Updated Feb 20, 2026
Details
Known For
Actor
Birthday
(Wednesday)
Died
Height
191 cm (6'3")
Languages
Danish, English, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish
Spouses
Christina Olin (1951-1979), Catherine Brelet (1997-2020)
Children
4 children: Cedric Brelet von Sydow
Parents
Carl Wilhelm von Sydow, Maria Margareta, Friherrinna Rappe
Residences
Paris
Education
Katedralskolan, Dramatens elevskola
Zodiac Sign
♈ Aries
Chinese Zodiac
蛇 Snake
Name Origin
English < Latin < Proto-Germanic (*karilaz)
Popularity
Tier B -- 65,816 Wikipedia views/month
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Bibi Andersson →
Career
Career spanning 67 years (1951-2018)
Notable
107 total credits -- top 1% among A-tier people
David Harbour →
Screen debut
First screen credit at age 22
DROPTHE GOOD_
19
Notable
out of 100
Most people on Earth score 0. Only those with measurable positive impact appear on this scale.
Human Impact
0
Innovation
0
Giving
0
Sustainability
100
Cultural Uplift
85
Public Vote
★
★
★
★
★
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Filmography (50)
AWARDS (8)
B
Sitges Grand Honorary Award
2016
WON
B
Knight of the Legion of Honour
2012
WON
B
Donostia Award
2006
WON
B
Guldbagge Award for Best Director
1988
WON
Biography
Max von Sydow (born Carl Adolf von Sydow; April 10, 1929 – March 8, 2020) was a Swedish actor. He also held French citizenship since 2002. He starred in many films and had supporting roles in dozens more. He performed in films filmed in many languages, including Swedish, Norwegian, English, Italian, German, Danish, French and Spanish.
Some of his most memorable film roles include knight Antonius Block in Ingmar Bergman's The Seventh Seal (the first of his eleven films with Bergman and the film that includes the iconic shot of his career in the scene where he plays chess with Death), Jesus in George Stevens's The Greatest Story Ever Told, Father Merrin in Friedkin's The Exorcist, Joubert the assassin in Three Days of the Condor, and Ming the Merciless in the 1980 version of Flash Gordon.
He was twice nominated for the Academy Award - Best Leading Actor for Pelle the Conqueror (1988) and Best Supporting Actor for Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (2011).
Connections (5)
Related People
Frequently Asked Questions
How old was Max von Sydow?
Max von Sydow was born on and passed away on at the age of 90.
Where was Max von Sydow born?
Max von Sydow was born in Lund, Skåne län, Sweden.
What movies or shows has Max von Sydow been in?
Max von Sydow has 50 credits in our database. Notable titles include Nuremberg (2025), Robin Hood (2018), The First, the Last (2016), Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), Branded (2012).
What is Max von Sydow known for?
Max von Sydow is primarily known as an actor. Max von Sydow (born Carl Adolf von Sydow; April 10, 1929 – March 8, 2020) was a Swedish actor. He also held French citizenship since…
Where can I find more information about Max von Sydow?
You can find more about Max von Sydow on IMDB, TMDB, Wikidata. Their full profile and filmography is available on this page.
