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Anna Sten (Russian: Анна Стен, 3 December 1908 – 12 November 1993) was a Ukrainian-born Russian silent film actress and later a Hollywood film star. She began her career in stage plays and films in Russia before travelling to Germany, where she starred in several films. Her film performances were noticed by film producer Samuel Goldwyn, who brought her to the United States with the aim of creating a new screen personality to rival the popularity of Greta Garbo. After a few unsuccessful films, Goldwyn released her from her contract. She continued to act occasionally until her... MORE

Anna Sten (Russian: Анна Стен, 3 December 1908 – 12 November 1993) was a Ukrainian-born Russian silent film actress and later a Hollywood film star. She began her career in stage plays and films in Russia before travelling to Germany, where she starred in several films. Her film performances were noticed by film producer Samuel Goldwyn, who brought her to the United States with the aim of creating a new screen personality to rival the popularity of Greta Garbo. After a few unsuccessful films, Goldwyn released her from her contract. She continued to act occasionally until her final film appearance in 1962. Annel Stenskaya Sudakevich was born 3 December 1908. Her father was a Russian ballet master who died when she was 12. Her mother was Swedish. Sten worked as a waitress until she was discovered at the age of 15 while acting in an amateur play in Kiev. Her discoverer was the influential Russian stage director and instructor Konstantin Stanislavsky, who arranged an audition for her at the Moscow Film Academy. Sten acted in plays and films in Russia, including Boris Barnet's 1927 comedy The Girl with a Hatbox. She traveled to Germany to appear in films co-produced by German and LESS