Jean Simmons facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jean Simmons
OBE |
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Jean Simmons in a 1955 studio publicity shot
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| Born |
Jean Merilyn Simmons
31 January 1929 Lower Holloway, London, England, UK
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| Died | 22 January 2010 (aged 80) Santa Monica, California, U.S.
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| Cause of death | Lung cancer |
| Nationality | English-American |
| Alma mater | Aida Foster School of Dance |
| Occupation | Actress, singer |
| Years active | 1944–2009 |
| Spouse(s) |
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| Children | 2 |
| Parent(s) | Charles Simmons Winifred Loveland Simmons |
Jean Merilyn Simmons, who was awarded the OBE, was an English actress and singer. She was born on January 31, 1929, and passed away on January 22, 2010.
Jean Simmons started her acting career mainly in films made in Great Britain during and after World War II. Later, from 1950 onwards, she became a big star in Hollywood movies.
She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film Hamlet (1948). She also won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress for her performance in Guys and Dolls (1955).
Some of her other famous movies include Young Bess (1953), The Robe (1953), Elmer Gantry (1960), and Spartacus (1960). In 1969, she was nominated for another Academy Award for Best Actress for her film The Happy Ending.
Contents
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Jean Simmons was born in Islington, London, England. Her father, Charles Simmons, was a talented gymnast who won a bronze medal at the 1912 Summer Olympics. Her mother was Winifred Simmons. Jean was the youngest of four children in her family.
During World War II, Jean's family moved to Winscombe, Somerset, for safety. Her father, who was a physical education teacher, taught at a school there. During this time, young Jean started performing on the village stage, singing songs. At that point, she dreamed of becoming an acrobatic dancer.
When she returned to London, Jean joined the Aida Foster School of Dance. It was there that a director named Val Guest discovered her. He gave her a role in the film Give Us the Moon, which started her acting journey.
Becoming a Star
Jean Simmons began her acting career as a teenager. She quickly showed great promise and moved to Hollywood in 1950. There, she became a very popular actress, starring in many successful films.
In the 1970s, Jean started working more in television. She appeared in several highly successful TV miniseries. One of her most notable roles was in The Thorn Birds (1983), for which she won an Emmy Award for best supporting actress. She also starred in North and South (1985).
Personal Life
Jean Simmons was married two times. Her first marriage was to actor Stewart Granger. They were married from 1950 to 1960 and had one daughter together. In 1956, both Jean and Stewart became American citizens.
Her second marriage was to film director Richard Brooks. They were married from 1960 to 1977 and had a second daughter. Both of her marriages ended in divorce.
Later Years and Passing
Jean Simmons passed away from lung cancer at her home in Santa Monica, California, on January 22, 2010. She was 80 years old, just nine days before her 81st birthday. Her burial place is in Highgate Cemetery in north London.
Awards and Recognition
Jean Simmons received many awards and nominations throughout her long career.
- In 1949, she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Hamlet.
- In 1950, she won the Daily Mail National Film Award for Most Outstanding British Actress of the Year.
- In 1953, she won the National Board of Review Award for Best Actress for her roles in The Actress, The Robe, and Young Bess.
- In 1956, she won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for Guys and Dolls.
- In 1983, she won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie for The Thorn Birds.
For several years, British movie theaters voted Jean Simmons as one of the top ten British stars at the box office.
- 1949 – 4th most popular British star
- 1950 – 2nd most popular British star
- 1951 – 3rd most popular British star
Images for kids
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Simmons with Victor Mature in Androcles and the Lion (1952)
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Grave of Jean Simmons in Highgate Cemetery (West)
See also
In Spanish: Jean Simmons para niños
