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Jean Simmons

(1929-2010), Actress

Jean Merilyn Simmons

Sitter in 37 portraits
Made her debut when just fourteen, playing Margaret Lockwood's sister in Give Us the Moon (1944). Gained popularity with roles in David Lean's Great Expectations (1946) and as Ophelia in Laurence Olivier's screen production of Hamlet (1948). Her role was nominated for an Oscar and she won Best Actress prize at the Venice Film Festival. Other films include The Blue Lagoon (1949), Desiree, (1954), Guys and Dolls (1955) and Spartacus (1960). Was married to fellow actor Stewart Granger between 1950 and 1960. Other important films include Black Narcissus (1946) and Elmer Gantry (1960).

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Jean Simmons

by Sir Matthew Smith
oil on canvas, circa 1948-1949
NPG L252

Jean Simmons

by Ernst Haas, for Camera Press: London: UK
bromide press print, 1940s
NPG x194321

Jean Simmons as the harpist in 'Caesar and Cleopatra'

possibly by Wilfrid Newton
bromide print, 1945
NPG x199013

Sabu and Jean Simmons in 'Black Narcissus'

by Fred Daniels
film publicity still, 1947
NPG x136610

Jean Simmons

by Unknown photographer
vintage print, circa 1947
NPG x194324

Laurence Olivier as Hamlet and Jean Simmons as Ophelia in 'Hamlet'

by Wilfrid Newton
film publicity still, 1948
NPG x137987

Jean Simmons as Ophelia and Laurence Olivier as Hamlet in 'Hamlet'

by Wilfrid Newton
film publicity still, 1948
NPG x137988

Jean Simmons as Ophelia in 'Hamlet'

by Wilfrid Newton
film publicity still, 1948
NPG x137990

Jean Simmons as Ophelia in 'Hamlet'

by Wilfrid Newton
film publicity still, 1948
NPG x137991

Jean Simmons as Ophelia in 'Hamlet'

by Wilfrid Newton
film publicity still, 1948
NPG x194185

Jean Simmons as Ophelia in 'Hamlet'

by Wilfrid Newton
film publicity still, 1948
NPG x194322

Jean Simmons

by Unknown photographer
gelatin silver print, 1948
NPG x198390

Jean Simmons presenting a trophy to the winner of a bathing beauty competition

by Unknown photographer
gelatin silver print, 1948
NPG x198391

Jean Simmons waving from the deck of the 'Viking Ahoy' during filming of 'The Blue Lagoon'

by Unknown photographer
gelatin silver print, 1948-1949
NPG x198392

Jean Simmons

by Anthony Buckley
modern bromide print from original negative, 1948
NPG x75958

Jean Simmons

by Cornel Lucas
bromide print, 1948
NPG x23308

Jean Simmons

by Cornel Lucas
bromide print, 1948
NPG x127225

The cast of 'Blue Lagoon'

by Charles M. Hiller, and by Beverley Washburn
vintage print, 1949
NPG x135478

Jean Simmons as Akulina in 'The Power of Darkness’

by Angus McBean
halftone reproduction tear sheet, published 4 May 1949
NPG x193349

Stewart Granger; Jean Simmons; Mary Clare; Peter Glenville

by Fox Photos Ltd
bromide press print, February 1949
NPG x199014

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Related People

Stewart Granger (husband)
Tracy Granger (daughter)

Groups

Actors and actresses

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Jean Simmons