Greta Garbo
Biography
Greta Garbo (born Greta Lovisa Gustafsson; September 18, 1905 – April 15, 1990) was a Swedish-American actress, widely regarded as one of the greatest stars of classic Hollywood cinema. Known for her melancholic and enigmatic screen presence, she starred in iconic films such as Anna Karenina, Queen Christina, Camille, and Ninotchka. Throughout her career, she was celebrated for her subtle and understated performances, earning three Academy Award nominations and an honorary Oscar in 1954. Garbo was famously private, avoiding the Hollywood social scene and retiring from acting at the age of 35. Her personal life has long been the subject of speculation, particularly regarding her sexuality. She was romantically linked to several women, including writer Mercedes de Acosta and actress Marlene Dietrich, fueling rumors that she may have been lesbian or bisexual. However, Garbo never publicly addressed these rumors, maintaining an air of mystery that only added to her legendary status. Her legacy continues to captivate audiences, with her influence extending beyond film into discussions of gender, sexuality, and Hollywood’s golden age.
Known For
Nina "Ninotchka" Ivanovna Yakushova
Ninotchka
Lillie Sterling
Wild Orchids
Yvonne Valbret
Inspiration
Countess Marie Walewska
Conquest
Irene Guarry
The Kiss
Christina
Queen Christina
Greta Rumfort
Die freudlose Gasse
Grusinskaya
Grand Hotel
Mata Hari
Mata Hari
Diana Merrick
A Woman of Affairs
Self (archive footage)
Garbo, by Joan Crawford
Anna Christie
Anna Christie
Marguerite Gautier
Camille
(archive footage)
Minns ni?
Felicitas
Flesh and the Devil
Elizabeth Dohna
Gösta Berlings saga
(archive footage)
Final Cut: Hölgyeim és uraim
Greta Garbo
A Man's Man
Katrin Koerber Fane
The Painted Veil
Anna Karenina
Anna Karenina
Self
Testfilm Greta Garbo
Rita Cavallini
Romance
Karin Borg Blake
Two-Faced Woman
Elena
The Temptress
Arden Stuart
The Single Standard
Anna Karenina
Love
Self (archive footage)
Hollywood: The Dream Factory
Tania Fedorova
The Mysterious Lady
Zara, a.k.a. Maria
As You Desire Me
Queen Christina (archive footage)
Thou Shalt Not: Sex, Sin and Censorship in Pre-Code Hollywood
Helga, aka Susan Lenox
Susan Lenox (Her Fall and Rise)
Self (archive footage)
Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood
Leonora Moreno
Torrent
Self (archive footage)
Fördom & stolthet – en queer filmhistoria
Marianne
The Divine Woman
Elder Sister/Mannequin
Herreskapet Stockholm Ute På Inköp
Companion
Konsumtionsföreningen Stockholm med omnejd
Greta
Luffar-Petter
Anna Christie
Anna Christie
Self / Various roles (archive footage)
Checking Out: Grand Hotel
Self (archive footage)
Paris Hilton, Inc.
(archive footage)
Minns du?
(archive footage)
Stjärnbilder
Self (archive footage)
Garbo
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Divine Garbo
Self (archive footage)
Cole Porter in Hollywood: Satin and Silk
Self (archive footage)
Garbo: Where Did You Go?
Self (archive footage)
Joan Crawford: Always the Star
(archive footage)
Fröken, Ni liknar Greta Garbo!
Med Greta Garbo på Svenska Amerikalinjens fartyg
Self (archive footage)
Greta Garbo: The Temptress and the Clown
Self (archive footage)
The Romance of Celluloid
Self
From the Ends of the Earth
Self
Hollywood: Style Center of the World
Self (archive footage)
Complicated Women
(archive footage)
That's Entertainment, Part II
Self
A New Romance of Celluloid: The Miracle of Sound
Sigrid Holmquist (archive footage)
Sigrid Holmquist
Self (archive footage)
Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema
Ninotchka in 'Ninotchka' (archive footage)
The Big Parade of Comedy
Self (archive footage)
1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year
Self (archive footage)
Greta Garbo: A Lone Star
Maid
En lyckoriddare
Extra
Kärlekens ögon
(archive footage)
Stiller, Garbo & jag
(archive footage)
30 Years of Fun
(archive footage)
The Meeting of Two Queens
Self
Sverige Och Svenska Industrier
Self (archive footage)
Stars of the Silver Screen - Greta Garbo
The Marriage of Greta Garbo and Sergei Eiseinstein
Self (archive footage)
Rediscovering John Gilbert
Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Known Credits
71
Gender
Female
Birthday
1905-09-18
Place of Birth
Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden
Also Known As
Greta Gustafsson