Jean Harlow
Acting
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
Acting88
movieThe Love Story of Jean Harlow and William Powell
2023
Self (archive footage)
movieBecoming Marilyn
2022
(archive footage)
movieJay Sebring… Cutting to the Truth
2020
Self(archive footage)
movieDiscovering Jean Harlow
2015
Self (archive footage)
movieThou Shalt Not: Sex, Sin and Censorship in Pre-Code Hollywood
2008
Various Roles (archive footage)
movieWhy Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema
2007
Self (archive footage)
movie42nd Street: From Book to Screen to Stage
2006
Self (archive footage)
movieBeer and Blood: Enemies of the Public
2005
Self (archive footage)
movieJudy Garland: By Myself
2004
Self (archive footage)
Checking Out: Grand Hotel
2004
Self (archive footage)
movieComplicated Women
2003
Self (archive footage)
Beyond Tara: The Extraordinary Life of Hattie McDaniel
2001
Self (archive footage)
movieHoward Hughes: His Women and His Movies
2000
Self (archive footage)
movieClara Bow: Discovering the "It" Girl
1999
Self (from The Saturday Night Kid [1929]) (archive footage)
movieSports on the Silver Screen
1997
Self (archive footage)
movieJean Harlow: Platinum Bombshell
1996
Self (archive footage)
movieThe Good, The Bad, and the Beautiful
1996
Self (archive footage)
Legends in Light: The Photography of George Hurrell
1995
Self (archive footage)
movieBetty Boop: Queen of the Cartoons
1995
Self (archive footage)
movieThat's Entertainment! III
1994
(archive footage)
movieDeath Scenes
1989
Self (archive footage)
movieHollywood Scandals and Tragedies
1988
(archive footage) (uncredited)
movieJames Stewart: A Wonderful Life
1987
Self (archive footage)
movieMarilyn Monroe: Beyond the Legend
1986
archive footage
movieThe Spencer Tracy Legacy: A Tribute by Katharine Hepburn
1986
Self (archive footage)
movieMarilyn Monroe
1986
archive footage
movieGoing Hollywood: The '30s
1984
(archive footage)
movieHollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage
1983
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
movieThat's Entertainment, Part II
1976
(archive footage)
movieBrother, Can You Spare a Dime?
1975
Self (archive footage)
movieThat's Entertainment!
1974
(archive footage) (uncredited)
movieHollywood: The Dream Factory
1972
Self (archive footage)
movieThe Big Parade of Comedy
1964
Ruby in 'Hold Your Man' (archive footage)
movieHollywood: The Selznick Years
1961
Self - Actress 'Dinner at Eight' (archive footage) (uncredited)
movieThe Golden Age of Comedy
1957
archive footage
tvMGM Parade
1955
Self
movieScreen Snapshots (Series 25, No. 1): 25th Anniversary
1945
Self (archive footage)
movieScreen Snapshots (Series 22, No. 10)
1942
Self (archive footage)
movieSaratoga
1937
Carol Clayton
moviePersonal Property
1937
Crystal Wetherby
movieLibeled Lady
1936
Gladys
movieSuzy
1936
Suzy
movieWife vs. Secretary
1936
Helen 'Whitey' Wilson
movieRiffraff
1936
Hattie
movieChina Seas
1935
Dolly 'China Doll' Portland
movieReckless
1935
Mona Leslie
movieDinner at Eight
1933
Kitty Packard
movieBombshell
1933
Lola Burns
movieHold Your Man
1933
Ruby Adams
movieRed Dust
1932
Vantine Jefferson
movieRed-Headed Woman
1932
Lillian 'Lil' / 'Red' Andrews Legendre
movieScarface
1932
Blonde at Paradise Club
movieThe Beast of the City
1932
Daisy Stevens aka Mildred Beaumont
movieThree Wise Girls
1932
Cassie Barnes
movieBeau Hunks
1931
Jeanie Weenie - in Photo
moviePlatinum Blonde
1931
Ann Schuyler
movieGoldie
1931
Goldie
movieIron Man
1931
Rose Mason
movieThe Public Enemy
1931
Gwen Allen
movieThe Secret Six
1931
Anne Courtland
movieNew York Nights
1929
Party Guest
movieWeak But Willing
1929
Blonde Night Club Patron
movieThe Love Parade
1929
Woman in Opera Box (uncredited)
movieBacon Grabbers
1929
Mrs. Kennedy
movieMasquerade
1929
Spectator
movieDouble Whoopee
1929
Swanky blonde
movieThe Unkissed Man
1929
Patient
movieClose Harmony
1929
Chorus Girl
movieWhy Be Good?
1929
Blonde on Rooftop Bench at Junior's Second Party
movieFugitives
1929
Extra (uncredited)
movieLiberty
1929
Woman in cab (as Harlean Carpenter)
movieChasing Husbands
1928
Bathing Beauty (uncredited)
movieMoran of the Marines
1928
Extra (uncredited)
movieHonor Bound
1928
Extra