All All. Sign In. Actresses -- most physically beautiful -- first name starts with M. Gorgeous women throughout the history of film and a smidge of TV and elsewhere. This list does not condone the moral fiber or ethical actions of anyone listed here. It's truly a skin-deep appreciation. List activity. Actress Director Producer Dream Lover In at the age of 16, she traveled to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting.
Madeleine Carroll. Actress The 39 Steps The original ash-blonde "iceberg maiden", Madeleine Carroll was a knowing beauty with a confident air, the epitome of poise and "breeding". Not only did she have looks and allure in abundance, but she had intellectual heft to go with them, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from Birmingham University at the age of The daughter of a French mother and an Irish father, she briefly held a position teaching French at a girls seminary near Brighton, but was by this time thoroughly determined to seek her career in the theatre--much to her dad's chagrin.
Madeleine's chance arrived, after several failed auditions and in between modeling hats , in the shape of a small part as a French maid in a West End production of "The Lash". Her film debut followed within a year and stardom was almost instantaneous. That is not to say, however, that she was a gifted actress from the outset. In fact, she learned her trade on the job, finding help along the way from established thespians such as Seymour Hicks and Miles Mander.
Most of her early films tended to focus on that exquisite face, and bringing out her regal, well-bred--if rather icy--personality. Her beautiful speaking voice enabled her to make the transition to sound pictures effortlessly.
Following a year-long absence from acting and marriage to Capt. Philip Astley of the King's Guards she returned to the screen, having been tempted with a lucrative contract by Gaumont-British.
