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Gloria
Swanson was extremely popular with fans during the silent
movie era and deeply respected amongst her peers. She had
the uncanny ability to play both dramatic roles and comedies
and was nominated three times for Oscars throughout her career.
Even though she spent more time appearing in silent films
than "talkies," her best remembered role is that of Norma
Desmond, the aging silent movie queen, in the 1950 film Sunset
Boulevard.
She
was born in 1897 in Chicago, IL with the name of Gloria May
Josephine Svensson. When she was just 16 years old she attended
a movie production studio with her Aunt to see how movies
were made. Even at an early age she had stunning features
and she was chosen from the crowd to be a walk-on performer
in The Fable Of Elvira And Farina And The Meal Ticket. This
was just the beginning. She would appear in several more uncredited
films before she got her first bit part in Sweedie Goes To
College (1916). She married her first husband, Wallace Beery,
the same year and the two moved to California. Appearing in
dozens of silent films, and by the mid 1920's she was the
highest paid actress in Hollywood. She divorced her first
husband, but soon remarried. In total, she married seven men
and rumour has it she earned and spent over $8 million dollars
in the 20s.
Talking
movie pictures began in 1927 when Gloria was 30 years old.
Although she had no "vocal" training, she adapted quite easily
and in 1928 she was nominated for an Oscar for her performance
in Sadie Thompson. In 1929, she was nominated again for her
performance in The Trespasser. She slowly moved out of making
films in the 30s (only making four in total) until her triumphant
return in 1950 with sunset Boulevard. Once again she was nominated
for her performance, but alas, the golden trophy eluded her
once again. Considered one of the best movies of all time,
Gloria's performance was stellar. She appeared in a few more
films in the 50s, but then retired from film. She appeared
on television programs sporadically throughout the 60s and
had one last shining moment in the 1975 film Airport 1975
where she played herself.
Gloria
took to art in the 70s with a new career as a sculptress.
Her work was exhibited in a London gallery in 1979.
Gloria
passed away on April 4, 1983 in New York City at the age of
84.
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