The Golden Age of Hollywood is often remembered for its glamour, glitz, and larger-than-life personalities. But behind the perfectly polished image of Tinseltown was a world filled with secrets, scandals, and notorious behavior. Among the stars of this era, several actresses gained reputations—both fairly and unfairly—for their off-screen relationships. These women were often the subject of tabloid gossip, whispered rumors, and salacious speculation.
Here’s a look at some of the most infamous stories surrounding Old Hollywood actresses who were known for their controversial love lives.
1. Mae West
Mae West, the queen of double entendres and sexual innuendo, was unapologetically bold about her sexuality, both on-screen and off. Known for her razor-sharp wit, West broke barriers for women in Hollywood, often writing her own material and turning heads with her daring roles. However, her brazen attitude also led to rampant rumors about her personal life. Mae was rumored to have had countless lovers, enjoying her independence and defying societal expectations of the time. Far from shying away from the talk, West famously said, “I wrote the story myself. It’s about a girl who lost her reputation and never missed it.”
2. Tallulah Bankhead
Tallulah Bankhead was one of Hollywood’s most notorious actresses, known for her freewheeling lifestyle and candid discussions about sex. Openly bisexual at a time when such revelations were rare, Bankhead had affairs with both men and women, including fellow actresses like Marlene Dietrich and singer Billie Holiday. Her love for the wild life was matched only by her fierce independence. Tallulah was as famous for her partying as she was for her acting, and her reputation as a woman who "loved without limits" added to her legendary status.
3. Jean Harlow
Jean Harlow, the original “blonde bombshell,” was a major sex symbol of the 1930s, and her love life was just as headline-worthy as her films. Harlow had several high-profile relationships and was often linked to powerful men in Hollywood. Married multiple times, her relationships were often the subject of scandal, including rumors of affairs with studio executives and co-stars. Harlow’s tragic early death at 26 only fueled the mystery and rumors surrounding her, with stories of love affairs following her even in death.
4. Lana Turner
Lana Turner’s life off-screen often overshadowed her career, as she became known for her numerous romantic entanglements and scandalous relationships. Turner was famously married eight times and had a string of highly publicized affairs, including a tumultuous relationship with gangster Johnny Stompanato, which ended in his murder at the hands of Turner’s daughter. The public’s obsession with Turner’s personal life made her one of Hollywood’s most notorious women, despite her incredible talent as an actress.