Born on August 29, 1915, in Stockholm, Sweden, the parents of she who would grow up to be one of the top stars in Hollywood, died when she was a young girl. Ingrid went to live with an uncle, who after she expressed an interest in acting, did not want to stand in the way of his niece’s dream. After finishing her formal schooling, Ingrid got her first part at the age of 17 in the Swedish film, “Landskamp” (1932). The next year she enrolled in the Swedish Royal Theater, but it would take the passage of another three years before she would return to the world of film. She got a speaking part in her next film, “Munkbrogreven” in 1935 and did several other films that same year, establishing herself as a first-class actress.
Stardom was just around the corner with her next role as Anita Hoffman in “Intermezzo” (1936). David O’ Selznick saw the production and signed her to a contract, her first job starring in a 1939 remake of the same film under the title “Intermezzo: A Love Story.” Her beauty was genuine and very unusual, and her acting was flawless. She would become the most versatile actress the movie industry had seen to date. The American public loved her and she loved them back. She made only one film in 1942, but it was the classic “Casablanca” opposite Humphrey Bogart.
She was nominated for an Academy Award in 1943 for her role in “For Whom The Bell Tolls,” and won it for “Best Actress” the following year for her portrayal of Paula Alquist in “Gaslight” opposite Joseph Cotton and Charles Boyer. Her third Oscar nomination came in 1945 for her role as Sister Benedict in “The Bells of St. Mary’s.” In 1948, she received a fourth nomination for Joan Of Arc.
In 1949, she traveled to Italy to film “Stromboli” directed by Roberto Rossellini and the two fell in love and married. She had a husband and daughter (Pia Lindstrom) in Sweden whom she left behind and the American press condemned her cruelly for her actions. She remained in Italy where her three other children were born, a son and twin daughters, Isabella and Isotta.
There were so many fine films her touch made even finer, and they are too numerous to mention. She won her final Emmy Award for “A Woman Called Golda,” in which she portrayed Israeli Prime Minister, Golda Meir. She died before she could receive her award from cancer on her birthday in 1982. She was 67 years of age.
What are some of YOUR favorite Ingrid Bergman performances?