Faye Dunaway: Fierce Hair, Don’t Care. Looking Back On The Actress’s Legendary ‘Dos

Faye Dunaway, a staple of the New Hollywood era of cinema, turns 74 today. Since the late ’60s, the actress has been a tour de force — the anti-damsel in distress coming on the scene just as the studio era was coming to a close. The Oscar-winner has never shied away from complex roles; even though she’s certainly been the desired dame in more than a few flicks, Dunaway has always been wholly in control of her sexual presence, making her one of the most unforgettable onscreen talents of our time.

Her fiercest asset, however, is her blonde-bombshell head of hair. Though her golden mane has been dyed here and there over the course of her fifty-year career, Dunaway’s ‘dos have consistently given us further insight to her intense and mysterious characters. There have been plenty of instances when Faye’s hair has said it all, but there are five ‘dos specifically that matched her roles almost too perfectly.

In Arthur Penn’s Bonnie and Clyde, Dunaway donned a blunt, blonde bob that fit her Bonnie Parker’s tomboy mannerisms and no-nonsense demeanor to a tee. Faye knew darn well you can’t worry about your locks when you’re busy robbing banks. In The Thomas Crown Affair, Dunaway rocked that legendary beehive that attracted more than just secrets; that braided bun masterpiece got Faye’s Vicki Anderson some sexy sex with Steve McQueen after a hot and heavy round of chess.

In Chinatown, Faye played the deceptive Evelyn Cross Mulwray, who tricked J.J. Gittes (Jack Nicholson) into some uncouth behavior. Cheers to the hair and makeup team who made sure Dunaway’s hair and eyes were always partially covered as to add to her secretive allure. In her Oscar-winning role in Network, Dunaway played news network exec, Diana Christensen, and rocked soft curls that accentuated her darling features, luring in those who might think they could get off with an easy deal. But lo and behold: this gal is as ruthless as they come and anyone who gets in the way of her ratings be damned.

And last, but certainly not least, there’s Dunaway’s portrayal of the downright terrifying Joan Crawford in Mommie Dearest. Dunaway went brunette for the legendary role, but kept it tucked away most of the time in a fancy turban. Crawford’s unraveling was of her meticulously kept updo matched her mental unraveling when some cheap hangers broke the camel’s back.

Like what you see? Follow Decider on Facebook and Twitter to join the conversation, and sign up for our email newsletters to be the first to know about streaming movies and TV news!