The Best Western Movie Actors of All Time, Ranked From Worst to Best

The Best Actors Who Acted in Westerns

The Western genre was born in the United States back in the early days of cinema, and over the decades, it has evolved into one of the most famous movie genres worldwide. It’s also given rise to some of the greatest actors in movie industry history, from John Wayne to Clint Eastwood. Read on to find out about the greatest Western actors of all time by looking at their contributions to this classic film genre, their acting chops in other genres, and their overall popularity among viewers worldwide. Ready?

45. Richard Boone

After debuting in Halls of Montezuma, playing a marine officer, Richard Boone continued to star in numerous Western films. He played Pontius Pilate in The Robe and a detective in Vicki.

46. Richard Boone

He was cast as Dr. Konrad Styner in the medical series Medic. This role went on for two years, but in the meantime, he also made appearances in Western films. During the series’ run, he appeared as Sam Houston in the John Wayne epic The Alamo and as a weary cavalry captain in A Thunder of Drums.

44. Joel McCrea

Joel McCrea is a famous lead actor in non-Westerns as well as in Westerns. By the late Forties, his focus shifted mainly to Westerns. Randolph Scott, who had a very similar career to McCrea’s, came out of retirement to make the 1962 remake of Sam Peckinpah’s Ride the High Country.

44. Joel McCrea

He’s considered one of the most gifted and talented actors to have made Westerns.

43. Jane Russell

Howard Hughes signed Jane Russell for The Outlaw, and it was the film that made Jane famous. Jane’s most significant achievement was in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, where she played Dorothy Shaw alongside Marilyn Monroe.

43. Jane Russell

It does a very good job showing Jane’s sense of humor. She kept making movies throughout the 1950s, such as The Revolt of Mamie Stover and Gentleman Marry Brunettes, which showcased Jane’s talents, showing just what an excellent actress she was.

42. Rhonda Fleming

American actress Rhonda Fleming has acted in more than 40 films, including Spellbound and Alfred Hitchcock’s, Out of the Past.

42. Rhonda Fleming

She also starred in films such as A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, Home Before Dark, Pony Express, Slightly Scarlet, While the City Sleeps, and The Big Circus. She has created a legacy owing to her stellar performances in the Westerns.

41. Barbara Stanwyck

For over five decades, Barbara Stanwyck was well-known for her work in cinema. In 1928 Barbara traveled to Hollywood, starting what was to be one of the most profitable film careers in Hollywood’s history.

41. Barbara Stanwyck

She was a very versatile actress who could adapt to any role. She appeared in dramas such as Forbidden and Stella Dallas, thrillers like Double Indemnity, as well as TV shows such as The Big Valley.

40. Dorothy Malone

Dorothy Malone played went all out in playing a “bad girl,” which went against her classy and strait-laced nature and won her an Academy Award thanks to her performance. She starred in Two Guys From Texas, South of St. Louis, and Colorado Territory, with the westerns showing off her equestrian prowess.

40. Dorothy Malone

She was synonymous with unparalleled talent and determination to portray the charters realistically in the Westerns.

39. Marie Windsor

Marie Windsor was a talent — to paraphrase a cliché — of the right type and at the right time. If film noir could have manufactured an archetype, it would have been Marie. Some of her fans’ favorites amongst her films, in addition to The Killing, are The Narrow Margin and Hellfire.

39. Marie Windsor

She is the epitome of grit and determination of a woman to excel in a field that is traditionally reserved for men.

38. Jack Palance

Jack Palance often played dark characters that embodied evil in 1950s westerns and melodrama. Adding to his tall, powerful physique and icy voice, Palance had penetrating eyes that often made people quake in their boots.

38. Jack Palance

He starred in films including The Battle of Austerlitz, The Mongols, Barabbas, Contempt, The Mercenary, Marquis de Sade’s Justine, The Desperados, and Blood and Bullets.

37. Katy Jurado

Some might have thought that men controlled the world of Western film; however, this changed when actress Katy Jurado made an appearance as wealthy and independent woman Helen Ramirez in the movie High Noon, giving women an opportunity to put their stamp on the industry.

37. Katy Jurado

As Jurado became the first Latina actor to win a Golden Globe award for her work in High Noon, she firmly established that women could stand on their own in a genre like Westerns.

36. James Garner

James Garner is an actor from the early 1950s to the early 2000s. He has a long career as an actor, starting in 1951. His most memorable roles are in the shows Maverick, The Rockford File, and Evening Shade. He has also starred in movies like Big Jake, Murphy’s Romance, and Grand Prix.

36. James Garner

Garner was awarded two Golden Globe awards for best actor, one Emmy award for best actor, six nominations for Primetime Emmy awards, and four nominations for Golden Globe awards.

35. Robert Mitchum

After Robert Mitchum started as an extra on sets and acted in minor roles, he starred in his first film, the Western Hopalong Cassidy.

35. Robert Mitchum

After that, he was in Nevada before starring in other significant roles in Western films such as Tombstone, River of No Return, and Man With the Gun. He’s remembered for his realistic portrayal of the characters in Western filmmaking.

34. Robert Duvall

It seems that Robert Duvall only got better as he aged. As per his reputation for making good Western films, such as True Grit, Joe Kidd, and Lawman, he continued to produce them in the 2000s. Thus, he kept the cowboy tradition alive in both the 20th and 21st centuries through his performances in 2003’s Open Range, 2006’s Broken Trail, and 2015’s Wild Horses.

34. Robert Duvall

Robert Duvall is easily considered one of the most iconic actors of our time. He maintains relevance through his work and strong dedication to filmmaking. It’s difficult not to love this Hollywood veteran who commands respect with every role he takes on.

33. Robert Taylor

After making his first film on a Will Rogers Western called Handy Andy, Robert Taylor signed with MGM to appear in its Crime Does Not Pay series and in the film Buried Loot. In 1935, he appeared in seven films, was a leading man, and was offered substantial scripts.

33. Robert Taylor

The following year, he acted alongside Greta Garbo in Camille. For the remainder of the decade, MGM’s films featuring him — along with those that included other leading actresses — became a success with audiences.

32. Gregory Peck

Greg Peck debuted in Days of Glory. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his appearance in The Keys of the Kingdom. He excelled at Western films and was also in movies such as David O. Selznick’s Duel in the Sun, which didn’t do so well, the better-received Yellow Sky, and The Gunfighter.

32. Gregory Peck

He was nominated again for the Academy Award for his roles in Gentleman’s Agreement and Twelve O’Clock High, a film about high stress among bomber crew members in WWII.

31. Val Kilmer

A Los Angeles native, Val Kilmer studied at Hollywood’s Professional School. In 1984, he made his film debut in the spoof Top Secret! During the 1980s, he starred in a number of films, including Top Gun (1986), which was a smash hit.

31. Val Kilmer

Oliver Stone’s The Doors starred his amazingly believable performance as Jim Morrison, though the world wasn’t aware of his talent until then. His Western credentials include Tombstone alongside Kurt Russell.

30. William Holden

“Golden Holden” was among Hollywood’s most durable and engaging stars for nearly four decades. A true American legend, Wilder called Holden “the ideal motion picture actor.” Golden Boy was his sixty-sixth audition for the part of an Italian violinist forced to become a boxer.

30. William Holden

He starred in movies like Our Town, I Wanted Wings (which was the making of ‘peek-a-boo’ star Veronica Lake), and The Fleet’s In.

29. Ben Johnson

Johnson became a famous Western actor after playing a cowboy in The Last Picture Show. Alongside winning the Oscar, Johnson appeared in 300 films, enabling him to earn quite a living.

29. Ben Johnson

Before returning to acting, he worked as a ranch hand and a rodeo performer. Some of his major films include Shane, The Train Robbers, Breakheart Pass, and Fort Defiance.

28. William Boyd

An American motion picture, television, and radio actor, William Boyd’s most notable performance was as Hopalong Cassidy, a cowboy from a series of novels from the 1930s to 1950s written by Clarence Mulford.

28. William Boyd

His popularity in the 20th century earned him the nickname “The King of Cowboy Merchandisers.” His movies include Bar 20, Hopalong Cassidy Returns, and The Frontiersmen.

27. Roy Rogers

Western movie star Roy Rogers gained popularity for his stirring acting and cheerful singing, earning him the moniker of “King of Cowboys” and one of the most well-known singing cowboy actors.

27. Roy Rogers

Throughout his career, Rogers acted in many Western movies and, as a result, helped pave the way for him to obtain a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He starred in films like Under Western Stars, Trigger, Sun of Paleface, and Mackintosh And T.J.

26. Kirk Douglas

Director Hal Wallis gave Douglas the lead role in The Strange Love of Martha Ivers. His performance got rave reviews, and he quickly got further work, including his appearance in the movie I Walk Alone, the first time he worked with another future famous actor, Burt Lancaster.

26. Kirk Douglas

When the two were on screen together, there was strong chemistry, and they appeared in seven movies, including Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and Seven Days in May. Their last movie was Tough Guys.

25. Lee Van Cleef

Lee Van Cleef’s genuinely awesome performance in The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly is strikingly good, if not the best, depiction of pure evil ever put to film. The character Angel Eyes wasn’t aiming for audience sympathy, and Lee Van Cleef’s portrayal is unforgettable.

25. Lee Van Cleef

It allowed him to perfect the role he debuted, For a Few Dollars More, which pits Eastwood and Van Cleef’s characters in a partnership that starts shaky but eventually becomes lethal.

24. Alan Ladd

Alan Ladd was one of the most prominent movie stars of the ’40s and ’50s. Alan had charisma to spare and a flair for drama. He starred in average Westerns like Red Mountain, The Light of Western Stars, Whispering Smith, and Branded (in which he stood out because of his performance).

24. Alan Ladd

He would go on to give one of his most iconic performances as the lead character in 1953’s Shane. In an emotional performance, Allan Ladd makes a profoundly touching, tender film admired for its fine cinematography.

23. Buster Keaton

In the early cinema of the 1920s, Buster Keaton was renowned for performing incredible physical feats long before Charlie Chaplin became a household name. His early films were mainly Western-centric. 1918’s Out West was a 25-minute satire of contemporary Western fables, and 1925’s Go West was one of the earliest feature-length Western films.

23. Buster Keaton

As Johnnie Gray, a lovesick train engineer for the Western & Atlantic Railroad who sees the Civil War break out, Keaton starred in his most famous film role.

22. Jeff Bridges

Jeff Bridges made his screen debut in one of the most versatile roles in history. The Last Picture Show, Peter Bogdanovich’s landmark 1971 classic, features Bridges as a “good old-fashioned southern boy” who idolizes western heroes.

22. Jeff Bridges

Bridges took on John Wayne’s famous Oscar-winning role as Rooster Cogburn in the Coen Brothers’ remake of True Grit, and his performance on screen is more magnetic than Wayne’s work was. He indeed puts his heart and soul into every role he plays.

21. Paul Newman

The nuanced approach Newman took to character arcs enabled him to make the dramatic stakes feel more realistic. The 1963 adaptation of Larry McMurtry’s beloved novel Horseman, Pass By starred him as Hud.

21. Paul Newman

Among his many awards were a BAFTA Award, an Academy Award, three Golden Globe Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. He’s remembered for his roles in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and Cool Hand Luke. Movie fans worldwide will remember him for his outstanding work.

20. Henry Fonda

Henry Fonda played complex heroic roles throughout his five-decade career due to his steely blue eyes and nuanced line delivery. The Ox-Bow Incident offered a unique depiction of justice in contrast to the more action-oriented crowd-pleasers of the era. He starred in classics, including Drums Across the Mohawk and My Darling Clementine.

20. Henry Fonda

Against the standard view of him as a typical Hollywood hero, Fonda succeeded with a darker, less usual persona in roles in Western films such as Once Upon a Time in the West and The Tin Star.

19. Walter Brennan

Walter Brennan was only the third actor to win three Academy Awards. From the early 1920s to the 1960s. Brennan became famous for his diverse filmography, which included noteworthy performances in My Darling Clementine, To Have and Have Not, Red River, and Rio Bravo.

19. Walter Brennan

In another noteworthy performance In 1948’s Red River, Brennan played the loyal trail hand Nadine Hoot opposite Howard Hawks and John Wayne.

18. Marlon Brando

Marlon Brando was one of the greatest movie stars ever to grace a stage or a screen. On the Waterfront, starring Marlon Brando, set a new standard for the emotional realism of a story that audiences had not seen before, which was later carried over to his other works such as The Godfather, Sayonara, Last Tango in Paris, and Apocalypse Now.

18. Marlon Brando

He has received four major awards: two Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, three British Academy Film Awards, and one Cannes Film Festival Award.

17. Charles Bronson

Charles Bronson is a legend in vigilante stories. He was an ideal choice to play a hardened man seeking revenge against an unimaginable loss, as he played a rogue cop in the Death Wish movie franchise.

17. Charles Bronson

A famous Western role Bronson played was that of Harmonica in Sergio Leone’s classic Once Upon a Time in the West. He also contributed dramatic weight to less severe films such as The Magnificent Seven.

16. Steve McQueen

No one embodied charisma like Steve McQueen — not in the film, not anywhere. McQueen is so quintessential that in the ‘60s, he showed up in classics like Bullitt, The Thomas Crown Affair, and Papillion, and while they were wonderful, they were merely side projects.

16. Steve McQueen

McQueen was a perfect fit for more nihilistic Western projects and gave a nuanced performance in the 1966 Western thriller Nevada Smith. The protagonist of the film is pure but hardened after losing his parents.

15. Eli Wallach

Few character actors in the history of film are as diverse in their movie selections as Eli Wallach, who played in all sorts of films throughout his career that has spanned over seventy years.

15. Eli Wallach

He gave memorable performances in the various Westerns he was featured in, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, and his starring role in the John Ford movie, How the West Was Won, while still popping up in other Western films such as Mackenna’s Gold and Shoot First… Ask Questions Later.

14. Franco Nero

Franco Nero had a stellar performance and propelled himself into Hollywood history. His intense, morbid portrayal of Django captured in 1966’s Django epitomizes the spaghetti Western aesthetic and culture.

14. Franco Nero

Nero returned to the role in 1986 for the sequels Django Strikes Again and Django Unchained. A Thousand Times the Same, Camelot, The Day of the Owl, The Mercenary, Battle of Neretva, Tristana, Compañeros, and Confessions of a Police Captain are some of his other well-known films.

13. Yul Brynner

When Western films began to evolve, some veteran actors who had many successes in other films began appearing in Westerns and portrayed more complex roles than before. A Russian-American stage performer and film actor named Yul Brynner also became one of Hollywood’s great stars in this new time.

13. Yul Brynner

he first showcased his talents in films such as The King and I, The Ten Commandments, and Anastasia. Brynner then brought that complexity to Western movies with roles in The Magnificent Seven and Westworld (1976).

12. Gian Maria Volontè

In theatre and television, Gian Maria Volontè proved to be one of the most promising actors of his generation. The character of Ramón Rojo in Sergio Leone’s A Fistful of Dollars earned him notoriety. With Leone’s next film, For a Few Dollars More, he was able to double his success.

12. Gian Maria Volontè

Over the next ten years, Volontè was, in every respect, Italy’s finest actor. We Still Kill the Old Way (directed by Elio Petri) won the Grand Prix du Scenario at the Cannes Film Festival, and Volontè won his first Nastro d’Argento ( the most prestigious acting award in Italy, a Silver Ribbon) in 1970 for Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion (also by Petri), making him an internationally famous.

11. Burt Lancaster

Burton Stephen Lancaster was an American actor and producer who played tough-guy characters with tender hearts and roles of a more challenging nature over his career, which spanned the length of 45 years.

11. Burt Lancaster

His most beloved Western film was The Professionals. He had been nominated for four Academy Awards, winning once, two British Academy Awards, and one Golden Globe Award, all for his leading roles.

10. James Maitland Stewart

James Maitland Stewart, better known by his screen name James Stewart, was an American actor best known for his old-fashioned yet caring charm and raw honesty onscreen. Having set a shining example of morality on and off-screen, he was seen as a very personification of the American ideal in the mid-twentieth century.

10. James Maitland Stewart

Capra’s 1946 It’s a Wonderful Life was Stewart’s first post-1945 role. Frank Capra’s collaborations in You Can’t Take it With You, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and It’s a Wonderful Life launched his career as a star and established his everyman role on screen.

9. Garry Cooper

Gary Cooper was an American actor known for his distant and collected persona on the silver screen. Twice he was awarded the coveted Academy Award for Best Actor, and with a further three nominations and one Honorary Award, he cemented himself as one of Hollywood’s best.

9. Garry Cooper

In the early 1930s, he began portraying more cautious characters, exemplified in movies like The Lives of a Bengal Lancer and A Farewell to Arms.

8. Randolph Scott

It wasn’t until he focused on westerns in the late 1940s that he became one of the top leading men in Hollywood in 1950s Western films. Budd Boetticher’s Westerns made him a seminal figure in the genre of Western film.

8. Randolph Scott

He earned acclaim for his non-heroic character in one of the classics of the Western genre, Ride the High Country, in 1962. After a short stint on film sets, he retired.

7. Kurt Russell

Born in 1951, Kurt Russell began his acting career at 12. To the general public, he’s known for his collaboration with John Carpenter in the movies Big Trouble in Little China, The Thing, and Escape From LA.

7. Kurt Russell

As for his roles in Westerns, not only did he portray Lieutenant Gabriel Cash in the 1989 film Tango & Cash alongside Sylvester Stallone, but he also starred in Tombstone and Guns of Diablo, two western movies.

6. Ed Harris

The 71-year-old actor Ed Harris directed the 2008 western film Appaloosa and starred in the film as Virgil Cole. He has appeared in numerous films, but he’s best known for his performances in films like The Truman Show, Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind, and Mother!

6. Ed Harris

Harris can currently be seen playing the role of the Man in Black in the neo-western TV series Westworld! We’re sure you’ve all heard about how good that show is because it’s been talked about non-stop ever since its first season aired on HBO!

5. Kevin Costner

Actor Kevin Costner starred in several Western films, including Dances with Wolves, which received a Golden Globe Award, an Academy Award, and a British Academy Film Award, as well as appearing in Open Range and Silverado.

5. Kevin Costner

Additionally, the outstanding actor has appeared in several other films, including 3000 Miles to Graceland, Message in a Bottle, and The Guardian. Up until 2018, Costner has starred in the hit TV show Yellowstone as John Dutton.

4. Paul Newman

No list of best actors of Westerns would be complete without Paul Newman. Born in 1925 and living until 2008, he starred in the films Hud, The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean, and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

4. Paul Newman

The actor’s successful endeavors led him to win various prestigious accolades, including three Golden Globe Awards, an Academy Award, and a BAFTA Award. Despite only winning once for The Color of Money, Paul Newman is a ten-time Academy Award nominee.

3. Sam Elliot

A Western actor of great ability is Sam Elliot, who can still be spotted on screen at the ripe old age of 77. His masculine look with a full mustache and his charismatic voice make him one of the best Western actors of all time.

3. Sam Elliot

Outside of Westens, he’s known for A Star Is Born, The Big Lebowski, and The Hero. Additionally, he has provided the voice of Wild Wild Weston Family Guy and appeared on Justified, The Ranch, and MacGruber.

2. John Wayne

Icon John Wayne was best known for his performances during Hollywood’s Golden Age between the 1910s and 1960s. He remains one of America’s greatest actors. The film he became well-known for is Stagecoach, the first significant film from Hollywood’s Golden Age.

2. John Wayne

Several of his famous films include The Alamo, a film he directed that he also starred in, True Grit, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. His last recorded appearance is in the 1976 movie, The Shootist.

1. Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood tops the list of the best Western actors. He’s starred in multiple films and received many awards, including four Academy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards.

1. Clint Eastwood

Two of Clint Eastwood’s most famous film franchises are The Dollars Trilogy, featuring A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, and more importantly, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. Because of his appearances in Western films, he has come to represent traditional ideas about manhood.

Charlie’s Angels’ Stars: Where Are They Now

When you need a crime solved, who do you call? Well, Charlie’s Angels, that’s who! In the ’70s, this iconic television show launched more than one career. From Farrah Fawcett to Cheryl Ladd, the ladies and fellas attached to this show went on to do a lot of great things. So get ready to get those Charlie’s Angel poses on point as we look at the stars of that classic ’70s show and just where they are now!

Kate Jackson – Then

Every angel had her thing, and for Sabrina, that was her intellect. The character clearly shone through even the overwhelming star of Farrah Fawcett. After three seasons (she even lasted longer than Farrah), Kate decided to leave the show.

Kate Jackson – Then

Before her time as an Angel, Kate worked in Hollywood for years. She had a long-standing role on the original Dark Shadows and even had her own show called The Rookies. But by far, she is remembered for the role of Sabrina the most.

Kate Jackson – Now

In 1983 Kate came back to television for a lead role in the television show Scarecrow and Mrs. King. And for four seasons, this show kept her busy. The following year after that show ended, she returned to TV with a show called Baby Boom.

Kate Jackson – Now

Since 2009 Kate hasn’t appeared on television. She has, however, been active from a philanthropic point of view and is a strong voice for charities.

Jaclyn Smith – Then

Almost all the Angels left at some point, that is, except for Kelly. Jaclyn Smith hung on for the entire run of the show. Prior to the show, Jaclyn had done some work in commercials and even had worked with Farrah before the show.

Jaclyn Smith – Then

Through the iconic show’s entire run, Jaclyn worked on her craft and eventually ended up becoming a pretty talented actress. But her run on Charlie’s Angels is the role she is remembered for.

Jaclyn Smith – Now

Right after the Angels took their last case, Jaclyn took on the heavy role of playing Jackie O. in a movie about the stunning first lady’s life. She also found her way into many TV movie roles throughout the ’80s and ’90s.

Jaclyn Smith – Now

Eventually, she got a recurring role in 2002 on a television show called The District. She even played Kelly Garrett, her role from Charlie’s Angels, in the 2019 reboot. Today she still works and also has her own fashion line.

Cheryl Ladd – Then

When Farrah left the show a year after it premiered, the show needed to find someone to fill her shoes. They ended up casting Cheryl Ladd as Farrah’s character’s younger sister, Kris. Cheryl hadn’t intended to become an actor at all, though.

Cheryl Ladd – Then

In fact, before this, Cheryl focused on music and even voiced Melody in the cartoon Josie and the Pussycats. But she did such a great job she continued through the rest of the show and beyond.

Cheryl Ladd – Now

Using her popularity from the show, Cheryl continued working on her music. This dedication ended up earning her a gold record. Along with that, though, Cheryl has let up with her acting.

Cheryl Ladd – Now

She has been in many made for TV movies over the years. Her last film was just released for the holidays last year. Outside of work, she works as an ambassador for the nonprofit organization called Childhelp.

Shelley Hack – Then

Like when Farrah left, the producers needed to find another Angel. This was done with a character named Tiffany Welles, which was played by Shelley Hack. Shelley had been a teen model, and her looks and the clever way she played the role seemed at first to be a winning combination.

Shelley Hack – Then

But the ratings began to dip, and after one season, the producers decided they needed something new, and they cut her from the show.

Shelley Hack – Now

After that, Shelley had a series of failed television shows. This started with Cutter to Houston and continued in 1986 with a show called Jack and Mike. Shelley continued acting for another decade before retiring from acting in 1997.

Shelley Hack – Now

After that, she returned to school and began doing work in politics. She and her husband also own a media company. Smash Media produces content for movies and TV shows.

David Doyle – Then

You really didn’t see Charlie at all on the show, which made the role of Bosley very important. This role was played by David Doyle. Along with David Forsythe, he was one of the big stars that were cast in this show. He had been working in Hollywood since the mid-1950s.

David Doyle – Then

Because of his masterful portrayal, David was able to capture a few big roles. He had roles in both Vigilant Force in 1976 and in 1977’s Capricorn One.

David Doyle – Now

Doyle continued working in the film industry even after the show ended. Eventually, the talented actor worked his way into voice work as well.

David Doyle – Now

Many of the ’90s kids would recognize his voice from Rugrats. But he also worked on animated shows like Sonic the Hedgehog and Darkwing Duck. He voiced Grandpa Pickles in that show until he passed away in 1997, at his home in Encino.

Farrah Fawcett – Then

Farrah Fawcett was cast as athletic Jill Munroe. Many think the success of the show rested in her charismatic persona. Prior to kicking the bad guy’s backsides, Farah spent her time modeling and doing commercial work.

Farrah Fawcett – Then

One of these shoots actually helped her land her big film break in Logan’s Run. Here she met one of her future husbands. It was released the same year as Charlie’s Angels began. But a year later, Farrah would decide that the role was slightly degrading and opt to leave the show.

Farrah Fawcett – Now

The Charlie’s Angels role earned Farrah Fawcett many nominations, but she never won. After she left Charlie’s Angels in 1977, she worked a little in both film and television, but nothing ever came from it. Instead, her personal life kept her in the public eye.

Farrah Fawcett – Now

In 2009, Fawcett released the critically acclaimed documentary Farrah’s Story, detailing the latter years of her life. Her work as a producer on the project earned her a fourth Emmy nomination. She passed away that same year.

David Forsythe – Then

Charlie was never actually seen on the screen. Instead, we listened to his voice through a loudspeaker. Even though we only heard the voice, that voice was still a vital part of the show and voiced by the legendary David Forsythe.

David Forsythe – Then

Forsythe had been working in Hollywood for years when he got the role. Starting all the way back with his first picture, Hitchcock’s The Trouble With Harry. He even had his own show in the ’60s.

David Forsythe – Now

David Forsythe’s most notable role after the end of Angels was on the nighttime soap Dynasty. He played the dashing patriarch of the Carrington family, Blake. This show lasted eight seasons and even had a spin-off.

David Forsythe – Now

He would continue working on and off for the next few decades. His voice reprised its famous role in the 2003 Charlie’s Angels film. In 2010, the talented actor passed away.

Tanya Roberts – Then

With the firing of Shelley Hack, the producers were in the hunt for another replacement. They looked at 2000 women, and of those, they decided to go with Tanya Roberts. This beautiful brunette joined the show in the last season as Julie Rogers.

Tanya Roberts – Then

Tanya had already had some success with her first role in the horror movie The Last Victim. Unfortunately, though the producers hoped that the new addition would help the ratings, it didn’t, and the series was canceled after 5 seasons.

Tanya Roberts – Now

After the end of the show, Tanya went on to star in some of the ’80s best B-movies. Of those, Beastmaster with Marc Singer was probably her biggest role. She also posed for Playboy and was even a Bond Girl.

Tanya Roberts – Now

Tanya disappeared for a while and then gained some fame as Midge on That 70s Show. She left the show when her husband became ill. The beautiful actress recently passed away at the age of 65.