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Gloria Swanson

Gloria Swanson

Actor, also producer · Died April 4, 1983, aged 84 · Chicago, Illinois, USA

Gloria Swanson (March 27, 1899 – April 4, 1983) was an American actress. She was one of the most prominent stars during the silent film era as both an actress and a fashion icon, especially under the direction of Cecil B. DeMille, made dozens of silents and was nominated for the first Acadamy Award in the Best Actress catagory. In 1929, Swanson successfully transitioned to talkies with The Trespasser. However, personal problems and changing tastes saw her popularity wane during the 1930s when she moved into Theater and TV. Today she is best known for her role as Norma Desmond, a faded silent film start, in the critically aclaimed film Sunset Boulevard (1950). Description above from the Wikipedia article Gloria Swanson, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia. ​

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
March 27, 1899
Died
April 4, 1983 (aged 84)
From
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
11 on MovieCove · 94 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 38 days to Oct 27Down 25% in 30 days

What are Gloria Swanson's films like?

Across their 10 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 65th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 76th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
41%
Self
23%
Morality
21%
Society
12%
Ideas
3%
Romantic love6 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFame2 titles, browse their movies with this themeMarriage2 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose2 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 10 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 7 · Serious 1 · Dark 2

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 5 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 1

Gentle: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their gentle movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 8 · Charged 1 · Intense 1

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 8 · Shifting 2 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 5 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 0

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 8 · Even-paced 2 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 6 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 9 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

8 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 5 of 8 analyzed roles.

Hero
5 of 8
Shapeshifter
2 of 8
Shadow
1 of 8
Show the 8 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Romantic
6
Joyful
4
Melancholic
5
Tense
4
Warm
3
Other
6

How their films linger

Feel-good4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy5
  • Bittersweet3
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Gloria Swanson's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 7 of their 11 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (4).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Gloria Swanson's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

94 credits, 11 with a MovieCove page; 30 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Hollywood sul Tevere (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Actor

  • The Casting Couch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Actor

  • Marilyn Monroe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as archive footage

  • Airport 1975(1974)

    as Gloria Swanson

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Killer Bees (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Madame Maria von Bohlen

  • The Age of Ballyhoo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Narrator

  • Brasileiros em Hollywood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Sef (archive footage)

  • Kraft Suspense Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Charlotte Heaton

  • Burke's Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Miss Lily Boles · as Venus Hekate Walsh

  • The Alfred Hitchcock Hour(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Daniels

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Straightaway (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Lorraine Carrington

  • Ben Casey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Victoria Hoffman

  • Dr. Kildare (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Julia Colton

  • When Comedy Was King(1960)

    as (archive footage) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Nero's Mistress (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Agrippina

  • The Oscars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Show Actor

  • Three for Bedroom C (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    as Ann Haven

  • Sunset Boulevard(1950)

    as Norma Desmond

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Down Memory Lane (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    as The Reluctant Bride

  • Dear Miss Gloria (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Miss Gloria

  • Happy Times and Jolly Moments (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as (archive footage)

  • Father Takes a Wife (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Leslie Collier Osborne

  • Music in the Air(1934)

    as Frieda Hotzfelt

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • Perfect Understanding(1933)

    Producer · as Judy Rogers

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • The Film Parade (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1933)

    as (archive footage) (uncredited)

  • Broadway Gossip No.2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1932)

    Actor

  • The House That Shadows Built (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1931)

    as (archive footage)

  • Indiscreet(1931)

    as Geraldine 'Gerry' Trent

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Tonight or Never(1931)

    as Nella Vago

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • What a Widow! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1930)

    Producer · as Tamarind Brook

  • Queen Kelly (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1929)

    Producer · as Kitty Kelly / Queen Kelly

  • The Trespasser (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1929)

    as Marion Donnell

  • Sadie Thompson (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1928)

    as Sadie Thompson

  • The Love of Sunya(1927)

    Producer · as Sunya Ashling

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Fine Manners (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1926)

    as Orchid Murphy

  • The Untamed Lady (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1926)

    as St. Clair Van Tassel

  • Stage Struck (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    as Jennie Hagen

  • The Coast of Folly (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    as Joyce Gathway / Nadine Gathway

  • Madame Sans-Gêne (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1925)

    as Catherina Hubscher

  • Wages of Virtue (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    as Carmelita

  • Her Love Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    as Princess Marie

  • Manhandled (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    as Tessie McGuire

  • A Society Scandal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    as Marjorie Colbert

  • The Humming Bird (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1924)

    as Toinette

  • Zaza (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    as Zaza

  • Hollywood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    as Gloria Swanson

  • Bluebeard's 8th Wife (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    as Mona deBriac

  • Prodigal Daughters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1923)

    as Swifty Forbes

  • My American Wife (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1922)

    as Natalie Chester

  • The Impossible Mrs. Bellew (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1922)

    as Betty Bellew

  • Beyond the Rocks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1922)

    as Theodora Fitzgerald

  • Her Gilded Cage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1922)

    as Suzanne Ornoff

  • Her Husband’s Trademark (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1922)

    as Lois Miller

  • Don't Tell Everything (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1921)

    as Marian Westover

  • Under the Lash (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1921)

    as Deborah Krillet

  • The Affairs of Anatol(1921)

    as Vivian Spencer (Anatol's wife)

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • The Great Moment (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1921)

    as Nada Pelham / Nadine Pelham

  • The Affairs of Anatol - Promo Reel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1921)

    as As herself

  • Something to Think About (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1920)

    as Ruth Anderson

  • Why Change Your Wife? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1920)

    as Beth Gordon

  • Male and Female (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1919)

    as Lady Mary Lasenby

  • For Better, for Worse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1919)

    as Sylvia Norcross

  • Don't Change Your Husband (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1919)

    as Leila Porter

  • Wife or Country (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    as Sylvia Hamilton

  • The Secret Code (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    as Sally Carter Rand

  • Shifting Sands(1918)

    as Marcia Grey

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Every Woman's Husband (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    as Edith Emerson

  • You Can't Believe Everything (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    as Patricia Reynolds

  • Station Content (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    as Kitty Manning

  • Her Decision (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    as Phyllis Dunbar

  • Society for Sale (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1918)

    as Phylis Clyne

  • The Sultan's Wife (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1917)

    as Gloria

  • Dangers of a Bride (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1917)

    Actor

  • Whose Baby? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1917)

    as The Wife

  • Baseball Madness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1917)

    as The Heiress

  • Teddy at the Throttle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1917)

    as Gloria Dawn

  • The Pullman Bride (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1917)

    as The Pullman Bride

  • The Nick of Time Baby (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1916)

    as The Blacksmith's Daughter

  • Haystacks and Steeples (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1916)

    as Gloria - the Society Girl

  • The Danger Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1916)

    as The Danger Girl - Reggie's Madcap Sister

  • A Social Cub (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1916)

    as Gloria

  • Hearts and Sparks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1916)

    as Gloria - Bobby's Sweetheart

  • A Dash of Courage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1916)

    as The Prominent Citizen

  • Sunshine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1916)

    Actor

  • The Broken Pledge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1915)

    as Gloria

  • The Romance of an American Duchess (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1915)

    as Minor Role (uncredited)

  • Sweedie Goes to College (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1915)

    as Betty - College Girl

  • The Fable of Elvira and Farina and the Meal Ticket (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1915)

    as Farina, Elvira's Daughter

  • His New Job (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1915)

    as Stenographer (uncredited)

  • The Ambition of the Baron (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1915)

    as Minor Role (uncredited)

  • The Fable of the Syndicate Lover (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1915)

    as Department Store Customer (uncredited)

  • At the End of a Perfect Day (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1915)

    as Hands Bouquet to Holmes

  • The Misjudged Mr. Hartley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1915)

    as Maid

  • The Fable of the Club Girls and the Four Times (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1914)

    as One of the Club Girls (uncredited)

Career shape

Star power in the 94th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 94 titles from 1914 to 2009.

Biggest box office

Sunset Boulevard (1950)

$339K worldwide

Highest rated

Sunset Boulevard (1950)

Midcredits 99th

Film career

  • 1915Screen debut· His New Job
  • 1923First top-billed film· Zaza
  • 1950Career best· Sunset Boulevard

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting94 of 94: 91 only acting, 3 with another role · typical Midcredits score67thProducing3 of 94: 0 only producing, 3 with another role

94 titles, 3 with more than one role — acting and producing overlap on 3 of them.

By decade

1910s34 · acting1920s30 · 30 acting · 1 crew1930s8 · 8 acting · 2 crew1940s4 · acting1950s4 · acting1960s7 · acting1970s4 · acting1980s1 · acting1990s1 · acting2000s1 · acting

Billing

usually 2nd · top billed in 43% of 7 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Gloria Swanson's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 66th percentile, the median of all 10; across their 10 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 60th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

60thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Approval · how many liked their films

77thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Reach · how many have seen their films

36thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Midcredits score across 11 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up5
  • 50th to 74th4
  • 25th to 49th2

Shape of the crowd

4 of their 11 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser3
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed4

Most divisive · actor

Shifting Sands (1918)

74th percentile spread · 18% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Sunset Boulevard (1950)

Midcredits 99th · 89% liked

Reviewers score the acting 72/100 in their films, across 8 reviewed titles; fans 80, detractors 48. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Gloria Swanson work with?

People who share at least 2 of Gloria Swanson's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Albert Parker shares the most, 2.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Cinematographers