Honored Artist of the RSFSR since 1925.

She was born on August 19, 1896, in Moscow. Her mother, being a well-known theatrical actress, fully supported her daughter's desire to become an actress. The girl received a classical education and at the age of sixteen successfully passed the entrance exam at the Moscow Art Theatre. In 1917, she made her debut on the theater stage and soon participated in several productions. She played Laura, replacing the departed Gzovskaya in Pushkin's "The Stone Guest," Sasha in Chekhov's "Ivanov," Olivia in Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night," and Berta in "The Cricket on the Hearth" by Dickens.

From the age of sixteen until 1925, she performed on the stage of the Art Theatre and acted in films. Like many actors of that time, she understood that her career depended on loyalty to the new regime, and in 1918 she starred in the propaganda film "Bread." Prior to this, she had some experience in film, mainly in silent short films by Viktor Turzhanov, such as "The Afterlife Wanderer" (1915), "The Vampire Woman" (1915), and "The Death Loop" (1915).

After the theater's tour in America, she did not return to her homeland, continuing her career in theater and Hollywood. The most famous and even scandalous film was "Freaks" (1932), which was banned in several states.

She passed away on September 6, 1974, in Vevey, Switzerland.