Vintage Photos From Hollywood History We Never Knew Existed 

By Sarah Norman | May 16, 2023

Brigitte Bardot at her parents’ house in Paris, 1954

Are you ready to uncover the untold stories behind the scenes of Hollywood's past? From tragic pasts to the dark secrets of childhoods, the lives of many of our beloved stars have been far from glamorous. Join us as we take a deeper look into the history of Hollywood and discover the surprising truths behind some of the most iconic figures in film history.

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Source: JSKColorization/Instagram

One such figure is the legendary Brigitte Bardot, who rose to fame in the 1950s as an international sex symbol. Born into a wealthy family, Bardot was discovered at just 15 years old, when she posed for the cover of Elle. It was at this point in her life that she came under the guidance of French director Roger Vadim, who is said to have prepared her to become the embodiment of beauty on film.

Bardot defied societal norms of the time and appeared in two French films, breaking box office records in both Europe and the United States. Keep reading to discover more exciting and fascinating stories from Hollywood's past!

Jean Harlow, 1935

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Source: Reddit

For the original "Blonde Bombshell," acting was an afterthought, as Harlow's true aspiration was to become a wife and mother. The only reason she looked for work as an extra in films was to please her mother, who was known as "Mother Jean." She suffered poor health as a child, contracting meningitis at the age of five and scarlet fever at 15. She died in 1937 from uremic poisoning and kidney failure, which was a result of scarlet fever.