Jean Harlow
Nude

Platinum-haired sexpot Jean Harlow is skinema’s original blonde bombshell. She was an inspiration to Marilyn Monroe and she literally was the reason the term “bombshell” was invented. Although she spent The Roaring Twenties in bit parts, her racy roles of the 1930s gave fans something roar about! After movie mogul Howard Hughes put her in his war epic war Hell’s Angels (1930), the alluring ingenue starred opposite James Cagney in the gangster classic The Public Enemy (1931). The brassy babe then made the pre-code drama Red Dust (1932) with Clark Gable. This onscreen duo would make six films together, including Jean’s swan song Saratoga (1937). But not before the poky-showing screen legend revealed her comic timing and naked nipple in the MGM rom-com Red-Headed Woman (1932). A scene-stealing portrayal in the quick-witted dramedy Dinner at Eight (1933) followed, as did titillating turns in the musical Reckless (1935) with William Powell and the drama Suzy (1936) with Cary Grant. In the romantic adventure China Seas (1935), the hottie’s curves cling to a soaking-wet dress. Yet, amid all the swashbuckling, someone must have forgotten to buckle a swash because Jean’s gown slips down and exposes her bare breast. Ahoy, mates! Ms. Harlow became such a star, she received top billing in the screwball comedy Libeled Lady (1936). Unfortunately, industry success wasn’t enough to save the icon from dying of uremic poisoning at the young age of twenty-six. The American Film Institute has since ranked Harlow as the 22nd greatest female star of Classic Hollywood Cinema. However, she’s number one to us!