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Jean Harlow
Born
Died
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Acting

Jean Harlow

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.

As actor

The Love Story of Jean Harlow and William Powell

The Love Story of Jean Harlow and William Powell

Dream Girl: The Making of Marilyn Monroe

Dream Girl: The Making of Marilyn Monroe

Becoming Marilyn

Becoming Marilyn

Jay Sebring… Cutting to the Truth

Jay Sebring… Cutting to the Truth

Discovering Jean Harlow

Discovering Jean Harlow

Thou Shalt Not: Sex, Sin and Censorship in Pre-Code Hollywood

Thou Shalt Not: Sex, Sin and Censorship in Pre-Code Hollywood

Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema

Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema

42nd Street: From Book to Screen to Stage

42nd Street: From Book to Screen to Stage

Beer and Blood: Enemies of the Public

Beer and Blood: Enemies of the Public

Checking Out: Grand Hotel

Judy Garland: By Myself

Judy Garland: By Myself

Complicated Women

Complicated Women

Howard Hughes: His Women and His Movies

Howard Hughes: His Women and His Movies

Clara Bow: Discovering the "It" Girl

Clara Bow: Discovering the "It" Girl

Sports on the Silver Screen

Sports on the Silver Screen

Jean Harlow: Platinum Bombshell

Jean Harlow: Platinum Bombshell

Betty Boop: Queen of the Cartoons

Betty Boop: Queen of the Cartoons

The Casting Couch

The Casting Couch

That's Entertainment! III

That's Entertainment! III

Death In Hollywood

Death In Hollywood

Death Scenes

Death Scenes

Two Tragic Blondes - Marilyn Monroe And Jean Harlow

Hollywood Scandals and Tragedies

Hollywood Scandals and Tragedies

James Stewart: A Wonderful Life

James Stewart: A Wonderful Life

The Spencer Tracy Legacy: A Tribute by Katharine Hepburn

The Spencer Tracy Legacy: A Tribute by Katharine Hepburn

Marilyn Monroe: Beyond the Legend

Marilyn Monroe: Beyond the Legend

Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe

Going Hollywood: The '30s

Going Hollywood: The '30s

Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage

Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage

That's Entertainment, Part II

That's Entertainment, Part II