Portrait of Greta Garbo

Greta Garbo

Acting

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.

Born: September 18, 1905

Place of Birth: Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden

Filmography

2024
Garbo: Where Did You Go?

as Self (archive footage)

2022
2018
2014
2012
2010
Sigrid Holmquist

as Sigrid Holmquist (archive footage)

2010
Rediscovering John Gilbert

as Self (archive footage)

2009
Paris Hilton, Inc.

as Self (archive footage)

2009
1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year

as Self (archive footage)

2005
Garbo

as Self (archive footage)

2003
Complicated Women

as Self (archive footage)

2001
Greta Garbo: A Lone Star

as Self (archive footage)

1996
Joan Crawford: Always the Star

as Self (archive footage)

1995
Stjärnbilder

as (archive footage)

1993
Minns ni?

as (archive footage)

1991
The Meeting of Two Queens

as (archive footage)

1990
The Divine Garbo

as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)

1988
Stiller, Garbo & jag

as (archive footage)

1986
1976
That's Entertainment, Part II

as (archive footage)

1974
Spécial cinéma

as Self (archive footage)

1974
Adam & Yves

as Self (uncredited)

1972
Hollywood: The Dream Factory

as Self (archive footage)

1969
Garbo, by Joan Crawford

as Self (archive footage)

1964
The Big Parade of Comedy

as Ninotchka in 'Ninotchka' (archive footage)

1963
30 Years of Fun

as (archive footage)

1941
Two-Faced Woman

as Karin Borg Blake

1939
Ninotchka

as Nina "Ninotchka" Ivanovna Yakushova

1937
Conquest

as Countess Marie Walewska

1937
The Romance of Celluloid

as Self (archive footage)

1936
Camille

as Marguerite Gautier

1935
Anna Karenina

as Anna Karenina

1935
Do You Remember?

as (archive footage)

1934
The Painted Veil

as Katrin Koerber Fane

1934
Queen Christina

as Christina

1932
As You Desire Me

as Zara, a.k.a. Maria

1932
Grand Hotel

as Grusinskaya

1931
Mata Hari

as Mata Hari

1931
Susan Lenox (Her Fall and Rise)

as Helga, aka Susan Lenox

1931
1931
Inspiration

as Yvonne Valbret

1930
Anna Christie

as Anna Christie

1930
Romance

as Rita Cavallini

1930
Anna Christie

as Anna Christie

1929
The Kiss

as Irene Guarry

1929
The Single Standard

as Arden Stuart

1929
A Man's Man

as Greta Garbo

1929
Wild Orchids

as Lillie Sterling

1928
A Woman of Affairs

as Diana Merrick

1928
The Mysterious Lady

as Tania Fedorova

1928
The Divine Woman

as Marianne

1927
Love

as Anna Karenina

1926
1926
1926
Torrent

as Leonora Moreno

1925
The Joyless Street

as Greta Rumfort

1924
The Saga of Gösta Berling

as Elizabeth Dohna

1922
1922
1921
Our Daily Bread

as Companion

1921
1920
Mr. and Mrs. Stockholm Out Shopping

as Elder Sister/Mannequin