Hollywood Star Max von Sydow Dies, Aged 90

Hollywood actor Max von Sydow has died at the age of 90.

The actor – known for roles in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Game Of Thrones, The Exorcist and Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close – died at his home in France on Sunday.

News of his death was confirmed by Max’s agent on behalf of his wife, Catherine. 

Jean Diamond said in a statement: “It is with a broken heart and with infinite sadness that we have the extreme pain of announcing the departure of Max von Sydow.”

Max was born in Sweden in 1929 and also held French citizenship.

His career spanned more than six decades and saw him star in films including Flash Gordon, Conan The Barbarian, The Greatest Story Ever Told, Shutter Island and Minority Report.

He also played sinister James Bond super-villain Ernst Blofeld in 1983’s Never Say Never Again.

Max in Never Say Never Again 

However, Max was most noted for his many collaborations with Swedish film-maker Ingmar Bergman.

His first Bergman film was in 1957′s The Seventh Seal, in which he played knight Antonius Block. The scenes of him playing chess with the figure of Death would become renowned in cinematic circles.

He also went on to star in other Bergman films including Wild Strawberries, The Virgin Spring and Hour Of The Wolf.

He was nominated for two Oscars throughout his career – Best Actor for Pelle The Conqueror in 1989 and Best Supporting actor for his role in 2011’s Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close.

He received a Primetime Emmy nomination in 2016 for his guest role in Game Of Thrones as Three-Eyed Raven.