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IMDbPro

Anna Q. Nilsson(1888-1974)

  • Actress
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Anna Q. Nilsson
Anna Quirentia Nilsson, popularly known as "Anna Q", who was born on March 30th, 1888, in Ystad, Sweden, emigrated to the United States in 1905. The 5'7" Nilsson used her blonde beauty to become a famous model for well-known fashion photographers and fine artists. In 1907 she was chosen the most beautiful girl in the US and in 1911 made her film debut in Molly Pitcher (1911). She was an overnight sensation, becoming a silent film superstar in the first decade of the 20th century. In 1914 she was chosen the most beautiful actress "in the world" and Photoplay magazine named her "the ideal American girl" in 1919.

She appeared in films by the top studios in Hollywood, including Goldwyn, Famous Players (Paramount), Metro and First National. Her movie career continued to flourish in the 1920s, the decade of the flapper and bathtub gin, the so-called Jazz Age. In 1926 she was chosen the most popular actress. However, she suffered a major setback in 1928, when she was thrown off a horse and fractured her thigh. To her relatives in Sweden she wrote " . . . no tragedy is greater than mine. I am still a young star and suddenly everything is lost". Her fans supported her with some 30,000 letters a month and Nilsson tried to rush her convalescence. It made a bad situation worse and doctors needed to shorten her leg.

In 1931 Nilsson was back before the camera, but her stardom was unfortunately in the past. She appeared in approximately 40 more films until she retired in 1954. She was one of the bridge players (a.k.a. the "wax works") in Norma Desmond's mansion in Sunset Boulevard (1950), appearing with her former co-star, silent film superstar and prominent victim of sound, H.B. Warner. Four years later, she appeared in a small part in her motion-picture swan-song, the classic musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954).

Anna Q. Nillson died on February 11, 1974, six weeks shy of her 85th birthday.
BornMarch 30, 1888
DiedFebruary 11, 1974(85)
BornMarch 30, 1888
DiedFebruary 11, 1974(85)
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
  • Awards
    • 5 wins total

Photos152

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Known for

William Holden, Nancy Olson, and Gloria Swanson in Sunset Boulevard (1950)
Sunset Boulevard
8.4
  • Anna Q. Nilsson
  • 1950
The Greater Glory (1926)
The Greater Glory
7.6
  • Fanny
  • 1926
Francis X. Bushman in The 13th Juror (1927)
The 13th Juror
  • Helen Marsden
  • 1927
Ponjola (1923)
Ponjola
5.7
  • Lady Flavia Desmond
  • 1923

Credits

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IMDbPro

Actress



  • Jane Powell and Howard Keel in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)
    Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
    7.3
    • Mrs. Elcott (uncredited)
    • 1954
  • Red Skelton and Cara Williams in The Great Diamond Robbery (1954)
    The Great Diamond Robbery
    5.9
    • Nurse (uncredited)
    • 1954
  • Janet Leigh and Carleton Carpenter in Fearless Fagan (1952)
    Fearless Fagan
    5.8
    • Abby's Maid (uncredited)
    • 1952
  • Fireside Theatre (1949)
    Fireside Theatre
    7.3
    TV Series
    • 1952
  • Gruen Guild Theater
    7.7
    TV Series
    • 1952
  • Dawn Addams, Richard Anderson, Keefe Brasselle, Ann Harding, Walter Pidgeon, and Barry Sullivan in The Unknown Man (1951)
    The Unknown Man
    6.4
    • Cocktail Party Guest (uncredited)
    • 1951
  • Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron in An American in Paris (1951)
    An American in Paris
    7.1
    • Kay Jansen (uncredited)
    • 1951
  • The Law and the Lady (1951)
    The Law and the Lady
    6.5
    • Mrs. Scholmm (uncredited)
    • 1951
  • Ava Gardner, Kathryn Grayson, and Howard Keel in Show Boat (1951)
    Show Boat
    6.8
    • Seamstress (uncredited)
    • 1951
  • Van Johnson and Kathryn Grayson in Grounds for Marriage (1951)
    Grounds for Marriage
    5.7
    • Dowager at Friday Club (uncredited)
    • 1951
  • William Holden, Nancy Olson, and Gloria Swanson in Sunset Boulevard (1950)
    Sunset Boulevard
    8.4
    • Anna Q. Nilsson
    • 1950
  • The Big Hangover (1950)
    The Big Hangover
    5.8
    • Helen Lang (uncredited)
    • 1950
  • James Stewart, Spencer Tracy, Sydney Greenstreet, Valentina Cortese, and John Hodiak in Malaya (1949)
    Malaya
    6.5
    • Secretary (uncredited)
    • 1949
  • Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy in Adam's Rib (1949)
    Adam's Rib
    7.4
    • Mrs. Poynter (uncredited)
    • 1949
  • Judy Garland and Van Johnson in In the Good Old Summertime (1949)
    In the Good Old Summertime
    7.1
    • Woman with Harp (uncredited)
    • 1949

Personal details

Edit
  • Alternative name
    • Anna Nilsson
  • Height
    • 5′ 7″ (1.70 m)
  • Born
    • March 30, 1888
    • Ystad, Skåne län, Sweden
  • Died
    • February 11, 1974
    • Hemet, California, USA(undisclosed)
  • Spouses
      J. Marshall Gunnerson1923 - 1925 (divorced)
  • Publicity listings
    • 31 Articles

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    She was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6150 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on February 8, 1960.
  • Nickname
    • Annie
  • Salary
    • Sunset Boulevard
      (1950)
      $250

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