Gloria Swanson

Date of Birth: March 27, 1899

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: April 4, 1983

Biography

Gloria Swanson, born Gloria May Josephine Swanson, was an American actress and producer best known for her role as Norma Desmond in the 1950 film “Sunset Boulevard.” She was born on March 27, 1899, in Chicago, Illinois. Swanson started her career in silent films and quickly became one of the most prominent actresses of the 1920s, working with directors like Cecil B. DeMille and starring in films such as “Male and Female” (1919) and “Beyond the Rocks” (1922) alongside Rudolph Valentino. Her career faced challenges with the advent of sound in cinema, but she made a remarkable comeback with “Sunset Boulevard,” which earned her an Academy Award nomination. Beyond acting, Swanson was also an early advocate of health food and a successful businesswoman, involving herself in television, radio, and even fashion design. Swanson’s personal life was just as dramatic as her on-screen roles, with six marriages and numerous high-profile relationships. She continued to work sporadically in film and television until her death in 1983. Swanson left behind a legacy as one of Hollywood’s original and enduring icons.

5 Interesting Facts about Gloria Swanson

1. Gloria Swanson was one of the first stars to own her own production company, establishing Gloria Swanson Productions in the 1920s.

2. She was a pioneer in the health food movement and even authored a book on healthy eating titled “Swanson on Swanson.”

3. Swanson was nominated for the first-ever Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in “Sadie Thompson” (1928).

4. Her famous line “All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up” from “Sunset Boulevard” is one of the most iconic quotes in film history.

5. Swanson had a tumultuous love life, marrying six times and engaging in several high-profile romances, including an affair with Joseph P. Kennedy Sr.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Gloria Swanson

1. “I am big. It’s the pictures that got small.”

2. “All creative people should be required to leave California for three months every year.”

3. “I’ve given my memoirs far more thought than any of my marriages. You can’t divorce a book.”

4. “Your body is the direct result of what you eat as well as what you think.”

5. “Life and death. They are somehow sweetly and beautifully mixed, but I don’t know how.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the height of her career, Gloria Swanson’s net worth was estimated to be around $10 million.

Children

Gloria Swanson had three children: 1. Gloria Swanson Somborn (born 1920), from her marriage to Herbert K. Somborn. 2. Joseph Patrick Swanson (born 1922), whom she adopted with Herbert K. Somborn. 3. Michelle Bridget Farmer (born 1932), from her marriage to Michael Farmer.