Acting
Jean Arthur
Jean Arthur (born Gladys Georgianna Greene; October 17, 1900 – June 19, 1991) was an American actress celebrated as one of the defining screen personalities of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Known for her quick wit, expressive voice, and understated charm, she became one of the era’s most beloved comedic leading ladies, especially in the screwball comedy genre. Film historian James Harvey noted that “no one was more closely identified with the screwball comedy than Jean Arthur,” and her work remains central to the style’s legacy. Arthur rose to prominence in the mid‑1930s and became best known for her collaborations with director Frank Capra, starring in Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936), You Can’t Take It with You (1938), and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939). These films cemented her image as the relatable, spirited heroine of Depression‑era American cinema. She earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her performance in The More the Merrier (1943). Although she famously disliked the pressures of Hollywood and often retreated from public life, Arthur continued to work selectively after the 1940s. She delivered a memorable dramatic turn as Marian Starrett in George Stevens’ classic Western Shane (1953). She later returned to acting on television, appearing in a 1965 episode of Gunsmoke and starring in the 1966 sitcom The Jean Arthur Show. After leaving acting, Arthur taught drama at Vassar College and the North Carolina School of the Arts, where students remembered her as a passionate and generous instructor. She lived a largely private life in her later years and died in 1991 at the age of 90.
Filmography
Becoming Cary Grant
Film · 2017
Frank Capra Jr. Remembers... You Can't Take It with You
Film · 2008
Beyond Tara: The Extraordinary Life of Hattie McDaniel
Film · 2001
Clara Bow: Discovering the "It" Girl
Film · 1999
Gary Cooper: The Face of a Hero
Film · 1998
The Making of a Legend: Gone with the Wind
Film · 1988
George Stevens: A Filmmaker's Journey
Film · 1985
Going Hollywood: The '30s
Film · 1984
The Jean Arthur Show
Series · 1966
Hollywood: The Selznick Years
Film · 1961
Gunsmoke
Series · 1955
Shane
Film · 1953
Yesterday and Today
Film · 1953
A Foreign Affair
Film · 1948
The Impatient Years
Film · 1944
A Lady Takes a Chance
Film · 1943
The More the Merrier
Film · 1943
The Talk of the Town
Film · 1942
The Devil and Miss Jones
Film · 1941
Arizona
Film · 1940
Too Many Husbands
Film · 1940
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Film · 1939
Only Angels Have Wings
Film · 1939
Screen Snapshots Series 19, No. 1
Film · 1939
You Can't Take It with You
Film · 1938
Screen Snapshots Series 17, No. 12
Film · 1938
History Is Made at Night
Film · 1937
Easy Living
Film · 1937
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town
Film · 1936
The Plainsman
Film · 1936
The Ex-Mrs. Bradford
Film · 1936
Adventure in Manhattan
Film · 1936
More Than a Secretary
Film · 1936
Screen Snapshots (Series 16, No. 1)
Film · 1936
Public Hero Number 1
Film · 1935
The Whole Town's Talking
Film · 1935
If You Could Only Cook
Film · 1935
Party Wire
Film · 1935
The Public Menace
Film · 1935
Diamond Jim
Film · 1935
Most Precious Thing in Life
Film · 1934
Whirlpool
Film · 1934
The Defense Rests
Film · 1934
The Past of Mary Holmes
Film · 1933
Get That Venus
Film · 1933
Danger Lights
Film · 1931
The Lawyer's Secret
Film · 1931
Ex-Bad Boy
Film · 1931
The Gang Buster
Film · 1931
Virtuous Husband
Film · 1931
The Silver Horde
Film · 1930
Street of Chance
Film · 1930
The Return of Dr. Fu Manchu
Film · 1930
Young Eagles
Film · 1930
Paramount on Parade
Film · 1930
The Canary Murder Case
Film · 1929
The Greene Murder Case
Film · 1929
The Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu
Film · 1929
The Saturday Night Kid
Film · 1929
Half Way to Heaven
Film · 1929
Stairs of Sand
Film · 1929
Brotherly Love
Film · 1928
Warming Up
Film · 1928
Wallflowers
Film · 1928
Sins of the Fathers
Film · 1928
Flying Luck
Film · 1927
The Poor Nut
Film · 1927
Winners of the Wilderness
Film · 1927
Horse Shoes
Film · 1927
Bigger and Better Blondes
Film · 1927
Hello Lafayette
Film · 1927
The Broken Gate
Film · 1927
Husband Hunters
Film · 1927
The Masked Menace
Film · 1927
The Block Signal
Film · 1926
The Cowboy Cop
Film · 1926
The College Boob
Film · 1926
Born to Battle
Film · 1926
Lightning Bill
Film · 1926
The Mad Racer
Film · 1926
Ridin' Rivals
Film · 1926
The Fighting Cheat
Film · 1926
The Roaring Rider
Film · 1926
Twisted Triggers
Film · 1926
Eight-Cylinder Bull
Film · 1926
Under Fire
Film · 1926
Double Daring
Film · 1926
The Iron Horse
Film · 1925
Seven Chances
Film · 1925
The Drug Store Cowboy
Film · 1925
Tearin' Loose
Film · 1925
The Fighting Smile
Film · 1925
The Hurricane Horseman
Film · 1925
Thundering Through
Film · 1925
A Man of Nerve
Film · 1925
Wine of Youth
Film · 1924
Biff Bang Buddy
Film · 1924
Fast and Fearless
Film · 1924
The Powerful Eye
Film · 1924
Case Dismissed
Film · 1924
Bringin' Home the Bacon
Film · 1924
Thundering Romance
Film · 1924
Travelin' Fast
Film · 1924
Cameo Kirby
Film · 1923
Somebody Lied
Film · 1923
Spring Fever
Film · 1923
Monks a la mode
Film · 1923