Actor Max Von Sydow, who has played iconic roles in numerous films, TV series, and video games, has died at the age of 90. In a statement released to the BBC by Von Sydow’s family, it has been announced “with a broken heart and infinite sadness” that the actor passed away on Sunday.
The Swedish-born actor starred in various Hollywood and international films and has since established an iconic presence throughout his decades of service to the silver screen. Von Sydow is known for his film roles including Jesus Christ in The Greatest Story Ever Told, Father Lankester Merrin in The Exorcist, James Bond villain Blofeld in Never Say Never Again, and in 2015, as Lor San Tekka in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Von Sydow also starred in the popular TV series Game of Thrones as The Three-Eyed Raven. Throughout his long career as an actor, Von Sydow was nominated for two Academy Awards, including best actor in 1988 for Pelle the Conqueror, and best supporting actor for 2011’s Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close. Apart from his roles in film and TV, the actor also lent his talents to the world of video games.
Von Sydow will forever be known to fans of The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim. He provided the narration for Skyrim’s announcement trailer, and he is the voice behind Esbern in the video game itself. To the uninitiated, Esbern is an Elder Nord and one of the last remaining Blades, who acts as the guide and mentor of the Dragonborn. Apart from his role in Skyrim, Von Sydow also starred in 2009’s Ghostbusters: The Video Game, and reprised his role in as Lor San Tekka in 2016’s Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Immediately after news of his passing broke out, fans of the actor and notable figures in the film industry sent out their tributes. Director Edgar Wright took to Twitter to say how recounting Von Sydow’s iconic roles in movies and how he “changed the face of international film.” Bethesda Game Studios, who is the developer behind Skyrim, posted a tweet saying, “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.”
