Anna Q. Nilsson

Anna Quirentia Nilsson (March 30, 1888 – February 11, 1974) was a Swedish actress who achieved success in American silent movies.

Related Topics:
March 30 - 1888 - February 11 - 1974 - Swedish - Actress - American - Silent movies

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

She was born in Ystad, Skåne län, Sweden. In her teens she emigrated to the USA where she started working as a nursemaid, she learned English quickly and started working as a model. Nilsson's modeling lead her to getting a role in the 1911 film Molly Pitcher. During the silent era she was one of the most popular and successful actresses, appearing in approximately 150 films before the introduction of talking pictures. In her autobiography Gloria Swanson acknowledges Nilsson as the first "real" movie star, and also the first woman to become wealthy on the basis of a film acting career.

Related Topics:
Ystad - Skåne län - USA - Nursemaid - English - Model - 1911 - Molly Pitcher - Talking pictures - Gloria Swanson - Movie star

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

With the introduction of sound films, Nilsson's career went into a sharp decline, although she continued to play small, often uncredited parts in films into the 1950s. Her best known sound performance is arguably her turn as "herself", referred to as one of the "waxworks" in Swanson's Sunset Boulevard (1950).

Related Topics:
1950s - Sunset Boulevard

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Her middle name, "Quirentia," is derived from Saint Quirinius' Day, March 30, her date of birth.

Related Topics:
Saint Quirinius' Day - March 30

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Nilsson has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contribution to motion pictures at 6150 Hollywood Boulevard. She died in Hemet, California.

Related Topics:
Hollywood Walk of Fame - Hemet, California

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~