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.
104 movies · 2 shows
Becoming Cary Grant
2017·6.7
Frank Capra Jr. Remembers... You Can't Take It with You
2008·0.0
Beyond Tara: The Extraordinary Life of Hattie McDaniel
2001·0.0
Clara Bow: Discovering the "It" Girl
1999·8.3
Gary Cooper: The Face of a Hero
1998·7.0
The Making of a Legend: Gone with the Wind
1988·8.2
Going Hollywood: The '30s
1984·9.0
Hollywood: The Selznick Years
1961·4.4
Yesterday and Today
1953·7.0
Shane
1953·7.3
A Foreign Affair
1948·7.1
The Impatient Years
1944·6.3
A Lady Takes a Chance
1943·5.8
The More the Merrier
1943·7.0
The Talk of the Town
1942·7.3
The Devil and Miss Jones
1941·7.7
Arizona
1940·6.5
Too Many Husbands
1940·6.5
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
1939·7.8
Screen Snapshots Series 19, No. 1
1939·6.0
Only Angels Have Wings
1939·7.3
You Can't Take It with You
1938·7.5
Screen Snapshots Series 17, No. 12
1938·6.0
Easy Living
1937·7.2
History Is Made at Night
1937·6.6
More Than a Secretary
1936·6.5
The Plainsman
1936·6.5
Adventure in Manhattan
1936·6.1
Screen Snapshots (Series 16, No. 1)
1936·6.0
The Ex-Mrs. Bradford
1936·6.2
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town
1936·7.5
If You Could Only Cook
1935·7.5
The Public Menace
1935·6.0
Diamond Jim
1935·6.5
Public Hero Number 1
1935·6.3
Party Wire
1935·8.3
The Whole Town's Talking
1935·6.9
The Defense Rests
1934·7.1
Most Precious Thing in Life
1934·5.8
Whirlpool
1934·6.4
Get That Venus
1933·7.5
The Past of Mary Holmes
1933·10.0
Ex-Bad Boy
1931·8.0
The Lawyer's Secret
1931·6.2
Virtuous Husband
1931·8.0
The Gang Buster
1931·6.2
Danger Lights
1931·6.1
The Silver Horde
1930·5.5
The Return of Dr. Fu Manchu
1930·5.3
Paramount on Parade
1930·6.1
Young Eagles
1930·7.0
Street of Chance
1930·6.8
Half Way to Heaven
1929·6.0
The Saturday Night Kid
1929·4.7
The Greene Murder Case
1929·6.0
The Mysterious Dr. Fu Manchu
1929·6.0
Stairs of Sand
1929·0.0
The Canary Murder Case
1929·5.7
Sins of the Fathers
1928·8.0
Brotherly Love
1928·8.0
Warming Up
1928·9.0
Wallflowers
1928·10.0
Flying Luck
1927·9.0
The Masked Menace
1927·10.0
The Poor Nut
1927·10.0
Bigger and Better Blondes
1927·8.0
Horse Shoes
1927·9.0
The Broken Gate
1927·7.0
Hello Lafayette
1927·7.0
Winners Of The Wilderness
1927·7.7
Husband Hunters
1927·4.0
The Block Signal
1926·9.0
The College Boob
1926·9.5
Twisted Triggers
1926·8.0
The Cowboy Cop
1926·7.0
Lightning Bill
1926·9.0
Double Daring
1926·10.0
Ridin' Rivals
1926·10.0
The Mad Racer
1926·8.0
Eight-Cylinder Bull
1926·9.0
The Fighting Cheat
1926·7.0
Born to Battle
1926·7.0
The Roaring Rider
1926·7.0
Under Fire
1926·10.0
Thundering Through
1925·7.0
The Hurricane Horseman
1925·8.0
The Iron Horse
1925·6.7
A Man of Nerve
1925·8.0
Tearin' Loose
1925·9.0
The Fighting Smile
1925·8.0
The Drug Store Cowboy
1925·10.0
Seven Chances
1925·7.5
Travelin' Fast
1924·10.0
Thundering Romance
1924·7.0
Bringin' Home the Bacon
1924·8.0
Wine of Youth
1924·8.3
Biff Bang Buddy
1924·10.0
Fast and Fearless
1924·7.0
The Powerful Eye
1924·10.0
Case Dismissed
1924·7.0
Spring Fever
1923·9.0
Monks a la mode
1923·0.0
Somebody Lied
1923·10.0
Cameo Kirby
1923·6.0