In "The Thorn Birds", Jean Simmons played "Fiona Cleary", "Meggie's" mother. Simmons has appeared in countless Hollywood films and was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance in the classic "Hamlet" in 1948. She won two Golden Globe Awards and and Emmy for "The Thorn Birds". Simmons also starred in the series "North and South" for eleven episodes. Jean Simmons died from lung cancer on January 22, 2010, at the age of 80 .