Jean Simmons (January 31, 1929 – January 22, 2010) was a British actress and singer. One of J. Arthur Rank’s “well-spoken young starlets,” she appeared predominantly in films, beginning with those made in Britain during and after the Second World War, followed mainly by Hollywood films from 1950 onwards.
While many 1950s starlets were marketed solely on “bombshell” appeal, Simmons was celebrated for her expressive eyes and classical acting range. She had a unique ability to play both the fragile ingenue and the spirited, independent woman.
In Guys and Dolls (1955), she surprised audiences by performing her own vocals as Sarah Brown opposite Marlon Brando. Her performance captured a perfect blend of “buttoned-up” missionary and hidden fire. She starred in massive Technicolor productions like The Robe (1953) and played the fiery Varinia in the pre-production stages of Spartacus (eventually released in 1960, but filmed at the decade’s end). In the film noir classic Angel Face (1953), she played a chilling femme fatale, proving she could be just as dangerous as she was charming.
Despite her success, Simmons’ 1950s were also defined by a legal battle. She was famously “bought” from a British studio by the eccentric mogul Howard Hughes. Hughes attempted to control her career and even her personal appearance, but Simmons fought back in a high-profile lawsuit to gain her independence. This move was incredibly gutsy for a woman in the 1950s studio system and allowed her to choose the diverse roles that defined her legacy.
“I’ve always been a bit of a rebel. I think it’s because I’m a Londoner.” — Jean Simmons
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