Anita Ekberg Biography

Fast Facts

• Traveled overseas to entertain American troops during the 1950s, with Bob Hope introducing her as "the greatest thing to come from Sweden since smorgasbord․"
• Began modeling as a teenager, which later led to her being named Miss Sweden
• Was a special guest at the Miss America pageant, which won her an American modeling contract and jumpstarted her acting career
• Made her screen acting debut in the film "Abbott and Costello Go to Mars" in 1953
• Quote: "When you're born beautiful, it helps you start in the business․ But then it becomes a handicap․"
• Quote: "[on if she was lonely, on her 80th birthday] "[Yes, a bit․] But I have no regrets․ I have loved, cried, been mad with happiness․ I have won and I have lost․""
• Best known for playing Sylvia in "La Dolce Vita" and Helene Kuragina in 1956's "War and Peace․"