Goldie Hawn has never taken herself too seriously—and unlike other actors of her generation, her star has never waned. Rising to fame on the NBC comedy show Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In in the late 1960s, she quickly became a household name, and by 1969 she had scooped an Oscar and a Golden Globe for best supporting actress for her stellar performance in Cactus Flower.
Over the decades that followed, she would play a string of leading roles in films like Shampoo, Private Benjamin, Death Becomes Her (with Meryl Streep), and The First Wives Club. She and her longtime partner, Kurt Russell, also brought up three more talented actors: Oliver Hudson, Kate Hudson, and Wyatt Russell.
Here—for no good reason except that we love her (oh, and it’s her birthday)—we’ve gathered 21 archival photos of the effortlessly charming, utterly elegant Goldie Hawn. Enjoy!
Photo: Getty Images1/211965
A young, unknown Hawn fixes her hair in the mirror before a photoshoot in Arlington, Virginia.
Photo: Getty Images2/211965
Hawn captures all the energy of the swinging ’60s in a fun portrait photo.
Photo: Getty Images3/211969
Hawn makes a guest appearance on the hit TV show Laugh-In in a cute-as-a-button babydoll dress.
Photo: Getty Images4/211969
A young Hawn graces the pages of American Vogue in 1969, wearing a black silk chiffon minidress by Jay Kobrin for Maisonette.
Photo: Getty Images5/211970
Hawn attends the 43rd Annual Academy Awards’ Governors Awards in a flowery ensemble with pink accents.
Photo: Getty Images6/211970
In a floaty dress, Hawn elegantly exits her car as she prepares to board a plane from London to France to start filming There’s a Girl in My Soup.
Photo: Courtesy Everett Collection7/211971
Hawn and Warren Beatty on the set of the ’70s comedy-drama Dollars. Hawn was just 26 at the time.
Photo: Getty Images8/211973
Aged 27, Hawn holds her own in a glittering, midriff-flossing gold gown during her Las Vegas nightclub act.
Photo: Getty Images9/211973
Holding a tiny kitten and chic parasol, Hawn poses for a German publication.
Photo: Getty Images10/211973
With Bruno Wintzell at London Heathrow, Hawn made the airport her runway.
Photo: Getty Images11/211978
On the set of TV’s The Goldie Hawn Special, Hawn was beautifully captured enjoying a peaceful moment with her dog in between takes.
Photo: Getty Images12/211978
On stage with comedian George Burns, Hawn looks every inch the Hollywood movie star in a floor-sweeping silk gown.
Photo: Getty Images13/211979
Could there have been a better pairing than Hawn and Liza Minnelli? They took to the stage for the TV special Goldie and Liza Together.
Photo: Getty Images14/211980
In a sequined black gown with delicate lace trim, Hawn attends the 52nd Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles.
Photo: Getty Images15/211983
Ready to party in a sheer leopard-print blouse and cami, Hawn exits New York’s Carlyle Hotel with Kurt Russell in style.
Photo: Getty Images16/211985
In a shimmering, feather-trimmed gown, Hawn was the most interesting woman in the room at the American Ballet Theater Gala fundraiser in Beverly Hills.
Photo: Getty Images17/211987
Hawn and Russell on the set of the rom-com Overboard.
Photo: Getty Images18/211987
In black tie with Russell at the Tel Aviv Gala in California, honoring Hawn’s work.
Photo: Getty Images19/211987
Dressed like her character in Overboard, Hawn makes a red strapless gown and sleek black gloves look elegant yet cool in 1987.
Photo: Getty Images20/211990
In a ruched dress, Hawn strikes a pose while being honored at the American Museum of the Moving Image.
Photo: Getty Images21/211999
Hawn walking the red carpet at the 71st Academy Awards, dressed in a glittery, baby blue number and chic dark shades.
