Today in History - Birth and death of actress Ingrid Bergman

CAIRO – 29 August 2017: August 29 marks both the birthday and death anniversary of Swedish actress Ingrid Bergman, known as an international beloved icon of early Hollywood's Golden Era, and one of the most celebrated stars of all time.

Born in Stockholm on 1915, Bergman lost her parents at an early age and was sent to live with her uncle. Her first ever film role was in the 1932 Swedish film ‘Landskamp’, though it was a humble role where she played a girl standing in a line uncredited.

However, this marked the start of what became a successful and unforgettable career.

Bergman would make her proper debut with 1935's ‘Munkbrogreven’, establishing her as a promising talent in Sweden, but it was not until 1936's ‘Intermezzo’ that she caught the ever watchful eye of Hollywood. Executives asked her to come to California to shoot a 1939 remake of ‘Intermezzo’ called 'Intermezzo: A Love Story'. The film proved a success amongst American audiences, and Bergman became a star.

In 1942 she held the lead role in the romance classic 'Casablanca' alongside acting legend Humphrey Bogart. It was this film that proved Bergman's talents were unmistakable, and that she was a true acting force to be reckoned with; every bit as beautiful as she was skilled.

In 1943 Bergman was nominated for the Best Actress in a Leading Role Oscar for her role in 'For Whom the Bell Tolls'. She would win three Oscars throughout her lifetime and continue to be nominated for three more.

In 1949 controversy bubbled as the actress was embroiled in a romantic scandal with director Roberto Rossellini, who she met on the set of ‘Stromboli’. At that time Bergman had been married to a Swedish doctor and had a daughter with him, but her love for Rossellini was so strong that she left them both behind to be with him. This outraged the public, and Bergman left the U.S. to settle in Italy with Rossellini.

She had a son and twin girls there, one of whom was actress Isabella Rossellini. Her daughter from her previous marriage Pia Lindström, also became a celebrated actress and producer.

Bergman continued to act, appearing in some of her most outstanding roles yet in films such as 1956's ‘Anastasia’, where she won the Best Actress in a Leading Role Oscar.

Her third Academy Award, for Best Supporting Actress, came in 1974's ‘Murder on the Orient Express’, and her final nomination was with 1978's ‘Autumn Sonata’, which was also her last film role.

In 1982, Bergman passed away in London after battling breast cancer at the age of 67. She left behind a career filled with passion, inspiring directors and audiences alike. She proved to the world that beauty and brains were fully compatible.