Cora Sue Collins, a charming child actress known for her roles alongside major stars such as Greta Garbo, Myrna Loy, and Merle Oberon in the early 1930s, passed away on April 27 at her Beverly Hills residence. She was 98 years old.
Her daughter, Susie McKay Krieser, confirmed that complications from a stroke were the cause of her passing.
Throughout her 13-year career, Collins appeared in approximately 50 films, including 11 in 1934 and another 11 in 1935. While she was part of the era’s notable cohort of child stars—alongside Shirley Temple, Mickey Rooney, and Judy Garland—she did not achieve the same level of widespread fame.
Collins debuted in the 1932 comedy “The Unexpected Father,” portraying a waif whose newly wealthy adoptive father hires a nurse to care for her. Her performance as a 4-year-old quickly earned praise.
A critic from the Richmond News Leader in Virginia described her as a “baby star” with “remarkable acting talent and an irresistible charm.” Similarly, the Kansas City Journal remarked that “the little Collins girl steals the show.”
In the acclaimed 1933 film “Queen Christina,” Collins portrayed a young Greta Garbo. She later recounted how Garbo was warm and friendly, especially admiring her new teeth.
