Bias Bernhoft
Encyclopedia
Tobias Brodtkorb "Bias" Bernhoft (13 October 1902 – November 1986) was a Norwegian singer and revue writer.
director Tobias Bernhoft
(1869–1937) and his wife Marie Holmboe (1877–1974). He married Margit Haug (1908–98), which was a daughter of the hotel director Petter Haug (1875–1939) and Dorthea Olava Olsen (1878–1962). Bernhoft made one child with her, Unni Bernhoft, on 4 March 1933. She married Bjørn Sand
, and made her debut at Chat Noir
in 1953.
. In 1930, he made his debut as a gramophone singer, singing the song "En bølgesang i solnedgang/Don Juan" (A Wave Song in the Sunset/Don Juan). Until 1938, Bernhoft recorded more than 40 records for the Columbia Records
.
From the 1930s, he was a central writer for the revue stages Chat Noir
and Edderkoppen Theatre
, where he wrote revue texts for actors such as Lalla Carlsen
, Leif Juster
and Kari Diesen
. Among his songs are "Omatt og omatt" (Again and Again, performed by Elisabeth Granneman
), and "Karl Johan og jeg", issued on the album Jeg har mitt hjerte i Oslo (I have my heart in Oslo), which became a radio hit in Norway in 1979.
Together with Bjørn Sand
, Bernhoft wrote a famous monologue
titled "Uteliggerne" (The Bums), which was performed by Kari Diesen
. He was awarded the Leonard Statuette in 1973. He retired later in the 1970s, and died in November 1986.
Early and personal life
He was born at Voss in 1902 to the HolmenkolbanenHolmenkolbanen
A/S Holmenkolbanen was a company that owned and operated part of the Oslo Tramway and Oslo Metro in Norway from 1898 until 1975 when services were taken over by the majority owner Oslo Sporveier. Holmenkolbanen opened the Holmenkoll Line in 1898, and expanded it to become the first Nordic...
director Tobias Bernhoft
Tobias Bernhoft
Tobias Brodtkorp Bernhoft was a Norwegian engineer and director.He was born on 5 December 1869 to Tobias Bernhoft senior and his wife Thora at Strinda. He married Marie Holmboe on 30 September 1896, with whom he had four children...
(1869–1937) and his wife Marie Holmboe (1877–1974). He married Margit Haug (1908–98), which was a daughter of the hotel director Petter Haug (1875–1939) and Dorthea Olava Olsen (1878–1962). Bernhoft made one child with her, Unni Bernhoft, on 4 March 1933. She married Bjørn Sand
Bjørn Sand
Bjørn Sand is a Norwegian revue writer and actor. He is particularly known for his character "Stutum" in Norwegian radio, a role which earned him the award Spellemannprisen 1973. He was awarded the Leonard Statuette in 1994.-References:...
, and made her debut at Chat Noir
Chat Noir
Chat Noir is a cabaret and revue theatre in Oslo, Norway. It was established in 1912 by Bokken Lasson. The current director is Tom Sterri.-Establishment:...
in 1953.
Career
Bernhoft made his debut in the revue "Hvisk det Høyt" (Whisper it Loud) at the theatre Casino in Oslo in 1926. Two years later, he opened a tobacco shop at MajorstuenMajorstuen
Majorstuen is a neighbourhood in the Frogner borough in the western part of Oslo, Norway.Majorstuen is known for its vibrant downtown, especially its shopping area. The area has several elegant townhouses circa 1880-1890. The area is also an important public transport junction in Oslo, where all...
. In 1930, he made his debut as a gramophone singer, singing the song "En bølgesang i solnedgang/Don Juan" (A Wave Song in the Sunset/Don Juan). Until 1938, Bernhoft recorded more than 40 records for the Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
.
From the 1930s, he was a central writer for the revue stages Chat Noir
Chat Noir
Chat Noir is a cabaret and revue theatre in Oslo, Norway. It was established in 1912 by Bokken Lasson. The current director is Tom Sterri.-Establishment:...
and Edderkoppen Theatre
Edderkoppen Theatre
The Edderkoppen Theatre is a theatre located at St. Olav's place in Oslo, Norway.From 1967 to 2003 it was called the ABC theatre. The theatre is known for varied entertainment, ranging from comedy to musical shows.-History:...
, where he wrote revue texts for actors such as Lalla Carlsen
Lalla Carlsen
Lalla Carlsen was a Norwegian singer and actress, and is regarded as one of the most legendary female revue artists in Norway.-Personal life:...
, Leif Juster
Leif Juster
Leif Juster was a Norwegian comedian, singer and actor, arguably the most popular of his generation in Norway. Juster started out as a variety show performer, and for a period he ran the theater Edderkoppen...
and Kari Diesen
Kari Diesen
Kari Diesen was a Norwegian singer and revue actress. She worked for the revue theatre Chat Noir from 1937 to 1953, and for the Edderkoppen Theatre from 1954 to 1959. She participated in 24 films between 1941 and 1985...
. Among his songs are "Omatt og omatt" (Again and Again, performed by Elisabeth Granneman
Elisabeth Granneman
Elisabeth Granneman was a Norwegian singer, songwriter, children's writer and actress. She played at the revue theatre Chat Noir from 1960, where she first achieved popularity with Bias Bernhoft's song "Omatt og omatt" in 1961. Her film debut was in Sønner av Norge from 1961...
), and "Karl Johan og jeg", issued on the album Jeg har mitt hjerte i Oslo (I have my heart in Oslo), which became a radio hit in Norway in 1979.
Together with Bjørn Sand
Bjørn Sand
Bjørn Sand is a Norwegian revue writer and actor. He is particularly known for his character "Stutum" in Norwegian radio, a role which earned him the award Spellemannprisen 1973. He was awarded the Leonard Statuette in 1994.-References:...
, Bernhoft wrote a famous monologue
Monologue
In theatre, a monologue is a speech presented by a single character, most often to express their thoughts aloud, though sometimes also to directly address another character or the audience. Monologues are common across the range of dramatic media...
titled "Uteliggerne" (The Bums), which was performed by Kari Diesen
Kari Diesen
Kari Diesen was a Norwegian singer and revue actress. She worked for the revue theatre Chat Noir from 1937 to 1953, and for the Edderkoppen Theatre from 1954 to 1959. She participated in 24 films between 1941 and 1985...
. He was awarded the Leonard Statuette in 1973. He retired later in the 1970s, and died in November 1986.