Actress Ingrid Bergman: a snapshot biography

Ingrid Bergman
Ingrid Bergman

“I’ve never sought success in order to get fame and money; it’s the talent and the passion that count in success.” – Ingrid Bergman

In a time of glamorous stars, Ingrid Bergman was simple. Described as naturally shy, sweet, considerate, conscientious, a hard worker, she would become the biggest female box office star of her time.

Born in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1915, Ingrid experienced much sorrow in her youth. Her mother passed away when Ingrid was two and a half years old. Her father passed away when she was fourteen. Sent to live with an aunt, the aunt passed away six months later. Ingrid went to live with another aunt and her five children.

The many challenges she experienced didn’t change her dream of becoming an actress. From a young age, Ingrid knew she wanted to act. Acting for the first time in a film came in 1932, her first speaking role in 1934, by her early 20s, Ingrid was a star in Sweden and would soon become a star in the U.S.

Ingrid went on to have a long and global acting career. She spoke Swedish, German, English, Italian and French, and acted in all five languages. And she won numerous awards for her films, including three Academy Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, four Golden Globe Awards, and a BAFTA Award.

“A snapshot biography of actress Ingrid Bergman” sources: Press release publicity photo of Ingrid Bergman for film Gaslight, 1944 / Wikimedia Commons / “The Last Word – A Treasury of Women’s Quotes,” by Carolyn Warner, 1992 – Wikiquote 

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Note: please click here to read the snapshot biography of another actress, Hedy Lamarr.