Espen Skjønberg (born 7 April 1924) is a Norwegian actor of stage, screen and television.
Skjønberg was born in Oslo . He made his first movie appearance as a child 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 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 (who also debuted in Fant ) in an adaption 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 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 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.
He is the son of actress Henny Skjønberg . His older brother, Pål Skjønberg , was also a successful actor and stage instructor.
Actor
2016
Meglerne (TV Series) as
Kens far
- Episode #2.1 (2016) - Kens far
2013
The Hidden Child as
Espen
2007
Berlinerpoplene (TV Series) as
Tormod Neshov
- Episode #2.1 (2009) - Tormod Neshov
- Episode #2.2 (2009) - Tormod Neshov
- Episode #1.6 (2007) - Tormod Neshov
- Episode #1.5 (2007) - Tormod Neshov
- Episode #1.4 (2007) - Tormod Neshov
- Episode #1.3 (2007) - Tormod Neshov
- Episode #1.2 (2007) - Tormod Neshov
- Episode #1.1 (2007) - Tormod Neshov
2008
Through a Glass, Darkly as
Grandfather
2007
O'Horten as
Trygve Sissener
2004
Seks som oss (TV Series) as
Prest
- Episode #2.7 (2005) - Prest
- Episode #1.10 (2004) - Prest
- Episode #1.6 (2004) - Prest
2004
Min misunnelige frisør as
Bents father
2002
Jul på Månetoppen (TV Series) as
Erke
- Julekvelden (2002) - Erke
- Månetoppmøte og langluefest (2002) - Erke
- Nattbudet (2002) - Erke
- Månetoppen er vår! (2002) - Erke
- Ut på tur (2002) - Erke
- Strømpestrikk, teppevev og pølsevev (2002) - Erke
- Alle gode ting er tre (2002) - Erke
2002
Guggen - Du store gauda (Short)(voice)
2000
Sofies verden (TV Mini Series) as
Leonardi Da Vinci (episodes 5, 6)
- Episode #1.5 (2000) - Leonardi Da Vinci (episodes 5, 6)
1999
Jul i Blåfjell (TV Series) as
Erke
- Julaften (1999) - Erke
- Lille julaften (1999) - Erke
- Den nye fargen (1999) - Erke
- Noen stenges inne, og noen stenges ute (1999) - Erke
- Mystiske spor (1999) - Erke
- 'Gamle ord kan vere farlege i ny vind' (1999) - Erke
- Den urgamle blånisseregelen (1999) - Erke
- Hjerte og smerte (1999) - Erke
- Med lys og lykte i fjell og byg (1999) - Erke
- Bø! (1999) - Erke
- Vesle, rare bygdeunge (1999) - Erke
- Blågutten Krekling (1999) - Erke
- Vente, vente, vente (1999) - Erke
- Hvor blir alle nøkler av? (1999) - Erke
- Så flisa fyker (1999) - Erke
- Strømpehull og strømpeull (1999) - Erke
- Ryps-raps (1999) - Erke
- Dronning Fjellrose våkner (1999) - Erke
- Blånisser og bygdefolk (1999) - Erke
1999
Sofies verden as
Leonardo da Vinci
1996
Familiesagaen De syv søstre (TV Series) as
Haakon Frydenlund
- Episode #1.1 (1996) - Haakon Frydenlund
1995
The Sunset Boys as
Carl Berner
1994
Vestavind (TV Series) as
Algot Engan
1994
Trollsyn as
Fortelleren (voice)
1994
Seier'n er vår (TV Series) as
Bestefar
- Team Skuggedal (1994) - Bestefar
- Norsk på riktig norsk (1994) - Bestefar
- Little Norway Hotel (1994) - Bestefar
- Vi skal gjøre det (1994) - Bestefar
- Amerikansk aften (1994) - Bestefar
- Welcome to Norway! (1994) - Bestefar
1993
Secondløitnanten as
Thor Espedal
1991
The Polar Bear King as
Narrator (voice)
1990
Smykketyven as
Smykkehandleren
1989
En håndfull tid as
Old Martin
1988
Codename: Kyril (TV Mini Series) as
Michaelov
- Episode #1.3 (1988) - Michaelov
- Episode #1.2 (1988) - Michaelov
- Episode #1.1 (1988) - Michaelov
1986
De unges forbund (TV Mini Series) as
Daniel Heire
- Episode #1.5 (1987) - Daniel Heire
- Episode #1.4 (1987) - Daniel Heire
- Episode #1.3 (1987) - Daniel Heire
- Episode #1.2 (1987) - Daniel Heire
- Episode #1.1 (1986) - Daniel Heire
1985
Kong Lear (TV Mini Series)
1984
Måken (TV Movie) as
Pjotr Nikolajevitsj
1983
Medea (TV Movie) as
Kreon
1981
The Witch Hunt as
Kristoffer Klomber
1981
Medmenneske (TV Mini Series) as
Didrik
- Episode #1.4 (1981) - Didrik
- Episode #1.3 (1981) - Didrik
- Episode #1.2 (1981) - Didrik
- Episode #1.1 (1981) - Didrik
1979
Grenseland (TV Mini Series) as
Keiser Jacob
- Oppbruddet (1979) - Keiser Jacob
1973
Et lite grøss? (TV Mini Series) as
Leieboeren
- Skrittene (1973) - Leieboeren
1973
Knut Formos siste jakt as
Presten
1970
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich as
Tiurin
1970
Vildanden (TV Movie) as
Gregers Werle
1969
Taxi (TV Mini Series) as
Arnold Hagemann
- Nattsvermere (1969) - Arnold Hagemann
1969
Faderen (TV Movie) as
Rittmesteren
1966
New York-idyller (TV Movie)
1965
Bleikeplassen (TV Movie) as
Johan Tander
1963
Nedjma (TV Movie) as
Lakhdar
1962
Bessie Smiths død (TV Movie)
1962
Prosessen (TV Movie) as
Joseph K.
1961
Hans Nielsen Hauge as
Mikkel Nielsen Hauge
1961
Hughie (TV Movie) as
Receptionist
1957
Stevnemøte med glemte år
1956
Roser til Monica as
Egil Ek, pianist
1955
Arthurs forbrytelse as
Arthur Sellman
1954
Portrettet as
Nilsen, farmasøyt
1954
Kasserer Jensen as
Svensen
1953
King of Skating as
Høye, journalist
1953
Ung frue forsvunnet as
Einar Møller, farmasøyt
1952
Vi vil skilles as
Ola Berg
1951
Ukjent mann as
Bokselgeren
1951
Dei svarte hestane as
Ola Nordbø
1939
De vergeløse as
En skolegutt
1932
En glad gutt as
Liten gutt
Miscellaneous
2015
Okkupert hverdag (TV Mini Series documentary) (stills - 1 episode) - Kampen mot sensuren (2015) - (stills)
Self
2015
Okkupert hverdag (TV Mini Series documentary) as
Self - Skuespiller
- Kampen mot sensuren (2015) - Self - Skuespiller
2011
Brenner - historier fra vårt land (TV Series documentary) as
Hilmself (2011)
2009
Casper och den förbjudna filmen (TV Movie documentary) as
Self
1999
Frosset hjerte (Documentary) as
Nansen (voice)
1988
Et bilde av Erik Bye (TV Special) as
Self
1983
Møte med Gunvor Sartz (TV Movie documentary) as
Reader
1977
Aftenen er stille (TV Movie documentary)
1964
Teppet går opp! (TV Special)
1961
Kunstnerforeningen 100 år (Documentary short) as
Self
Archive Footage
1983
Henrik Ibsen - Personen og dramatikeren (TV Mini Series documentary) - 'Jeg tror vi sejler med et Lig i Lasten' (1983)