Back in the early 1950s a seemingly normal-looking family was turning heads.

The dark coats, hats and knee-high socks worn by the children were standard for most well-to-do families in those days.

But there appeared to be something different about this gang.

Suspicious onlookers and the Evening Argus photographer at the time were correct – the family was none other than that of Hollywood actor John Mills.

The star of Great Expectations and Ice Cold in Alex was with wife Mary Hayley Bell, daughters Juliet and Hayley and son Jonathan.

But Mr Mills was not the only acting royalty to visit the city in the 1950s.

Oscar winner Laurence Olivier, dressed in long overcoat and hat, paid a visit to the Theatre Royal, in Bond Street, with fur coat-clad Vivien Leigh.

From the photo in our archives it is unclear what the pair were there to see. But one thing is clear, half of Brighton came out to see them.

Another uncaptioned photograph from our archives shows actor and singer Dickie Henderson down on the seafront with wife Veda Ross and their children Matthew and Linda.

The West End regular was a huge name in the 1950s and 1960s and known to holiday down on the Sussex coast.

While perhaps not the household name of Olivier and Mills, one of the biggest stars of stage and then screen in the first half of the 20th century was Jessie Matthews.

The London-born performer appeared on stage for the first time in 1919 and was a singer who worked alongside many of the greats including Cole Porter and Noel Coward.

Some may even remember her from long-running radio soap Mrs Dale’s Diary.

Here she is photographed with an unknown male companion browsing a stall in Brighton.

The Argus archives from the 1980s are also filled with stars from home and abroad.

One picture shows Rising Damp actor Leonard Rossiter enjoying a pint at the Brighton Theatre Royal bar while another shows screen legend Charlton Heston backstage at the same theatre.

Moving into more recent years and the famous faces don’t stop.

Back in 2004, Mr X Factor himself, Simon Cowell, visited Patcham RSPCA for its annual dog show.

The music mogul chatted with visitors and posed for photographs on what was a fabulously sunny day in July.

Mr Cowell even rubbed noses with some of the centre’s adorable |dogs.

Fast-forward to 2011 and Norfolk’s favourite son Alan Partridge was in town. Steve Coogan, who lives in Ovingdean, was at Waterstone’s in Brighton for the launch of his book, I Partridge.

Very much in character, Mr Coogan acted up alongside Brighton and Hove Gay Men’s Chorus for the evening.

From a fictional North Norfolk DJ to Hollywood acting royalty, it is fair to say Sussex has seen them all.