Most famously known for her portrayal of faded silent film star Norma Desmond in Billy Wilder's 1950 film SUNSET BOULEVARD, Swanson was enormously popular in silent films, especially in those under the direction of Cecil B. DeMille. She continued to work in films & television and on stage well into the 1970s. Her last screen appearance was in AIRPORT 1975 in which she played herself.

Swanson died in New York City in New York Hospital from a heart ailment, aged 84 on April 4, 1983. Her death created worldwide headlines, with The New York Times echoing a line from Sunset Boulevard, calling her, "The greatest star of them all."

She was survived by two daughters and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.