Jean Harlow
Biography
Jean Harlow was an American actress who became a leading sex symbol during the early 1930s and a defining presence in pre-Code cinema. Known for bad girl roles, she was called the Blonde Bombshell and the Platinum Blonde. Howard Hughes signed her and directed her first major part in Hell's Angels (1930). In 1932 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer acquired her contract and placed her in leads that played to her comic ability. Red-Headed Woman (1932) let her show new range, and Red Dust (1932) paired her with Clark Gable. She later appeared in Dinner at Eight (1933), and in Suzy (1936) she had top billing. In 1999 the American Film Institute placed her at number 22 on its list of greatest female screen legends. She died in 1937 while filming Saratoga, which MGM completed with body doubles and released soon after; it earned more than any other release that year and more than any other of her films.
26years old at death
- Born Kansas City
- Died Los Angeles
- Star sign: PiscesThe sign runs February 19 to March 20
- Harlean Harlow Carpenter (birth name)Also credited as The Blonde Bombshell, The Baby, The Platinum Blonde and Harlean Carpenter
Movie Career
- Films
- 19
- Career span
- 28 years1929 to 1957
Photos
Share
Did you know?!
Big break
In late 1929, Howard Hughes was reshooting Hell's Angels with sound and needed someone to take over Greta Nissen's part, since her Norwegian accent did not suit the character. Harlow screen-tested and Hughes cast her.
A role that slipped away
Harlow was the original choice to play Ann Darrow in King Kong, but her MGM contract prevented it and the part went to Fay Wray.
First role
Harlow made her first film appearance in Honor Bound (1928), working as an unbilled extra. For that job she received $7 a day and a box lunch, which was common pay for such work.
Jean Harlow movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
Jack Conway directed four of these films. Two actors appear in five of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Clark Gable's page
Lewis Stone's page
Lionel Barrymore's page
Hattie McDaniel's page
Tully Marshall's page
Wallace Beery's page
Jack ConwayDirector, 4 films, 1932 to 1937
All films by Jack Conway
Also three films together1 more actor
- May RobsonWife vs. Secretary (1936), Dinner at Eight (1933) and Red-Headed Woman (1932)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Box office
What Jean Harlow's films earned in cinemas worldwide.
Combined worldwide box office
$15.8 million
6 of the 19 films have a worldwide figure.
Of the 19 films: 6 worldwide figure; 13 figure not found.
- 6Worldwide figure
- 13Figure not found
Top grosser
Highest grossing
The six biggest films earned 100% of the total. The bars are drawn to scale.
- 1$8.0M50.7% of the total
- 2$3.3M20.6% of the total
- 3$2.2M13.7% of the total
- 4$1.2M7.7% of the total
- 5$600K3.8% of the total
- 6$557K3.5% of the total
Awards
One award and honor.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Honored | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.