8 Western Movies That Turned Actors Into Bonafide Stars

Some of the most iconic movie stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood got their start in a classic western film that introduced them to a wider audience. In the early days of American cinema, the western was one of two popular genres – along with hard-boiled film noir – that were hugely popular among moviegoers. A hit film in one of these genres, especially westerns, could turn a workaday actor into a nationally recognizable movie star. From James Stewart to Gary Cooper to Charles Bronson, plenty of A-listers got their start with a memorable performance in a beloved classic of the western genre.