Jean Harlow was an American actress who is best known for her roles in films like Hell’s Angels, Red Dust, and Bombshell. She was born Harlean Harlow Carpenter on March 3, 1911, in Kansas City, Missouri, and became one of the first big Hollywood blonde bombshells before her untimely death at the age of 26.
Personal and Family Life
Jean Harlow was born to a successful dentist and his wife, which provided her with a comfortable upbringing. At the young age of 16, she eloped with 23-year-old businessman Charles McGrew, moving to Los Angeles shortly after their marriage. Their marriage did not last long, leading to a divorce that allowed her to focus more on her film career.
Career Highlights
Jean’s career began to take off when she landed small roles in films, eventually starring in the hit Hell’s Angels in 1930. Her performance in Platinum Blonde in 1931 solidified her status as a sex symbol. She continued her successful collaborations with actors like Clark Gable, making several well-received films together. Despite facing personal tragedy, including the suicide of her second husband, she remained a beloved star in Hollywood.
Death and Legacy
Tragically, Jean Harlow’s life was cut short when she died of uremic poisoning on June 7, 1937, during the filming of Saratoga. Her passing evoked widespread grief, and she was remembered as a significant figure in Hollywood’s golden era. Jean left a lasting impact on the film industry, setting the standard for future blonde bombshells and becoming an enduring icon of American cinema.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Beast of the City | 1932-02-13 | Daisy Stevens, aka Mildred Beaumont |
| Hell’s Angels | 1930-11-15 | Helen |
| Labeled Lady | 1936-10-09 | Gladys Benton |
| Platinum Blonde | 1931-10-31 | Anne Schuyler |
| The Secret Six | 1931-04-18 | Anne Courtland |
| Bombshell | 1933-10-13 | Lola Burns |
| Personal Property | 1937-03-19 | Crystal Wetherby |
| Red Dust | 1932-10-22 | Vantine Jefferson |
| Saratoga | 1937-07-23 | Carol Clayton |
| Dinner at Eight | 1933-12-22 | Kitty Packard |
| The Public Enemy | 1931-04-23 | Gwen Allen |
| Liberty | 1929-01-26 | Woman in cab (as Harlean Carpenter) |
| Double Whoopee | 1929-05-18 | Swanky blonde |
| Reckless | 1935-04-19 | Mona Leslie |
| Bacon Grabbers | 1929-10-19 | Mrs. Kennedy |
| Suzy | 1936-07-20 | Suzy |
| China Seas | 1935-08-09 | Dolly ‘China Doll’ Portland |
| Hold Your Man | 1933-06-30 | Ruby Adams |
| Red-Headed Woman | 1932-06-25 | Lillian ‘Lil’ / ‘Red’ Andrews Legendre |
| The Girl from Missouri | 1934-08-03 | Eadie |
| Riffraff | 1936-01-03 | Hattie |