Arve Opsahl

Arve Opsahl was a Norwegian movie and stage actor, singer and stand-up comedian. He began his career as a comedian in 1942, and played numerous roles both on stage and in more than forty movies. He was also a popular singer, recording many revy songs and sea shanties. He was best known for his role as Egon Olsen, the leader of the Olsen Gang, in 14 movies from 1969 to 1999. He also starred as Henry, the grumpy old man, in the sitcom Mot i brøstet from 1993 to 1997. He was honoured with several awards for his contributions to Norwegian comedy, including the Leonard Statuette, the Amanda Committee's Honorary Award, and the Leif Juster Honorary Award. He was married twice, first to Mary Opsahl, whom he divorced and remarried later, and second to singer Liv Wilse, with whom he had a daughter, Anne. He struggled with his health during his later years, and had to amputate a leg due to diabetes. He died of heart failure in 2007, at the age of 85.