From the silent film era to Hollywood’s golden age and beyond, this book captures the essence of cinema's most captivating actors. Dive into the untold stories behind their unforgettable performances, the triumphs and tragedies of their careers, and the cultural impact of their artistry. Featuring era-defining obituaries and rare, behind-the-scenes photographs from The Times archive, this collection offers an intimate journey through the lives and legends of the silver screen’s most iconic figures, including:

• Sean Connery – Hollywood heart-throb who would never have played Bond had its creator, Ian Fleming, had his way.
• Joan Crawford – Oscar-winning actress and dancer whose obituary states that she was “aged between 69 and 76” when she died, so careful was she that no one could know her true age.
• Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton – Hollywood royalty whose colourful and turbulent relationship included two marriages, two divorces, and plenty of drama.
• Carrie Fisher – The cult icon whose father ran off with Elizabeth Taylor years before she herself entered the limelight.
• Oliver Reed – The hellraiser better known for arm-wrestling and drinking than acting.

Nigel Farndale is a published author and journalist and has worked on several broadsheet newspapers. He is Obituaries Editor at The Times.