RIP Michael Nyqvist, Dead at 56

Swedish actor Michael Nyqvist has died today, following a battle with lung cancer

The world has lost Swedish star Michael Nyqvist who, according to a story at The Hollywood Reporter, has died at age 56, following a battle with lung cancer. He is survived by his wife and two children.

“Michael’s joy and passion were infectious to those who knew and loved him,” reads a family statement posted by the trade. “His charm and charisma were undeniable, and his love for the arts was felt by all who had the pleasure of working with him.”

Born in Stockholm, Michael Nyqvist first made a name for himself starring on the 1997 Swedish cop series Beck. In 2000, he found critical acclaim for his supporting role in Lukas Moodysson’s comedy drama Together, nominated for Sweden’s prestigious Guldbagge Award. It was in 2009, however, that Nyqvist would take on what was to become his most famous role, playing the part of Mikael Blomkvist in a film trilogy based on on Stieg Larsson‘s Millennium Trilogy (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest).

While Daniel Craig would take over the Mikael Blomkvist role for David Fincher’s 2011 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo remake, Nyqvist had already found himself a popular Hollywood star. That same year, he played Serbian terrorist mastermind Nikola Kozlow in John Singleton’s Abduction, Russian nuclear strategist Kurt Hendricks in Brad Bird‘s Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. Then, in 2014, Michael Nyqvist even took on Keanu Reeves’ John Wick as crimelord Viggo Tarasov.

Michael Nyqvist’s more recent roles have included Matthew Ross’ noir romance Frank and Lola, John Moore’s contemporary thriller I.T. and Florian Gallenberger’s historical drama Colonia.

What was your favorite Michael Nyqvist role? Share your memories in the comments below.

(Photo by Dominique Charriau/WireImage)

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