Jean Simmons
Biography
A British actress and singer, Jean Simmons began in British films during and after the Second World War and later worked mainly in Hollywood. Born in London, she trained at the Aida Foster School of Dance and was spotted by director Val Guest, who gave her a large role in Give Us the Moon (1944). David Lean cast her as young Estella in Great Expectations (1946), and she played Ophelia in Laurence Olivier's Hamlet (1948), receiving an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actress. Her later films included Angel Face (1953), Guys and Dolls (1955), for which she won a Golden Globe, The Big Country (1958), Elmer Gantry (1960), and Spartacus (1960). She received another Oscar nomination, for best actress, for The Happy Ending (1969). She worked steadily on stage and television, played Desirée Armfeldt in A Little Night Music in the West End, won an Emmy for The Thorn Birds (1983), and voiced Sophie in Howl's Moving Castle (2004).
80years old at death
- Born London
- Died Santa Monica
- Star sign: AquariusThe sign runs January 20 to February 18
- Jean Merilyn Simmons (birth name)
Movie Career
- Films
- 32
- Career span
- 59 years1945 to 2004
Genres
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A role that slipped away
Joseph Mankiewicz cast Simmons opposite Marlon Brando in the 1955 screen adaptation of Guys and Dolls. She sang her own songs in a role that Grace Kelly had turned down, and the film was a big hit.
Beyond film
Simmons originated the role of Desiree Armfeldt in the West End production of Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music, performing in the show for three years.
A role that slipped away
Olivier gave Simmons the opportunity to study and act at the Old Vic, telling her to take any part offered for experience, but the J. Arthur Rank Organisation, which held her contract, blocked the plan.
Jean Simmons movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
Henry Koster directed two of these films, Richard Brooks two and Robert Wise two. Four actors appear in three of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Bess Flowers's page
Robert Mitchum's page
Felix Aylmer's page
Victor Mature's page
Trevor Howard's page
Marlon Brando's page
Henry KosterDirector, 2 films, 1953 to 1954
All films by Richard Brooks
All films by Robert Wise
Also two films together25 more actors
- John MillsGreat Expectations (1946) and The Way to the Stars (1945)
- John McIntireRough Night in Jericho (1967) and Elmer Gantry (1960)
- Laurence OlivierSpartacus (1960) and Hamlet (1948)
- Alan NapierUntil They Sail (1957) and Désirée (1954)
- Jim BackusAngel Face (1953) and Androcles and the Lion (1952)
- Peter UstinovSpartacus (1960) and The Egyptian (1954)
- John HoytDésirée (1954) and Androcles and the Lion (1952)
- Woody StrodeSpartacus (1960) and Androcles and the Lion (1952)
- Leon AltonDivorce American Style (1967) and Désirée (1954)
- Deborah KerrThe Grass Is Greener (1960) and Black Narcissus (1947)
- Dean JaggerElmer Gantry (1960) and The Robe (1953)
- André MorellSo Long at the Fair (1950) and The Clouded Yellow (1950)
- Finlay CurrieFootsteps in the Fog (1955) and Great Expectations (1946)
- Torin ThatcherThe Robe (1953) and Great Expectations (1946)
- Geoffrey BayldonSay Hello to Yesterday (1971) and Life at the Top (1965)
- Michael RennieDésirée (1954) and The Robe (1953)
- Michael AnsaraThe Egyptian (1954) and The Robe (1953)
- Flora RobsonDominique (1980) and Black Narcissus (1947)
- Stanley HollowayHamlet (1948) and The Way to the Stars (1945)
- Honor BlackmanLife at the Top (1965) and So Long at the Fair (1950)
- Esmond KnightHamlet (1948) and Black Narcissus (1947)
- Shirley JonesThe Happy Ending (1969) and Elmer Gantry (1960)
- Cathleen NesbittDésirée (1954) and So Long at the Fair (1950)
- David TomlinsonDominique (1980) and So Long at the Fair (1950)
- Joanna BarnesSpartacus (1960) and Home Before Dark (1958)
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 Simmons's films earned in cinemas worldwide.
Combined worldwide box office
$504 million
13 of the 32 films have a worldwide figure.
Of the 32 films: 13 worldwide figure; 1 us gross only; 2 never in cinemas; 16 figure not found.
- 13Worldwide figure
- 1US gross only
- 2Never in cinemas
- 16Figure not found
Highest grossing
The eight biggest films earned 97% of the total. The bars are drawn to scale.
- 1$236M46.8% of the total
- 2$85M16.9% of the total
- 3$60M11.9% of the total
- 4$41M8.2% of the total
- 5$36M7.1% of the total
- 6$15M3.0% of the total
- 7$10M2.1% of the total
- 8$6.9M1.4% of the total
$13.2 millionfrom the other 5 films with a worldwide figure, 3% of the total
Awards
Six awards and honors from 1953 to 2003, three of them major.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Globes | |||
| 1955 | Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy | Guys and Dolls | Won |
| Emmy Awards | |||
| 1983 | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie | The Thorn Birds | Won |
| Venice Film Festival | |||
| Volpi Cup for Best Actress | Won | ||
| Other honors | |||
| 2003 | Officer of the Order of the British Empire | Won | |
| 1956 | Targa d'Oro | Footsteps in the Fog | Won |
| 1953 | National Board of Review Award for Best Actress | The Robe | Won |
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.