Greta Garbo

Born Greta Lovisa Gustafsson in Stockholm, Sweden on September 18, 1905. From 1922 to 1924, she studied at the prestigious Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm. While she was there, she met director Mauritz Stiller. He trained her in cinema acting technique, gave her the stage name "Greta Garbo". The first role is in Gösta Berlings saga (1924), following Freudlose Gasse, Die (1925). Her first american film was Torrent (1926). where she didn't have to speak a word of English. After a few more films, such as The Temptress (1926), Love (1927), and A Woman of Affairs (1928), Greta starred in Anna Christie (1930) her first "talkie", which not only gave her a powerful screen presence, but also gave her an Academy Award nomination like as Best Actress. Later that year she filmed Romance (1930), Mata Hari (1931)and Grand Hotel (1932). But it was MGM's Anna Karenina (1935) where she, perhaps, gave the performance of her life. She was absolutely breathtaking in the title role as a woman torn between two lovers and her son. Greta starred, also, in the comedic role Ninotchka (1939). It wasn't until two years later she made what was to be her last film that being Two-Faced Woman (1941), another comedy. After World War II she retired, never again to face the camera. Her mystery and romantic allure shine through all the movies enhanced from the black and white film. Peculiarity: She's a left-hander.