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
The South Bank Show
1978
Spécial cinéma
1974
MGM Parade
1955
MGM Parade
1955
MGM Parade
1955
Ninotchka
1939
Susan Lenox
1931
Grand Hotel
1932
Mata Hari
1931
Final Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen
2012
Anna Karenina
1935
Marlowe
1969
Filmography
The South Bank Show
· 1978
Spécial cinéma
as Self (archive footage) · 1974
MGM Parade
· 1955
MGM Parade
as Self · 1955
MGM Parade
as self · 1955
Ninotchka
as Nina "Ninotchka" Ivanovna Yakushova · 1939
Susan Lenox
as Helga, aka Susan Lenox · 1931
Grand Hotel
as Grusinskaya · 1932
Mata Hari
as Mata Hari · 1931
Final Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen
as (archive footage) · 2012
Anna Karenina
as Anna Karenina · 1935
Marlowe
as Grusinskaya(archive footage) (uncredited) · 1969
Camille
as Marguerite Gautier · 1936
Queen Christina
as Christina · 1934
1939: Secrets of Hollywood's Golden Year
· 2023
That's Entertainment, Part II
as (archive footage) · 1976
Destins secrets d’étoiles - Grace, Jackie, Liz, Marilyn…
· 2015
Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood
as Self (archive footage) · 2018
Flesh and the Devil
as Felicitas · 1926
Two-Faced Woman
as Karin Borg Blake · 1941
Legends in Light: The Photography of George Hurrell
as Self (archive footage) · 1995
A New Romance of Celluloid: The Miracle of Sound
as Self · 1940
Hollywood: The Dream Factory
as Self (archive footage) · 1972
The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies
as Self (archive footage) · 1995
The Big Parade of Comedy
as Ninotchka in 'Ninotchka' (archive footage) · 1964
Hollywood: The Selznick Years
as Self - Anna Karenina (archive footage) (uncredited) · 1961
The Painted Veil
as Katrin Koerber Fane · 1934
1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year
as Self (archive footage) · 2009
Garbo
as Self (archive footage) · 2005
Thou Shalt Not: Sex, Sin and Censorship in Pre-Code Hollywood
as Queen Christina (archive footage) · 2008
Prejudice and Pride: Swedish Film Queer
as Self (archive footage) · 2022
The Mysterious Lady
as Tania Fedorova · 1928
Vårt kronprinspar i Hollywood
· 1926
30 Years of Fun
as (archive footage) · 1963
Anna Christie
as Anna Christie · 1930
Azzedine Alaïa, un couturier français
as Self (archive footage) · 2022
The Good, The Bad, and the Beautiful
as Self (archive footage) · 1996
As You Desire Me
as Zara, a.k.a. Maria · 1932
Stars of the Silver Screen - Greta Garbo
as Self (archive footage) · 2014
Conquest
as Countess Marie Walewska · 1937
From the Ends of the Earth
as Self · 1939
Hollywood: Style Center of the World
as Self · 1940
The Romance of Celluloid
as Self (archive footage) · 1937
Our Daily Bread
as Companion · 1921
Romance
as Rita Cavallini · 1930
A Woman of Affairs
as Diana Merrick · 1928
Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema
as Self (archive footage) · 2007
A Man's Man
as Greta Garbo · 1929
The Happy Ending
as Self - Actress in 'Susan Lennox' (archive footage) (uncredited) · 1969
Checking Out: Grand Hotel
as Self / Various roles (archive footage) · 2004
Cole Porter in Hollywood: Satin and Silk
as Self (archive footage) · 2003
Garbo, by Joan Crawford
as Self (archive footage) · 1969
The Casting Couch
· 1995
My Scientology Movie
as Self (archive photo) · 2016
Peter the Tramp
as Greta · 1922
Garbo: Where Did You Go?
as Self (archive footage) · 2024
The Saga of Gösta Berling
as Elizabeth Dohna · 1924
Torrent
as Leonora Moreno · 1926
Joyless Street
as Greta Rumfort · 1925
Complicated Women
as Self (archive footage) · 2003
Inspiration
as Yvonne Valbret · 1931
Vito
as Self (archive footage) · 2011
Hollywood sul Tevere
· 2009
Fröken, Ni liknar Greta Garbo!
as (archive footage) · 1931
Joan Crawford: Always the Star
as Self (archive footage) · 1996
The Kiss
as Irene · 1929
Anna Christie
as Anna Christie · 1930
Mr. and Mrs. Stockholm Out Shopping
as Elder Sister/Mannequin · 1920
Stiller, Garbo & jag
as (archive footage) · 1988
Greta Garbo: A Lone Star
as Self (archive footage) · 2001
Sigrid Holmquist
as Sigrid Holmquist (archive footage) · 2010
Sweden and Swedish Industries
as Self · 1920
The Temptress
as Elena · 1926
Greta Garbo: The Temptress and the Clown
as Self (archive footage) · 1986
The Divine Garbo
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited) · 1990
Rediscovering John Gilbert
as Self (archive footage) · 2010
The Divine Woman
as Marianne · 1928
Wild Orchids
as Lillie Sterling · 1929
The Single Standard
as Arden Stuart · 1929
The Meeting of Two Queens
as (archive footage) · 1991
Love
as Anna Karenina · 1927
The Marriage of Greta Garbo and Sergei Eiseinstein
· 2023
Minns ni?
as (archive footage) · 1993
Stjärnbilder
as (archive footage) · 1995
Testfilm Greta Garbo
as Self · 1949
A Scarlet Angel
as Extra · 1922
Do You Remember?
as (archive footage) · 1935
With Greta Garbo on the Swedish American Line's Ship
· 1929
A Fortune Hunter
as Maid · 1921
Adam & Yves
as Herself (uncredited) · 1974