The renowned actor, best known for his work with director Ingmar Bergman and roles in The Exorcist and Star Wars, has passed away
The iconic actor Max von Sydow, perhaps best known for starring as the medieval knight who plays chess with death in Ingmar Bergman's 1957 existential classic The Seventh Seal, has died at the age of 90.
Born in Sweden in 1929, Von Sydow started out working alongside Bergman before later finding international stardom in Hollywood. He was renowned for his uncharacteristically handsome face, distinct voice, and authoritative air, which made him ideal for playing characters both wise and of intellectual mind. Many of his more famous roles were thematically linked to God.
Von Sydow's most memorable parts include his role as a priest in William Friedkin's The Exorcist (1973), and as a difficult artist in Woody Allen's comedy-drama Hannah and Her Sisters (1986). Von Sydow was twice nominated for an Oscar: first for his performance in Pelle the Conqueror (1987) and again in 2011 for Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close.
In more recent years he appeared in a number of high-profile films and blockbusters, including Star Wars: The Force Awakens, where he starred as enigmatic Lor San Tekka. He also played a reoccurring role in the sixth season of TV's Game of Thrones, as the mysterious Three-Eyed Raven.
An actor of true, old school gravitas, Von Sydow will be sorely missed as both an icon of the international arthouse scene and as a legend of Hollywood. RIP, Max.
