Michael Nyqvist

Rolf Åke Mikael Nyqvist (Swedish: [ˈnŷːkvɪst]; 8 November 1960 – 27 June 2017) was a Swedish actor. Educated at the School of Drama in Malmö, he became well known for playing police officer Banck in the 1997–1998 Martin Beck TV series and for his leading role in the 2001 film Grabben i graven bredvid. He was internationally recognized for his role as Mikael Blomkvist in the acclaimed Millennium series and as the lead villains in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (as Kurt Hendricks) and John Wick (as Viggo Tarasov). In 2004, he played the leading role in As It Is in Heaven which was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 77th Academy Awards.

Mikael Nyqvist
Nyqvist in 2013
Born
Rolf Åke Mikael Nyqvist

(1960-11-08)8 November 1960
Stockholm, Sweden
Died27 June 2017(2017-06-27) (aged 56)
Stockholm, Sweden
OccupationActor, writer
Years active1987–2017
Spouse(s)
Catharina Ehrnrooth
​
(m. 1990)​
Children2

Early life

Rolf Åke Mikael Nyqvist was born on 8 November 1960 in Stockholm, the son of a Swedish mother and an Italian father (from Florence).[1][2] As a young child, he was adopted from an orphanage.[3] At age 17, Nyqvist spent his senior year of high school as an exchange student in Omaha, Nebraska.[4] There, he took his first acting class and played a small part in the school's production of Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller.[3] He returned to Sweden and was accepted at ballet school, but gave it up after one year.[5] An ex-girlfriend suggested he try theatre and, at age 24, was accepted to the Malmö Theatre Academy.[6]

Career

Nyqvist's first major role was as police officer John Banck in the first set of Beck TV series in 1997.[7] His first big breakthrough came in 2000 with the film Together directed by Lukas Moodysson.[8] The movie achieved great international success and earned Nyqvist his first Guldbagge Award nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his portrayal of a misguided husband with anger issues.[9] He later played the leading man in the Swedish romantic comedy Grabben i graven bredvid for which he won a Guldbagge Award for Best Actor in Leading Role.[9]

"If the measure of an actor is the impression made on the audience, well, then Michael Nyqvist is the greatest of all time."

—American actor Greg Poehler paid his last respect to Nyqvist after the Swedish actor died on 27 June 2017.[10]

In 2004, he played the lead role in As It Is in Heaven as Daniel Daréus, a conductor and musician. As It Is in Heaven was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Film.[11][12] In 2006, he starred in Suddenly[13] where Nyqvist plays Lasse – a man who must come to terms with the sudden loss of his wife and son.[13] In the 2007 film The Black Pimpernel, Nyqvist portrays Swedish ambassador to Chile, Harald Edelstam, who helped many people flee execution by dictator Augusto Pinochet during and after the 1973 Chilean coup d'état.[14]

Nyqvist garnered international attention starring as Mikael Blomkvist in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Swedish title: Män som hatar kvinnor), The Girl Who Played with Fire (Swedish title: Flickan som lekte med elden), and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest (Swedish title: Luftslottet som sprängdes). These films were adapted from the Millennium series of novels by Stieg Larsson.[15]

He starred as a terrorist in the 2011 film, Abduction, directed by John Singleton.[16][17] He was also part of the permanent ensemble at the Swedish Royal Dramatic Theatre.[18] Nyqvist appeared in the 2011 action thriller Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, the fourth film of the series.[19] In the film, Nyqvist portrays a madman code-named 'Cobalt', who wants to instigate a global war between Russia and the United States because he believes a war will restore ecological balance to the planet.[20] In 2014, he appeared in John Wick as a New York Russian mob boss who is forced to protect his son from a legendary hit man played by Keanu Reeves.[21] In a movie shot in 2017 and 2018, Nyqvist starred as Russian submarine captain Sergei Andropov in Hunter Killer. In the film he is one of only three survivors of his submarine that has been destroyed by Russian sabotage. The movie was released posthumously on 26 October 2018. He is interviewed on the DVD and Blu-ray releases; in the section on the production of the movie.

Personal life

Nyqvist described his childhood, and his quest as an adult to find his biological parents, in his autobiographical novel, Just After Dreaming (Swedish title: När barnet lagt sig).[22]

In 1990, he married the Finnish scenographer Catharina Ehrnrooth.[23] They had two children—Ellen, born in 1991, and Arthur, who was born in 1996.[24]

Death
Michael Nyqvist's grave at Katarina cemetery in November 2020.

Nyqvist died of lung cancer on 27 June 2017 in Stockholm.[25] He was 56.[26]

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1982KamraternaThe modelTV movie[27][28]
1987Jim och piraterna Blom[27][28]
1990PassTV movie[27][28]
1996JerusalemCarpenter 1
1996Sånt är livetKalle Andersson[27][28]
1997Tic TacVinni[27][28]
1997–1998BeckJohn BanckTV series, 7 episodes[27][28]
1998NightwalkShort[27][28]
1998Waiting for the TenorThe director[27][28]
1998Personkrets 3:1Karl-ErikTV movie[27][28]
1999Breaking outDiego[27][28]
1999En dag i tagetHenrikTV Series[27][28]
200010:10MagnusShort[27][28]
2000TogetherRolfNominated – Guldbagge Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role[27][28]
2000Hjärta av stenLev
2001Making BabiesDoctor[27][28]
2001Home Sweet HomeKent[27][28]
2002Grabben i graven bredvidBennyGuldbagge Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role[27][28]
2002Bäst i Sverige!Giuseppe
2003Smala SussieMörka Rösten ("Dark Voice")[27][28]
2003DetailjerErik[27][28]
2004London VoodooMagnus
2004ABBA: Our Last Video EverTV Short[27][28]
2004Day and nightJacob[27][28]
2004As It Is in HeavenDaniel DaréusAcademy Award for Best Foreign Language Film nominated film
Nominated – Guldbagge Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role[27][28]
2005Shadow worldHenrikShort[27][28]
2005NaboerÅke[27][28]
2005Mother of MineHjalmar JönssonNominated – Guldbagge Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role[27][28]
2005Bang Bang OrangutangSven Blomberg[27][28]
2005Wallander: MastermindLothar Kraftzcyk[27][28]
2006SearchJanne[27][28]
2006Elias og kongeskipetJovialeSwedish version, Voice
2006SuddenlyLasse[27][28]
2007The Black PimpernelHarald Edelstam[27][28]
2007Arn: The Knight TemplarMagnus Folkesson[27][28]
2008The Kautokeino RebellionLars Levi Laestadius[27][28]
2008Downloading NancyStan[27][28]
2008IscariotMasen[27][28]
2009The Girl with the Dragon TattooMikael Blomkvist[27][28]
2009The Girl Who Played with Fire[27][28]
2009BröllopsfotografenStage actor[27][28]
2009The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's NestMikael Blomkvist[27][28]
2010The Woman That Dreamed About a ManJohan[27][28]
2010Among UsErnst[27][28]
2010Kennedys HirnLars HakanssonTV movie[27][28]
2010The Chinese ManStaffanTV movie[27][28]
2011AbductionNikola Kozlow[27][28]
2011Mission: Impossible – Ghost ProtocolKurt Hendricks[27][28]
2012DisconnectStephen Schumacher[27][28]
2013Zero HourWhite VincentTV Series[27][28]
2013Europa ReportAndrei Blok[27][28]
2013The Girl from NagasakiFather Lars[27][28]
2013Days and NightsJohan[27][28]
2014Paris FolliesJesper[27][28]
2014Min så kallade pappaMartin Sandahl
2014John WickViggo Tarasov[27][28]
2014100 CodeMikael EklundTV Series[27][28]
2015The Girl KingChancellor Axel Oxenstierna[27][28]
2015ColoniaPaul SchäferNominated – German Film Award for Best Supporting Actor[27][28]
2015The Girl in the BookMilan Daneker[27][28]
2016Frank & LolaAlan Larsson[27][28]
2016Den allvarsamma lekenMarkel
2016I.T.Henrik[27][28]
2017MadibaHendrik VerwoerdTV Mini-Series[27][28]
2017Du ForsvinderBernard Berman[27][28]
2018KurskNesterovPosthumous release[27][28]
2018Hunter KillerAdmiral Sergei AndropovPosthumous release[27][28]
2019A Hidden LifeBishop Joseph FliessenPosthumous release[27][28]

Bibliography
  • Dansa för oss (2013)[29]
  • När barnet lagt sig (2011)[22]

References
  1. "Tatt's Sweden's underbelly". couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
  2. "Swedish star Michael Nyqvist's beautiful personal drama". Vancouver Observer. 14 December 2010. Archived from the original on 3 February 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  3. Haag, Matthew (27 June 2017). "Michael Nyqvist, a Star in 'John Wick' and the Swedish 'Dragon Tattoo,' Dies at 56". New York Times. Archived from the original on 28 June 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2017 – via NYTimes.com.
  4. "Skådespelaren Michael Nyqvist död – DN.SE". Dagens Nyheter. 27 June 2017. Archived from the original on 27 June 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  5. Bucher, Chris (27 June 2017). "Catharina Ehrnrooth, Michael Nyqvist's Wife: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy.com. Archived from the original on 1 July 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  6. "Mikael Nyqvist död berör stora delar av världen". Expressen. Archived from the original on 2 July 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  7. "Michael Nyqvist – lika trevlig som han var begåvad". Aftonbladet. Archived from the original on 28 June 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  8. "Skådespelaren Michael Nyqvist är död i cancer – blev 56 år". Expressen. Archived from the original on 29 June 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  9. "Michael Nyqvist – Guldbaggen 2017". Guldbaggen. Archived from the original on 1 July 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  10. Poehler, Greg [@GregPoehler] (27 June 2017). "If the measure of an actor is the impression made on the audience, well, then Michael Nyqvist is the greatest of all time. Sweden mourns" (Tweet). Retrieved 5 July 2017 – via Twitter.
  11. News, ABC. "'John Wick,' 'Dragon Tattoo' star Michael Nyqvist dies at 56". ABC News. Archived from the original on 28 June 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
  12. Stedman, Alex (27 June 2017). "Michael Nyqvist, 'Girl With the Dragon Tattoo' Star, Dies at 56". Variety.com. Archived from the original on 30 June 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  13. "Michael Nyqvist talks about "Suddenly" – Cinema Without Borders". cinemawithoutborders.com. Archived from the original on 6 August 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  14. The black pimpernell Archived 30 November 2017 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 29 June 2017
  15. Nevins, Jake (28 June 2017). "Swedish actor Michael Nyqvist, of Dragon Tattoo and John Wick, dies at 56". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 28 June 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  16. Erfors, Staffan (11 June 2010). "Michael Nyqvist aktuell för Hollywoodfilm". Dagens Media (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 14 June 2010. Retrieved 28 September 2010.
  17. Søndberg, Ole (26 April 2010). "Michael Nyqvist to star in The Man From Beijing". YellowBird (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 21 September 2010. Retrieved 28 September 2010.
  18. Nyheter, SVT. "Skådespelaren Michael Nyqvist är död". Sveriges Television. Archived from the original on 28 June 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  19. Sneider, Jeff (24 September 2010). "Update: 'Dragon Tattoo' Star Michael Nyqvist Will Play Villain in 'M:I:4'". The Wrap. California. Archived from the original on 26 September 2010. Retrieved 24 September 2010.
  20. Ebert, Roger (14 December 2011). "Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol Movie Review (2011)". Roger Ebert. Archived from the original on 23 April 2012. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  21. "Michael Nyqvist: "Jag höll på att förblöda"". Expressen. Archived from the original on 11 May 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  22. "Jag var en svår jävel". Aftonbladet. Archived from the original on 31 May 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  23. Hällsten, Annika (29 June 2017). "Grabben som tog farväl". Hufvudstadsbladet (in Swedish). p. 24. Archived from the original on 28 June 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  24. "Catarina Nyqvist". Daily Entertainment News (DN). 14 March 2013. Archived from the original on 23 October 2018. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  25. Vlessing, Etan (27 June 2017). "Michael Nyqvist, 'Dragon Tattoo' Star, Dies at 56". hollywoodreporter.com. Archived from the original on 27 June 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
  26. "Skådespelaren Michael Nyqvist död". Dagens Nyheter (in Swedish). 27 June 2017. Archived from the original on 27 June 2017. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
  27. "Michael Nyqvist – Filmpunkten". www.filmpunkten.se. Archived from the original on 17 August 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  28. Staff, Hollywood.com (6 February 2015). "Michael Nyqvist – Biography and Filmography – 1960". Archived from the original on 8 July 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  29. Spindler, Ylva Lagercrantz. "Tvivlet spelar huvudrollen (SvD Premium)". Archived from the original on 13 November 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
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