Greta Garbo Young: 14 Photos of the Glamorous and Elusive Star in Her Early Years
See how the Swedish star went from silent to sound films
One of the most revered film stars of the ’20s and ’30s, Greta Garbo rose to fame for her work in both silent and sound films, and became a glamorous icon in Hollywood’s early days. Growing up in an impoverished Swedish family, Garbo was discovered while working at a department store, and soon enough she became a star.
Her very first role was in the now-lost 1922 silent film Peter the Tramp. She began studying her craft at the Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm, and by 1925, she won a coveted contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
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Garbo’s first film in the United States was The Torrent (1926), and subsequent successes included The Temptress (1926), Flesh and the Devil (1926), A Woman of Affairs (1928) and more, while the relationship between her and her frequent costar, John Gilbert (known as “the Great Lover”) became a source of fascination for the public.
Garbo jumps to sound film
In 1930, Greta Garbo made her debut in her first film with sound, Anna Christie, for which she was nominated for an Academy Award — and her career only continued to flourish.
Queen Christina (1933), Anna Karenina (1935), Camille (1936) and Ninotchka (1939) were some of her most notable roles throughout the ’30s, but by 1941, she had retired from acting with her final role in Two-Faced Woman.
Moving to New York after her retirement, Garbo lived a private life and was seldom seen in the public eye, or at all, for that matter. Her famed line, “I want to be alone,” from the 1932 film Grand Hotel became forever associated with her later life and her being seen as hauntingly mysterious and solitary. In 1990, the actress passed away at the age of 84.
Here, take a look at Greta Garbo during the heyday of her career.
Greta Garbo young
1920: Garbo takes a dip
The young actress enjoys the water in this retro snapshot.
1925: Garbo takes the wheel
The actress looks ready to ride in this photo of her behind the wheel of a car dating back to 1925.
1926: Greta Garbo young: ‘Giddy up’
The famed actress poses on the back of a horse in this publicity shot for her 1926 film, The Temptress.
1927: Greta’s game face
The actress gives a tense stare at the camera in this ’20s portrait.
1927: A glitzy Hollywood love story
Greta Garbo is held in a loving embrace by her on and off-screen romantic companion John Gilbert, side by side in the film appropriately titled Love.
1928: Garbo sets sail as a young actress
The actress is pictured on a Swedish motor ship sailing out of New York, the S.S. Kungsholm.
1930: Garbo was a certified young Hollywood starlet
Garbo embodies a certified superstar, looking fabulous in fur, in this shot from the 1930 film Romance.
1930: Greta Garbo young in Anna Christie
Garbo shows her skills in this scene from the 1930 film Anna Christie.
1931: Glittering Garbo
Garbo brought to life the role of Mata Hari, a Dutch exotic dancer who doubles as a German spy.
1931: Garbo and Gable
It doesn’t get more fabulous than seeing Garbo and Clark Gable together!
1935: A shining star
The star brought the title character to life in this adaptation of Leo Tolstoy‘s great Russian novel, Anna Karenina.
1936: Garbo in a gown
The actress stuns in an ornate white dress from the 1936 film Camille, for which she earned her third Academy Award nomination.
