The Hollywood icons featured in Madonna's "Vogue" (2023)

With its house and disco rhythms,yes madonna"Vogue" by herI am breathless(1990) the album became one of the biggest hits of his career. In addition to the music, the song's lyrics also gave way to nostalgia, harkening back to the Golden Age of Hollywood, as evident in Madonna's spoken rap section on the bridge, where she mentions a bevy of cultural icons:

Greta Garbo and Monroe
Dietrich and DiMaggio
Marlon Brando Jimmy Dean
On the cover of a magazine
Grace Kelly; Harlow, Jean
image of a beauty queen
Gene KellyFred Astaire
Ginger Rogers, dance in the air
They had style, they had grace
Rita Hayworth put on a good face
Lauren, Katherine, Lana too
Bette Davis, we love you
women with attitude
Colleagues who were in the mood
Don't just stand there, come on
Strike a pose, there's nothing to do
fashion, fashion

Coupled with a stylized black-and-white music video directed by David Fincher, Material Girl's homage to 1920s and 1930s Hollywood was pure perfection for her fans, who helped her take home three MTV Video Music Awards in 1990.

for you who wantmodaTake a walk down memory lane and learn some biographical trivia about Madonna's rap stars, we've compiled the list for you.

Greta Garbo

swedish-american actressGreta GarboShe is considered one of the greatest actresses of classic Hollywood cinema, and her stunning beauty, famous for her long pencil-thin eyebrows and sultry eyes, is just one of the things that made her a star. During the 1920s and 1930s, he caused a sensation with silent films such asTorrent(1926) emeat and the devil(1926) and then made the transition to talkies, scoring heavily withannie christie(1930),Sol(1931),great hotel(1932), eCamila(1936). In all, Garbo made 28 films in her career and earned three Academy Award nominations, later receiving an honorary Academy Award in 1954. Fiercely private, Garbo retired from acting at age 35 and spent her final years as an art collector.

Marilyn Monroe

With her platinum blonde hair, breathy voice and curves,Marilyn Monroeshe emerged as the unequivocal blonde and sex symbol of all time. Her troubled childhood as an orphan dogged her throughout her career, despite her achieving great success with films such asGentlemen Prefer Blondes(1953),How to Marry a Millionaire(1953),itch seven years(1955), esome like it hot(1959). Her inner demons wouldn't let up, despite marrying talented men likearturo millerycan joe, who ended up getting divorced. How he was on track to make a comeback of sorts with his latest filmsomething has to give, Monroe was found dead at her Brentwood home from an apparent barbiturate overdose at age 36.

Marlene Dietrich

As one of the highest paid Hollywood actresses of her time,Marlene DietrichHe had an enduring career spanning seven decades thanks to his incredible ability to reinvent himself. Throughout the 1920s, the German-born actress was a sought-after silent film actress, eventually moving on to talkies such asMorocco(1930),Shanghai Express(1932) eDesire(1936). A celebrity during World War II, she began a two-decade career as a live performer from the 1950s. Outside of her film work, Dietrich was a passionate humanitarian who advocated for the rights of German and French exiles during the war.

can joe

During his 13 years in Major League Baseball,can joeHe was a New York Yankee through and through. As a center fielder, three-time MVP, and nine-time World Series champion, DiMaggio is considered one of the greatest players in baseball history. In 1955, he became a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame and is also remembered for his enduring devotion to his ex-wife.Marilyn Monroe. The couple were married in January 1954, hailed as "the wedding of the century". The union lasted less than a year (despite dating for 18 months), but they remained close friends. DiMaggio allegedly sent roses to his crypt three times a week for 20 years.

Marlon Brando

Marlon BrandoHe may have been known for his striking good looks in his youth and later for his self-indulgence, but his professional status as one of the greatest actors of the 20th century remains solidly intact. Her film roles as memorable asA Streetcar Named Desire(1951),on the sea voyage(1954) eThe Godfather(1972), the last two for which he received an Oscar, changed the cultural landscape of cinema. With additional blockbusters likeThe last tango in Paris(1972) eapocalypse now(1979), Brando secured his place as one of the highest paid actors of his era and a master of his craft.

James Dean

James DeanHe only made three films in his brief career:rebel without a cause(1955),is from Eden(1955) egigante(1956), but had already become a force in Hollywood. Through his characters' brooding manners and bizarre dispositions, Dean became a symbol of his generation, but never got the chance to explore his artistic gifts further. When Dean wasn't acting, he was a professional race car driver. At just 24 years old, his life was cut short in a high-speed car accident on a California highway when a Cal Poly student collided with Dean's vehicle. Dean was killed immediately.

Grace Kelly

His Hollywood career may have been short-lived, butGrace KellyShe is listed as one of the best actresses in classical cinema. Kelly drew attention from 1953 onwards with the filmmogamboand became a starthe country girl(1954), which won her the Academy Award for Best Actress. Other box office hits followed, including films directed by Alfred Hitchcock likeDial M for murder(1954),rear window(1954) ecatch a thief(1955) co-starbeca cary. But at 26, Kelly was ready to say goodbye to Hollywood and embrace real life as Princess Grace of Monaco through her marriage to Prince Rainier III. After having three children with the prince and diligently serving her adopted country for decades, Princess Grace died in a car accident at the age of 52.

jean harlow

Nicknamed the "blonde bombshell," Jean Harlow was one of Hollywood's biggest movie stars and sex symbols of the 1930s.Howard Hughesoffered $10,000 to any stylist who could duplicate Harlow's platinum blonde hair color, but never found anyone who could successfully do so). Your role inAngels from Hell(1930) helped prove his financial prowess, and he followed that with a string of successful films likered powder(1932),redhead woman(1932),dinner at eight(1933),reckless(1935), esuzy(1936). Despite Harlow's successful and fast-paced career, her star would not shine for long. At just 26 years old, he died unexpectedly from kidney failure.

gene kelly

The movie musical would never be the same after the actor and choreographergene kellyshe danced her way to him. The Pittsburgh native's classical ballet technique, combined with her athletic style and good looks, captured the hearts of onlookers and delivered a visual masterpiece they had never experienced before. Using unique camera angles and daring crowd movements in his musical storytelling, Kelly is best known for his performances inAn American in Paris(1951),weigh anchor(1945) and above all,Singing in the Rain(1952). His contributions to the industry earned him an Honorary Academy Award in 1952.

Fred Astaire

In honor of his predecessor,gene kellyHe once said that "the history of dance in cinema begins with Astaire". With a career spanning nearly eight decades,Fred AstaireHe is seen as the most important dancer in the history of cinema. Known for being lightweight, he is widely remembered for his on-screen partner, Ginger Rogers. The couple starred in movies liketopper(1935),rocking time(1936) eCarefree(1938). Rogers called him "the best partner anyone could ever have". A multi-talented performer, Astaire was also a singer, choreographer and television personality.

rogers ginger

"Sure he [Astaire] was great, but don't forget Ginger Rogers did everything she did...backwards and in high heels," read a caption to Bob Thaves' 1982 cartoon Frank and Ernest. In his prolific career, Rogers made over 70 films, includingtopper,rocking time,or gay divorced,ydouble 42.She also danced throughout the 1930s with Fred Astaire and helped reinvent the movie musical. She would later become one of the greatest actresses of the 1940s, winning an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role inGatito Foyle. She also co-starred with another "Vogue" icon.Marilyn MonroenoDirty game(1952).

Rita Hayworth

A dancer by trade with stunning looks to boot,Rita Hayworthshe was known as "The Goddess of Love" for her sensual on-screen charisma. She was one of the top-grossing and pin-up girls of the 1940s and is most famous for her movie.Gilda(1946), but is also famous for his collaboration withgene kellyno musicalcover girl(1944). A trained dancer, her career ended with Ralph NelsonGod's anger(1972). Hayworth died of Alzheimer's disease in 1987, which was not widely known at the time, but when her illness became public it helped to raise awareness.

Lauren Bacall

by Lauren BacallThe smoky voice and cat-like eyes made her irresistible on the big screen, and audiences immediately embraced her when she made her film debut as the female lead inhave and not have(1946), co-starring her future husband.Humphrey Bogart. Bacall would go on to make a string of successful films, includinglong key(1948),How to Marry a Millionaire(1953),drawing women(1957), eMurder on the Orient Express(1976). He would successfully transition from screen to stage, winning two Tony Awards for his Broadway performances inapplause(1970) ewoman of the year(One thousand nine hundred and eighty-one). In 1996, he was nominated for an Academy Award for his role inThe mirror has two faces.

Katharine Hepburn

Ranked as the best actress of classic Hollywood cinema,Katharine Hepburnshe had a career that spanned six decades and won a record four Oscars in the Best Actress category. His sharp features, as well as his unconventional independent attitude, enhanced the strength he exuded in his roles on stage and screen. Successful films includemorning glory(1933) ethe history of philadelphia(1940), the latter of which he personally helped adapt for the screen to help resurrect his career. Always honing her craft, Hepburn challenged herself in her later years, starring in award-winning films such asthe african queen(1951),Guess who's coming to dinner(1967) ein the golden pool(One thousand nine hundred and eighty-one). Hepburn continued acting until the late 1980s. She died aged 96.

Lana Turner

While still in high school, Lana Turner was discovered in a Hollywood malt shop when the stars knocked on the door. Signed to MGM, she went on to become the studio's biggest female star of the 1940s and, at one point, the highest paid woman in America. With a career spanning five decades, Turner was considered a sex symbol and an accomplished actress, withThe postman always rings the bell twice(1946) consolidating his ability to play dramatic roles. Other movies includeThe bad and the beautiful(1952),lugar peyton(1957),imitation of life(1959), eSra X(1966). Turner's personal life also attracted public interest; the glamorous femme fatale turned out to be a serial bride, marrying seven times.

Bette Davis

Katharine HepburnShe may rank as the American Film Institute's Best Actress in Classic Hollywood Cinema, butBette Davishe comes second, and it's not because he followed the rules. Known for her intense and energetic nature, as well as her edgy, chain-smoking voice, Davis was a perfectionist when it came to her work. Acclaimed for her performances inDangerous(1935) eJezebel(1938), which won her the Academy Award for Best Actress, Davis is also remembered for her roles inblack victory(1939) eall about eve(1950). In 1941, she became the first female president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and before her career ended, she had amassed over 100 film, television, and theater credits to her name.