Espen Henrik Skjønberg is a Norwegianactor of stage, screen and television.
Personal life
Skjønberg was born in Oslo to actress Henny Skjønberg and actor Eugen Skjønberg. His older brother, Pål Skjønberg, was also a successful actor and stage instructor. He was married to actress Mona Hofland from 1959 until her death in 2010.
Career
Skjønberg made his first movie appearances as a child in the 1932 filmEn glad gutt and 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 in an adaptation 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 moviePakten. 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, 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. Skjønberg has received several awards throughout his career. Most notably the Norwegian Arts Council's Honorary Award in 1989, the Norwegian film awardAmanda for best actor in 1994 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.
