United States film actress (born in Sweden) known for her reclusiveness (1905-1990)

• A great Greta
• She wanted to be alone
• Greta who never actually said "I vant to be alone"
• She said "I want to be left alone"
• "Grand Hotel" actress
• Classic leading lady honored on both U.S. and Swedish postage
• Hollywood "silent" star
• Famous recluse

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
screen surname of Swedish actress Greta Gustaffson (1905-1990); her name was used allusively to indicate aloofness by 1934; her legendary avoidance of publicity began with her retirement from films in the mid-40s. Related: Garbo-esque .