Kim Novak – 1933

Retired actress and painter Kim Novak began her career after an agent discovered her while standing in line to be an extra for The French Line and Son of Sinbad. She was eventually signed to Columbia Pictures with a long-term contract—she certainly didn’t need any money loans for that. Her first role was in the noir film Pushover in 1954. That same year, she co-starred in the romantic comedy Phffft.

As her career began to flourish by starring in several films, Novak then became one of Hollywood’s top box-office stars.The actress is widely known for her performance in the 1958 thriller film Vertigo, which the critics ignored upon its release, but is now recognized as one of the greatest films ever produced. In 1966, Novak withdrew from the limelight in her mid-30s and sporadically worked in films.