Greta Nissen; Film Beauty From Norway

Greta Nissen, the Scandinavian beauty whose accent cost her one of Hollywood’s biggest roles, has died at her home in Montecito, it was learned this week.

She was 82 when she died of complications of Parkinson’s disease May 15. Her husband, retired manufacturer Stuart D. Eckert, said he had not reported her death because he and his wife had not been interested in publicity since she retired from the screen after their marriage in 1941.

Despite that, he added, “she continues to get (fan) letters.”

Born in Norway as Grethe Ruzt-Nissen, Miss Nissen had starred in several silent films when producer Howard Hughes decided to make her the blonde siren in “Hell’s Angels.” However, when he decided to film the World War I aviation saga as a sound picture, Miss Nissen’s accent was deemed inappropriate and Jean Harlow was given the part.

First discovered by Paramount pictures in the stage production “Beggar on Horseback,” Miss Nissen appeared in more than two dozen films from 1925 on, among them “A Wife,” “The Wanderer,” “Blind Alleys,” “Fazil,” “Transatlantic,” “Honours Easy” and “Cafe Colette.”

She is also survived by her son and a grandson.