Came to Hollywood as a foreign import on the heels of the success of fellow Scandinavian Anita Ekberg.
Her earliest professional engagements were as a dancer with the Sadler's Wells and Marquis de Cuevas troupes.
Is a naturalized US citizen.
Mother of Raoul Björkenheim
Replaced by Vivien Leigh in the musical "Tovarich" before the show reached Broadway.
Was nominated for Broadway's 1975 Tony Award as Best Supporting or Feature Actress (Musical) for a revival of "Where's Charley?".
When her film career declined, she sought stage roles in such musicals as "West Side Story," "The Sound of Music," "Can-Can," and "A Little Night Music," She returned to Broadway in later years with the musicals "Where's Charley?," "Nine" and "Cabaret".