After battling lung cancer, Michael Nyqvist has sadly passed away today at the age of 56. Although likely best known for his starring role in Stieg Larsson's MILLENNIUM series, which included THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE, and THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNET'S NEST, the Swedish actor had also broken into America film as Kurt Hendricks in MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – GHOST PROTOCOL opposite Tom Cruise, and as Viggo Tarasov in JOHN WICK with Keanu Reeves.
In a statement, Michael Nyqvist's representative said:
On behalf of Michael Nyqvist’s representatives and family, it is with deep sadness that I can confirm that our beloved Michael, one of Sweden’s most respected and accomplished actors, has passed away quietly surrounded by family after a year long battle with lung cancer. Michael’s joy and passion were infectious to those who knew and loved him. His charm and charisma were undeniable, and his love for the arts was felt by all who had the pleasure of working with him.
It's always difficult losing someone, let alone when that loss seems to come sooner than expected, and it certainly seemed as though we had much more of Michael Nyqvist to look forward to. Never take anyone for granted, you just never know how much time you have.
Adopted from an orphanage as a baby, Michael Nyqvist seemed to have caught the acting bug during his teenage years when he spent time in Omaha, Nebraska as an exchange student. It was there that he took his first acting classes, and, upon his return to Sweden, he would later be accepted to the Malmö Theatre Academy. Nyqvist's first big-break came in 2000 with a starring role in Lukas Moodysson's TOGETHER, in which he played the role of a misguided husband with anger issues. From then on, he starred in AS IT IS IN HEAVEN, which was nominated for Best Foreign Film at the Academy Awards, SUDDENLY, ABDUCTION, EUROPA REPORT, COLONIA, FRANK & LOLA, and many others.
Michael Nyqvist put his talents towards the written word as well, publishing "Just After Dreaming," an autobiographical memoir which detailed his life from the time of his adoption to tracking down his biological parents at the age of 30. As with most busy actors, Michael Nyqvist leaves behind several projects which have yet to have been released, including action-thriller HUNTER KILLER, in which he stars alongside Gary Oldman, Gerard Butler, and Billy Bob Thornton, World War II drama RADEGUND, and KURSK, a drama based on the 2000 K-141 Kursk submarine disaster which is still filming.
You will be missed, Michael Nyqvist. I think I'll toss THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO on tonight and raise a drink in your honour.