Born March 27, 1899 in Chicago, Illinois, Gloria May Josephine Svenson was one of the biggest stars of the silent movie era. As a child, she attended public schools in Chicago, Key West, Florida and San Juan, Puerto Rico. She made her film debut in 1915 as an extra in the film “The Fable of Elvira and Farina And The Meal Ticket.” Soon she had leading roles in pictures with many different directors, landing a contract with Cecil B. DeMille in 1919. It was De Mille who transformed Gloria from a typical comedienne-type actress into a vibrant star. Gloria collected husbands and lovers like some people collect bone china. Joseph Kennedy (father of the slain president) produced her “Queen Kelly” in 1929, which was directed by Erich Von Stroheim and was the film that Norma Desmond was watching in ” Sunset Boulevard”.
Many actors and actresses did not survive the switch from silent film to talkies, but Gloria Swanson did. In “Music in the Air” (1934) she re-invented herself enough to even learn how to sing. Still, her kind of movies weren’t being made any longer and she remained a throwback from another time and place. She did return to the stage in the 1940s and appeared in “Reflected Glory”, “Let’s Be Gay” and “A Goose For The Gander.” She received Best Actress nominations for “Sadie Thompson” (1928), “The Trespasser” (1929) and “Sunset Boulevard” (1950).
She became a clothes designer and founded a line of cosmetics (“Essence of Nature”). She also made many cameo television appearances throughout the 1960s and 1970s and pushed health foods. Her last film was “Airport 75” in which she played herself. Gloria was married five times and had two children. She died on April 4, 1983, at the age of 84.
What are some of YOUR favorite Gloria Swanson performances? Please share.