Skip to content

Max Von Sydow: Eight of his most famous roles

9 March 2020

Swedish actor Max Von Sydow, who has died at the age of 90, starred in more than 100 films. Here are a few of his most famous roles:

BBC Presentational white space

Veteran critic Terrence Rafferty described Max Von Sydow, seen here in one of his most famous roles in The Exorcist, as "the greatest actor alive" in a 2015 Atlantic article

Getty Images Max Von Sydow in the Exorcist — Veteran critic Terrence Rafferty described Max Von Sydow, seen here in one of his most famous roles in The Exorcist, as "the greatest actor alive" in a 2015 Atlantic article

BBC Presentational white space

The star played Father Merrin in William Friedkin’s famous 1973 adaptation of William Peter Blatty’s novel of the same name. With the aid of make-up, he aged 30 years for the role

Getty Images The Exorcist — The star played Father Merrin in William Friedkin’s famous 1973 adaptation of William Peter Blatty’s novel of the same name. With the aid of make-up, he aged 30 years for the role

BBC Presentational white space

He played Jesus in The Greatest Story Ever Told in 1965. The epic film had an all-star cast including Charlton Heston and Angela Lansbury

Getty Images The Greatest Story Ever Told — He played Jesus in The Greatest Story Ever Told in 1965. The epic film had an all-star cast including Charlton Heston and Angela Lansbury

BBC Presentational white space

The star earned a Golden Globe nomination for his portrayal of a man determined to bring Christianity to 1820s Maui in 1966 film Hawaii - here, he's pictured with on-screen wife, Julie Andrews

Getty Images Julie Andrews and Max Von Sydow — The star earned a Golden Globe nomination for his portrayal of a man determined to bring Christianity to 1820s Maui in 1966 film Hawaii - here, he's pictured with on-screen wife, Julie Andrews

BBC Presentational white space

He starred with Liv Ullman in 1968's Hour of the Wolf, the first in Ingmar Bergman's trilogy in which he plays a tortured artist.

Getty Images Max Von Sydow and Liv Ullman — He starred with Liv Ullman in 1968's Hour of the Wolf, the first in Ingmar Bergman's trilogy in which he plays a tortured artist.

BBC Presentational white space

Ullman and Von Sydow also starred together in 1971 film The Emigrants. He also appeared in the sequel, The New Land. The film followed the journey of farmers and religious outcasts from Småland to Minnesota in the 19th Century

Getty Images Max Von Sydow and Liv Ullman — Ullman and Von Sydow also starred together in 1971 film The Emigrants. He also appeared in the sequel, The New Land. The film followed the journey of farmers and religious outcasts from Småland to Minnesota in the 19th Century

BBC Presentational white space

He was nominated for two Oscars during his career - including best actor in 1987 for Pelle the Conqueror. His other nomination came much later - for the 2011 family drama Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

Getty Images Max Von Syddow in Pelle the Conqueror — He was nominated for two Oscars during his career - including best actor in 1987 for Pelle the Conqueror. His other nomination came much later - for the 2011 family drama Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

BBC Presentational white space

Von Sydow (left) also played the father of a man who has locked-in syndrome in Julian Schnabel's 2007 film The Diving Bell and the Butterfly - it's based on a true story of a French man who suffered a stroke

Getty Images Max Von Sydow (left) — Von Sydow (left) also played the father of a man who has locked-in syndrome in Julian Schnabel's 2007 film The Diving Bell and the Butterfly - it's based on a true story of a French man who suffered a stroke

The actor won praise for his portrayal of a contract killer in Three Days of the Condor (1975) - his character is hired to eliminate CIA analyst Robert Redford’s colleagues at the New York office of the American Literary Historical Society

Getty Images Max Von Sydow — The actor won praise for his portrayal of a contract killer in Three Days of the Condor (1975) - his character is hired to eliminate CIA analyst Robert Redford’s colleagues at the New York office of the American Literary Historical Society

BBC line

Follow us on Facebook or on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts. If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk.

.

Actor Max Von Sydow dies aged 90

Trending Now