Björnstrand, Gunnar

▪ Swedish actor

born November 13, 1909, Stockholm, Sweden

died May 24, 1986, Stockholm

      motion-picture actor.

      Though born to an acting family, Björnstrand attempted other careers before returning to his father's profession. After playing a bit part in Falske millionären (1931; False Millionaire), he studied acting at the Royal Dramatic Theatre School.

      Björnstrand was an accomplished film and stage actor but was most widely known for his films under the direction of Ingmar Bergman (Bergman, Ingmar). The first Bergman film that he appeared in was Det regnar på vår kärlek (1946; It Rains on Our Love). Björnstrand played the role of the befuddled husband in Bergman's comic masterpiece Sommarnattens leende (1955; Smiles of a Summer Night) and the squire of the knight who engages Death in a game of chess in Det sjunde inseglet (1957; The Seventh Seal). His other films with Bergman include Gycklarnas afton (1953; The Naked Night, or Sawdust and Tinsel), Smultronstället (1957; Wild Strawberries), Persona (1966), Herbstsonate (1978; Autumn Sonata), and Fanny och Alexander (1983; Fanny and Alexander). Though internationally known and respected, his films with few exceptions were made in Sweden.

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