Greatest Film Stars - Their Greatest Roles and Filmographies (see index below) contains a selected sampling of the starring roles that best define the screen presence or persona of some of the greatest stars of the American cinema. The definitive screen role is often the one for which the actor or actress is best-remembered. In some cases, some actors/actresses - over a long, prolific career - have had more than one exemplary or essential example of their acting portrayed in films.

Additionally Recommended:

• Filmsite's 100 Greatest Film Stars of All-Time - a definitive look at the 100 greatest film stars (50 male, 50 female) of Hollywood legend
• Filmsite's Greatest Film Stars - Roles and Filmographies - starring (and definitive roles) for many of the greatest stars of the American cinema, including many lesser known actors and actresses
• Filmsite's Greatest Film Characters of All-Time - hundreds of great movie characters (illustrated)
• AFI's Greatest Film Star Legends (50 total, 25 men and 25 women) from 1999
• AFI's Greatest Heroes and Villains
• 100 Best Female Character Roles in Movieline Magazine
• 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All-Time (April 2004 issue) in Premiere Magazine
• 100 Greatest Movie Performances of All-Time (April 2006 issue) in Premiere Magazine

The 100 Greatest Films that have been selected at this site are identified by a yellow star .