Swedish actress Birgitta Andersson has died, says Jan Göransson, press director of the Swedish Film Institute.
It's incredibly sad. She was often a dear guest at Filmhuset.
It is difficult to summarize her importance to Swedish film, he notes. Her career lasted over 50 years, and in addition to Hasse & Tages' films, she became popular as Doris in the "Jönssonligan" films, played the Teaspoon Girl and had roles in Astrid Lindgren film adaptations.
Her versatility cemented her importance to the Swedish people. As the films have been rerun and "Jönssonligan" has become a cult favorite, she is constantly discovered by new generations.
In 2016, she was awarded an honorary gold badge for her long and distinguished career.
It's a memory I carry with me. Strangely enough, she hadn't received one before. She was very happy and the cheers never wanted to end at Cirkus, says Jan Göransson.
“Extremely sad”
Ulf Brunnberg, who starred alongside Birgitta Andersson in the "Jönssonligan" films, says that "there is no one who can replace her."
I have worked with her for 40 years in various contexts, both in theater, film and television, so it is clear that she means a lot to me. I am incredibly sad.
He describes her as a fun and social colleague, and an actor with a high level of professionalism and integrity.
She was wholeheartedly committed to her work and was very meticulous, and you could never influence her to do anything she herself was not motivated to do, and I had full respect for that.
“Enthusiastic about Birgitta”
Eva Rydberg, who worked with Andersson on the Christmas calendars "The Lady Who Became Small as a Teaspoon" in 1967 and "Trolltider" in 1979, remembers a dear colleague.
"Ever since she appeared on TV, I have been completely enthralled by Birgitta and I was so happy when I got to work with her. We had so much fun together, I had such a hard time not laughing, because she was so funny," Rydberg tells Sveriges Radio.
Birgitta Andersson died on Sunday, aged 92, after a short illness.
