This Hollywood Starlet Was Told To Change Her Looks, But She Refused

Julia Brucculieri
Updated

Ingrid Bergman may have gone “from saint to whore and back to saint again” ― her words ― but she did it all while unapologetically being herself.

The actress, who would have celebrated her 103rd birthday on Aug. 29, starred in classic films like “Casablanca” and “Notorious.” She came to Hollywood in 1939 at the insistence of producer David Selznick, who upon seeing her in person told Bergman her eyebrows were too thick and her teeth were “no good.” Still, she refused to conform to the standards of old Hollywood’s glamor.

As Another magazine noted, she was the “ideal fit” for Dior’s New Look silhouette of the late 1940s. She looked just as comfortable in dresses and skirts as she did in menswear-inspired separates, and up until the early 1980s ― she died in 1982 ― she carried herself with an air that was effortlessly chic.

Bergman became known for her natural beauty and went on to have a decades-spanning career, during which she won three Oscars, four Golden Globes and two Emmys, among many others.

Below, take a look back at some of the star’s best style moments through the years:

1938

A portrait of Bergman in 1938.
A portrait of Bergman in 1938.

Undated

An undated portrait of Bergman. 
An undated portrait of Bergman. 

Undated

The actress lying on a hillside in the sun. 
The actress lying on a hillside in the sun. 

Undated

A portrait of Bergman in a printed dress.
A portrait of Bergman in a printed dress.

1939

The icon in a promotional shot from the 1939 remake of "Intermezzo: A Love Story."  
The icon in a promotional shot from the 1939 remake of "Intermezzo: A Love Story."  

1940

Here, Bergman smiles while on the S.S. Rex. 
Here, Bergman smiles while on the S.S. Rex. 

1940

Bergman posing for a portrait in a pink blouse. 
Bergman posing for a portrait in a pink blouse. 

1941

A portrait of Bergman in a black gown with polka dots. 
A portrait of Bergman in a black gown with polka dots. 

1942

The actress sitting on a window ledge, sipping juice from a glass bottle with a straw, on the set of director Sam Wood's film, "For Whom the Bell Tolls." 
The actress sitting on a window ledge, sipping juice from a glass bottle with a straw, on the set of director Sam Wood's film, "For Whom the Bell Tolls." 

1942

Bergman in "Casablanca." 
Bergman in "Casablanca." 

1943

The actress wearing a beige coat and suit by Abercrombie & Fitch in Vogue. 
The actress wearing a beige coat and suit by Abercrombie & Fitch in Vogue. 

1945

Bergman photographed leaning against a wall.
Bergman photographed leaning against a wall.

1945

Bergman holding her Oscar for Best Actress for her role in the film "Gaslight," at the Academy Awards in California. 
Bergman holding her Oscar for Best Actress for her role in the film "Gaslight," at the Academy Awards in California. 

1945

A photo of Bergman in 1945. 
A photo of Bergman in 1945. 

1947

Bergman wearing a black beret on the set of "Arch of Triumph," which was released in 1948.
Bergman wearing a black beret on the set of "Arch of Triumph," which was released in 1948.

1948

The actress in London after filming Alfred Hitchcock's "Under Capricorn." 
The actress in London after filming Alfred Hitchcock's "Under Capricorn." 

1950s

Bergman standing beside a mannequin with a typical folk dress of Ciociaria, Italy. 
Bergman standing beside a mannequin with a typical folk dress of Ciociaria, Italy. 

1950s

The Swedish actress sitting outside among the palm trees. 
The Swedish actress sitting outside among the palm trees. 

1950

Bergman, wearing a polka-dotted dress, portrayed while posing on a terrace with the Canal Grande in the background, in Venice.
Bergman, wearing a polka-dotted dress, portrayed while posing on a terrace with the Canal Grande in the background, in Venice.

1950

The star on holiday in Capri, Italy.
The star on holiday in Capri, Italy.

1953

Bergman is shown here posing for a photo in between shooting scenes of "New Wine," directed by her then-husband Roberto Rossellini.
Bergman is shown here posing for a photo in between shooting scenes of "New Wine," directed by her then-husband Roberto Rossellini.

1956

Ingrid Bergman as heir to the Russian throne in Anastasia, directed by Anatole Litvak, 1956.
Ingrid Bergman as heir to the Russian throne in Anastasia, directed by Anatole Litvak, 1956.

1957

Here, Bergman is seen at the opera house. 
Here, Bergman is seen at the opera house. 

1960

Bergman outside in the woods.
Bergman outside in the woods.

1969

Here, the actress, standing beside Jane Fonda, wore a white and silver gown to present an award at the Academy Awards in 1969. 
Here, the actress, standing beside Jane Fonda, wore a white and silver gown to present an award at the Academy Awards in 1969. 

1973

The actress posing outside the Cannes Film Festival palace in France. 
The actress posing outside the Cannes Film Festival palace in France. 

1982

Portrait of actress Ingrid Bergman sitting on a park bench in London.
Portrait of actress Ingrid Bergman sitting on a park bench in London.

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Judy Garland, late 1930s

Gene Tierney, 1940

Rita Hayworth, 1945

Doris Day, 1949

Gene Tierney, in the 1950s

Elizabeth Taylor, 1950s

Marilyn Monroe, 1952

Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell, 1953

Rita Moreno, 1954

Grace Kelly, 1954

Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor and Laraine Day, 1954

Audrey Hepburn, 1955

Sophia Loren, 1958

Marpessa Dawn, 1960

Leslie Caron, 1961

Audrey Hepburn, date unknown

Bette Davis, date unknown

Joan Crawford, date unknown

Gene Tierney, date unknown

Rhonda Fleming, date unknown

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.