Ten top golden era movie stars (male) of Irish Descent

Slide 1: Perhaps the greatest all-around talent ever to enter show business. One of the most memorable scenes in movie history is when he pushes a grapefruit into Mae Clarke's face. Though best remembered for his tough-guy gangster roles, it was his light-hearted performance in "Yankee Doodle Dandy" that won him an academy award. Ranked 8th among 50 Greatest American Screen Legends by the American Film Institute (AFI) behind Bogart, Grant, Stewart, Brando, Astaire, Fonda, and Gable.

Slide 2: Nominated for nine Academy Awards for Best Actor, winning two ("Boys Town," "Captain's Courageous"). Skillful, natural, realistic, and understated, most critics consider him to be one of the finest and most versatile actors in motion picture history. AFI named him 9th greatest actor of all time, directly behind Cagney.

Slide 3: With a fabulous career that spanned 6 decades, this actor is considered more than an actor. Tall and rugged with a self-assured, quiet demeanor, he has endured as an American icon. Named by the American Film Institute as 13th among greatest male screen legends for all time.

Slide 4: Good looking and cheerful, this high-energy performer is remembered for his dancing. He was nominated for an Academy Award in the delightful "Anchors Aweigh," but it is the classic "Singing in the Rain" which will forever be most famously associated with him.

Slide 5: Physically athletic and very attractive, this actor started his career as a simple tough guy but later advanced to roles more complex. He was nominated four times for an Academy Award, winning once ("Elmer Gantry"). Named 19th among greatest male stars of all time by AFI.

Slide 6: Deep voiced and terribly handsome, this respected top star was nominated for five academy awards, winning once ("To Kill a Mockingbird"). Not your stereo-typical hot-tempered Irish, he is reputable as cool and calm in character while still being courageous and heroic in fighting injustice.

Slide 7: Epitome of a romantic pretty boy, it is hard to get around this actor's astonishing good looks to notice his fine acting. He was poised in his dramatic roles and could deliver comedy as well. In fact, being a talented swordsman, he was among the most flamboyant of screen swashbucklers.

Slide 8: In spite of his soft mumbling, the man himself possessed a magnetism and his performances were electric. Cultural icon and widely considered one of the most skillful and influential actors of all time. Ranked by the American Film Institute as the fourth greatest male screen legend.

Slide 9: His looks became our portrayal of very Irish and so he often played Irish immigrants, cops, and priests. By the 1950's, those types of roles became limited, and his movie career was basically ended.

Slide 10: Among the most prominent singers in the world, but was also a top film attraction throughout his career as well. Featured in over 100 films, nominated for an Academy Award three times, winning once ("Going My Way"). Known far and wide for his immortal recording of "White Christmas." Bingville Bugle