Greta Garbo
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
Ninotchka
Nina "Ninotchka" Ivanovna Yakushova
Flesh and the Devil
Felicitas
Grand Hotel
Grusinskaya
Camille
Marguerite Gautier
That's Entertainment, Part II
(archive footage)
Anna Karenina
Anna Karenina
Queen Christina
Christina
Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood
Self (archive footage)
Final Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen
(archive footage)
Garbo
Self (archive footage)
Thou Shalt Not: Sex, Sin and Censorship in Pre-Code Hollywood
Queen Christina (archive footage)
A New Romance of Celluloid: The Miracle of Sound
Self
The Painted Veil
Katrin Koerber Fane
1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year
Self (archive footage)
Hollywood: The Selznick Years
Anna Karenina (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Big Parade of Comedy
Ninotchka in 'Ninotchka' (archive footage)
Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema
Self (archive footage)
Mata Hari
Mata Hari
Love
Anna Karenina
Two-Faced Woman
Karin Borg Blake
Hollywood: The Dream Factory
Self (archive footage)
Romance
Rita Cavallini
Torrent
Leonora Moreno
From the Ends of the Earth
Self
Anna Christie
Anna Christie
Joan Crawford: Always the Star
Self (archive footage)
The Romance of Celluloid
Self (archive footage)
Garbo: Where Did You Go?
Self (archive footage)
As You Desire Me
Zara, a.k.a. Maria
Prejudice and Pride: Swedish Film Queer
Self (archive footage)
Conquest
Countess Marie Walewska
The Joyless Street
Greta Rumfort
Wild Orchids
Lillie Sterling
Susan Lenox (Her Fall and Rise)
Helga, aka Susan Lenox
Inspiration
Yvonne Valbret
A Woman of Affairs
Diana Merrick
The Kiss
Irene Guarry
Sigrid Holmquist
Sigrid Holmquist (archive footage)
Complicated Women
Self (archive footage)
Hollywood: Style Center of the World
Self
Checking Out: Grand Hotel
Self / Various roles (archive footage)
Paris Hilton, Inc.
Self (archive footage)
The Single Standard
Arden Stuart
Anna Christie
Anna Christie
30 Years of Fun
(archive footage)
Minns ni?
(archive footage)
The Temptress
Elena
The Divine Woman
Marianne
Garbo
Self (archive footage)
The Mysterious Lady
Tania Fedorova
Greta Garbo: The Temptress and the Clown
Self (archive footage)
The Saga of Gösta Berling
Elizabeth Dohna
A Fortune Hunter
Maid
Stjärnbilder
(archive footage)
The Divine Garbo
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
A Man's Man
Greta Garbo
Cole Porter in Hollywood: Satin and Silk
Self (archive footage)
With Greta Garbo on the Swedish American Line's Ship
Stiller, Garbo & jag
(archive footage)
Mr. and Mrs. Stockholm Out Shopping
Elder Sister/Mannequin
Greta Garbo: A Lone Star
Self (archive footage)
A Scarlet Angel
Extra
Do You Remember?
(archive footage)
Sweden and Swedish Industries
Self
The Meeting of Two Queens
(archive footage)
Fröken, Ni liknar Greta Garbo!
(archive footage)
Peter the Tramp
Greta
Our Daily Bread
Companion
Testfilm Greta Garbo
Self
Spécial cinéma
Self (archive footage)
Star Life
Self (archive footage)
Adam & Yves
Self (uncredited)