Jean Merilyn Simmons
(1929-2010), ActressSitter in 33 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).
by Sir Matthew Smith
oil on canvas, circa 1948-1949
On display in Room 31 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG L252
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
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
by Anthony Buckley
modern bromide print from original negative, 1948
NPG x75958
by Cornel Lucas
bromide print, 1948
NPG x23308
by Cornel Lucas
bromide print, 1948
NPG x127225
by Charles M. Hiller, and by Beverley Washburn
vintage print, 1949
NPG x135478
Stewart Granger; Jean Simmons; Mary Clare; Peter Glenville
by Fox Photos Ltd
bromide press print, February 1949
NPG x199014
by Walter Hanlon
modern bromide print from original negative, 1950
NPG x135002
for Planet News
bromide press print, 24 May 1950
NPG x194323
Charles Laughton as Henry VIII and Jean Simmons as Elizabeth I in 'Young Bess'
by Unknown photographer
film publicity still, 1953
NPG x199015
Jean Simmons; Edmund Purdom; Joan Greenwood
by Jimmy Wilds, for Keystone Press Agency Ltd
bromide press print, October 1954
NPG x194186
Tell us more back to top
Can you tell us more about this person? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.
If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. If you wish to license an image, please use our Rights and Images service.
Please note that we cannot provide valuations.
We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.