Actress Jean Simmons, one of the most popular British film stars of the 50s and 60s has passed away aged 80. Born in London in 1929, Simmons found success early in her career appearing in the likes of Great Expectations and Black Narcissus.
However it was her move to Hollywood to play Ophelia in Laurence Olivier’s 1948 version of Hamlet that was her big break and made her far more serious about her career. She recieved an Oscar nomination for the role.
Simmons starred in numerous hits through the 50s and 60s, including The Robe, Guys and Dolls (for which she won a Golden Globe), The Big Country, Elmer Gantry and Spartacus. She received another Oscar nomination in 1969 for The Happy Ending. As she grew older her film career faded and she started to work more on TV. She appeared in the likes of Valley Of The Dolls and won an Emmy as Fiona ‘Fee’ Cleary in the TV mini-series, The Thorn Birds. She also starred in North & South.
Married twice, once to actor Stewart Granger (with Howard Hughes organising the wedding) and once to director Richard Brooks, both unions ended in divorce, although she bore a child during each marriage.
Simmons died of Lung Cancer at her Santa Monica, California home. She’d been suffering from the disease for some time.
Despite being rather self conscious and afraid of failure, throughout her career Simmons was one of the classiest of Hollywood’s stars and will be sadly missed.
Jean Simmons – January 31, 1929-January 22, 2010 – RIP