Gunnar Björnstrand

Gunnar Björnstrand

actor, soundtrack

Gunnar Björnstrand was born on Nov 13, 1909 in Sweden. Gunnar Björnstrand's big-screen debut came with The Wrong Millionaire directed by Paul Merzbach in 1931, strarring Member of the choir (uncredited). Gunnar Björnstrand is known for Fanny and Alexander directed by Ingmar Bergman, Ewa Fröling stars as Emilie Ekdahl and Bertil Guve as Alexander Ekdahl. Gunnar Björnstrand has got 1 awards and 1 nominations so far. The most recent award Gunnar Björnstrand achieved is Guldbagge Awards. The upcoming new tvshow Gunnar Björnstrand plays is Fanny and Alexander - Season 1 which will be released on Dec 25, 1984.

Being the son of an acting father, Oscar Johanson, it isn't surprising that he wanted to be an actor already as a child. However, he first worked as a baker's apprentice, in a barber shop or in the docks. After the conscription he got his first role, a bit part on the theater Lilla Teatern in Stockholm, while he took acting lessons. One of his early roles was against Gösta Ekman, one of the best Swedish actors of that day. In the autumn 1933 he became a student at the Royal Dramatic Theater's acting school, along with Ingrid Bergman, Signe Hasso and the girl who was to become his lifelong wife, Lillie Björnstrand. After graduation they found employment at the Swedish Theater in Vasa, Finland. After two years of stage acting they returned to Sweden and outmost poverty. Besides small time stage acting he was only offered bit parts in the movies. In 1943 he made his breakthrough debut with Natt i hamn (1943). During WW2 he also made his first work with Ingmar Bergman on the theater: August Strindberg's play Spöksonaten. He mainly appeared in light comedies until the movies that made him internationally famous: Ingmar Bergman's Gycklarnas afton (1953), En lektion i kärlek (1954) and Sommarnattens leende (1955). He became a close friend of Mr. Bergman. The 1960s was less successful and when his contract with Svensk Filmindustri (SF) ended, it wasn't renewed. Instead he made TV-theater, theater in Sweden and movies in Italy almost until his death. Other interesting movies with him are Kristin kommenderar (1946), Soldat Bom (1948) and Kvinnors väntan (1952).

  • Birthday

    Nov 13, 1909
  • Place of Birth

    Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden

Known For

Awards

1 wins & 1 nominations

Guldbagge Awards
1983
Winner - Ingmar Bergman Award

Movies & TV Shows

All
Movies
TV Shows