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Bibi Andersson, Luminous Presence in Bergman Films, Dies at 83

posted 6 years ago by BillHicksFan (10709)
14 replies | jump to latest

By Anita Gates

April 14, 2019

Bibi Andersson, the luminous Swedish actress who personified first purity and youth, then complexity and disillusionment, in 13 midcentury Ingmar Bergman films, died on Sunday in Stockholm. She was 83.

Her death was confirmed by the director Christina Olofson to several Swedish news outlets. Ms. Andersson had a stroke in 2009 and had been hospitalized in France.

Her emotionally complex role in “Persona” (1966), the film that made her acting reputation, was one of the great stereotype reversals in film history, a definite departure for the thirtyish Ms. Andersson, who had begun acting in her teens. Before that film, Bergman had given her roles “symbolizing simple, girlish things,” she told The New York Times in 1977. “I used to be called a ‘professional innocent.’”

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

Sad how the stroke she suffered in 2009 seems like it ended her career completely. She didn't star in anything at all the last 10 years. Hope she still found a happy life away from the spotlight though. R.I.P.

[–] kspkap (13621) 6 years ago

When my mom had her stroke I finally understood what was meant by “a stroke victim”. I would much rather have a heart attack. If a person survives a heart attack s/he can go on with lifestyle changes to lead a long productive life.

Where as when a stroke occurs, even a minor stroke, the effects leaves some part of the body incapacitated. Recovering from a stoke is a long hard road and if followed by TIAs...the writing is on the wall and it’s not good news, especially for those up in years. My mom did everything right through her lifetime, did not smoke, did not imbibe, watched her weight, was active, walked everyday....yet she had a stroke and lived for 3 months afterwards. She was making good progress then the TIAs began.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

Sorry for your loss. Seems life can throw you for a loop no matter how you live it unfortunately. My family knew someone who also was an extremely healthy person. Then one day his daughter found him dead in the yard. Turned out his heart had just given up on him. I don't know if it's genes playing a role and some people are simply doomed to die too early no matter what and others can live like crap and still get into the 100's like in the case with Jeanne Calment who smoked from 18 years to 118 years and still lived to become the oldest person in history at 122 with no health issues whatsoever except poor sight and hearing. Staying healthy is important of course but it might just be half of the key to a long life while the other is simply decided from the start. How unfair that might sound.

[–] kspkap (13621) 6 years ago

Thank you. My dad succumbed (almost 80) to ARDS, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. He quit smoking decades prior to death. I can recall him constantly having phlegm and having to sleep upright in his recliner. After being admitted to ICU due to a difficulty in breathing, he was gone in 3 weeks.

We are told quitting smoking can bring your lungs back to a pink stage. But, what we aren’t warned about is the fact, even though we quit decades ago, eventually those “nails in the coffin” will come back and bite us on the arse! Sad to say I’m in that category as I was a heavy smoker who quit in the early ‘80’s. I’m beginning to have the same issues.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

Sad to hear you are developing symptomes, but medical science is getting better all the time, it won't have to be the end for you as with your father. Smoking should have harder regulations though, it really is a poison.

[–] kspkap (13621) 6 years ago

If only people would take heed and not pick up that first cigarette! I never realized how offensive I was until I quit. During the years I was addicted we could smoke anywhere, work, hospitals, even during flights! If you watch the film noirs everyone smoked. We smoked when we were pregnant....how ghastly and selfish! The babies, if permitted to stay in the womb, go through withdrawal after being born. Mine did...leaving me with a tremendous amount of guilt.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

People aren't allowed to smoke in cafes here in sweden anymore. I feel that is a step in the right direction. Many smokers have complained about it though. Going outside is apparently asking too much from these people.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

My father quit when he was 56 and he did make it to 80. I figured he added about 10-15 years to his life.

[–] kspkap (13621) 6 years ago

That’s good. He probably did add those extra years to his life by quitting 24 yrs earlier. I quit when I was 41.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

My mum and dad smoked but they gave up before deciding to have children.

[–] samoanjoes (58491) 6 years ago

Her and Liv Ullmann were a great duo. With Bergman they were a perfect trifecta.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

It was pretty much a perfect combo. Bergman knew how to pick the best.

[–] BillHicksFan (10709) 6 years ago

I liked Bibi more.. Liv always seemed cold and distant.

[–] YvonneTVQueen (99) 6 years ago

Also loved her in The Kremlin Letter.