Greta Garbo

Cast

Born

September 18, 1905 · Stockholm, Sweden

Died

April 15, 1990

Birth name

Greta Lovisa Gustafsson

“If only those who dream about Hollywood knew how difficult it all is.” Greta Garbo was a Swedish actress, naturalized American, who became a Hollywood icon during the 1920s and 1930s thanks to her outstanding participation in both silent and talkies. She began her career as an advertising model in Stockholm, and in 1920 started acting. She studied at the School of Dramatic Art and obtained her first leading role in The Saga of Gösta Berling (1924). The following year, she was hired by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, which is why she moved to Hollywood, and it was there where she built her emblematic career. She achieved success with Flesh and the Devil (1926), and Love (1927). She was quickly dubbed “the woman who doesn't laugh” for her flair for the dramatic genre, winning over audiences and critics alike with her naturalness in front of the camera. With the famous slogan “Garbo talks!”, she advertised the release of her first sound film, Anna Christie (1930), which earned her her first Academy Award nomination. Her role in Lubitsch's Ninotchka (1939) was also highly praised. Always private about her personal life, she was constantly hounded by the paparazzi. She retired at the age of 36; her career, though brief, left an indelible mark on the film industry. Garbo is considered one of the most important female stars in history.