British actress Jean Simmons is dead at 80

Los Angeles Times ^ | January 22, 2010 | By Valerie J. Nelson

[DJ MacWoW]

Jean Simmons, a radiant British actress who as a teenager appeared opposite Laurence Olivier in "Hamlet" and emerged a star whose career flourished in the 1950s and 1960s in such films as "Guys and Dolls, "Elmer Gantry" and "Spartacus," has died. She was 80.

Simmons, who won an Emmy Award for her role in the 1980s miniseries "The Thorn Birds," died Friday evening at her home in Santa Monica, said Judy Page, her agent. She had lung cancer.

[DJ MacWoW]

Such a lovely woman. I enjoyed her in Young Bess.

[fish hawk]

Loved “The Big Country” with Gregory Peck, Charlton Heston and Burl Ives. She will be missed. RIP

[Perdogg]

[DJ MacWoW]

Pretty lady. None of new Hollywood can touch stars like Jean Simmons, Hedy Lamar, Claudette Colbert, Myrna Loy, Gene Tierney..........

[CaptainK]

One of my favorite actresses. I loved her in “Spartacus” and “The Thorn Birds”

[SmokingJoe]

Wonderful actor. Great performance in Elmer Gantry with Burt Lancaster.

[wheninthecourse]

and her first movie opposite Olivier in Hamlet
and Guys and DOlls

[csvset]

She was beautiful.

I imagine that Turner Classic Movies will show some of her films in the near future.

[SmokingJoe]

Great movie.
That fight between Gregory Peck and Charlton Heston was one of the best fights ever.

[DJ MacWoW]

I liked her in The Robe too.

[FrdmLvr]

Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Carole Lombard...

[DJ MacWoW]

Probably will. One of the few times that I wish I had TV. When I was a kid, they used to have “The Million Dollar Movie” on at 4pm. Saw some great films. Desiree with Jean Simmons was one.

[Petronski]

Oh noes!

[BlueAngel]

I loved Young Bess, too! May she Rest in Peace.

[Revolting cat!]

I didn’t know she was still alive. Now I know I was right!

[PGalt]

Condolences to Jean Simmons family and friends. I remember her from Spartacus.

[PGalt]

You’re bad! :)

[DJ MacWoW]

Maureen O’Hara, Deborah Kerr, Leslie Caron, Constance Bennett, Joan Bennett, Norma Shearer, Irene Dunn......and then there’s the current crop of broads. *sigh*

[DJ MacWoW]

He ain’t purty.....