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Jean Harlow

Acting Born Mar 3, 1911 Kansas City, Missouri, USA 24 credits

Biography

Jean Harlow (born Harlean Harlow Carpenter; March 3, 1911 – June 7, 1937) was an American actress. Known for her portrayal of "bad girl" characters, she was the leading sex symbol of the early 1930s and one of the defining figures of the pre-Code era of American cinema. Often nicknamed the "Blonde Bombshell" and the "Platinum Blonde", Harlow was popular for her "Laughing Vamp" screen persona. Though her screen persona changed dramatically during her career, one constant was her sense of humor. She was given superior movie roles to show off her looks and nascent comedic talent. Harlow was in the film industry for only nine years, but she became one of the biggest stars in the US, whose image in the public eye has endured. Harlow was consistently voted one of the strongest box office draws in the United States from 1933 onward, often surpassing that of MGM's top leading ladies, such as Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford and Norma Shearer. Her movies also continued to make huge profits at the box office even during the middle of the Depression. In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked Harlow No. 22 on its greatest female screen legends of classical Hollywood cinema list.

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Known for

Intimate Portrait

as Self
Film

Scarface

as Blonde at Paradise Club
Film

The Public Enemy

as Gwen Allen

Full filmography

  • Intimate Portrait (1993) as Self
  • MGM Parade (1955) as Self
  • Scarface (1932) as Blonde at Paradise Club
  • The Public Enemy (1931) as Gwen Allen
  • Hell's Angels (1930) as Helen
  • Death In Hollywood (1990)
  • Libeled Lady (1936) as Gladys Benton
  • China Seas (1935) as Dolly 'China Doll' Portland
  • Dinner at Eight (1933) as Kitty Packard
  • That's Entertainment! (1974) as (archive footage) (uncredited)
  • Complicated Women (2003) as Self (archive footage)
  • That's Entertainment! III (1994) as (archive footage)
  • Bombshell (1933) as Lola Burns
  • Beau Hunks (1931) as Jeanie Weenie - in Photo
  • James Stewart: A Wonderful Life (1987) as Self (archive footage)
  • Wife vs. Secretary (1936) as Helen 'Whitey' Wilson
  • Red Dust (1932) as Vantine Jefferson
  • Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema (2007) as Self (archive footage)
  • Becoming Marilyn (2022)
  • Red-Headed Woman (1932) as Lillian 'Lil' / 'Red' Andrews Legendre
  • That's Entertainment, Part II (1976) as (archive footage)
  • Liberty (1929) as Woman in cab (as Harlean Carpenter)
  • Reckless (1935) as Mona Leslie
  • Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage (1983) as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)