this. I know not a single man who believes ANY of these women are truly hot, elegant, or great to watch on camera.
Blech.
25. Dr. Goodtimes - November 2nd, 2007 at 11:35 am
No Courtney Love????!!
26. Randall - November 2nd, 2007 at 11:36 am
jfrater:
You, sir, are a man of uncommon taste and wisdom. (except, maybe, about 80s music… ha ha). Horse, indeed. As you see, I agree with you wholeheartedly about the hated Julia Roberts.
And Lucy Liu—yes, I believe all hot actresses scan the internet *constantly* looking for references about themselves. She will see this, my friend—and you will be rewarded. Trust me.
27. Hobolad - November 2nd, 2007 at 11:36 am
I don’t think Julia Roberts is that bad…
*Braces himself*
EDIT: Courtney Love hehehe.
28. StewWriter - November 2nd, 2007 at 11:41 am
Here ya go JFrater, it’s all yours:
THE TOP TEN LEAST ELEGANT WOMEN IN ENTERTAINMENT:
10: COURTNEY LOVE (FOR SURE)
9: AMY WINEHOUSE (COOL SONGSTRESS BUT FILTHY)
8: MARILYN MONROE (AGAIN, HOT BUT JUST A DAMN DUNCE)
7: PARIS HILTON (LOVED HER DEATH SCENE IN HOUSE OF WAX)
6: ROSIE O’DONNELL (JUST A WORTHLESS COW)
5: MADONNA (NEVER CEASES TO DISGUST ME)
4: HILLARY CLINTON (I THINK BILL IS MORE ATTRACTIVE)
3: ANNA NICOLE SMITH (A HARPY TO THE NINES)
2: LINDSEY LOHAN (HAD GREAT POTENTIAL…)
1: BRITNEY SPEARS (I THINK YOU ALL KNOW)
There ya go!
29. Randall - November 2nd, 2007 at 11:58 am
StewWriter: nice work. Genius, in fact. If you’d go back in time, I’d add Shelly Winters, (total pig, and even when she was young and slim, a repulsive bimbo)… and in all fairness, I’d not include Marilyn Monroe—she wasn’t one of the top 10 elegant women, but I wouldn’t include her in the LEAST elegant, either.
Hobolad: Don’t get me wrong. If Julia Roberts offered herself to me bodily, I wouldn’t turn her away. I mean, she’s not Rosie O’Donnell for chrissake. But I’d make her work for it. And slap her on the ass when I was finished, tell her to make me a sammich… then get the hell out.
but if you’re saying she’s “not that bad” as an actress, or deserves to have the word “elegant” associated with her… well, then you’re just hopeless.
30. jfrater - November 2nd, 2007 at 12:00 pm
Okay - since you guys have braced yourselves, check out Top 10 Unusual but Beautiful Women - guess who is number 1?
StewWriter: great list - I may well use it
31. AnotherEngine - November 2nd, 2007 at 12:00 pm
Agreed on Jennifer Connelly and would also add Isabella Rosselini.
32. boliyou - November 2nd, 2007 at 12:02 pm
At the risk of being pelted with heaven-knows-what… how about Catherine Zeta-Jones?
33. jfrater - November 2nd, 2007 at 12:05 pm
AnotherEngine: yes - she would be certainly be a good fit for the list
boliyou: I like Catherine Zeta Jones too - she would also be good for the list.
34. StewWriter - November 2nd, 2007 at 12:13 pm
Ok, so to avoid anymore backlash (ha ha) I will concede to remove Monroe from my previous list and add the aforementioned Shelley Winters to the spot instead. I forgot about her repulsiveness entirely however I will say Pete’s Dragon would be so off without her massive presence. Ha! Yeah, JFrater, please do! Let me know…
35. Randall - November 2nd, 2007 at 12:21 pm
Watching Shelly Winters on the Tonight Show when I was a kid, sitting there like a fat, disgusting, dolled-up toad, huffing and puffing as she tried to talk and breathe at the same time… almost turned me gay. Almost.
Carson must have gone beyond the curtain and puked during the commercials every time he had her on. Yick.
36. Randall - November 2nd, 2007 at 12:25 pm
ISABELLA ROSSELINI… YES. Oh god yes.
jfrater: Yes, I saw that list of “unusual but beautiful women.” Some good calls, but please… Ann Coulter is not beautiful, friend. She’s a harpie. A twisted, godawful Barbie-harpie. It makes me ill just to look at her. Then you add her politics in and her revolting attitude, and I’m moved nearly to violence.
37. jfrater - November 2nd, 2007 at 12:37 pm
Randall: come now - you know you are basing her looks on her politics
Speaking of attractive women who may offend some people - what do you all think of Sarah Silverman?
38. jfrater - November 2nd, 2007 at 12:42 pm
I actually think that Shelley Winters is great in Poseidon Adventure - though not necessarily attractive. We could include Kathy Bates… (on the inelegant list)
39. amoondoo - November 2nd, 2007 at 1:04 pm
cool list
40. Cyn - November 2nd, 2007 at 1:17 pm
as a die hard MM fan…she may not have been elegant but she was no bimbo! shame on you J! she was an extremely intelligent,complex and beautiful woman..a victim of her time in history and her horrific childhood.
Sarah Silverman…*retch*…not only not funny just ’sensationalistic’, immature and gross. in her commercials w/ the horse….let’s just say the horse was far more attractive.
41. Blogball - November 2nd, 2007 at 1:25 pm
Another fun list!
The one that came to my mind was Halle Berry.
I always thought of her as beautiful, elegant and sexy
42. lola - November 2nd, 2007 at 1:38 pm
Lucy is very elegant and beautiful, I agree with you on all of them, except number one, she dresses like a man and wears her hair like a man, that is not elegant.
43. Borg - November 2nd, 2007 at 1:48 pm
I second Randall’s earlier nomination of Natalie Portman. Not so much for her movies, but for her offscreen presence.
But if I were to go by this list, my money would be on Grace Kelly. Everything about her exudes elegance.
44. jfrater - November 2nd, 2007 at 1:51 pm
lola: her manly appearance was the only thing that put me off - but I think she had the manly exterior but a womanly interior - which makes her interesting. I totally appreciate what you are saying though - I am definitely in favor of women dressing like women.
Borg: Natalie Portman? Not possible at all! She is so far from Elegant - she fled her nation to avoid a compulsory military draft (and while I don’t think women should be drafted, I think if you choose to live in a county that has it - you should comply) - she is a coward in my mind.
45. Randall - November 2nd, 2007 at 2:32 pm
jfrater:
No, I’m really not basing my dislike for Ann Coulter on her politics. It’s more her attitude, her demeanor. Attractiveness isn’t only about looks, after all—it’s how women act, carry themselves, comport themselves… nature gives them basic material to work with… it’s up to them to improve upon it.
But Coulter to me also looks…. mannish, and harsh. She *looks* like a horrid bitch. I hate women with that overly harsh, too-toned look. You see these women (particularly the ones that are my age, i.e., early 40s) around sometimes—they have that “obsessive jogger” body and look… overly lean and too sharp of feature. I don’t find that attractive, I find that unsavory.
46. Randall - November 2nd, 2007 at 2:35 pm
…and I kinda like Sarah Silverman.
Audrey Hepburn dresses like a man and wears her hair like a man? Excuse me?
47. jfrater - November 2nd, 2007 at 3:29 pm
Randall: that is why I raised the point though - I am not influenced by American political views and I simply don’t see that about Anne Coulter - which makes me think your views are skewed because of politics - because she is an attractive woman.
48. aplspud - November 2nd, 2007 at 4:31 pm
I know its part of the “French Chic” thing, but why did you have to use a picture of Catherine Deneuve smoking? Its yucky
49. jfrater - November 2nd, 2007 at 4:34 pm
aplspud: really? I find it quite attractive actually. When I posted it I knew there would be at least one anti-smoker that would complain though
Not all of us find images of smoking yucky - luckily some of us grew up before the media decided you had to hate it.
50. aplspud - November 2nd, 2007 at 4:45 pm
jfrater: I think smoking can be sexy in some instances, but I don’t really associate it with elegant. Especially knowing how it ages the skin. And I’m not really that young, though I was in one of the very first DARE classes.
51. MojoRisin - November 2nd, 2007 at 5:03 pm
Haha i love the discussion, so many potentials. What about Helen Mirren though? I would have thought she would be in the top 5.
52. goshdarnitt - November 2nd, 2007 at 5:13 pm
smoking is totally hot until it becomes chain smoking. THAT is most definately… yucky.
53. petey mcgee - November 2nd, 2007 at 5:24 pm
what about Rita Hayworth?
54. Borg - November 2nd, 2007 at 7:52 pm
Jfrater: I had not heard that about Natalie Portman. Even if it were true, I don’t think it would entirely change my opinion of her though. Nevertheless, I looked it up to see what you were talking about and found this quote from her:
“That’s so ridiculous and I’m just stupid… That’s pretty much it. Because I was born in Israel, every time I visit I have to get a note from the army that says I’m exempt. I thought that meant that I was drafted but that I got out of it, so I said in passing in some stupid interview, ‘Yeah, I dodged the draft.’ Then it causes this controversy but it turns out you don’t even get drafted unless you live in Israel, and I left when I was three. So clearly they weren’t wanting me in their army unless I wanted to volunteer. So I don’t know. It created a controversy and I’m dumb and I’m corrected now.”
http://www.natalieempire.com/news/news2002.htm
Also, you said that if you choose to live in a country that has a compulsory military obligation, that you should obey it. To not do so would be cowardly. But Portman was born in Israel, she did not CHOOSE to live there. You could still make an argument that refusing to serve is cowardly but I don’t think that particular argument applies in her case.
55. Rgraham - November 2nd, 2007 at 8:02 pm
how about Ashley Judd?
56. jfrater - November 3rd, 2007 at 2:02 am
aplspud: I don’t know - I think the skin ages because of genetics mostly - and look at that photo of Deneuve - she doesn’t look bad for 64 eh?
Borg: Thank you - I stand corrected!
57. Vahid - November 3rd, 2007 at 7:20 am
this list is incomplete without Greta Garbo. But I liked it because MY Fair Lady is number one.
58. bibli0phile - November 3rd, 2007 at 8:58 am
No Marlene Dietrich? Her elegance was less feminine than the other choices, but she was always concerned about projecting a classy image.
59. Bob Dowling - November 3rd, 2007 at 10:27 am
Sophia Loren! She’s perhaps the best example of classical elegance alive today.
Meryl Streep is also elegant in a more modern style. It’s too early to tell about Natalie Portman.
60. ajobes - November 3rd, 2007 at 11:42 am
I love the list, but what about Natalie Wood? I think that she was a very elegant and sophisticated woman.
61. Randall - November 3rd, 2007 at 11:48 am
I too forgot about Sophia Loren and Natalie Wood. Maybe Natalie not so much. She was hot… but “elegant?” Not so sure. But you could also skew the list heavily towards European women… we tend to view them as more “elegant” anyway…
“aplspud” raises a good point. Ideally, we should have had pictures of each of these women *naked*…. the better to judge them. But that’s just me. I roll that way.
62. ajobes - November 3rd, 2007 at 11:54 am
Rgraham: I second Ashley Judd as well.
Bob Dowling: I couldn’t agree more about Sophia Loren.
63. aplspud - November 3rd, 2007 at 2:42 pm
Randall: Interesting interpretation of my words, but hey, why not naked? hehe
64. Beth - November 3rd, 2007 at 2:50 pm
This list sucks.
65. Bananas - November 3rd, 2007 at 6:00 pm
no mayrlin monroe does not belong in this list! She committed suicide for goodness sake!
66. Hobolad - November 4th, 2007 at 6:57 am
Nah, Julia Roberts as an actress… not good. But then very few are, and I’m not too sure about elegance in her personal life (Not too interested to be honest) so I was going purely on looks
On that note- any love for Catherine Zeta-Jones? She always seems fair elegant, from what little I’ve seen of her (Too little, damnit!).
67. Fallenangel - November 4th, 2007 at 8:41 am
I was always fond of Bette Davis, but I guess, she was more gumption then grace. I also have a fondness for Kate Winslet.
*on defence of Marilyn Monroe, She was quite intellegent, she was just royally screwed over. I like your list hun! Thank you for including Elezibeth Taylor, and of course Audrey is a natural #1
68. jfrater - November 4th, 2007 at 8:47 am
Fallenangel: I like Kate Winslet too - good addition.
69. jongleur - November 4th, 2007 at 6:29 pm
Audrey Hepburn - be still my beating heart.
I’ve been known to get up at 3am just to watch her in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”. Her role opposite Sean Connery in “Robin and Marian” gave them both a chance to shine in roles that were a bit out of character.
I only have one minor quibble with this list, I think Katherine Hepburn deserves a nod here also. She took some grimy and gritty roles, played them with class, and pretty much always as a lady.
70. S. D. Schaffer - November 7th, 2007 at 12:15 pm
Hedy Lamarr?http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.hedylamarr.com/images/photo013.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.hedylamarr.com/about/image13.htm&h=300&w=238&sz=14&hl=en&start=41&tbnid=q26LwQQu-oTfBM:&tbnh=116&tbnw=92&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhedy%2Blamarr%26start%3D40%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN
Vivien Leigh? http://images.google.com/imgre.....n%26sa%3DX
71. swampsnake - December 1st, 2007 at 10:52 pm
one name i feel was missed ..veronica lake…nuf said
72. Alexandra - December 3rd, 2007 at 1:23 am
With a lot of the older actresses, I feel it was required of them to be elegant. It wouldn’t have been acceptable for them to go around behaving like many celebrities these days, but I was glad to see Lucy Lui and Cate Blanchett on this list.
The list was very well done.
73. jfrater - December 3rd, 2007 at 1:36 am
Alexandra: I am please you appreciate my inclusion of Lucy Liu - so many people didn’t!
74. Hoshi - December 5th, 2007 at 9:40 am
Who wouldn’t love Audrey Hepburn’s style? =)
75. Anisha - December 7th, 2007 at 12:12 am
nice list. i like kate walsh too…. does anyone else think she would look good up there?
76. jfrater - December 7th, 2007 at 1:37 am
Anisha: she certainly looks elegant:
http://www.the-planets.com/sta.....graphy.jpg
77. Beth - December 7th, 2007 at 8:48 pm
How about Chinese actress Gong Li (Raise the Red Lantern) in place of Lucy Lu who doesn’t seem to be at par with any of these ladies at all?
78. timo - December 7th, 2007 at 9:03 pm
Gong Li should be at the top of the list.
79. Largesse - December 9th, 2007 at 3:38 pm
I totally agree about Gong Li — and not just because she makes a pip-squeak of Lucy Liu . But really, I have come to reflect on a more mythic creature:
Hmmm… Thus far, one little mention of the legendary Greta Garbo — and then no one had enough interest in her to second her nomination. Maybe its just a generational thing. After all, her career was essentially over after 1939.
Garbo’s image was one of exquisite, divine beauty. That’s close enough to elegance, is it not? Even though she arguably photographed better than anyone in the history of the world, no amount of mere beauty can make a movie star. The X factor of her unique personality conjured up an emotional affinity with the longings and experience of the audience. It was not her figure that made her our great romantic dream (it wasn’t soft curves, but the lean lanky body of a female athlete). No, partly it was her face — a
rhapsodic perfection in geometry — and partly it was the heartbreak we see behind her eyes — a mystery of existential pain — and partly it was the heartbreak of every man and boy in the cinema’s darkness — gazing at the Unattainable Woman incarnate.
Admittedly Garbo is not for everyone. Many found her too austere, private, distrustful, withholding. And some of her movies were bores. But try to see her in her best silents (Flesh and the Devil, Love, A Woman Of Affairs) and her best talkies (Queen Christina, Anna Karenina, Camille, Ninotchka) and if you are lucky, you may come to appreciate her mysterious, enigmatic allure. As Bette Davis said, “I cannot analyze this woman’s acting. Her mastery over the machine was pure witchcraft. I only know that no one else so effectively worked in front of a camera.”
Off-screen, a poignant trainwreck of a woman, but on-screen she was magic.
80. Stephanie - December 22nd, 2007 at 12:20 am
Kate Winslet? And especially Katharine Hepburn? I loved the movies she did with Spencer Tracy. She showed she could be a strong, independent woman while at the same time classy.
81. Anya - December 26th, 2007 at 8:44 pm
JFrater, you of all people know you can’t make everyone happy all the time. Had you left Lucy Liu off, undoubtedly someone would’ve made a comment about the overriding Caucasianness of the list! I personally wouldn’t have included her, but as an Asian, I fully support your right to have her on the list!
82. jfrater - December 27th, 2007 at 6:03 am
Anya: boy am I learning that every day
I had to include Lucy because she is one of my favorite actresses and I think she is very beautiful and always dresses elegantly in public - she may have “off color” aspects to her past but that is no reason to exclude her - everyone needs a second chance 
83. Bekka - January 2nd, 2008 at 2:20 pm
meryl streep maybe? IMHO, one of the classiest, most elegant actresses i’ve ever come across.
84. Liyla - January 3rd, 2008 at 10:12 pm
I Wish Katherine Hepburn Could Have Been In Your Top Ten List, Even Though I Think You Did A Fabulous Job With The Beautiful Women You Picked!! ;o)
85. sue - January 5th, 2008 at 2:11 am
great list,love lucy liu,but i dont think she should be here! this list really has icons..maybe she will be one in the future but not now……..otherwise kudos for choosing such gorgeous elegant women
86. sue - January 5th, 2008 at 2:23 am
oh yeah,sophia loren was definately missing out here
87. Drogo - January 5th, 2008 at 3:19 am
Poor Marilyn Monroe, She could have been elegant but got stuck doing a bimbo act that she didn’t like. If she had tried harder to get out of the typecast she might have shown to be worthy of this list.
88. Vtluvkiss - January 11th, 2008 at 11:12 am
ahhhh!!!!!!! where is Catherine Zeta Jones? Salma Hayek? Charlize Theron? Those woman are absolutely gorgeous!!!!!!!
Yeah, I would have to agree, Lucy Liu does not really fit….. Gong Li might have been a better pick or Kelly Hu??????
As for LEAST elegant…. can I add Bai Ling????
89. Laci - January 13th, 2008 at 10:13 am
9 out of 10 are fabulous actresses. I mean realy gorgeous.
But Lucy LE LU LELO LIU WHO??????? Ms KICK ASS
No room for her in this troupe.
More Kate Winslet!
90. Jason - January 15th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Rita Hayworth, Nicole Kidman - Good list already though
91. Jason - January 15th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
and Sophia Loren of course, forgot about her
92. copperdragon - January 21st, 2008 at 9:31 pm
when i think of elegance, i think of style and grace and poise, not academy awards or number of movies or movie roles. actresses today have so many “handlers” that make sure they look nice in public, but many don’t have natural elegance.
that being said, sophia loren and nicole kidman definitely belong on the list. katherine hepburn (even in her “golden pond” years) had more elegance than 95% of the actresses today.
gotta put in my vote for Geena Davis.
and sad to see no ladies of color. no angela basset? no queen latifa? halle berry, even?
93. PunkPenguin - March 17th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
I think the #1 is spot on. I also find Kiera Knightly to be quite eligant as well as Scarlette Johanson
94. Skunky - March 28th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
I really agree that Lucy Liu does not belong. The other nine will be remembered for a very long time after their deaths. Lucy Liu will be forgotten once she stops acting.
95. FindingDaisy - March 30th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Audrey Hepburn was the most sweet & beautiful actress ever…
96. Shaks - June 7th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
There is no black actresses there why is that?
97. ElektraO - June 26th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Great choices! My all-time fave is Ingrid Bergman, though I can’t honestly say she’s more beautiful than Liz Taylor–Liz is more volutptuous. Kate Hepburn, like Blanchett: elegant if not that pretty. One must NOT forget Julie Christie, Vanessa Redgrave and Sophia Loren!
Someone mentioned KYRA SEDGEWICK???! Are they JOKING?! She looks like a clown-cloning experiment gone wrong…and that HIDEOUS accent!
I would include, in today’s women: Sharon Stone (of course) Nicole Kidman (wouldn’t she make a GREAT Grace Kelly?!), Geena Davis, Halle Berry, Angela Bassett, Rachel Weisz, Gong Li, Keira Knightly (not that “glamorous, but, like Julie Christie, petitely statuesque!), Ziyi Zhang, Julia Ormond (”Legends of the Fall”) and in a very comfy, English-countryside way, Kate Winslet. Aw, hell, let’s throw in Kate Beckinsale, too! She was glamourous as a teen on a filthy, midlands farm, in “Cold Comfort Farm”. As vampire hunter in “Van Helsing”, she’s just a knock-out, blood, cleavage, crossbow and all! Speaking of vampires, Sarah Michelle Gellar is the ONLY younger one I could think of who could remotely be considered as “elegant”.
I would have written in Emma Thompson, but she’s really let herself go! Anyone see that film w/Will Ferrell–good show but she does “haggard” TOO well, like Diane Lane, who could have made the “elegant” list back AFTER her “Cotton Club” days but before…uh…now. There’s a reason she’s advertising moisturizer!
98. LuluVercetti - June 26th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Great choices! My all-time fave is Ingrid Bergman, though I can’t honestly say she’s more beautiful than Liz Taylor–Liz is more voluptuous, whereas Ingrid is like Athena. One must NOT forget Julie Christie, Vanessa Redgrave and Sophia Loren!
Someone mentioned KYRA SEDGEWICK???! Are they JOKING?! She looks like a clown-cloning experiment gone wrong…and that HIDEOUS accent! UGh, UGH…and DOUBLE UGH! Same for Holly Hunter, though I like her films. NOBODY can be glamourous with a REAL Southern Accent (as witnessed by 2 of my faves: Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon blatantly being NOT glamourous in “Thelma & Louise”–great film, no glamour. That’s like saying Hunter Thomson (whom I idolize) and Johnny Depp (same deal) should be considered “glamourous” for “Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas”. Again, great acting, cool guys…but no glamour.
Why don’t we just say that Nicholas Cage was glamorous in LEAVING Las Vegas, for drinking himself to death??? wait!!! I think whatsername in “Juno” MUST be glamourous for portraying a pregnant teen–NOT!
I would include, in today’s women: Sharon Stone (of course) Nicole Kidman (wouldn’t she make a GREAT Grace Kelly?!), Geena Davis, Halle Berry, Angela Bassett, Rachel Weisz (she is just stunning!), Gong Li (ditto), Keira Knightly (not that “glamorous, but, like Christie, petitely statuesque!), Ziyi Zhang, Julia Ormond (”Legends of the Fall”) and in a very comfy, English-countryside way, Kate Winslet…not sorry, those who think elegance = anorexia!!
Aw, hell, let’s throw in Kate Beckinsale, too! She was glamourous as a teen on a filthy, midlands farm, in “Cold Comfort Farm”.
I would have written in Emma Thompson, but she’s really let herself go! Anyone see that film w/Will Ferrell–good show but she does “haggard” TOO well, like Diane Lane, who could have made the “elegant” list back AFTER her “Cotton Club” days but before…uh…now. There’s a reason she’s advertising moisturizer!
99. LuluVercetti - June 26th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Sorry for the double post! I didn’t see it for about 15 mins. and you know how it is when you pay thru the nose for broadband…
100. Mikey - July 21st, 2008 at 5:42 pm
How on earth is kiera knightley not on this list? if lucy liu makes the cut then i think kiera knightley should definately be top 3! lol
101. ixora05 - August 2nd, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Isabella Rossellini! Hell yes.
Lucy Liu–yes, elegant to a certain degree…(this is coming from an Asian, haha.)
Michelle Yeoh for at least honourable mention? She is extremely elegant, from her start in Western movies as a Bond girl, to her role in Memoirs of a Geisha. She is around 40, looks like she’s 30, and conducts herself with poise and grace.
102. GEVMM - September 24th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
It’s so cliché to put Marilyn Monroe is this type of things so thank you for not doing that. My fav is Ingrid Bergman, she’s a true icon. Great list, but i would have liked to see Rita Hayworth on the list.
103. Katie - November 11th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
I’m so glad Cate Blanchett is up there…she’s underestimated in every way