Movie Icon Jean Simmons Dies at 80
Actress Jean Simmons, who lit up the screen with the female lead in 'Guys and Dolls,' lost her battle with lung cancer Friday, at the age of 80. Simmons died at the Santa Monica home, her agent Judy Page told the
Los Angeles Times.
"Jean Simmons' jaw-dropping beauty often obscured a formidable acting talent," Alan K. Rode, a writer and film historian, told The Times in an e-mail.
The British actress was only a teenager when she appeared opposite Laurence Olivier in 'Hamlet.' She charmed audiences with her later performances in 'Guys and Dolls' opposite Marlon Brando, 'Elmer Gantry' and 'Spartacus.'
Simmons was nominated for an Oscar as best supporting actress in her 1948 role in 'Hamlet;' she was nominated for best actress for 1969's 'The Happy Ending.' In the '80s, Simmons won an Emmy for her work in the 'Thornbirds' miniseries.
Simmons had left Britain for Hollywood in 1950, with her future husband Stewart Granger. According to the Associated Press, they were befriended in California by reclusive tycoon Howard Hughes, who flew them to Tucson, Ariz., for a surprise wedding.
"When I returned from the honeymoon," Simmons told a reporter in 1964, "I learned that Hughes owned me - he had bought me from (British producer) J. Arthur Rank like a piece of meat."
Recalling her experience filming 'Guys and Dolls,' Simmons said in 1998 that she'd loved the rehearsals, "especially the dancing routines with Marlon trying not to step on me and choreographer Michael Kidd looking very worried."
"I got to sing," she added, "because Sam Goldwyn said, `You might as well wreck it with your own voice than somebody else's.'"
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January 22: Film icon Jean Simmons, who co-starred with Marlon Brando in 'Guys and Dolls' passed away at the age of 80.
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Gene Simmons is dead? Kiss will never be the same again!
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No moron! Not that Gene. Jean Simmons from the movie Guys and Dolls. She is an ACTRESS!
Yes, I she Id the " Spartacus" & Star Trek TNG as Admiral Sate
The the episode " The Drum Head" I believe & also ddi the remake
of "Dark Shadows" back In the 90's with Ben Cross.
Hey moron, GENE SIMMONS is a guy!
This is about JEAN Simmons,who is a woman. She was an incredible actress who played Clarissa Main in the TV miniseries "North and South".
MAN, I HOPE YOU'RE KIDDING!
What a stupid, uneducated boob you are! They aren't talking about that clown. She was a beautiful actress from Europe.
your an idiot.....read the article...dumbass, it isn't gene simmions....it's an icon actess, jean simmions. do you know how to read?
you can't be that stupid
No, Jean Simmons.
Get it right Jean Simmons a female actress NOT Gene Simmons the singer/tv star.
LMAO @ dvdfrnzwbr
Hey dvdfrnfwbr - please (for God's sake) tell us you're joking. If so, not that funny. If you aren't, "G"ene is a guy and "J"ean is a girl. See the difference? JEAN Simmons was an actress in the 40's and 50's. You know, back in the days of real talent.
JERK!
I think he choked on his tongue
It is JEAN Simmons, 80, who passed away NOT GENE Simmons of KISS. Jean Simmons was an iconic actress back in the day. If you look at her picture, you will see she ISN'T the Gene Simmons you are thinking of.
Dear dvdfrnzwbr,
Yes, Gene Simmons is dead...don't tell him.
dvdfrnzwbr....change your posting name to dmdmrdrmst (dumb, dumber and dumbest).
Not GENE SIMMONS.........The Lady Actress Jean Simmons passed away
Oh sweetie... did you miss the short bus?
she is not a he, it is she as in the actress. who has lost a battle with cancer this past friday. r.i.p. beautiful "Jean"