Erland Josephson (15 June 1923 – 25 February 2012) was a Swedish actor and author. He was best known by international audiences for his work in films directed by Ingmar Bergman, Andrei Tarkovsky and Theodoros Angelopoulos.

Life and career

Josephson was born on the island of Kungsholmen, in Stockholm, Sweden, as the son of Maud Ellen Gabrielle (née Boheman) and Gunnar August Josephson, a bookseller of Jewish descent, in 1923. His uncle (mother's brother) was diplomat Erik Boheman, and his maternal great-grandfather was entomologist Carl Henrik Boheman. Josephson was the leader of the Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm from 1966 to 1975. He also published novels, short stories, poetry and drama, and was the director of several films. In 1980, he directed and starred in the film Marmalade Revolution, which was entered into the 30th Berlin International Film Festival. In 1986, he starred in The Sacrifice and won the award for Best Actor at the 22nd Guldbagge Awards. He was the Swedish voice of the Narrator in Disney's Beauty and the Beast.

Selected filmography