Actress. The severe-looking character actress from stage and film, will probably best be remembered as Greta Garbo's overly protective caretaker, Suzette, in the 1932 classic 'Grand Hotel'. Ottaiano established herself as a stage actress in Europe before appearing on Broadway in 'Sweeney Todd' (1924), 'Diamond Lil' (1928), and the play version of 'Grand Hotel' (1930). Her first film was 'The Law and the Lady' (1924). Throughout the 1930s and early 40s, Ottaiano would often specialize in roles as sinister, maleveolent, or spiteful women in such films as 'As You Desire Me' (1932), 'She Done Him Wrong' (1933), 'Ann Vickers' (1933), 'The Last Gentleman' (1934), 'Great Expectations' (1934), 'Curly Top' (1935), 'One Frightened Night' (1935), 'The Devil-Doll' (1936), 'Riffraff' (1936), 'Seventh Heaven' (1937), 'Paris Honeymoon' (1939), 'The Long Voyage Home' (1940), 'Victory' (1940) and 'Topper Returns' (1941). Her last film was the musical comedy 'I Married an Angel' (1942). During her career she appeared in approximately 45 motion pictures opposite such actors as Jean Harlow, Lionel Barrymore, Barbara Stanwyck, Tyrone Power, Mae West, Peter Lorre, John Wayne, Zasu Pitts, Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. Ottaiano, who was never married, died of intestinal cancer.
Actress. The severe-looking character actress from stage and film, will probably best be remembered as Greta Garbo's overly protective caretaker, Suzette, in the 1932 classic 'Grand Hotel'. Ottaiano established herself as a stage actress in Europe before appearing on Broadway in 'Sweeney Todd' (1924), 'Diamond Lil' (1928), and the play version of 'Grand Hotel' (1930). Her first film was 'The Law and the Lady' (1924). Throughout the 1930s and early 40s, Ottaiano would often specialize in roles as sinister, maleveolent, or spiteful women in such films as 'As You Desire Me' (1932), 'She Done Him Wrong' (1933), 'Ann Vickers' (1933), 'The Last Gentleman' (1934), 'Great Expectations' (1934), 'Curly Top' (1935), 'One Frightened Night' (1935), 'The Devil-Doll' (1936), 'Riffraff' (1936), 'Seventh Heaven' (1937), 'Paris Honeymoon' (1939), 'The Long Voyage Home' (1940), 'Victory' (1940) and 'Topper Returns' (1941). Her last film was the musical comedy 'I Married an Angel' (1942). During her career she appeared in approximately 45 motion pictures opposite such actors as Jean Harlow, Lionel Barrymore, Barbara Stanwyck, Tyrone Power, Mae West, Peter Lorre, John Wayne, Zasu Pitts, Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. Ottaiano, who was never married, died of intestinal cancer.
Bio by: Louis du Mort
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