--- name: "Jan Malmsjö" canonical: "https://film.one/person/jan-malmsjo" fi1m_id: "jan-malmsjo" imdb_id: "nm0540300" tmdb_id: 46867 wikidata_id: "Q728985" roles: ["Actor"] born: "29 May 1932" reviewed_on_fi1m: 2 average_fi1m_score: 90 average_as: "actor" average_over: 2 updated: "2026-09-17T18:33:26.181718+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Jan Malmsjö ## Identity Jan Malmsjö - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/jan-malmsjo - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** jan-malmsjo - **IMDb ID:** nm0540300 - **TMDB ID:** 46867 - **Wikidata ID:** Q728985 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Malmsj%C3%B6, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q728985, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0540300/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/46867 Actor. Born 29 May 1932 in Lund, Sweden. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 29 May 1932, Lund, Sweden - **Active:** 1974–1982 - **Also known as:** Jan Malmsjo - **Frequently works with:** [Ingmar Bergman](https://film.one/person/ingmar-bergman.md) - **Average Fi1m score:** 90, as actor, over 2 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 88 (1), 1980s 92 (1) - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Malmsj%C3%B6, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q728985, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0540300/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/46867 ## Streaming the US now - **HBO Max:** [*Fanny and Alexander*](https://film.one/film/fanny-and-alexander.md) (92) - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Scenes from a Marriage*](https://film.one/film/scenes-from-a-marriage-1974.md) (88) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Jan Malmsjö > Jan Malmsjö’s bishop in *Fanny and Alexander* makes a child’s disobedience feel dangerous. We recommend this severe performance without mistaking it for the whole of an actor whose work also includes musicals and cabaret. Jan Malmsjö’s Bishop Edvard Vergerus expects obedience and sees no reason a child should withhold it. In *Fanny and Alexander* (1982), he makes that certainty the frightening centre of the character. We were frightened because Malmsjö makes the bishop seem incapable of listening to an objection. Around him, Ingmar Bergman gives us a family drama full of warmth and humour, which makes the severity harder to bear. We recommend the film warmly, but there is nothing comfortable about his part in it. That severity can give a misleading impression of the actor behind it. Malmsjö’s career has been chiefly on stage, with cabaret and musicals alongside serious drama; his breakthrough was as Lilleman in *Stoppa världen – jag vill stiga av* (1963). He played the title role in *Hamlet* (1974) and Albin/Zaza in *La Cage aux Folles* (1985). His screen work has been more intermittent, including Peter in Bergman’s *Scenes from a Marriage* (1973). Those credits are worth remembering when judging an actor so strongly associated with one severe screen role. Bergman sets him against Bertil Guve’s stubborn, watchful Alexander, and never pretends their characters are evenly matched. The boy has a will of his own, but Malmsjö makes clear how little that counts for with the bishop. His insistence on obedience makes freedom a practical need for the child, rather than a pleasant idea. Bergman does not soften the abuse by turning it into a lesson in courage. That choice asks us to endure some painful scenes, and Malmsjö’s certainty is what makes them so hard to watch. Our reservation about *Fanny and Alexander* concerns the attention given to the children: Fanny deserves more of it. The force of Malmsjö’s scenes with Guve does not remove that imbalance, however compelling they are. The film’s warmth and humour matter just as much as the severity, and keep this from being merely an ordeal. Start here for Malmsjö, but do not expect the family warmth to make the bishop any easier company. ## Biography Jan Malmsjö is a Swedish actor and singer. Born on 29 May 1932 in Lund, he trained at the Royal Dramatic Training Academy from 1950 to 1953. He is known for stage and musical roles as well as film and television work, including Peter in Ingmar Bergman's *Scenes from a Marriage* (1973–1974) and Bishop Edvard Vergerus in *Fanny and Alexander* (1982). He has also appeared in episodes of the series *Combat!* (1962). Malmsjö has been married to actress Marie Göranzon since 1974; their son Jonas Malmsjö is also an actor. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (2) - *Fanny and Alexander* (1982), Fi1m 92, as Bishop Edvard Vergerus — [page](https://film.one/film/fanny-and-alexander.md) - *Scenes from a Marriage* (1974), Fi1m 88, as Peter — [page](https://film.one/film/scenes-from-a-marriage-1974.md) ## Complete filmography (58) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Weather to Remember* (2021), Actor - *Bröllop, begravning och dop - filmen* (2021), as Rolf Öhrn - *A Music Story* (2019), Actor - *Weddings, Funerals and Baptisms* (2019), series, Actor - *Thanks for Dancing* (2016), as Bertil - *The Hidden Child* (2013), as Axel Frankel - *Clean-cut People* (2012), as Stig - *The Ghost Sonata* (2007), as Gubben - *With Your Permission* (2007), as Eckelstein - *Beck 21 - The Japanese Painting* (2007), as Ernst Levendahl - *Welcome to Verona* (2006), as Walter - *Bit by Bit* (2002), as Chaim - *I Am Dina* (2002), as Merchant #3 - *Beck* (1999), series, as Ernst Levendahl - *The Tattooed Widow* (1998), as Leon Mark - *Nature's Warrior* (1997), as Chief of Police - *The Dance of Death* (1996), as Edgar - *The Tears of Saint Peter* (1995), as Mr. von Toppler - *The Dream House* (1993), as The major - *Den korsikanske biskopen* (1993), series, as Dr Zeth - *Uppfinnaren* (1991), as Fellini - *Äkta makar: Britt och Bosse* (1990), as Bosse - *Walter and Carlo in America* (1989), as Tjekhov - *Jim and the Pirates Blom* (1987), as Ove Bengtsson - *Peter the Great* (1986), series, as Patriarch - *Fanny and Alexander* (1984), series, as Bishop Edvard Vergerus - *Mot härliga tider* (1983), as Arvid - *Fanny and Alexander* (1982), as Bishop Edvard Vergerus — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/fanny-and-alexander.md) - *Ringlek* (1982), series, as Narrator (voice) - *Marmalade Revolution* (1980), as Edvard - *Skeppsredaren* (1979), series, as Lars Blom - *Rätt ut i luften* (1978), as Bo Wirén - *Bluff Stop* (1977), as Love - *Fia i folkhemmet* (1977), as Söljewall - *Release the Prisoners to Spring!* (1975), as 'Professorn' - *Scenes from a Marriage* (1974), as Peter — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/scenes-from-a-marriage-1974.md) - *Scenes from a Marriage* (1973), series, as Peter - *Bröderna Malm* (1972), series, as Conny - *N.P. Möller, fastighetsskötare* (1971), series, as Börje "Danskdödaren" Hallberg - *Blue Light* (1966), series, Actor - *Calle P* (1965), as Tramp - *Gustav Vasa* (1965), as Prins Erik - *Loving Couples* (1964), as Stellan von Pahlen - *Prins hatt under jorden* (1963), as Erik - *Kurragömma* (1963), as Peter Flink - *Combat!* (1962), series, as Bruener, Captain Krauss - *Trasiga änglar* (1962), as N:r 8.123 Alfred - *Lady in White* (1962), as Roger von Schöffer - *Svenska Floyd* (1961), as Riccy - *Diana går på jakt* (1960), as Allan - *The Die Is Cast* (1960), as Leif Hagman - *Mälarpirater* (1959), Actor - *Skandalskolan* (1958), Actor - *Flicka med melodi* (1954), Actor - *Tattarblod* (1954), as Jonatan Demant - *Marianne* (1953), as Jojje - *Hot on the Porridge* (1951), Actor - *Stall-Erik and the Snapphans*, as Vandrare ## Gallery - ![Jan Malmsjö](https://film.one/media/person/117875/gallery-6b6c26f1f7bd.jpg) Jan Malmsjö — Stefan Söderström, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cf/Jan_Malmsj%C3%B6_2014-10-28_001.jpg/1280px-Jan_Malmsj%C3%B6_2014-10-28_001.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Skådespelarna Claes Malmberg och Jan Malmsjö. (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/117875/gallery-77e328ebc900.jpg) Skådespelarna Claes Malmberg och Jan Malmsjö. (2014) — Stefan Söderström, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/62/Claes_Malmberg_%26_Jan_Malmsj%C3%B6_2014-10-28_001.jpg/1280px-Claes_Malmberg_%26_Jan_Malmsj%C3%B6_2014-10-28_001.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Skådespelarna Claes Malmberg och Jan Malmsjö. (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/117875/gallery-2a3a2ab7f664.jpg) Skådespelarna Claes Malmberg och Jan Malmsjö. (2014) — Stefan Söderström, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/Claes_Malmberg_%26_Jan_Malmsj%C3%B6_2014-10-28_002.jpg/1280px-Claes_Malmberg_%26_Jan_Malmsj%C3%B6_2014-10-28_002.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Publicerad i: Luterkort, I. (1998). Om igen, herr Molander!: Kungl. Dramatiska teaterns elevskola 1787-1964. Stockholm: Stockholmia. s. 74. Bildtext vid publice (1950)](https://film.one/media/person/117875/gallery-dc2fe3e1202a.jpg) Publicerad i: Luterkort, I. (1998). Om igen, herr Molander!: Kungl. Dramatiska teaterns elevskola 1787-1964. Stockholm: Stockholmia. s. 74. Bildtext vid publice (1950) — Sven Järlås, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0b/Dramatens_elevskola_1950-1951%2C_%C3%B6vning.jpg/1280px-Dramatens_elevskola_1950-1951%2C_%C3%B6vning.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Jan Malmsjö](https://film.one/media/person/117875/gallery-ef096f73c503.jpg) Jan Malmsjö — Image via TMDB - ![Publicerad i: Luterkort, I. (1998). Om igen, herr Molander!: Kungl. Dramatiska teaterns elevskola 1787-1964. Stockholm: Stockholmia. s. 127. Bildtext vid public (1950)](https://film.one/media/person/117875/gallery-9c4a78d746ae.jpg) Publicerad i: Luterkort, I. (1998). Om igen, herr Molander!: Kungl. Dramatiska teaterns elevskola 1787-1964. Stockholm: Stockholmia. s. 127. Bildtext vid public (1950) — Sven Järlås, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f8/Dramatens_elevskola_l%C3%A4s%C3%A5ret_1950-1951%2C_%C3%A5rskurs_1.jpg/1280px-Dramatens_elevskola_l%C3%A4s%C3%A5ret_1950-1951%2C_%C3%A5rskurs_1.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Melodifestivalen 2019, part contest 2, Malmö, Sweden](https://film.one/media/person/117875/gallery-844c6fea70e3.jpg) Melodifestivalen 2019, part contest 2, Malmö, Sweden — http://politik.in2pic.com, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/74/Jan_Malmsj%C3%B6.melodifestivalen2019.19e112.1080655.jpg/1280px-Jan_Malmsj%C3%B6.melodifestivalen2019.19e112.1080655.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) ## Awards ### Other awards — 3 won - Swedish Academy's Theatre Award 1992: Swedish Academy's Theatre Award (won) - Lisebergsapplåden 1989: Lisebergsapplåden (won) - Litteris et Artibus 1986: Litteris et Artibus (won) *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/jan-malmsjo