Biography of a renowned Norwegian actor:
He has been a prominent figure at Oslo Nye Teater since 1981, captivating audiences with his impressive range of roles in both classical and modern plays. His repertoire includes iconic works such as Shakespearean dramas and Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie, as well as lively musicals like Guys and Dolls.
His breakthrough role came in 1985, when he portrayed a Norwegian resistance fighter in the gripping WWII mini-series Röd snö. This marked the beginning of a long and illustrious career, during which he would go on to star in some of Norway's most beloved television shows.
One of his most iconic roles was as Nils in the popular Norwegian sitcom Mot i brøstet, which aired from 1993 to 1997. The show's immense popularity even led to a snack being named after his character! His versatility as an actor was further showcased in his work on the big screen, where he had the opportunity to act alongside Hollywood legends Robert Mitchum and Cliff Robertson in the Norwegian film The Sunset Boys (1995).
In 2001, he played an arctic explorer opposite Kenneth Branagh's Ernest Shackleton in the large-scale TV-production Shackleton. The same year, he landed his most successful role to date, portraying the endearing yet slightly retarded Kjell-Bjarne in Elling. The film's massive success, with over 800,000 Norwegian cinema-goers and numerous awards, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film, cemented his status as a household name in Norway and beyond. In 2002, he joined his co-star Per Christian Ellefsen, director Petter Næss, and producer Dag Alveberg on a trip to Hollywood to celebrate the film's nomination.
