Jean Harlow
Acting

Jean Harlow

Born 3 March 1911 · Kansas City, Missouri, USA · Died 7 June 1937

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.

Known for

Scarface
The Public Enemy
Dinner at Eight
Libeled Lady
Hell's Angels
Red Dust
Beau Hunks
Liberty
Wife vs. Secretary
Platinum Blonde
Bombshell
Red-Headed Woman
The Further Perils of Laurel and Hardy
Personal Property
Saratoga
Libeled Lady
Wife vs. Secretary
Suzy
Riffraff
Reckless
China Seas
The Girl from Missouri
Bombshell
Dinner at Eight
Hold Your Man
The Beast of the City
Red Dust
Red-Headed Woman
Three Wise Girls
Scarface
Platinum Blonde
The Secret Six
The Public Enemy
Iron Man
Goldie
Beau Hunks
Hell's Angels
Liberty
Double Whoopee
Bacon Grabbers
New York Nights
The Saturday Night Kid
Close Harmony
Why Be Good?
Why Is a Plumber?
The Unkissed Man
Thundering Toupees
Masquerade
This Thing Called Love
Weak But Willing
Honor Bound
Jean Harlow · Midrow