Max von Sydow was a prolific Swedish actor with a 70-year career spanning European and American cinema, television, and theatre. He appeared in over 150 films and numerous television series, showcasing his versatility in roles ranging from thoughtful protagonists to sinister villains. His impressive range earned him various awards, including recognitions from Cannes and Venice Film Festivals. He also received two Academy Award nominations: Best Actor for "Pelle the Conqueror" (1987) and Best Supporting Actor for "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" (2011).
1943: Kalavryta massacre
In 1943, the Kalavryta massacre, a tragic event in Greek history, was perpetrated by Nazi troops during World War II.
1951: Marriage to Christina Olin
Max von Sydow married Christina Olin in 1951.
1968: Collaboration with Liv Ullmann and Ingmar Bergman
In 1968, Max von Sydow starred alongside Liv Ullmann in two Ingmar Bergman films: "Hour of the Wolf," where he played an artist, and "Shame," where they portrayed a couple during wartime.
1969: The Passion of Anna
Max von Sydow continued his collaboration with Bergman and Ullmann in 1969, appearing in "The Passion of Anna."
1971: The Emigrants
In 1971, Max von Sydow and Liv Ullmann co-starred in Jan Troell's epic film "The Emigrants."
1971: The Touch
Max von Sydow starred in Ingmar Bergman's first English-language film, "The Touch," in 1971.
1972: The New Land
The collaboration between von Sydow and Ullmann extended to the sequel of "The Emigrants," titled "The New Land," released in 1972.
1973: The Exorcist
In 1973, Max von Sydow achieved commercial success with his role as Father Lankester Merrin in "The Exorcist," earning a Golden Globe nomination.
1977: Exorcist II and Broadway Debut
Max von Sydow reprised his role in "Exorcist II: The Heretic" and made his Broadway debut in "The Night of the Tribades" in 1977.
1979: Divorce from Christina Olin
Max von Sydow divorced Christina Olin in 1979.
1981: Duet for One
In 1981, Max von Sydow starred alongside Anne Bancroft in the play "Duet for One."
1982: Best Actor Award at Venice Film Festival
Max von Sydow won the Best Actor award at the Venice International Film Festival in 1982 for his performance in "Flight of the Eagle".
1982: Conan the Barbarian and Flight of the Eagle
Max von Sydow appeared in "Conan the Barbarian" and "Flight of the Eagle" in 1982.
1982: Fanny and Alexander Role Declined
In 1982, a role in Ingmar Bergman's "Fanny and Alexander" was written for Max von Sydow, but he declined it due to salary demands.
1983: Strange Brew
Max von Sydow starred in the comedy film "Strange Brew" in 1983.
1984: Dune
Max von Sydow was part of the cast of David Lynch's "Dune" in 1984.
1985: Berlin International Film Festival Jury Member
In 1985, Max von Sydow served as a jury member at the 35th Berlin International Film Festival.
1986: Hannah and Her Sisters
Max von Sydow appeared in Woody Allen's "Hannah and Her Sisters" in 1986.
1987: Academy Award Nomination for Pelle the Conqueror
In 1987, Max von Sydow received his first Academy Award nomination for his performance in Bille August's "Pelle the Conqueror".
1987: Pelle the Conqueror
Max von Sydow's performance in "Pelle the Conqueror" in 1987 garnered critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination.
1988: Katinka
Max von Sydow directed "Katinka," which won Guldbagge Awards for Best Film and Best Director in 1988.
1988: The Tempest at The Old Vic
Max von Sydow made his British stage debut as Prospero in "The Tempest" at The Old Vic in 1988.
1989: Red King, White Knight and Ghostbusters II
In 1989, Max von Sydow appeared in the TV film "Red King, White Knight" and voiced Vigo in "Ghostbusters II."
1990: Father and Awakenings
Max von Sydow starred in "Father," winning an Australian Film Institute Award, and appeared in "Awakenings" in 1990.
1991: The Best Intentions and Until the End of the World
Max von Sydow reunited with Ingmar Bergman for "The Best Intentions" and also appeared in "Until the End of the World" in 1991.
1993: Needful Things
Max von Sydow appeared in the film adaptation of Stephen King's "Needful Things" in 1993.
1995: Judge Dredd
In 1995, Max von Sydow starred in the film "Judge Dredd."
1996: Private Confessions
Max von Sydow made his final appearance in a Bergman film with "Private Confessions" in 1996.
1997: Marriage to Catherine Brelet
Max von Sydow married Catherine Brelet in 1997.
1997: Hamsun
Max von Sydow portrayed Knut Hamsun in the biopic "Hamsun" in 1997.
1999: Snow Falling on Cedars
In 1999, Max von Sydow appeared in the film "Snow Falling on Cedars."
2002: Minority Report
In 2002, Max von Sydow starred in the commercially successful film "Minority Report."
2002: French Citizenship
Max von Sydow became a French citizen in 2002.
2004: Festival Trophy at Cannes Film Festival
In 2004, Max von Sydow received a festival trophy at the Cannes Film Festival.
2004: Dark Kingdom: The Dragon King
Max von Sydow appeared in the TV adaptation of the Ring of the Nibelung saga, "Dark Kingdom: The Dragon King," in 2004.
2007: Rush Hour 3 and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
In 2007, Max von Sydow appeared in "Rush Hour 3" and "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly."
2009: The Tudors
Max von Sydow joined the cast of the TV series "The Tudors" in 2009.
2009: Ghostbusters: The Video Game
Max von Sydow lent his voice to "Ghostbusters: The Video Game" in 2009.
2010: Shutter Island and Robin Hood
Max von Sydow appeared in "Shutter Island" and "Robin Hood" in 2010.
2011: Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
Max von Sydow received his second Academy Award nomination for his performance in "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close" in 2011.
2011: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Max von Sydow voiced Esbern in "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim" and narrated the game's trailer in 2011.
2011: Academy Award Nomination for Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
Max von Sydow, at the age of 82, received his second Academy Award nomination in 2011 for his role in Stephen Daldry's "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close".
2012: Interview with Charlie Rose
In a 2012 interview with Charlie Rose, Max von Sydow discussed his beliefs about the afterlife and his relationship with Ingmar Bergman.
April 2013: TCM Festival Honor
Max von Sydow was honored at the Turner Classic Movie Festival in April 2013.
March 2014: The Simpsons Voice Role
In March 2014, Max von Sydow provided a voice role for "The Simpsons."
2015: Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Max von Sydow appeared as Lor San Tekka in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" in 2015.
2016: Game of Thrones
In 2016, Max von Sydow joined the cast of "Game of Thrones" as the Three-eyed Raven, earning an Emmy nomination.
2018: Kursk
Max von Sydow appeared in the film "Kursk" in 2018.
March 2020: Death of Max von Sydow
Max von Sydow passed away in March 2020 at his home in Provence, France, at the age of 90.
2021: Echoes of the Past
Max von Sydow's final film role was in "Echoes of the Past" in 2021.