Gloria Swanson Wiki: Gloria May Josephine Swanson was born on March 27, 1899, in a small house in Chicago. She was an American actress and director known for her outstanding work in silent films. Swanson got her start in the movie business when she was just 15 years old. She was interested in Essanay Studios’ character Francis X. Bushman, so her aunt took her on a tour of Bushman’s Chicago studio.
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The tour finished with her first small part in a movie. This was the start of a long and successful career. Swanson moved from base to base with her military family as a child. Her ancestors come from many different places. Her father is Swedish-American, and her mother has roots in Germany, France, and Poland.
Swanson was known for the unique way she lived her life. She was a vegetarian and an early supporter of healthy foods. She often took a tin box with her food to public events. Swanson was also a serious student of yoga, whom Indra Devi taught. She was also very active in political campaigns and social problems, which is worth mentioning.
Gloria Swanson Wiki/Bio
| Personal Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Gloria May Josephine Swanson |
| Date of Birth | March 27, 1899 |
| Date of Death | April 4, 1983 |
| Place of Birth | Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| Parents | Adelaide (née Klanowski) and Joseph Theodore Swanson (né Svensson) |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Lutheran |
| Ethnicity | Swedish, German, French, Polish |
| Marital Status | Married (to William Dufty) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Catholic Convent School |
| Political Affiliation | Republicans |
| Hobbies | Yoga, Cooking |
Gloria Swanson Height, Weight, and More
Swanson was known for having a solid physical presence, which was a big part of how she came across on screen. Her small size and expressive eyes gave her a unique look that made her stand out from the other actors in Hollywood during the golden age.
| Physical Attributes | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 1.49m (4′ 11”) |
| Weight | 50kg (110 lbs) |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Eye Color | Hazel |
| Dress Size | 4 (US) |
| Shoe Size | 6 (US) |
Gloria Swanson Career Information
Soon after, the young Swanson went to California to work with Bobby Vernon on comedy shorts for Mack Sennett’s Keystone Studios. During the 1920s, she became famous for her roles in silent movies, especially in a run of films about society that Cecil B. DeMille directed.
Swanson joined United Artists in 1925. By doing so, she became one of the first women to work in the film business. Her long and successful career was marked by significant roles in movies like Zaza, Madame Sans-Gêne, and the most famous, Sunset Boulevard, for which she won a Golden Globe Award.
| Career Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Profession | Actress, Producer |
| Active Years | 1914 – 1981 |
| First Film | The Song of Soul (1914) |
| Notable Work | Sunset Boulevard (1950) |
| Awards | Golden Globe Award, Three Academy Award nominations |
| Last Film | Killer Bees (1974) |
| Television Debut | Crown Theatre with Gloria Swanson (1954) |
| Last TV Appearance | The Carol Burnett Show (1974) |
Gloria Swanson Net Worth Information
Swanson was one of the actors who made the most money during her time. Her money situation was greatly helped by how well she did in movies, especially in the 1920s. Even though she wasn’t as popular in film in the 1930s, Swanson could still live well.
| Net Worth Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Net Worth at the Time of Death | $10 million |
| Income Source | Acting, Producing |
| Real Estate Holdings | Mansion in Beverly Hills |
| Endorsements | Lux Soap |
| Charity Works | Supported various health and animal welfare organizations |
| Luxury Cars Owned | Rolls Royce Phantom |
| Other Investments | Jewelry, Art collection |
| Financial Assets | Stock Investments |
| Liabilities | None |
| Insurance Policies | Life, Health and Property Insurance |
10 Interesting Facts about Gloria Swanson
- Gloria Swanson was one of the few actresses who transitioned from silent films to talkies.
- She was a vegetarian and an early advocate for healthy foods.
- Swanson was one of the first female filmmakers in the industry.
- She was a pupil of the yoga guru Indra Devi.
- Her performance in Sunset Boulevard earned her a Golden Globe award.
- Swanson was actively involved in political campaigns.
- She supported Barry Goldwater’s 1964 presidential campaign.
- In 1980, she chaired the New York chapter of Seniors for Reagan-Bush.
- She was photographed performing a series of yoga poses, reportedly looking younger than her age.
- Her autobiography, Swanson on Swanson, became a commercial success.
Conclusion
Gloria Swanson was more than just an actress; she was also a trailblazer. She went from being a teenager in Chicago to a worldwide star thanks to her ability, hard work, and determination.
She left a lasting mark on the world of movies, and people still talk about her as one of the best. Swanson showed through her acting and how she lived off-screen a spirit of courage and innovation that will keep inspiring people for years.
