Espen Henrik Skjønberg (7 April 1924 – 26 August 2022) was a Norwegian actor of stage, screen, and television.
Career Skjønberg made his first movie appearances as a child in the 1932 film En glad gutt and in the 1937 Norwegian classic Fant, in which his mother also appeared. His stage debut came reciting poetry at the Norwegian theatre Chat Noir in 1945. He joined the Norwegian National Theatre in 1946 and became one of its most prominent figures, appearing in 64 different roles in the next 60 years. As late as 2006 he co-starred with Toralv Maurstad (who also appeared in Fant) in an adaptation of Waiting for Godot.
Skjønberg's first starring role in films was in 1951's Vi vil skilles. Throughout the years he has acted alongside Tom Courtenay, Nigel Hawthorne, Susannah York, Edward Woodward, Gérard Depardieu, and co-starred with Hollywood veterans Cliff Robertson and Robert Mitchum in the 1995 movie Pakten. In England, he was particularly associated with the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester and appeared there many times.
He also found popularity with new generations heading the cast of Familiesagaen De Syv Søstre (1996–2000), one of Norway's first major soap operas. In the show Skjønberg co-starred with his real-life wife, actress Mona Hofland. He was also popular as the old mountain gnome Erke in the widely successful children's series Jul i Blåfjell (1999).
Skjønberg received several awards throughout his career. Most notably the Norwegian Arts Council's Honorary Award in 1989, the Norwegian film award Amanda for best actor in 1994 (for the World War II drama The Last Lieutenant) and its Honorary Award in 2004. In 2008 he also won an Amanda for his supporting role in the movie O' Horten. He has also received the British Theatre Association's Drama Award and was made a Knight, First Class of the Royal Norwegian Order of St Olav by the King of Norway.
Personal life and death Skjønberg was born in Oslo on 7 April 1924, to actress Henny Skjønberg and actor Eugen Skjønberg. His older brother, Pål Skjønberg, was also a successful actor and stage instructor. He was married to actress Mona Hofland from 1959 until her death in 2010.
Skjønberg died on 26 August 2022, at the age of 98.
Filmography Film Year Film Role Notes 1937 Fant Fantebarn #2 1939 De vergeløse Schoolboy 1951 Dei svarte hestane Ola Nordbø The Stranger Bokselgeren 1952 Vi vil skilles Ola Berg Andrine og Kjell 1953 Ung frue forsvunnet Einar Møller, pharmacist Skøytekongen Høye, journalist 1954 Kasserer Jensen Svensen Portrettet Nilsen, pharmacist 1955 Arthurs forbrytelse Arthur Sellman 1956 Roser til Monica Egil Ek, pianist 1957 Stevnemøte med glemte år 1961 Hans Nielsen Hauge Mikkel Nielsen Hauge 1970 One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich Tiurin 1971 Gråt elskede mann 1972 Motforestilling 1973 Knut Formos siste jakt Presten 1976 Vårnatt Hjalmar 1979 Blood of the Railroad Workers Spelol Heritage Jon Skaug 1981 The Witch Hunt Kristoffer Klomber 1982 Krypskyttere Tandberg 1984 On the Threshold Kalle 1989 A Handful of Time Old Martin 1990 Twice Upon a Time Smykkehandleren Wayfarers Knoff Svampe Trym 1991 The Polar Bear King Fortelleren voice 1993 The Last Lieutenant Thor Espedal Amanda for Best Actor 1994 Dreamplay Faren Trollsyn Fortelleren voice 1995 Waiting for Sunset Carl Berner 1996 Syndig sommer 1999 Sofies verden Leonardo da Vinci Frozen Heart Nansen voice 2001 Guggen: The Big Cheese voice 2002 I Am Dina Merchant 2 2004 My Jealous Barber Bents father 2007 O' Horten Trygve Sissener Amanda for Best Supporting Actor 2008 Fiin aargang I et speil i en gåte Grandfather
Television Year Programme or series Role Notes 1962 Prosessen Josef K 1969 Faderen Captain Taxi TV mini-series 1970 Vildanden Gregers Werle 1981 Medmenneske Didrik Dale TV mini-series 1985 Kong Lear TV mini-series 1988 Codename: Kyril Michaelov 1994 Vestavind Algot Engan Seier'n er vå Bestefar 1996 Familiesagaen de syv søstre Haakon (unknown episodes) 1999 Jul i Blåfjell Erke 2000 Sofies verden Leonardi Da Vinci TV mini-series 2004–2005 Seks som oss Prest 3 episodes 2007 Berlinerpoplene Tormod Neshov TV mini-series 2009 Casper och den förbjudna filmen Himself
Selected theatre performances Ulrik Brendel in Rosmersholm by Henrik Ibsen. Directed by Casper Wrede at the Royal Exchange, Manchester. (1981) Odysseus in Philoctetes by Sophocles. Directed by Michael Elliott at the Royal Exchange, Manchester. (1982) Old Ekdal in The Wild Duck by Henrik Ibsen. Directed by Casper Wrede at the Royal Exchange, Manchester. (1983) Dr Chebutykin in Three Sisters by Anton Chekhov. Directed by Casper Wrede at the Royal Exchange, Manchester. (1985) Shylock in The Merchant of Venice. Directed by Braham Murray at the Royal Exchange, Manchester. (1987) Theseus in Oedipus by Sophocles. Directed by Casper Wrede at the Royal Exchange, Manchester. (1987) Button Moulder in Peer Gynt by Henrik Ibsen. Directed by Braham Murray at the Royal Exchange, Manchester. (1999) Firs in The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov. Staged at the Nationaltheatret, Oslo. (2017)
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