© Getty Images

Max von Sydow - The internationally acclaimed actor was born Carl Adolf von Sydow on April 10, 1929, in Lund, Sweden. He made his film debut in the 1949 Swedish drama 'Only a Mother.'

© BrunoPress

Multilingual actor - Since then, he appeared in over 100 American and European films and television shows in several languages, including Swedish, English, Norwegian, Danish, German, French, Italian, and Spanish. He met his mentor, the director Ingmar Bergman, in 1955.

© BrunoPress

'The Seventh Seal' (1957) - The first of 11 films von Sydow made with Swedish film director Ingmar Bergman, this historical fantasy set in Sweden during the 14th century includes the famous scene where Sydow’s character plays chess with Death. Pictured: filming of 'The Seventh Seal.'

© Public Domain

Ingmar Bergman (1918–2007) - Ingmar Bergman (pictured on the set of 1957's 'Wild Strawberries') is considered to be among the most accomplished and influential filmmakers of all time. 'The Seventh Seal' is often cited as a classic of world cinema, and the film established Bergman as a world-renowned director.

© Public Domain

'The Magician' (1958) - This frightening and unsettling Ingmar Bergman-directed drama sees von Sydow portray a traveling magician who heads a troupe of equally adept illusionists. The plot surrounds the concerns of audiences who learn of supernatural goings-on before each of the company's performances.

© BrunoPress

'The Virgin Spring' (1960) -

The actor gives a commanding performance as a father seeking revenge for his young daughter's sexual assault and murder in this powerful examination of guilt, vengeance, and the questioning of religious faith.

© Getty Images

'The Virgin Spring' (1960) - Inevitably perhaps, Ingmar Bergman's film fell foul of the censors, with the scenes of brutality heavily cut. Nevertheless, the film was a critical and commercial success, being screened at Cannes and winning the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 1961 Academy Awards.

© BrunoPress

'Through a Glass Darkly' (1961) - Von Sydow took third billing behind Harriet Andersson and Gunnar Björnstrand in this complex tale that explores exploitation in art, psychosis, and sexuality, among other themes. It secured Bergman's second Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. The director is pictured here with his long-time cinematographer, Sven Nykvist.

© Public Domain

'The Greatest Story Ever Told' (1965) - Hollywood came knocking on von Sydow's door with this epic retelling of the Biblical account about Jesus of Nazareth. The actor portrays Jesus alongside a star-studded ensemble cast that includes Charlton Heston, Sidney Poitier, and Angela Lansbury.

© BrunoPress

'Hawaii' (1966) - This George Roy Hill-directed movie garnered von Sydow a Golden Globe Best Actor nomination for his role as a Yale University divinity student who becomes a Calvinist missionary in the Hawaiian Islands.

© BrunoPress

Family business -

Pictured: von Sydow with sons Claes and Henrik from his 1951 marriage to Christina Inga Britta Olin. The boys appeared with him in 'Hawaii.' Von Sydow and Olin divorced in 1979.

© BrunoPress

'Hour of the Wolf' (1968) - The actor spent the 1960s dividing his time between Stockholm and Hollywood. In 'Hour of the Wolf,' a Swedish psychological horror film, he teamed up, once again, with Bergman. But it was Liv Ullmann who caught the attention of critics, with Time magazine stating the film cemented Ullmann's position as one of the foremost Scandinavian actresses.

© BrunoPress

'Shame' (1968) -

Von Sydow and Ullmann also worked together on Bergman's next film, which tells the story of a husband and wife and the turmoil they endure during a civil war.

© BrunoPress

'Shame' (1968) - Seen as an analogy for the Vietnam War, 'Shame' was critically acclaimed and won a slew of awards, with Ullmann's performance again being singled out for praise.

© BrunoPress

'The Emigrants' (1971) - Depicting the story of poor Swedes who emigrate from their homeland to the American state of Minnesota in the mid-19th century, 'The Emigrants' was nominated for five Academy Awards and scooped up several other top honors. The sequel, 'The New Land' (1972), was equally well received.

© BrunoPress

'The Exorcist' (1973) - Arguably Max von Sydow's most recognized role is as Father Lankester Merrin in this supernatural horror film—one of the greatest horror films of all time.

© BrunoPress

'The Exorcist' (1973) - Director William Friedkin, prompted by producer William Peter Blatty (on whose novel the film is based), immediately cast von Sydow for the role.

© NL Beeld

'The Exorcist' (1973) - A huge, though highly controversial, hit, 'The Exorcist' was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture—the first time a horror movie had been nominated in the category.

© BrunoPress

'Three Days of the Condor' (1975) - Sydow's next American film was this political thriller, which starred Robert Redford. Von Sydow plays a very unsavory character: a foreign killer who heads a hit squad.

© BrunoPress

'Flash Gordon' (1980) -

Throughout the remainder of the 1970s, von Sydow was cast in American, Italian, French, and German film productions, in appearances that made full use of the actor's language skills. In 1980, Sydow put in a fine turn as Ming the Merciless of the planet Mongo in the sci-fi fantasy 'Flash Gordon.'

© Getty Images

'Never Say Never Again' (1983) -

While still enjoying top billing in Swedish films, including the well-received 'Flight of the Eagle' (1982), in Hollywood von Sydow was by now a favorite supporting actor. He even became a Bond villain in Sean Connery's 1983 return as 007.

© BrunoPress

'Duet for One' (1986) - Based on the life of cellist Jacqueline du Pré, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, this British drama was very well received. In it, von Sydow plays the psychiatrist who becomes friends with the stricken musician, portrayed by Julie Andrews.

© BrunoPress

'Pelle the Conqueror' (1987) - This celebrated Bille August-directed drama saw von Sydow at his finest in a role that garnered the actor's first Academy Award nomination (he was nominated in the Best Actor category).

© BrunoPress

'The Ox' (1991) - The actor kept very busy throughout the 1990s, with highlights including 'Father' (1990), 'The Ox' (pictured), 'The Best Intentions' (1991), and 'Hamsum' (1996).

© BrunoPress

Career recognition - Pictured: von Sydow receiving the Donostia Award for career achievement during the 2006 San Sebastian International Film Festival. The actor was also the recipient of the Royal Foundation of Sweden's Cultural Award in 1954, was made a Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres in 2005, and was named a Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur in 2012.

© BrunoPress

'Emotional Arithmetic' (2007) - Von Sydow was cast alongside Christopher Plummer, Susan Sarandon, and Gabriel Byrne in this Canadian drama about three Holocaust survivors who are reunited decades later.

© BrunoPress

'Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close' (2011) - A Best Supporting Actor nomination at the Oscars was the reward for von Sydow's work in this drama set against the backdrop of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The film starred Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock.

© BrunoPress

'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' (2015) - The seventh episode of the main 'Star Wars' film franchise includes a character called Lor San Tekka, who is a retired adventurer on Jakku aiding the Resistance in finding Luke Skywalker (and ably portrayed by von Sydow).

© Getty Images

'Game of Thrones' (2016) -

Besides film, Max von Sydow appeared in several television productions, including three 2016 episodes of 'Game of Thrones' as the Three-Eyed Raven, for which he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series. He is pictured here with second wife Catherine Brelet.

See also: Epic 'Game of Thrones' trivia only a superfan would know

© Reuters