Mia Farrow and Edgar Wright lead tributes to late actor Max von Sydow
Mia Farrow and Edgar Wright are among those who have paid tribute to the late Swedish actor Max von Sydow, who has died at the age of 90.
Von Sydow was known for his collaborations with Swedish director Ingmar Bergman, before he found success in Hollywood with roles in The Exorcist and Hannah and Her Sisters.
More recently, von Sydow was known for his roles in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and as the Three-Eyed Raven in Game of Thrones.
Wright called von Sydow an “iconic presence in cinema for seven decades,” adding that it “seemed like he’d always be with us”.
“He changed the face of international film with Bergman, played Christ, fought the devil, pressed the HOT HAIL button & was Oscar nominated for a silent performance. A god.”
Farrow shared an image of von Sydow with his friend, cinematographer Sven Nykvist.
“We were working on Bora Bora," she wrote. "I picture Max in heaven wearing his white linen suit, w [sic] Sven, Ingmar Bergman, Bibi Andersson, laughing & loving each other.”
Film critic Guy Lodge called von Sydow “an actor who could bring great gravity to weightless junk, and quick, unpredictable humanity to, well, very grave films. His run of collaborations with Bergman have so much more life and electricity than the dour reputation with which people tag them.”
The Twitter account for Bethesda Game Studios - developers of Skyrim, in which von Sydow voiced the character Esbern - called the actor a “true legend”.
Max Von Sydow, such an iconic presence in cinema for seven decades, it seemed like he'd always be with us. He changed the face of international film with Bergman, played Christ, fought the devil, pressed the HOT HAIL button & was Oscar nominated for a silent performance. A god. pic.twitter.com/klhJ9RusdQ
— edgarwright (@edgarwright)
Here was Max Von Sydow with his dear friend, master cinematographer, Sven Nykvist. Two great artists. Two true gentlemen. We were working on Bora Bora. I picture Max in heaven wearing his white linen suit, w Sven, Ingmar Bergman, Bibi Andersson, laughing & loving each other 💔 pic.twitter.com/ENdcB9bPKZ
— Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow)
Farewell, Max von Sydow, an actor who could bring great gravity to weightless junk, and quick, unpredictable humanity to, well, very grave films. His run of collaborations with Bergman have so much more life and electricity than the dour reputation with which people tag them.
— Guy Lodge (@GuyLodge)
The legendary actor who gave us both Brewmeister Smith and Ming the Merciless has finally laid down his King in the eternal chess match. Farewell, Max von Sydow. You were in many much more respected movies than Strange Brew and Flash Gordon but I loved you for those flicks first. https://t.co/ltytehF5Rm
— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith)
We are saddened to hear about the passing of Max Von Sydow.
He was a true legend and we are proud to have worked with him so closely on Skyrim.
Our thoughts are with his family and friends.— Bethesda Game Studios (@BethesdaStudios)
RIP Max Von Sydow, finally free of this tiresome planet. pic.twitter.com/NX4EWRW43O
— Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse)
This was the first Max Von Sydow film I ever saw. Being a kid, I just assumed he was a famous Canadian comedian. Turns out he was a lot more! https://t.co/JHextSeYEe
— Seth Meyers (@sethmeyers)
RIP Max von Sydow. When I interviewed him when he was a mere 64, I pointed out he was the first actor ever to play both Jesus and Satan in the movies. He said that range "suits me very well, actually, because all my life I’ve been looking for diversity." https://t.co/Vc70SuDQp7
— Chris Willman (@ChrisWillman)
Von Sydow’s agent confirmed the actor had passed away at his home in France.
A statement said: “It is with a broken heart and with infinite sadness that we have the extreme pain of announcing the departure of Max von Sydow, March 8, 2020.”
He was nominated for two Oscars in his time: one for Best Actor in 1989 for Pelle the Conquerer, and most recently for Best Supporting Actor for 2012’s Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.
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James Bond and Game of Thrones actor Max von Sydow dies aged 90