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Greta Garbo Biography

Birth Name:Greta Lovisa Gustafsson

Birth Place:Stockholm, Sweden

Profession Actress, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

  • Ranked No․ 5 on the American Film Institute's "100 Years․․․ 100 Stars" list for Female Legends
  • Once featured as the most beautiful woman in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records, it was announced by the central bank of Sweden that she is to be portrayed on the 100 krona banknote beginning in 2014
  • Forced to leave school at 14 to help support her family, she landed her first modeling job for a local department store who used her as a model in their print and film advertisements
  • After acting in numerous successful silent films during the 1920s, she gained widespread success across the United States once "talkies" became popular, with each film earning her close to $300,000 each by the 1930s
  • Eventually began to land leading roles in small European films and would later catch the eye of MGM studio executive Louis B․ Mayer who would go on to sign her to a contract in mid-1925
  • Officially became a citizen of the United States in 1950
  • Often known for her desperation to seek absolute solitude, she could often be seen walking the streets of her New York neighborhood alone, all while wearing big, dark sunglasses to shield her from the paparazzi

Awards

  • 1926Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (December): winner
  • 1926Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (May): winner
  • 1927Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (November): winner
  • 1927Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (February): winner
  • 1928Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (September): winner
  • 1929Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (March): winner
  • 1929Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (September): winner
  • 1929Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (January): winner
  • 1930Oscar-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1930Oscar-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1930Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (August): winner
  • 1930Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (March): winner
  • 1931Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (September): winner
  • 1931Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (February): winner
  • 1932Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (February): winner
  • 1932Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (May): winner
  • 1932Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (July): winner
  • 1932Gold Medal-Best Actress: winner
  • 1934Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (March): winner
  • 1935NYFCC Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 1935Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (September): winner
  • 1935Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (January): winner
  • 1935Gold Medal-Best Actress: winner
  • 1937NBR Award-Best Acting: winner
  • 1937NYFCC Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 1937Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (January): winner
  • 1938Oscar-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1938Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (January): winner
  • 1939NBR Award-Best Acting: winner
  • 1939NYFCC Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 1939Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (November): winner
  • 1940Oscar-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1941NBR Award-Best Acting: winner
  • 1941NYFCC Award-Best Actress: nominated