Gunnar Björnstrand

About Gunnar Björnstrand

Who is it?: Actor, Soundtrack
Birth Day: November 13, 1909
Birth Place:  Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden, Sweden
Died On: 26 May 1986(1986-05-26) (aged 76)\nDjursholm, Sweden
Birth Sign: Sagittarius
Occupation: Actor
Years active: 1931–1983
Spouse(s): Lillie Björnstrand (m. 1935–1986)

Gunnar Björnstrand Net Worth

Gunnar Björnstrand was born on November 13, 1909 in  Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden, Sweden, is Actor, Soundtrack. 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).
Gunnar Björnstrand is a member of Actor

💰 Net worth: Under Review

Some Gunnar Björnstrand images

Biography/Timeline

1941

Björnstrand was born Knut Gunnar Johanson in Stockholm as son of actor Oscar Johanson and Ella Mauléon. After his education at the Royal Dramatic Theatre's acting school, he made several appearances in theatre, film and radio. Björnstrand's first collaboration with Ingmar Bergman was the 1941 theatre production of August Strindberg's The Ghost Sonata. His first major film role was in Hampe Faustman's Natt i hamn in 1943. After signing a contract with Svensk Filmindustri, he was offered mainly parts in comedies, including Bergman's Smiles of a Summer Night (1955). In 1957, however, he appeared in two dramatic roles for Bergman, in The Seventh Seal and Wild Strawberries. He regularly starred in other films by Bergman until 1968, when his work for the Director became infrequent. He also played major roles at the Stockholm Stadsteater and in private theaters. In later years, due to the consequences of a stroke, Björnstrand avoided long-term contracts, and focused on theatre and television work. His last film was Bergman's Fanny and Alexander (1982): since he was suffering from memory loss at the time, the production was a difficult one for him. Björnstrand died in Stockholm in 1986.

1983

In 1983 he won the Ingmar Bergman Award at the 19th Guldbagge Awards ceremony.