Michael Nyqvist obit

Michael Nyqvist, ‘Dragon Tattoo’ Star, Dies at 56

The Swedish actor also starred in 'John Wick' and 'Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol.'

 He was not on the list.

Michael Nyqvist, who starred as Mikael Blomkvist opposite Noomi Rapace in the original Swedish film version of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and its sequels, died Tuesday after battling lung cancer, his family said. He was 56.

“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,” a family statement read.

Nyqvist also appeared in John Wick, toplined by Keanu Reeves, and as the villain nuclear scientist in Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol opposite Tom Cruise.

The role of Mikael Blomkvist in the American big-screen adaptation of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, based on Stieg Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy, was played by Daniel Craig.

Nyqvist also starred in Colonia, opposite Daniel Bruhl and Emma Watson, and played Captain Sergi Andropoyov in the Donovan March-directed submarine-set action-thriller Hunter Killer.

He also appeared in the 2016 Sundance selection Frank and Lola, which starred Michael Shannon and Imogen Poots. On the TV front, Nyqvist starred opposite Dominic Monaghan in 100 Code, the Sweden-U.S. series created by Bobby Moresco.

Nyqvist won the best male actor award at the Guldbagge, Sweden’s equivalent of the Oscars, in 2002 for his performance in The Guy in the Grave Next Door. He also starred in As It Is in Heaven, which was nominated for best foreign film at the Academy Awards in 2004.Nyqvist won the best male actor award at the Guldbagge, Sweden’s equivalent of the Oscars, in 2002 for his performance in The Guy in the Grave Next Door. He also starred in As It Is in Heaven, which was nominated for best foreign film at the Academy Awards in 2004.Nyqvist won the best male actor award at the Guldbagge, Sweden’s equivalent of the Oscars, in 2002 for his performance in The Guy in the Grave Next Door. He also starred in As It Is in Heaven, which was nominated for best foreign film at the Academy Awards in 2004.

Born Rolf Ake Mikael Nyqvist on Nov. 8, 1960, in Stockholm, he was educated at the School of Drama in Malmo. He apparently caught the acting bug when, at age 17, he traveled to Omaha, Nebraska, for one year as an exchange student.

After starring in mostly Swedish theater and movie productions during the 1980s and early 1990s, including in the role of the police officer Banck in the first series of Beck films made in 1997, Nyqvist had a career breakthrough with the 2000 Swedish dramedy Together, directed by Lukas Moodysson.

He then played the lead role in the 2002 Swedish romantic comedy-drama The Guy in the Grave Next Door, directed by Kjell Sundvall. A year later, Nyqvist starred in the Swedish film As It Is in Heaven, which was nominated for an Academy Award in the best foreign film competition.

He is survived by his wife, Catharina, and their children, Ellen and Arthur.

Actor

Valerie Pachner in A Hidden Life (2019)

A Hidden Life

7.4

Bishop Fliesser

2019

 

Gary Oldman and Gerard Butler in Hunter Killer (2018)

Hunter Killer

6.6

Captain Andropov

2018

 

Colin Firth and Matthias Schoenaerts in The Command (2018)

The Command

6.6

Nesterov

2018

 

Trine Dyrholm, Nikolaj Lie Kaas, and Michael Nyqvist in You Disappear (2017)

You Disappear

6.0

Bernard Berman

2017

 

Laurence Fishburne, David Harewood, Orlando Jones, Michael Nyqvist, and Terry Pheto in Madiba (2017)

Madiba

6.8

TV Mini Series

H.F. Verwoerd

2017

6 episodes

 

Pierce Brosnan, Stefanie Scott, and James Frecheville in I.T. (2016)

I.T.

5.5

Henrik

2016

 

A Serious Game (2016)

A Serious Game

6.4

Markel

2016

 

Michael Shannon and Imogen Poots in Frank & Lola (2016)

Frank & Lola

5.9

Alan

2016

 

Emily VanCamp in The Girl in the Book (2015)

The Girl in the Book

6.1

Milan

2015

 

Daniel Brühl, Michael Nyqvist, and Emma Watson in Colonia (2015)

Colonia

7.0

Paul Schäfer

2015

 

Sarah Gadon and Malin Buska in The Girl King (2015)

The Girl King

5.9

Chancellor Axel Oxenstierna

2015

 

Dominic Monaghan and Michael Nyqvist in 100 Code (2015)

100 Code

7.2

TV Series

Mikael Eklund

2015

12 episodes

 

Keanu Reeves in John Wick (2014)

John Wick

7.5

Viggo Tarasov

2014

 

Michael Nyqvist and Vera Vitali in My So-Called Father (2014)

My So-Called Father

6.1

Martin Sandahl

2014

 

Paris Follies (2014)

Paris Follies

6.4

Jesper

2014

 

Days and Nights (2014)

Days and Nights

4.6

Johan

2014

 

The Girl from Nagasaki (2013)

The Girl from Nagasaki

7.1

Father Lars

2013

 

Anthony Edwards in Zero Hour (2013)

Zero Hour

6.3

TV Series

White Vincent

2013

13 episodes

 

Europa Report (2013)

Europa Report

6.4

Andrei Blok

2013

 

Jason Bateman, Alexander Skarsgård, Hope Davis, Michael Nyqvist, Max Thieriot, and Andrea Riseborough in Disconnect (2012)

Disconnect

7.5

Stephen Schumacher

2012

 

Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner, and Paula Patton in Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011)

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol

7.4

Hendricks

2011

 

Taylor Lautner in Abduction (2011)

Abduction

5.1

Kozlow

2011

 

The Man from Beijing (2011)

The Man from Beijing

6.0

TV Movie

Staffan

2011

 

Millennium (2010)

Millennium

8.3

TV Mini Series

Mikael Blomkvist

2010

6 episodes

 

Arn: The Knight Templar (2010)

Arn: The Knight Templar

7.3

TV Mini Series

Magnus Folkesson

2010

2 episodes

 

Kennedy's Brain (2010)

Kennedy's Brain

5.8

TV Movie

Lars Hakansson

2010

 

Änglavakt (2010)

Änglavakt

5.2

Ernst

2010

 

The Woman Who Dreamed of a Man (2010)

The Woman Who Dreamed of a Man

5.0

Johan

2010

 

Noomi Rapace in The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest (2009)

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest

7.3

Mikael Blomkvist

2009

 

The Wedding Photographer (2009)

The Wedding Photographer

6.0

Stage actor

2009

 

Noomi Rapace in The Girl Who Played with Fire (2009)

The Girl Who Played with Fire

7.1

Mikael Blomkvist

2009

 

Olle Ljungström: En förgiftad man (2009)

Olle Ljungström: En förgiftad man

6.9

Music Video

Michael Nyqvist

2009

 

Noomi Rapace in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009)

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

7.8

Mikael Blomkvist

2009

 

Reidar Sørensen in The Night Sister (2008)

The Night Sister

6.6

TV Mini Series

Tage Wolter

2008

3 episodes

 

Iscariot (2008)

Iscariot

5.2

Masen

2008

 

Maria Bello in Downloading Nancy (2008)

Downloading Nancy

5.7

Stan

2008

 

The Kautokeino Rebellion (2008)

The Kautokeino Rebellion

6.8

Lars Levi Laestadius (as Michael Nyquist)

2008

 

Joakim Nätterqvist in Arn: The Knight Templar (2007)

Arn: The Knight Templar

6.6

Magnus Folkesson

2007

 

Michael Nyqvist in The Black Pimpernel (2007)

The Black Pimpernel

6.2

Harald Edelstam

2007

 

Elias og kongeskipet (2007)

Elias og kongeskipet

5.7

Joviale (voice: Swedish version)

2007

 

Michael Nyqvist in Suddenly (2006)

Suddenly

6.4

Lasse

2006

 

White Man's Blues (2006)

White Man's Blues

Short

Jonas

2006

 

Sök (2006)

Sök

4.8

Janne

2006

 

Krister Henriksson in Wallander (2005)

Wallander

7.6

TV Series

Lothar Kraftzcyk

2005

1 episode

 

Bang bang orangutang (2005)

Bang bang orangutang

5.0

Sven Blomberg

2005

 

Skattejakten (2005)

Skattejakten

5.9

TV Series

Are Sterner

2005

1 episode

 

Mother of Mine (2005)

Mother of Mine

7.6

Hjalmar Jönsson - isä Ruotsissa

2005

 

Cecilie A. Mosli, Kristoffer Joner, and Julia Schacht in Next Door (2005)

Next Door

6.4

Åke

2005

 

Skuggvärld

Short

Henrik

2005

 

Om Stig Petrés hemlighet (2004)

Om Stig Petrés hemlighet

6.8

TV Mini Series

Stig Petré

2004

3 episodes

 

Frida Hallgren and Michael Nyqvist in As It Is in Heaven (2004)

As It Is in Heaven

7.5

Daniel Daréus

2004

 

Day and Night (2004)

Day and Night

6.5

Jacob

2004

 

London Voodoo (2004)

London Voodoo

3.8

Magnus

2004

 

Veddemålet (2004)

Veddemålet

5.8

TV Mini Series

Are Sterner

2004

3 episodes

 

Details (2003)

Details

5.8

Erik

2003

 

Slim Susie (2003)

Slim Susie

6.9

Mörka Rösten

2003

 

Föräldramötet

6.4

Short

Ulf

2003

 

We Can Be Heroes! (2002)

We Can Be Heroes!

5.4

Giuseppe

2002

 

Grabben i graven bredvid (2002)

Grabben i graven bredvid

5.6

Benny Söderström

2002

 

Mylaine Hedreul in Olivia Twist (2002)

Olivia Twist

6.6

TV Mini Series

Fagerlund

2002

6 episodes

 

Den 5:e kvinnan (2002)

Den 5:e kvinnan

6.7

TV Mini Series

Bo Runfeldt

2002

4 episodes

 

Weeping Willows: Touch Me

7.6

Short

2002

 

Anxiety (2001)

Anxiety

5.8

Short

2001

 

Suzanne Reuter and Ulla Skoog in Reuter & Skoog (1999)

Reuter & Skoog

6.5

TV Series

2001

2 episodes

 

Hem ljuva hem (2001)

Hem ljuva hem

6.3

Kent

2001

 

Hans och hennes (2001)

Hans och hennes

5.5

Doctor

2001

 

Skuggpojkarna (2001)

Skuggpojkarna

7.5

TV Movie

Christoffer

2001

 

Magnus Krepper and Johanna Sällström in Bekännelsen (2001)

Bekännelsen

6.7

TV Mini Series

Thorn

2001

2 episodes

 

Hjärta av sten (2000)

Hjärta av sten

3.6

Lev

2000

 

Reuben Sallmander in Brott§våg (2000)

Brott§våg

5.9

TV Series

Michael Heymer

2000

1 episode

 

Michael Nyqvist in Together (2000)

Together

7.4

Rolf

2000

 

Peter Andersson, Rebecka Hemse, and Marika Lagercrantz in Judith (2000)

Judith

6.6

TV Mini Series

Niklas Wide

2000

2 episodes

 

10:10

5.6

Short

Magnus

2000

 

En dag i taget (1999)

En dag i taget

5.8

TV Series

Henrik Boström

1999

1 episode

 

Robert Gustafsson and Johan Rheborg in På sista versen - En liten film om döden (1999)

På sista versen - En liten film om döden

6.2

TV Movie

Raymond (as Mikael Nyqvist)

1999

 

Björn Kjellman, Oliver Loftéen, Michael Nyqvist, Shanti Roney, and Lixin Zhao in Vägen ut (1999)

Vägen ut

6.4

Diego

1999

 

Personkrets 3:1 (1998)

Personkrets 3:1

8.0

TV Movie

Karl-ErikBruno

1998

 

S:t Mikael: Traumaenheten (1998)

S:t Mikael: Traumaenheten

6.2

TV Series

Svante Nyhlén

1998

2 episodes

 

OP:7 (1997)

OP:7

6.7

TV Series

Johan

1998

1 episode

 

Veranda för en tenor (1998)

Veranda för en tenor

5.4

Regissören

1998

 

Peter Haber and Kristofer Hivju in Beck (1997)

Beck

7.5

TV Series

John BanckBanck

1997–1998

7 episodes

 

Nightwalk: based on a true story

Short

The Man

1998

 

Tic Tac (1997)

Tic Tac

6.7

Resturant Owner

1997

 

Emma åklagare (1997)

Emma åklagare

5.9

TV Series

Anders Häger

1997

1 episode

 

Sånt är livet (1996)

Sånt är livet

4.7

Kalle Andersson

1996

 

Jerusalem (1996)

Jerusalem

6.9

Carpenter 1

1996

 

Katarina Ewerlöf, Peter Haber, Thomas Hanzon, Krister Henriksson, Sissela Kyle, and Jacob Nordenson in Zonen (1996)

Zonen

6.7

TV Mini Series

Militärpolis

1996

1 episode

 

Anmäld försvunnen (1995)

Anmäld försvunnen

6.6

TV Series

Ronny (as Michael Nyquist)

1995

1 episode

 

Döda danskar räknas inte (1994)

Döda danskar räknas inte

TV Mini Series

Henrik

1994

 

Kvällspressen (1992)

Kvällspressen

5.4

TV Series

Konkurrentjournalist (as Michael Nykvist)

1992

1 episode

 

Pass

TV Movie

1990

 

Jim & Piraterna Blom (1987)

Jim & Piraterna Blom

6.2

1987

 

Kamraterna

TV Movie

The model

1982

 

Producer

Dominic Monaghan and Michael Nyqvist in 100 Code (2015)

100 Code

7.2

TV Series

executive producer

2015

3 episodes

 

Thanks

Cecilia Frode, Lars Frode, Gustaf Hammarsten, Jonas Karlsson, Jessica Liedberg, Lisa Lindgren, Sten Ljunggren, Anja Lundqvist, Henrik Lundström, Shanti Roney, Olle Sarri, David Dencik, and Clara Christiansson Drake in Together 99 (2023)

Together 99

5.9

dedication

2023

 

Keanu Reeves in John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (2019)

John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum

7.4

in memoriam

2019

 

Gary Oldman and Gerard Butler in Hunter Killer (2018)

Hunter Killer

6.6

in memory of

2018

 

Self

TCM Remembers 2017 (2017)

TCM Remembers 2017

9.4

TV Special

Self - Actor

2017

 

Michael Nyqvist in Michael Nyqvist - Ett porträtt (2016)

Michael Nyqvist - Ett porträtt

TV Movie

Self

2016

 

Steffo Törnqvist and Jenny Strömstedt in TV4 Nyhetsmorgon (1992)

TV4 Nyhetsmorgon

4.4

TV Series

Self - Guest

2006–2016

6 episodes

 

Colonia: Behind the Scenes

Video

SelfSelf - Paul Schäfer (uncredited)

2016

 

Deutscher Filmpreis 2016

TV Movie

Self

2016

 

Skavlan (2009)

Skavlan

6.1

TV Series

Self - Guest

2009–2016

3 episodes

 

Micael Bindefeld, Sofia Wistam, Michael Nyqvist, and Pernilla Wahlgren in Fest hos Bindefeld (2015)

Fest hos Bindefeld

4.7

TV Series

Self - Guest

2015

1 episode

 

Elfving möter (2009)

Elfving möter

Podcast Series

Self - Guest (voice)

2015

1 episode

 

Fredrik Wikingsson and Filip Hammar in Breaking News med Filip och Fredrik (2011)

Breaking News med Filip och Fredrik

5.7

TV Series

Self - Guest

2015

1 episode

 

Kristoffer Triumf in Värvet (2012)

Värvet

6.7

Podcast Series

Self - Guest (voice)

2015

1 episode

 

Björn J:son Lindh - Minneskonsert

TV Special

Self

2015

 

Calling in the Cavalry (2015)

Calling in the Cavalry

8.2

Short

Self

2015

 

Samuel L. Jackson, Mark Wahlberg, and Kylie Erica Mar in Made in Hollywood (2005)

Made in Hollywood

4.6

TV Series

Self

2014

1 episode

 

Mia Skäringer in Mia på Grötö (2013)

Mia på Grötö

4.9

TV Series

Self

2014

1 episode

 

David Hellenius in Hellenius hörna (2010)

Hellenius hörna

5.3

TV Series

Self - Guest

2011–2013

2 episodes

 

Carina Berg in Bergs bärbara talkshow (2013)

Bergs bärbara talkshow

5.3

TV Series

Self - Guest

2013

1 episode

 

Tramsit.se (2009)

Tramsit.se

TV Series

Self

2013

1 episode

 

Malou von Sivers in Efter tio (2006)

Efter tio

2.7

TV Series

Self

2009–2013

3 episodes

 

Alex Schulman in Schulman Show (2009)

Schulman Show

5.9

TV Series

Self - Guest

2010

1 episode

 

Mauro & Pluras kök (2010)

Mauro & Pluras kök

7.2

TV Series

Self - Guest

2010

1 episode

 

Aloha!

4.2

TV Series

Self

2010

1 episode

 

Ivan Puopolo in Strada (2008)

Strada

6.5

TV Series

Self

2009

1 episode

 

Kattis & company (2009)

Kattis & company

TV Series

Self

2009

1 episode

 

Närbild (2004)

Närbild

4.2

TV Series

Self

2007

1 episode

 

Sommar & Vinter i P1 (1959)

Sommar & Vinter i P1

5.8

Podcast Series

Self (voice)

2001–2007

2 episodes

 

Hos Jihde

3.5

TV Series

Self

2007

1 episode

 

Kayo Shekoni, Carina Berg, and Carolina Gynning in FörKväll (2006)

FörKväll

3.7

TV Series

Self

2006

2 episodes

 

Polar Music Prize 2006

TV Special

Self

2006

 

Messiah Hallberg in Kristallen (2005)

Kristallen

2.9

TV Series

Self

2005

1 episode

 

Leif 'Loket' Olsson in BingoLotto (1989)

BingoLotto

3.6

TV Series

Self - Guest

2000–2005

2 episodes

 

Godnatt, Sverige (2005)

Godnatt, Sverige

4.7

TV Series

Self

2005

1 episode

 

ABBA: Our Last Video Ever (2004)

ABBA: Our Last Video Ever

7.9

Music Video

Self

2004

 

Annika Lantz in I afton Lantz (2001)

I afton Lantz

2.8

TV Series

Self

2001

1 episode

 

Centrum (1998)

Centrum

TV Series

SelfSelf - Actor

1998

1 episode

 

Archive Footage

Ernst Billgren, Charlotte Perrelli, Ola Rapace, Kjell Wilhelmsen, and Shima Niavarani in Stjärnorna på slottet (2006)

Stjärnorna på slottet

6.2

TV Series

Self - Henrik Boström (archive footage)

2019

1 episode

 

Steffo Törnqvist and Jenny Strömstedt in TV4 Nyhetsmorgon (1992)

TV4 Nyhetsmorgon

4.4

TV Series

Self (archive footage)

2017

1 episode

 

Colonia: Interview with Emma Watson

Video

Self - Paul Schäfer (archive footage, uncredited)

2016