Golden Age Star Cora Sue Collins Dies at 98 – A Last Goodbye

Hollywood has said goodbye to one of its last living links to the Golden Age of cinema. Cora Sue Collins, the beloved child actress who lit up 1930s silver screens alongside the likes of Greta Garbo and Bette Davis, has passed away at age 98. Collins died peacefully at her home in Beverly Hills following complications from a stroke.

Though news of her death broke earlier this week, tributes continue to pour in from classic film lovers and cinema historians. And for good reason — Collins wasn’t just part of movie history, she was movie history.

Her career began when most kids were just learning to tie their shoes. Cast on the spot at the age of 4, she quickly became Hollywood’s go-to child double, playing the younger versions of screen legends like Claudette Colbert, Frances Dee, and Greta Garbo. She starred in “Evelyn Prentice” as William Powell and Myrna Loy’s daughter and held her own in classics like “Queen Christina” and “Anna Karenina” — both opposite the enigmatic Garbo, who handpicked her.

Despite such a glittering career, Cora Sue remained remarkably grounded and private. A rare gem in Hollywood’s glitz-fueled galaxy, she once said, “I must have the most common face in the world.” But to those who loved classic film, her face was unforgettable.

Social media tributes reflect that sentiment. One fan posted, “She was among the last ties to the 1930s and one of the finest child actresses of her era.” Another remembered a charming scene from Evelyn Prentice, writing, “I’ll always think of her with fondness — especially the infamous exercise scene with Myrna Loy and William Powell.”

Born in West Virginia on April 19, 1927, Collins’ life changed forever during a simple trip to enroll her older sister in school. A casting agent spotted her on the street and offered her mother a golden opportunity — one that launched a decade-spanning career.

Although she stepped away from acting in the 1940s, Collins remained a treasured figure in the film community, making appearances at events like the 2019 TCM Classic Film Festival. Her humility and grace never wavered.

As we remember Cora Sue Collins today, we honor not just an actress, but a living echo of an era gone by — one of charm, talent, and timeless beauty.