Hollywood star Max von Sydow dies aged 90
HOLLYWOOD star Max von Sydow has died at the age of 90.
The actor, known for roles in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Hannah and Her Sisters, Game Of Thrones, The Exorcist and Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, died at his home in France on Sunday.
In 1991 Von Sydow filmed alongside Matt Dillon and Sean Young at Port Talbot Steelworks for the film A Kiss Before Dying
A statement issued by van Sydow’s agent, Jean Diamond, on behalf of his wife Catherine said: “It is with a broken heart and with infinite sadness that we have the extreme pain of announcing the departure of Max von Sydow.”
Von Sydow, who was born in Sweden and held French citizenship, had a varied career that spanned more than six decades.
He was nominated for two Oscars throughout his illustrious career – best actor for Pelle The Conqueror in 1989 and best supporting actor for his role in 2011’s Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close.
He starred in films including Flash Gordon, Conan The Barbarian, The Greatest Story Ever Told, Shutter Island and Minority Report.
He also played sinister James Bond super-villain Ernst Blofeld in 1983’s Never Say Never Again.
During his extensive film career he worked with a number of heavyweight directors, such as Martin Scorsese, David Lynch, Woody Allen and Steven Spielberg.
However, he was most noted for his many collaborations with Swedish film-maker Ingmar Bergman.
Von Sydow’s first Bergman movie was in 1957 – The Seventh Seal, in which he played knight Antonius Block. The scenes of him playing chess with the figure of Death would become renowned in cinematic circles.
He also went on to star in other Bergman films including Wild Strawberries, The Virgin Spring and Hour Of The Wolf.
Before his big-screen career took off, von Sydow studied at the Royal
Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm, and he went on to work with Bergman at the Malmo Municipal Theatre in the 1950s.
He received a Primetime Emmy nomination in 2016 for his guest role in Game Of Thrones as Three-Eyed Raven.