Kari Diesen
Encyclopedia
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 her best known song recordings is her version of "Hovedøen".
as the daughter of Harald Steen and Signe Heide. She was sister of actor Harald Heide Steen
, and aunt of actor Harald Heide-Steen Jr.
. She was sister of opera singer Randi Heide Steen
and thus aunt of Randi's daughter actress Anne Marit Jacobsen
. She was married to actor Ernst Diesen
(1914–70), and was the mother of Andreas Diesen.
, she was engaged by Victor Bernau
to his revue in the spring of 1930, where she performed the song "Det er forbudt for barn under 16 år". Her breakthrough came in the 1935 revue Hela'n går at Scala Theatre
. From 1937 to 1953 she worked at Chat Noir
, and from 1954 to 1959 at the Edderkoppen Theatre
. She was later freelance artist, with frequent assignments for radio and television. Among her song performances are "Tykk og dum og deilig" and "Halvveis", and among her monologues are "Mannfolk" and "Uteliggerne" written by Bias Bernhoft
and Bjørn Sand
.
Her record debut came in 1938 when she sang two duets with Jens Book-Jenssen
, "Oh – Mama – 6/8" and "En bitteliten pike i et stort hotell". Her performance of the song "Hovedøen" from 1957 became very popular and sold more than 50,000 records.
Her first film role was in Kaksen på Øverland when she was six years old. She participated in 24 films between 1941 and 1985, mostly playing minor characters. Her breakthrough in a leading film role was in the comedy Støv på hjernen
from 1959, and she also played in the sequels Sønner av Norge from 1961 and Sønner av Norge kjøper bil from 1962. She played minor roles in Himmel og helvete from 1969 and in Ice Age
from 1975. Several of her minor film characters was "as herself", as she was a distinct celebrity in her own right.
She was awarded the Leonard Statuette in 1971. After her husband's death in 1970 she retired from public life. Her comeback in a television show in 1980, celebrating Leif Juster
, led to renewed popularity and the subsequent recording of the album Det hender så mangt–, and she received the Spellemannprisen
Honorary Award.
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:...
from 1937 to 1953, and for the 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:...
from 1954 to 1959. She participated in 24 films between 1941 and 1985. Among her best known song recordings is her version of "Hovedøen".
Personal life
Kari Heide-Steen was born in KristianiaOslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
as the daughter of Harald Steen and Signe Heide. She was sister of actor Harald Heide Steen
Harald Heide Steen
Harald Heide Steen was a Norwegian film actor. He appeared in 32 films between 1933 and 1977. He was the father of actor Harald Heide-Steen Jr.-Selected filmography:* Det brenner i natt!...
, and aunt of actor Harald Heide-Steen Jr.
Harald Heide-Steen Jr.
Harald Heide-Steen Jr. was a Norwegian actor, comedian and singer. He was the son of Harald Heide Steen. During the 1960s, Harald Heide-Steen. Jr made the radio programs Hørerøret, Sugerøret and Pusterøretat at NRK with Gunnar Haugan and Rolv Wesenlund.Harald Heide-Steen Jr...
. She was sister of opera singer Randi Heide Steen
Randi Heide Steen
Randi Heide Steen was a Norwegian soprano singer. She was born in Kristiania as the daughter of Harald Steen and Signe Heide Steen. She made her operette debut at the theatre Casino in Oslo in 1927, and her concert debut in 1931. She chaired the society Norsk Operasangerforbund from 1958 to...
and thus aunt of Randi's daughter actress Anne Marit Jacobsen
Anne Marit Jacobsen
Anne Marit Jacobsen is a Norwegian stage and film actress. She was born in Oslo as the daughter of sculptor Thorbjørn Sigurd Jacobsen and opera singer Randi Heide Steen. She as been assigned to the Natinoal Theatre in Oslo from 1970, and has also particpated in revue, television and film...
. She was married to actor Ernst Diesen
Ernst Diesen
Ernst Diesen was a Norwegian revue and film actor and theatre director. He was born in Kristiania, and was married to Kari Diesen. He worked for the revue theatre Chat Noir from 1934 to 1942, and then for the Edderkoppen Theatre. He acted in several films, including the comedy films Bør Børson Jr...
(1914–70), and was the mother of Andreas Diesen.
Career
After a career as young ballerina for Ernst RolfErnst Rolf
Ernst Rolf, real name Ernst Ragnar Johansson, , was a Swedish revue actor and singer. In the 1920s he was famous for producing revues that were acclaimed for their dazzling sets, first class actors and stirring music. He was also a lyricist and composer...
, she was engaged by Victor Bernau
Victor Bernau
Victor Bernau was a Norwegian singer, actor and theatre director. He was artistical director at Chat Noir, Scala Teater and Det Nye Teater. He is often regarded as the founder of Norwegian revue.-References:...
to his revue in the spring of 1930, where she performed the song "Det er forbudt for barn under 16 år". Her breakthrough came in the 1935 revue Hela'n går at Scala Theatre
Scala Theatre
The Scala Theatre was a theatre in London, sited on Charlotte Street, off Tottenham Court Road, in the London Borough of Camden. The first theatre on the site opened in 1772, and the theatre was demolished in 1969, after being destroyed by fire...
. From 1937 to 1953 she worked 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:...
, and from 1954 to 1959 at the 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:...
. She was later freelance artist, with frequent assignments for radio and television. Among her song performances are "Tykk og dum og deilig" and "Halvveis", and among her monologues are "Mannfolk" and "Uteliggerne" written by Bias Bernhoft
Bias Bernhoft
Tobias Brodtkorb "Bias" Bernhoft was a Norwegian singer and revue writer.-Early and personal life:He was born at Voss in 1902 to the Holmenkolbanen director Tobias Bernhoft and his wife Marie Holmboe...
and 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:...
.
Her record debut came in 1938 when she sang two duets with Jens Book-Jenssen
Jens Book-Jenssen
Jens Peter Book-Jenssen was a Norwegian singer of popular music, songwriter, revue artist and theatre director. From his stage debut in the early 1930s, his career included radio and television work, recordings, and extensive touring...
, "Oh – Mama – 6/8" and "En bitteliten pike i et stort hotell". Her performance of the song "Hovedøen" from 1957 became very popular and sold more than 50,000 records.
Her first film role was in Kaksen på Øverland when she was six years old. She participated in 24 films between 1941 and 1985, mostly playing minor characters. Her breakthrough in a leading film role was in the comedy Støv på hjernen
Støv på hjernen (1959 film)
Støv på hjernen is a 1959 Norwegian comedy film directed by Øyvind Vennerød and starring Inger Marie Andersen and Odd Borg. It was based on a novel by Eva Ramm, and shot on location in Lambertseter....
from 1959, and she also played in the sequels Sønner av Norge from 1961 and Sønner av Norge kjøper bil from 1962. She played minor roles in Himmel og helvete from 1969 and in Ice Age
Ice Age (1975 film)
Ice Age is a 1975 German drama film directed by Peter Zadek. It was entered into the 25th Berlin International Film Festival.-Cast:* O. E...
from 1975. Several of her minor film characters was "as herself", as she was a distinct celebrity in her own right.
She was awarded the Leonard Statuette in 1971. After her husband's death in 1970 she retired from public life. Her comeback in a television show in 1980, celebrating 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...
, led to renewed popularity and the subsequent recording of the album Det hender så mangt–, and she received the Spellemannprisen
Spellemannprisen
Spellemannprisen is an award presented to Norwegian musicians for their contributions.-Operation:The award was established on the initiative of International Federation of the Phonographic Industry , an organization that represents the interests of the recording industry worldwide...
Honorary Award.