Ingrid Bergman

Ingrid Bergman was a prominent actress from Hollywood's Golden Era. Known for her natural beauty and strong acting ability, she became one of the most celebrated figures in American cinema. Bergman is among the most Oscar-awarded actresses, tied with Meryl Streep and Frances McDormand, all second only to Katharine Hepburn. She was born on August 29, 1915, in Stockholm, Sweden, to Frieda Henrietta (Adler), a German, and Justus Samuel Bergman, a Swedish artist and photographer. Her mother died when she was two and her father when she was 12. She went to live with an elderly uncle. After completing her formal schooling, she decided to become an actress. At age 17, she had an uncredited role in the 1932 Swedish film *Landskamp*—a minor start for someone who would later be known as "Sweden's illustrious gift to Hollywood." Her uncle supported her ambitions, and the next year she enrolled at the Royal Dramatic Theatre School in Stockholm, though she found stage acting unsuitable. It took three more years before she landed another film role in *The Count of the Old Town* (1935), where she played Elsa Edlund. After several films that year, she appeared in *Intermezzo* (1936) as Anita Hoffman. American producer David O. Selznick saw the film and sent a representative to secure the story rights and sign Bergman to a contract. She moved to California and starred in the 1939 remake of *Intermezzo*, reprising her role. The film was successful, and so was Bergman. Her beauty and acting impressed Hollywood, and she quickly became known as a versatile and dedicated actress. The public embraced her. She returned to Sweden in 1939 to film *Only One Night* (1939) and *June Night* (1940). Back in the U.S., she appeared in three well-received films. In 1942, she starred in *Casablanca* (1942) opposite Humphrey Bogart. In 1943, she received an Academy Award nomination for her role in *For Whom the Bell Tolls* (1943). The following year, she won the Oscar for Best Actress for her performance as Paula Alquist in *Gaslight* (1944). In 1945, she appeared in *Spellbound* (1945), *Saratoga Trunk* (1945), and *The Bells of St. Mary's* (1945), earning her third Oscar nomination for her role as Sister Benedict. She made no films in 1947 but received a fourth nomination for *Joan of Arc* (1948). In 1949, she went to Italy to film *Stromboli* (1950), directed by Roberto Rossellini. She fell in love with him and left her husband, Dr. Peter Lindstrom, and daughter, Pia Lindström. American critics and the press were critical of her decision. She was pregnant and decided to remain in Italy, where her son was born. In 1952, she had twins, Isotta and Isabella Rossellini, both of whom became notable actresses. Bergman continued making films in Italy and returned to Hollywood in 1956 for the title role in *Anastasia* (1956), filmed in England. For this role, she won her second Academy Award. She continued to work between Europe and the U.S., making quality films. Her final big-screen performance was in *Autumn Sonata* (1978), for which she received her final Academy Award nomination. Though she did not win, many considered it her finest performance. She retired after giving a notable performance in the mini-series *A Woman Called Golda* (1982), about Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir. For this role, she won an Emmy Award for Best Actress, though she did not live to see the recognition. Ingrid Bergman died from cancer on August 29, 1982, in London, England, on her 67th birthday.