Olaf Johannessen (actor)

Olaf Heine Johannessen (born 1961), is a highly acclaimed Faroese actor known for his versatile acting skills and remarkable performances. Born on 8 July 1961 in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands, Olaf grew up in a family of actors with both his father, Eyðun Johannessen, and mother, Tove Johannessen born Jacobsen, being prominent figures in the Faroese theater scene. He studied at the Danish National School of Theatre in Odense and began his acting career in Aarhus Theatre. He later became a member of the ensemble at the Royal Danish Theatre. He has played a variety of roles, including the lead roles in "Hamlet" , "Faust" , “Mephisto” and “Puntila” among others.

Olaf Johannessen
Born (1961-07-08) 8 July 1961 (age 63)
OccupationActor
Years active1986–present
PartnerMarita Dalsgaard
Children5
Parent(s)Eyðun Johannessen and Tove Jakobsen

He is considered to be one of the most prominent actors in the Nordic countries, and has received critical acclaim for his performances on stage and on screen, including the Reumert Prize, Denmark's most prestigious award for theater, for his leading roles in "Puntilla," "Mephisto," and "Det store stilhæfte." He also won the Robert Prize for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Kristian Kamper in the “Killing" and was nominated for “Der Faust”, the prestigious  German theater award, for his performance as Peer Gynt in Peer Gynt at Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus in Düsseldorf.Johannessen has worked with numerous theater companies on the Faroe Islands in Denmark and in Europe.

Johannessen is also known for his work as a voice actor, having lent his voice to numerous productions.

In addition to his acting work, he is a co-founder of the theater group Leikhús Skift, which he founded and runs with his wife, Marita Dalsgaard.

Johannessen continues to be an active participant in the Faroese cultural scene, and he remains committed to promoting Faroese theater both at home and abroad. His talent, dedication, and passion have made him one of the most respected and beloved figures in Faroese culture, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations of artists for years to come.

He was awarded the prestigious cultural prize of the Faroe Islands in 2021 for his outstanding contribution to the arts.

And was appointed the Knight’s Cross 1.degree of the Order of Dannebrog in 2020.

Theatre roles in selection

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Year Theater Play Writer Director Role(s)
2009 Teatret ved Sorte Hest Hjorten Vivian Nielsen Vivian Nielsen Jarl
Royal Danish Theatre
(Guestplay on Royal Dramatic Theatre)
Language of Hope Das Beckwerk Das Beckwerk The Medium
Royal Danish Theatre Richard III William Shakespeare Staffan Valdemar Holm Lord Grey, 1st morderer, King Edward IV, Young Richard of York, Stanley, Mayor of London
Mammutteatret PPP Claus Flygare Minna Johannesson Pier Paolo Pasolini
Café Teatret Krasnoyarsk Johan Harstad Line Paulsen The Anthropologist
Royal Danish Theatre Rødt og grønt (Red and Green) Astrid Saalbach Søren Iversen Manne
2011–2014 Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus Karte und Gebiet Michel Houellebecq Falk Richter Michel Houellebecq
2013–2014 Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus Peer Gynt Henrik Ibsen Staffan Valdemar Holm Peer Gynt[1]
2013 Grønnegårds Teatret Fruentimmerskolen Molière Madeleine Røn Juul Arnolphe
2014 Betty Nansen Teatret Samtale før døden Adam Price Peter Langdal Adolf Eichmann
2014–2015 Betty Nansen Teatret Mefisto Ariane Mnouchkine Peter Langdal Hendrik Höfgen
2015 Det Kongelige Teater Heksejagt Arthur Miller Roger Vontobel John Proctor
2015–16 Schauspielhaus Bochum Rose Bernd Gerhard Hauptmann Roger Vontobel Christof Flamm
2015–16 Det Kongelige Teater Puntila Bertolt Brecht Staffan Valdemar Holm Puntila

Filmography

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Year Film Director Role Comments
1999–2000 Morten Korch - Ved stillebækken Ole Stillebæk TV-series, TV2
2009 Alting bliver godt igen Christoffer Bro Michael Film
2010 Pagten Jesper W. Nielsen Kim Landbetjent Nordic Christmas calendar, DR1
Blekingegade Jacob Thuesen Kenneth Ebbe Tv-serie, TV2
2012 Borgen Jannik Johansen Jørgen Hedegaard Tv-series, DR1
The Killing, III Kristoffer Nyholm Kristian Kamper Tv-series, DR1
2014 1864 Ole Bornedal Carl Christian Hall Tv-series, DR1
2015 Skammerens Datter Kenneth Kainz Mester Maunus Film
2015 Broen III Henrik Georgsson-Rumle Hammerich Lars Tv-series, DR1
2022 Trom Kaspar Barfoed, Peter Ahlén, Davíd Óskar Ólafsson Ragnar í Rong Tv-series
2024 Sons Gustav Möller Head of Institution Premiere at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival[2]

Awards and recognition

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References

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  1. ^ Biograph.de Archived 2013-09-25 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ Abbatescianni, Davide (22 January 2024). "The Berlinale unveils its Competition and Encounters titles". Cineuropa. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  3. ^ Avisen.dk Her er årets Robert-vindere
  4. ^ antenneduesseldorf.de
  5. ^ b.dk
  6. ^ "Her er vinderne af Årets Reumert 2015". DR. 21 June 2015.
  7. ^ "De blev hædret ved Årets Reumert 2016" (in Danish). Årets Reumert. 10 June 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.