Espen Skjønberg

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Espen Skjønberg (born April 7, 1924 in Oslo, Norway) is an actor of stage, screen and television.

He made his first movie-appearance as a child in the 1937 Norwegian classic Fant. His stage debut came reciting poetry at the Norwegian theatre Chat Noir in 1945. He joined the Norwegian National Theatre in 1946 and become one of its most prominent figures, appearing in 64 different roles the next 60 years. As late as 2006 he co-starred with Toralv Maurstad in an adaption of Waiting for Godot.

Skjønberg's first starring role on the big screen came in the 1951-movie Vi vil skilles. Throughout the years he has shared screen and television with names like Tom Courtenay, Nigel Hawthorne, Susannah York, Edward Woodward, Gérard Depardieu and even co-starring with Hollywood-veterans Cliff Robertson and Robert Mitchum in the 1995-movie Pakten.

He also found popularity with new generations heading the cast of Familiesagaen De Syv Søstre (1996-2000), one of Norway's first major soap-operaes. 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 kids-series Jul i Blåfjell (1999).

Skjønberg has 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 WW2-drama Secondløitnanten) and its Honorary Award in 2004. 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.

He is the son of actress Henny Skjønberg. His older brother, Pål Skjønberg, is also a successful actor and stage-instructor.