Ove Sprogøe

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Known Credits

194

Gender

Male

Birthday

1919-12-21

Day of death

2004-09-14 (84 years old)

Place of Birth

Odense, Danmark

Ove Sprogøe

Biography

Ove Wendelboe Sprogøe Petersen (21 December 1919 – 14 September 2004) was a Danish actor. Born in Odense, his parents were Arthur and Inger Sprogøe. He married Eva Rasmussen in 1945, with whom he had three children. One of these is actor Henning Sprogøe. He made his debut in the film Hans Store Aften (His Big Night). His characteristic prominent chin that had been feared an obstacle of his career did not prevent him from being one of the most versatile and used Danish actors. His strength laid in the almost diabolic, michievous and brash but he effortlessly played meek and shy types as well as elegantiers. Among his many roles on stage in classic plays might be mentioned Mephisto in Faust, the title figure of Strindberg’s The Father and some Molière and Bertolt Brecht characters. An extremely popular actor in Denmark, he played many diverse roles, including several recurring television parts. He appeared in 157 films, making him one of the hardest-working actors in the history of Danish film. In his early years he often was the part of a duo working together with his friend and colleague Dirch Passer. He is probably best known for playing one of the lead roles in the Olsen Gang movies, along with Morten Grunwald and Poul Bundgaard, playing the gang leader Egon Olsen, known for his short temper, striped suit, and cigar. By this role he earned an international fame though mostly in Eastern Europe, in the GDR he together with his colleagues became almost a cult figure. Among his TV roles must be mentioned his elegant and humorous ex-burglar Larsen in the series Huset på Christianshavn (“The House at Christianshavn” - the first Danish sitcom) and his role as the wise and courageous doctor Louis Hansen in the epic, historical drama-series Matador, both also shown outside Denmark. He was an able singer especially in shows or revues and his interpretation of Tim Spencer’s Cigarettes, whiskey and wild wild women (in Danish re-creation: Fandens Oldemor – “The Devil’s Great-Grandmother”) almost became his signature tune. He was an actor who combined great public sympathy with the ability to remain a private person with a modest lifestyle. After his death it was revealed that he had been a passionate art enthusiast and had amassed a valuable collection of modern paintings. Shortly after his death in 2004, Nordisk Film (the company that made the Olsen Gang movies) established a scholarship for actors in his name. The state-owned road to Vridsløselille Statsfængsel (the prison where his Egon Olsen character was a frequent "guest"), was renamed by the city of Albertslund to Egon Olsens Vej (Egon Olsen Road). On 24 October 2005, his native city of Odense named a square Ove Sprogøes Plads (Ove Sprogøe Square) in his honour. And the bar 'Cafe Halvvejen', named a shot in his honor. Description above from the Wikipedia article Ove Sprogøe, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Known For

  • The Sword in the Stone

    The Sword in the Stone

  • Tintin and the Temple of the Sun

    Tintin and the Temple of the Sun

  • The House at Christianshavn

    The House at Christianshavn

  • The House at Christianshavn

    The House at Christianshavn

  • The Only Way

    The Only Way

  • Frøken Nitouche

    Frøken Nitouche

  • What a Pity About Daddy

    What a Pity About Daddy

  • The Twelve Tasks of Asterix

    The Twelve Tasks of Asterix

  • The Return of Jafar

    The Return of Jafar

  • The Last Exploits of the Olsen Gang

    The Last Exploits of the Olsen Gang

  • The Olsen Gang

    The Olsen Gang

  • Journey to the Seventh Planet

    Journey to the Seventh Planet

  • The Olsen Gang Runs Amok

    The Olsen Gang Runs Amok

  • Onkel Bill fra New York

    Onkel Bill fra New York

  • The Olsen Gang in a Fix

    The Olsen Gang in a Fix

  • Matador

    Matador

  • The Revolt of the Thralls

    The Revolt of the Thralls

  • Forelsket i København

    Forelsket i København

  • I kongens klæ'r

    I kongens klæ'r

  • Crumb at a Gallop

    Crumb at a Gallop

  • Discretion Wanted

    Discretion Wanted

  • Oskar

    Oskar

  • Kurt & Valde

    Kurt & Valde

  • The Olsen Gang: Forever!

    The Olsen Gang: Forever!

  • Hatten er sat

    Hatten er sat

  • Penge som græs

    Penge som græs

  • Tough Guys of the Prairie

    Tough Guys of the Prairie

  • Father of Four

    Father of Four

  • Mor bag rattet

    Mor bag rattet

  • Relax Freddy

    Relax Freddy

  • The Major's Guard

    The Major's Guard

  • Passer Babysitting Girls

    Passer Babysitting Girls

  • Superfos Glasuld – et isoleret tilfælde

    Superfos Glasuld – et isoleret tilfælde

  • Den kloge mand

    Den kloge mand

  • Asterix in Britain

    Asterix in Britain

  • Days in My Father's House

    Days in My Father's House

  • Nissebanden

    Nissebanden

  • Der var engang

    Der var engang

  • The Red Horses

    The Red Horses

  • The Missing Clerk

    The Missing Clerk

  • Det stod i avisen

    Det stod i avisen

  • Limpan

    Limpan

  • The Egborg Girl

    The Egborg Girl

  • Barbara

    Barbara

  • Smedestræde 4

    Smedestræde 4

  • Martha

    Martha

  • Asterix and the Big Fight

    Asterix and the Big Fight

  • Love Thy Neighbour

    Love Thy Neighbour

  • Flagermusen

    Flagermusen

  • Crazy Paradise

    Crazy Paradise

  • The Olsen Gang Sees Red

    The Olsen Gang Sees Red

  • The Veterinarian's Adopted Children

    The Veterinarian's Adopted Children

  • Lykkens musikanter

    Lykkens musikanter

  • Kick Me in the Traditions!

    Kick Me in the Traditions!

  • Fun in the Streets

    Fun in the Streets

  • The Queen's Guardsman

    The Queen's Guardsman

  • Naalen

    Naalen

  • Berlingske Tidende 1749-1949

    Berlingske Tidende 1749-1949

  • Hans Store Aften

    Hans Store Aften

  • Ved Kongelunden...

    Ved Kongelunden...

  • Still Dust on the Brain

    Still Dust on the Brain

  • Jul i Gammelby

    Jul i Gammelby

  • The Thralls' Children

    The Thralls' Children

  • War of the Birds

    War of the Birds

  • Wife on vacation

    Wife on vacation

  • Kampen mod uretten

    Kampen mod uretten

  • The Girl and the Press Photographer

    The Girl and the Press Photographer

  • April

    April

  • Bussen

    Bussen

  • Vores fjerde far

    Vores fjerde far

  • Johnny Larsen

    Johnny Larsen

  • Kærlighed ved første desperate blik

    Kærlighed ved første desperate blik

  • Asterix vs. Caesar

    Asterix vs. Caesar

  • The Musketeers

    The Musketeers

  • Magic in Town

    Magic in Town

  • The Olsen Gang on the Track

    The Olsen Gang on the Track

  • I de lyse nætter

    I de lyse nætter

  • Stepping Out

    Stepping Out

  • Styrmand Karlsen

    Styrmand Karlsen

  • Our Home Is Our Castle

    Our Home Is Our Castle

  • The Greeneyed Elephant

    The Greeneyed Elephant

  • Asterix the Gaul

    Asterix the Gaul

  • Tre små piger

    Tre små piger

  • Kispus

    Kispus

  • Anthonsen

    Anthonsen

  • Hjerter er trumf

    Hjerter er trumf

  • Revolutionen i vandkanten

    Revolutionen i vandkanten

  • That Brief Summer

    That Brief Summer

  • The Olsen Gang Never Surrenders

    The Olsen Gang Never Surrenders

  • I Adams verden

    I Adams verden

  • Dansk bladtegning: danske bladtegnere - En dokumentation

    Dansk bladtegning: danske bladtegnere - En dokumentation

  • You Are Not Alone

    You Are Not Alone

  • Den ubetænksomme elsker

    Den ubetænksomme elsker

  • Charlot og Charlotte

    Charlot og Charlotte

  • Farvel Thomas

    Farvel Thomas

  • Bandefører Balling

    Bandefører Balling

  • Toppen og bolden

    Toppen og bolden

  • The Olsen Gang Jumps the Fence

    The Olsen Gang Jumps the Fence

  • Nyhavns glade gutter

    Nyhavns glade gutter

  • Krigsdøtre

    Krigsdøtre

  • Be Dear to Me

    Be Dear to Me

  • På tro og love

    På tro og love

  • Et dukkehjem

    Et dukkehjem

  • Station 13

    Station 13

  • The Goldcabbage Family

    The Goldcabbage Family

  • Charlot og Charlotte

    Charlot og Charlotte

  • Danmark er lukket

    Danmark er lukket

  • Lenin, You Rascal, You

    Lenin, You Rascal, You

  • Hip Hip Hurrah!

    Hip Hip Hurrah!

  • Along Came a Soldier

    Along Came a Soldier

  • Far på færde

    Far på færde

  • Sømænd og svigermødre

    Sømænd og svigermødre

  • Don Olsen kommer til byen

    Don Olsen kommer til byen

  • 3 years after

    3 years after

  • Watch Your Back, Professor!

    Watch Your Back, Professor!

  • Friends at Arms: On a Bear Run

    Friends at Arms: On a Bear Run

  • Det store løb

    Det store løb

  • The Viking Watch of the Danish Seaman

    The Viking Watch of the Danish Seaman

  • Vores år

    Vores år

  • Henover midten

    Henover midten

  • Den gamle mølle paa Mols

    Den gamle mølle paa Mols

  • The Olsen Gang's Big Score

    The Olsen Gang's Big Score

  • Amour

    Amour

  • The Moelleby affair

    The Moelleby affair

  • Sådan er det bare

    Sådan er det bare

  • Ikke lutter lagkage

    Ikke lutter lagkage

  • The Girl and the Viscount

    The Girl and the Viscount

  • Drømmen om det hvide slot

    Drømmen om det hvide slot

  • Give God A Chance On Sunday

    Give God A Chance On Sunday

  • The Tove Andersen Criminal Case

    The Tove Andersen Criminal Case

  • Dr. Dip

    Dr. Dip

  • The Olsen Gang Outta Sight

    The Olsen Gang Outta Sight

  • In the Middle of the Night

    In the Middle of the Night

  • Charley's Aunt

    Charley's Aunt

  • Hvad vil De ha'?

    Hvad vil De ha'?

  • The Olsen Gang Long Gone

    The Olsen Gang Long Gone

  • The Loose Tile

    The Loose Tile

  • Aladdin eller den forunderlige lampe

    Aladdin eller den forunderlige lampe

  • Kristinus Bergman

    Kristinus Bergman

  • Mirror, Mirror

    Mirror, Mirror

  • Final Act

    Final Act

  • Hjemme hos William

    Hjemme hos William

  • Your Money or Your Life

    Your Money or Your Life

  • Det er så yndigt at følges ad

    Det er så yndigt at følges ad

  • Summer in Tyrol

    Summer in Tyrol

  • Når enden er go'

    Når enden er go'

  • Sorte Shara

    Sorte Shara

  • Jasper's Ghost

    Jasper's Ghost

  • Five and the Spies

    Five and the Spies

  • Det var paa Rundetaarn

    Det var paa Rundetaarn

  • Children of the Warriors

    Children of the Warriors

  • The Olsen Gang Goes to War

    The Olsen Gang Goes to War

  • Famous Five Get in Trouble

    Famous Five Get in Trouble

  • Peters landlov

    Peters landlov

  • Murder in the Dark

    Murder in the Dark

  • Noget om nisser

    Noget om nisser

  • Lise kommer til byen

    Lise kommer til byen

  • Elvis Hansen, en samfundshjælper

    Elvis Hansen, en samfundshjælper

  • Vi som går køkkenvejen

    Vi som går køkkenvejen

  • The Olsen Gang's Last Trick

    The Olsen Gang's Last Trick

  • A Day Without Lies

    A Day Without Lies

  • The Hour of Parting

    The Hour of Parting

  • Historien om Olsen Banden

    Historien om Olsen Banden

  • Dust on the Brain

    Dust on the Brain

  • The Girl and the Playboy

    The Girl and the Playboy

  • The Poet and the Little Mother

    The Poet and the Little Mother

  • The Olsen Gang in Jutland

    The Olsen Gang in Jutland

  • Det er ikke appelsiner - det er heste

    Det er ikke appelsiner - det er heste

  • All this - and Iceland too

    All this - and Iceland too

  • Kys til højre og venstre

    Kys til højre og venstre

  • Revolution My A..

    Revolution My A..

  • Poeten og Lillemor i forårshumør

    Poeten og Lillemor i forårshumør

  • Nu går den på Dagmar

    Nu går den på Dagmar

  • Een pige og 39 sømænd

    Een pige og 39 sømænd

  • Det var en lørdag aften

    Det var en lørdag aften

  • Baronessen fra benzintanken

    Baronessen fra benzintanken

  • Søskende

    Søskende

  • Rekrut 67 Petersen

    Rekrut 67 Petersen

  • It's Nifty in the Navy

    It's Nifty in the Navy

  • Der var engang en gade

    Der var engang en gade

  • Carmen & Babyface

    Carmen & Babyface

  • Næste Gang er det dig

    Næste Gang er det dig

  • The Poet and Lillemor and Lotte

    The Poet and Lillemor and Lotte

  • Tag til marked i Fjordby

    Tag til marked i Fjordby

  • Dust for all the Money

    Dust for all the Money

  • Strike First Freddy

    Strike First Freddy

  • Vi har det jo dejligt

    Vi har det jo dejligt

  • The Reluctant Sadist

    The Reluctant Sadist

  • Færgekroen

    Færgekroen

  • En ven i bolignøden

    En ven i bolignøden

  • Når engle elsker

    Når engle elsker

  • En dag i radioen

    En dag i radioen

  • Dorte

    Dorte

  • Jeg er sgu min egen

    Jeg er sgu min egen