As part of their ranking of the best of Hollywood’s Golden Age, the American Film Institute listed the twenty-five greatest female screen legends. These female performers contributed significantly to classical Hollywood, starring in multiple pictures now-considered iconic and shaping cinema through their indelible performances that keep inspiring generations of fans today. Notorious blonde provocateur Mae West was among the most controversial figures of the 1930s and 40s. Rising to prominence on the vaudeville stage, West gained international fame as a singer, dancer, actress, comedian, and playwright. She soon became a leading figure in entertainment, with everyone from Cole Porter to F. Scott Fitzgerald, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera lauding her talent and appeal.
