Ingrid Bergman

Ingrid Bergman was a timeless Hollywood legend known for her natural beauty, captivating presence, and unforgettable performances in classics like Casablanca and Gaslight. She brought authenticity and emotional depth to every role, making her one of cinema’s most beloved stars.

The Life and Legacy of Ingrid Bergman

Hello my vintage lovers,

Welcome to the very first post in my Old Hollywood Icons Spotlight series called Starlet Salutes for the women and Silver Screen Sirs for men! In this series, I’ll be highlighting legendary Old Hollywood stars on their birthdays — sharing stories about their rise to fame, their best films, their personal lives, and everything in between. Think of it as your go-to time capsule for the legends who shaped cinema and continue to bring so much joy to our screens.

So, since today is August 29th, what better way to kick off this series than with a woman who truly defined Golden Age glamor and talent: Ingrid Bergman, born on this day in 1915 in Stockholm, Sweden.

How I First Discovered Her

I first discovered Ingrid Bergman kind of by accident — during a long flight. I was scrolling through the in-flight movie options and landed on Casablanca. I’d heard of it, of course, but had never actually watched it. ( I’d seen plenty of other classic films but never actually watched Casablanca! Can you believe that?)

Well… the moment Ingrid appeared on screen as Ilsa Lund, I couldn’t look away. She had this quiet power and vulnerability that just drew me right into the film. That’s all it took — after that, I went down the Ingrid Bergman rabbit hole and wanted to learn more about her work and her life.

From Stockholm to Hollywood

Born in Sweden, Ingrid began her acting career in Swedish and German films before being brought to the U.S. in the late 1930s by producer David O. Selznick. She starred in Intermezzo: A Love Story (1939), a remake of one of her Swedish films, and it became her big break in Hollywood.

What made her stand out was that she wasn’t the typical Hollywood starlet — she wore little makeup, didn’t change her accent, and brought an authenticity that American audiences weren’t used to. And they loved it.

Her Most Iconic Films

Casablanca (1942)

Let’s start with the obvious classic. In Casablanca, Ingrid stars as Ilsa Lund, a woman caught between two men — her freedom-fighting husband and her former lover, played by Humphrey Bogart — all set against the backdrop of WWII in Morocco. It’s moody, romantic, tense, and iconic. That famous line — “Here’s looking at you, kid” — yeah, that came from this movie.

The film won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and while Ingrid herself wasn’t nominated, her performance became one of her most remembered. What’s wild is that Casablanca was well-received when it first came out, but it didn’t become the cultural phenomenon it is today until years later — especially during TV syndication in the ’50s and ’60s. Now it’s considered one of the greatest films of all time.

Gaslight (1944)

Ever heard the term “gaslighting”? This is the film it came from. Ingrid plays Paula, a woman whose husband is secretly trying to drive her insane so he can steal her inheritance. It’s haunting and intense, and she gives one of the strongest performances of her career.

She won her first Academy Award for Best Actress for this role — and it was well deserved. If you like psychological thrillers with gothic vibes, this one is a must.

Notorious (1946)

This film is peak Hitchcock. Ingrid plays Alicia Huberman, the daughter of a convicted Nazi spy who’s recruited by U.S. agents to infiltrate a Nazi group in Brazil. It’s espionage, romance, and suspense all rolled into one — plus, the chemistry between Ingrid and Cary Grant is electric.

Fun fact: It’s known for one of the longest kisses in film history at the time — a clever workaround to the Production Code that limited on-screen intimacy.

Her Personal Life: Love, Scandal, and Legacy

Ingrid was married three times and had four children, including actress Isabella Rossellini (who honestly could star in a biopic of her mom — the resemblance is crazy!).

Her love life was not without controversy. While married to Swedish doctor Petter Lindström, she had an affair with Italian director Roberto Rossellini while filming in Italy. She became pregnant, and the scandal rocked Hollywood. She was actually denounced on the floor of the U.S. Senate (yep, that really happened), and she stepped away from Hollywood for several years.

But Ingrid stood her ground. She married Rossellini and had three children with him, including twin daughters. She eventually returned to Hollywood and won back the public — and the industry — with more stunning performances.

Final Appearance, Cause of Death, and Where She Rests

Ingrid’s last public appearance was at the 1982 Academy Awards, where she looked radiant presenting the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.

She passed away on August 29, 1982 — her 67th birthday — after a long battle with breast cancer that had spread to other parts of her body. It was a poetic and heartbreaking full circle.

She is buried in her homeland of Sweden, at Norra begravningsplatsen (The Northern Cemetery) in Stockholm. If you’re ever in Sweden, this is a special place to visit for any classic film fan. There’s also a museum exhibition about her life and work at the Swedish Film Institute, and she has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles.

What’s your favorite Ingrid Bergman film or moment?
Drop it in the comments — let’s keep the conversation (and her legacy) alive.