Vintage photos show Hollywood icons mingling at the Golden Globes

June 2024 · 9 minute read
Updated 2024-01-05T19:15:17Z

The very first Golden Globes were held on January 20, 1944, to celebrate the films of 1943.

Over the last 80 years, the Golden Globes have evolved to include television, been through a few scandals, and — after a one-year hiatus in 2022 — are back as part of awards season.

These photos were taken across the Globes' 80 years in existence. See how the ceremony has changed.

The Golden Globes were first held in 1944 by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, a band of writers that came together in 1943.

Actor Tony Curtis showing his award to his wife, actress Janet Leigh, at the Foreign Press Awards, or the Golden Globes, in Hollywood, Archive Photos/Getty Images

The first ceremony was held at 20th Century Fox. It then moved around for two decades until finding its permanent home, the Beverly Hills Hilton, in 1961.

The award ceremony became more glamorous as time went on. By the 20th Golden Globes, the stage looked more like the one we see today.

Dorothy Malone presents Angela Lansbury the award for Best Supporting Actress for "The Manchurian Candidate" at the 20th Annual Golden Globe Awards. NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

The 2024 Golden Globes will be held on January 7 and will air on CBS.

All of Hollywood's best and brightest of the time attended the awards. In 1952, Barbara Stanwyck chatted with fellow screen icon Gilbert Roland.

Barbara Stanwyck and Gilbert Roland attend the Golden Globe Awards on February 21, 1952. Earl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Roland was nominated the following year for his part in "The Bad and The Beautiful."

Stanwyck wouldn't receive a Golden Globe nomination until 1966, and she was given the Cecil B. DeMille Award, a lifetime achievement award, in 1986.

The Golden Globes' lifetime achievement award is called the Cecil B. DeMille Award. Below is the man himself talking to French actor Corinne Calvet in 1952, the first year the honor was awarded.

Cecil B. DeMille with Corinne Calvet at the Golden Globe Awards. Earl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

DeMille is known for directing and producing some of the most famous films of all time, including "The Ten Commandments," "Cleopatra," and "The Greatest Show on Earth."

The Golden Globes are known as the "fun" awards show because alcohol is famously served at every table.

Deborah Kerr, Stewart Granger, and Jean Simmons attend the Golden Globe Awards at Ciro's nightclub. Earl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

According to The Hollywood Reporter, over 7,500 glasses of champagne are normally consumed over the course of the night.

And since the attendees are seated at tables, not in rows, there are more opportunities for mingling.

Judy Garland with Marlon Brando at the Golden Globe Awards in 1955. Archive Photos/Getty Images

It leads to iconic table-mates like Judy Garland and Marlon Brando, who sat next to each other at the 1955 awards.

They both took home statues that night: she for best actress in "A Star is Born" and he for best actor in "On the Waterfront."

Shirley MacLaine embodied old Hollywood glamour at the 1955 awards.

Shirley MacLaine at the Golden Globe Awards. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

MacLaine is part of a Hollywood dynasty — her brother is Warren Beatty.

Even future royalty appeared, like Grace Kelly.

Grace Kelly attends the Golden Globe Awards ceremony. Silver Screen Collection/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Kelly won the now-discontinued award for world film favorite (female) in 1956.

She retired from acting that same year when she married Prince Rainier III of Monaco and became the Princess Consort of Monaco.

You never know which celebrities might end up sitting together.

Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball (right) chat with Hollywood gossip columnist Louella Parsons (left) at the Golden Globe Awards. Jack Albin/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

In 2024, this would be the equivalent of DeuxMoi sitting with George and Amal Clooney ...

Elizabeth Taylor, her third husband, Mike Todd, and her future fourth husband, Eddie Fisher, rubbed elbows at the 1958 awards.

Eddie Fisher standing with Elizabeth Taylor and her husband, Mike Todd, at the Golden Globe Awards. Hulton Archive/Getty Images

The 1958 awards were held in February. Todd died one month later in a plane crash.

While grieving, Taylor and Fisher, one of Todd's best friends, began an affair, leading to the divorce of Hollywood golden couple Fisher and Debbie Reynolds.

Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay also attended in 1958.

Actors Jayne Mansfield and Mickey Hargitay attend the Golden Globe Awards. Earl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

These two have a famous daughter of their own, Mariska Hargitay, who is best known as Olivia Benson of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."

Marilyn Monroe looked every bit the '60s starlet at the 1962 awards.

Marilyn Monroe poses for a portrait at the Golden Globe Awards. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

That same year, she won her fourth and final Golden Globe, for world film favorite (female). Previously, Monroe won the best young box office personality in 1951 and the world film favorite (female) in 1953. She died just five months later, in August 1962.

Last year, Ana de Armas was nominated for best actress in a motion picture (drama) for playing Monroe in "Blonde."

Another iconic old Hollywood duo seen at the awards was Dean Martin and John Wayne.

Dean Martin points to the drink John Wayne is holding. Bettmann/Getty Images

Wayne held Martin's drink as the singer/actor presented a Golden Globe during the show.

According to Getty Images, Dean quickly got back his drink after making the presentation.

Julie Andrews is a Golden Globes queen. One of the most iconic moments in award-show history was when she famously shaded Jack Warner, the man who didn't cast her in "My Fair Lady."

Julie Andrews receiving a Golden Globe. Paul W. Bailey/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

This was one of the biggest conflicts in Hollywood history.

When the stage musical "My Fair Lady" was made into a movie, Jack Warner, head of Warner Bros. studios, decided to cast Audrey Hepburn as the lead, even though Andrews had played the role on Broadway and in London.

This snub proved to be a blessing, as it freed up Andrews for what might be her most iconic role of all time: Mary Poppins.

When Andrews won her Golden Globe in 1965, she thanked "the man who made all this possible in the first place, Mr. Jack Warner."

It's also a big night for couples. Just ask Mark Hamill and his wife, Marilou York.

Mark Hamill and his wife, Marilou York, attending the 35th Golden Globe Awards. Frank Edwards/Archive Photos/Getty Images

The "Star Wars" star and his wife have been married for more than 40 years.

Or Sonny and Cher.

Sonny and Cher attend the Golden Globe Awards. Max B. Miller/Fotos International/Getty Images

The duo's show, "The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour," was nominated for best television series musical or comedy in both 1973 and 1974.

Natalie Wood and Robert Redford caught up at the 1966 ceremony.

Natalie Wood and Robert Redford attend the Golden Globes. Max B. Miller/Fotos International/Getty Images

Wood and Redford met in high school and starred in a few movies together, such as 1966's "This Property Is Condemned," according to an appearance by Redford on Turner Classic Movies.

Some stars take their parents. It helps if your dad is a living legend like Henry Fonda, seen here with his daughter, Jane.

This father-daughter duo would team up two years later to film Henry's last on-screen role, 1981's "On Golden Pond."

Jane was awarded the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2021.

The Golden Globes can be kid-friendly, too. Here's a 15-year-old Michael Jackson with his father.

Michael Jackson and his father, Joe Jackson, pose at the Golden Globe Awards. Frank Edwards/Fotos International/Getty Images

The Jackson 5's album "Skywriter" was released in 1973.

But usually, it's a night filled with love between A-listers like Doris Day and Rock Hudson.

Rock Hudson and Doris Day as they hold their Golden Globe awards. Bettmann/Getty Images

Hudson and Day were both chosen as the "world's favorite performers" multiple times.

Christopher Reeve attended the 36th annual Golden Globe Awards with his partner, Gae Exton.

Gae Exton and Christopher Reeve. Ron Galella/WireImage/Getty Images

We'll see if anyone makes a red-carpet debut on Sunday.

It's also interesting to look back at some of the most iconic actors of all time when they were just starting out. Back in 1968, Dustin Hoffman won the now-defunct award for new star of the year.

Dustin Hoffman at the Golden Globes with his award for most promising newcomer. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Hoffman won for his breakthrough performance in "The Graduate" over 50 years ago when he was 30 years old.

Barbra Streisand won her first Golden Globe for her performance in "Funny Girl" in 1969.

Barbra Streisand holds her Golden Globe award for best performance by an actress in a motion picture — comedy or musical at the 26th Annual Golden Globe Awards. Max B. Miller/Fotos International/Getty Images

At 27 years old, it was her first Golden Globe nomination and win.

Now, Streisand is one of a few people to have received an EGOT — an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award — though not all of them were competitive awards.

Young Arnold Schwarzenegger won new star of the year in 1977 for his role in "Stay Hungry."

Arnold Schwarzenegger holds Raquel Welch in the air at the Golden Globe Awards. Frank Edwards/Fotos International/Getty Images

Schwarzenegger wouldn't be nominated again until 1995 for "Junior."

Here's John Travolta at his very first Golden Globes in 1978.

John Travolta attends the 35th Annual Golden Globe Awards. Ron Galella/WireImage/Getty Images

Travolta was nominated for his role in "Saturday Night Fever" but lost. He would be nominated multiple times and scored a win in 1996 for "Get Shorty."

Robin Williams won his first of six Golden Globes in 1979.

Robin Williams holding his award for the television show "Mork and Mindy" at the Golden Globe Awards. Frank Edwards/Pictorial Parade/Archive Photos/Getty Images

He was nominated for 12 in total.

Angela Lansbury was already a much-loved actor when she won her Golden Globe for best performance by an actress in a TV series drama in 1987.

Angela Lansbury at the Golden Globes. Bettmann/Getty Images

Lansbury, who won for her performance in "Murder, She Wrote," died in 2022, aged 96.

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