Garbo, Greta (1905-1990), became one of the most famous actresses in motion-picture history. She was known for her portrayals of mysterious women whose lives ended in tragedy. Garbo played such roles in most of the 27 movies she made from 1922 until her retirement in 1941. She was one of the few stars who gained equal success in both silent and sound films.
Garbo’s real name was Greta Lovisa Gustafsson. She was born on Sept. 18, 1905, in Stockholm, Sweden, where she began her career. She first starred in The Story of Gosta Berling (1924), a Swedish film. In 1925, Garbo moved to the United States, where she made such silent movies as Flesh and the Devil (1926), Love (1927), and A Woman of Affairs (1928). Garbo’s best-known sound films include Anna Christie (1931), Mata Hari (1931), Grand Hotel (1932), Queen Christina (1933), Anna Karenina (1935), and Camille (1936). Her first major comedy was Ninotchka (1939). Garbo was known for her intense desire for privacy. She retired without explanation at the height of her fame. She died on April 15, 1990.
