Cora Sue Collins Obituary

Cora Sue Collins, a child actress who worked alongside screen icons like Greta Garbo (1905–1990) and Bette Davis (1908–1989) in the 1930s and '40s, died April 27, 2025, of complications from a stroke at her home in Beverly Hills, California at the age of 98.

Collins was just five when she made her screen debut in 1932's "The Unexpected Father," one of five movies she appeared in that year. The following year, she played the child version of Garbo's character in "Queen Christina." It was the first of several times the pair worked together, including the 1935 adaptation of "Anna Karenina." It sparked a lifelong friendship that lasted until Garbo's death in 1990. Collins also worked with Davis in 1940's "All This, and Heaven Too," along with many other major actors of the era. All told, she had nearly 50 credits in just 13 years on screen. Other notable works include "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer," "Two Sinners," and "Treasure Island." After making three films in 1945, she left the business at the age of 18 and married Ivan Stauffer, a Nevada rancher.

"I was so lucky to get to know her quite well," musician Adam G. Swanson said on Facebook. "Her stories from her time in Hollywood were remarkable. She met everyone in the business. She was one of the last MGM contract players. I will miss visiting her at her beautiful Beverly Hills apartment. It felt like going back in time … Thanks for being such a good friend, Cora Sue."

By Eric San Juan

(Image: Tara Ziemba/WireImage)