Born Today December 3: Anna Sten

1908-1993

Born Anna Petrova Fesak in Kiev, which at the time was part of the Russian Empire, today it is the capital of Ukraine.  The actual year of her birth is in dispute, everything from 1906 to 1910.  1906 may actually be the year of her birth, since it shows up in her handwriting on her mother's listing of entry into the US and her own college applications later; but her official biography lists 1908, so that is the year used in almost every biographical account of her.  There is also some confusion/controversy over her birth name, with some accounts giving it as Anel Sudakevich.  There are claims that her Ukrainian father was actually a Cossack, what is known for sure is that her mother was Swedish.  There is also further confusion about her maiden name, for all this information see Wikipedia below. In entry into film came in 1926.  In all she is credited with 6 roles in the 1920's.  She died at the age of 84 on 12 November.  That date is not in question.  She was cremated and her ashes were scattered at sea.