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She was born in London and began acting while still in her teens. Her first major film was Great Expectations, in which she played the young Estella. In 1948, she was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance as Ophelia in Hamlet, opposite Laurence Olivier.

In 1950, she married the British actor, Stewart Granger, with whom she appeared in several films, successfully making the transition to Hollywood. Among her best-known leading roles are Guys and Dolls ( 1955), Elmer Gantry (directed by her second husband, Richard BrooksRichard Brooks (born Ruben Sax, May 18, 1912; died March 11, 1992) was a Hollywood film writer, director, and (occasionally) producer. His films tended to be more serious than those of his contemporaries, and many have enjoyed lasting appeal. Brooks was b) and SpartacusSpartacus is a 1960 film directed by Stanley Kubrick. The screenplay is based on the historical novel of the same name by Howard Fast. Kirk Douglas ( Spartacus) and Laurence Olivier ( Marcus Licinius Crassus) star. John Gavin ( Julius Caesar), Jean Simmon, and "The happy ending," again directed by Brooks and for which she received her second Oscar nomination.

By the 70s, her screen career had tapered off. Fortunately, the screen's loss was the stage and television's gain: to glowing reviews, Simmons toured the U.S. in "A little night music," then took the show to London. For her appearance in the mini-series, "The thornbirds," she won an Emmy award. In 19891989 is a common year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar). Events January January 7 Akihito becomes Emperor of Japan following the death of Hirohito. The Heisei period begins January 8 the Kegworth Air Disaster A British Midland Boeing 737 cra, she again starred in a miniseriesA miniseries in a serial storytelling medium, is a production which tells a story in a limited number of episodes. The term is often used in television and comic books. The limited series format is also used in comic books. Television In television, the f version of Great ExpectationsGreat Expectations based on the Charles Dickens novel of the same name, is about an orphan whose life is made better through a mysterious benefactor, and has been filmed many times. 1917 version A silent version made in 1917 starred Jack Pickford as "Pip,, where she performed the role of Miss Havisham, Estella's adopted mother.