Who are the Katherine Hepburns or Bette Davis's now

[LaurieFairyCake]

I keep getting stuck with thinking they are in an incomparable class of their own but I'm probably doing modern actresses a disservice

Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Julie Walters, Alison Steadman - all amazing

What does everyone else think

[squoosh]

I think people like Diane Keaton, Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett, Julianne Moore are actresses who've proven themselves over a number of decades.

Then there are great actors like Viola Davis who've been acting for yonks but only breakthrough to the big time in middle age.

It's harder to predict which young actresses will prove to have similar longevity. Maybe Jessica Chastain, Carey Mulligan, Rebecca Davis.

[squoosh]

Rebecca Hall rather!

[PaperdollCartoon]

Anne Hathaway.

[MsAmerica]

I'm not sure exactly what you mean. Katharine Hepburn and Bette Davis are both marvelous, both distinctive - but not necessarily the best actresses of all time. Their longevity, of course, was partly a result of the studio system, now gone.

If you mean actresses who have a distinct look and distinct persona, as Hepburn and Davis did, that might be people like Diane Keaton and Barbra Streisand. If you mean actresses who have astonishing range, then I think Meryl Streep tops the list. Cate Blanchett would be up there, too.

[LaurieFairyCake]

Katherine Hepburn and Bette Davis were placed as first and second greatest female stars of all time, hence the question.

I agree with everyone that people have put forward, in particular I find Anne Hathaway mesmerising to watch. She's getting some not great films though.

[Katsite]

For poise I would say Tilda Swinton but I agree with pp that those were different times.
I like Saoirse Ronan but she is so young.

[BuzzKillington]

Different times - we won't ever hold up film actors in such high regard as in the heyday of films.