Jane Birkin
Jane Birkin rose to prominence thanks to her decade-long relationship with Serge Gainsbourg, one of the world’s most popular and important French singers and songwriters. She also had a highly successful acting career in both British and French cinemas, and was often coached by Gainsbourg.
The actress is known for acting in various popular films and TV shows, including ‘Death on the Nile’, ‘Evil Under the Sun’, and ‘A Soldier’s Daughter Never Cries’. Birkin recently starred in the Academy Award-nominated short film ‘La femme et le TGV’, claiming it would be her final role.
Julie Ege
Norwegian actress and model, Julie Ege, dominated British theaters in the ‘60s and ‘70s thanks to her powerful on-screen presence. She began her career as a model before turning 16, and came in second in the Miss Norway beauty pageant at just 18 years old.
When Ege moved to England she was instantly liked by film directors. She started out in a few small roles, bolstered by her pageant fame. From there, Ege worked her way on to bigger roles. Her best known film role to date was in the 1971 comedy movie 'Up Pompeii'.
Sophia Loren
While most people remember Sophia Loren's legacy for her bold feminist statements (such as keeping her armpits unshaven), she also had a dedicated fan base thanks to her beauty and acting skills. Loren started her acting career at age 14, and is still working today, well into her 80s.
Some of the actress’s most beloved films include 'A Countess from Hong Kong', 'The Pride and the Passion', and 'Grumpier Old Men'. Throughout her film career, Loren has received an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, five special Golden Globes, and many other honors. She remains the only living classic female movie star.
Britt Ekland
Swedish actress and singer Britt Ekland appeared in many popular films in the 1960s and 1970s. Her most prominent films include 'The Night They Raided Minsky's', 'Get Carter', and others. Ekland even landed herself a lusted Bond girl role, when she appeared in 1974's 'The Man with the Golden Gun'.
In early 1964, Ekland met successful actor, comedian and singer Peter Sellers (most famous for starring as Chief Inspector Clouseau in 'The Pink Panther' series). Sellers proposed to her that very same week, and the two got married just 10 days later. Their marriage ended up lasting just four years.
Raquel Welch
It was certainly an uphill battle for Raquel Welch before the media and audiences began noticing her in films. She started out in various small roles, and rose to prominence after appearing in the movie 'One Million Years B.C.', where she wore her iconic fur bikini.
Things quickly picked up from there for the young actress, as she went on to appear in several more popular films, including 1967’s 'Bedazzled', 1968’s 'Bandolero!' and 1969’s '100 Rifles'. Welch's legacy is mostly centered around popularizing the strong female character type and changing gender relations in Hollywood.