The 1960s, one could argue, began an obsession with celebrity that has continued into the modern age. Hit movies meant that many an actor became a beloved superstar among fans. A multitude of high-profile relationships changed the face of celebrity journalism: one in particular, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, who began a decades-long relationship after meeting and falling in love—while married to other people—on the set of Cleopatra. The red carpet was still seen as a very formal affair, instead of the casual spectacle it would become in the 1990s through the shock-inducing, highly curated event it can be today. But these photos offer a glimpse into the drama of celebrity life that still existed all those decades ago—their lives were a little more private, but celebrities were as wild as ever.
Below, 32 of the best, most iconic, most scandalous, and even funniest images of the 1960s red carpet.
