Meg Westergren
Encyclopedia
Elsa Margareta "Meg" Westergren (born 16 May 1932) is a Swedish actress from Nockeby
, Bromma, in Stockholm
. Her parents were both actors and she made her acting debut in the 1951 film Leva på 'Hoppet'
. She studied at the The Royal Dramatic Theatre's acting school from 1951 to 1954, and became a successful comedic theater actress afterwards. Westergren has been married twice and has one son.
and Inga Tidblad. They moved to Nockeby
, Stockholm
, in 1931 and got married the same year. Westergren was born the following year on 16 May 1932. As a child, Westergren was a big admirer of her mother who was one of the biggest stars in Swedish theater. Westergren was raised with a nanny and has later said she wishes her busy parents would have spent more time with her while growing up.
Westergren was originally not planning on becoming an actress. Instead she decided to become a fashion designer and traveled to Paris
to study. In between lessons at the designer institute, she walked the runway as a model at the fashion house Carven.
, who offered her a role in his 1951 comedy film Leva på 'Hoppet'
. She accepted the offer to appear in the film, which also starred a number of other relatively unknown persons at the time, including Ingrid Thulin
, Per Oscarsson
, Gunvor Pontén
, and Jarl Kulle. Westergren returned to Sweden to shoot Leva på 'Hoppet' , which became her acting debut. The film sparked her interest in acting, and when she decided to study again she sent in applications to both the fashion university college
Beckmans designhögskola and the acting school Dramatens elevskola
(English: The Royal Dramatic Theatre's acting school). The auditions for Dramatens elevskola were held earlier than those for Beckmans designhögskola, and Westergren was admitted to the school after only one audition.
Westergren studied at Dramatens elevskola from 1951 to 1954. She did not like the experience, stating that "nothing was enjoyable". Westergren has commented on her time there: "My mother wanted to give me advice, wanted to come and see everything I did. I did not want that. It was tough. At the school I always felt pressured to deliver good performances, and what I did when I went there never turned out really good." Westergren revealed in a 2009 television interview that she felt she could not really deliver as an actress until after her mother's death in 1975.
. Feeling it would be more enjoyable than her time at the school, she accepted. Westergren has been a successful comedic actress at various theaters ever since, although she has played some more serious roles too. Her mother's roles were more dramatic, and she therefore choose the comedic roles to create her own niche.
After Alléteatern she proceeded to work at Vasateatern
, where she earned big success in 1956 with Vad vet mamma om kärlek? (English: What does mother know about love?). While working at these two places, Westergren also played roles at the following private theaters in Stockholm: Intiman, Maxim, Södra Teatern
, Folkan, Chinateatern
, and Oscarsteatern
. She was at one point offered to appear in a play on the national Royal Dramatic Theatre
(Swedish: Dramaten). The offer came from Lasse Pöystis, the theater's supervisor, but he lost his job two days later before they had made a deal.
In addition to theater, Westergren has played roles in films and on television. Her comedic roles in the films Fröken Chic (1959) and Lille Fridolf blir morfar (1957) are among her most appreciated works. Westergren's roles have become more mature and less comedic as the years have gone by. She played a controlling wife in the television series Goda grannar (1987) and a dramatic secretary in the soap opera Rederiet
(1994–1995).
In the 2000s, Westergren has toured Sweden with her show Mitt teaterliv (English: My theater life), in which she talks about her career and her famous parents. The "Carl Åkermarks stipendium" scholarship was given to Westergren in 1992 by the Swedish Academy
. In 2009–2010, she was one of the participants in the popular biographical television series Stjärnorna på slottet that airs on Sveriges Television
.
. The couple separated after 16 years. Westergren is currently residing in Nockeby and Båstad
with her new husband Carl Magnus Nyström. She likes the fact that Nyström knew nothing about her and her parents when they first met. For thirty years they have lived in the same house in Nockeby that Westergren grew up in. During that time she has become a grandmother of five children.
Nockeby
Nockeby is a residential district in western Stockholm and part of the Bromma borough....
, Bromma, in Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
. Her parents were both actors and she made her acting debut in the 1951 film Leva på 'Hoppet'
Leva på 'Hoppet'
Leva på 'Hoppet' is a 1951 Swedish comedy film directed by Göran Gentele. At the 1st Berlin International Film Festival it won the Silver Bear award.-Cast:* Ingrid Thulin - Yvonne* Per Oscarsson - Per...
. She studied at the The Royal Dramatic Theatre's acting school from 1951 to 1954, and became a successful comedic theater actress afterwards. Westergren has been married twice and has one son.
Early life
Westergren is the daughter of famous actors Håkan WestergrenHåkan Westergren
Håkan Westergren was a Swedish actor. He was mostly known for playing in Swedish comedy movies during the 1930's and 1940's, but was sometimes seen in some more serious roles. He was married to Swedish actress Inga Tidblad.-External links:...
and Inga Tidblad. They moved to Nockeby
Nockeby
Nockeby is a residential district in western Stockholm and part of the Bromma borough....
, Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
, in 1931 and got married the same year. Westergren was born the following year on 16 May 1932. As a child, Westergren was a big admirer of her mother who was one of the biggest stars in Swedish theater. Westergren was raised with a nanny and has later said she wishes her busy parents would have spent more time with her while growing up.
Westergren was originally not planning on becoming an actress. Instead she decided to become a fashion designer and traveled to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
to study. In between lessons at the designer institute, she walked the runway as a model at the fashion house Carven.
Early career and education
While living in Paris Westergren received a call from Swedish director Göran GenteleGöran Gentele
Göran Gentele was a Swedish actor, director, and opera manager.Born in Stockholm, Gentele studied from 1944 until 1946 at the Dramatens elevskola, beginning a brief career as a film actor not long afterwards...
, who offered her a role in his 1951 comedy film Leva på 'Hoppet'
Leva på 'Hoppet'
Leva på 'Hoppet' is a 1951 Swedish comedy film directed by Göran Gentele. At the 1st Berlin International Film Festival it won the Silver Bear award.-Cast:* Ingrid Thulin - Yvonne* Per Oscarsson - Per...
. She accepted the offer to appear in the film, which also starred a number of other relatively unknown persons at the time, including Ingrid Thulin
Ingrid Thulin
Ingrid Lilian Thulin was a Swedish film actress.-Biography:Thulin was born in Sollefteå, Ångermanland, northern Sweden, the daughter of Nanna and Adam Thulin, a fisherman...
, Per Oscarsson
Per Oscarsson
- External links :...
, Gunvor Pontén
Gunvor Pontén
Gunvor Margareta Pontén is a Swedish actress. She has appeared in 60 films and television shows since 1949...
, and Jarl Kulle. Westergren returned to Sweden to shoot Leva på 'Hoppet
University college
The term "university college" is used in a number of countries to denote college institutions that provide tertiary education but do not have full or independent university status. A university college is often part of a larger university...
Beckmans designhögskola and the acting school Dramatens elevskola
Dramatens elevskola
Dramatens elevskola, i.e. Kungliga Dramatiska Teaterns Elevskola, or in Eng: The Royal Dramatic Theatre's acting school, was the acting school of Sweden's national stage, The Royal Dramatic Theatre, and for many years seen as the foremost theatre school and drama education for Swedish stage actors...
(English: The Royal Dramatic Theatre's acting school). The auditions for Dramatens elevskola were held earlier than those for Beckmans designhögskola, and Westergren was admitted to the school after only one audition.
Later career
After graduating, Westergren was offered a job at Alléteatern (English: The Avenue Theater) by actor and director Sture LagerwallSture Lagerwall
Sture Lagerwall was a Swedish actor and film director. He appeared in 75 films between 1931 and 1963.He was born in Stockholm, Sweden and died in Limhamn, Sweden.-Selected filmography:...
. Feeling it would be more enjoyable than her time at the school, she accepted. Westergren has been a successful comedic actress at various theaters ever since, although she has played some more serious roles too. Her mother's roles were more dramatic, and she therefore choose the comedic roles to create her own niche.
After Alléteatern she proceeded to work at Vasateatern
Vasateatern
Vasateatern or "Vasan" is a private theatre in Stockholm, Sweden. It is located at Vasagatan 19-21 in central Stockholm....
, where she earned big success in 1956 with Vad vet mamma om kärlek? (English: What does mother know about love?). While working at these two places, Westergren also played roles at the following private theaters in Stockholm: Intiman, Maxim, Södra Teatern
Södra Teatern
Södra Teatern is a theatre in Stockholm, Sweden. Located in the popular "Söder"-district , it's one of Stockholms most appreciated private theatres. Established in 1859, it's Stockholm's oldest private theatre...
, Folkan, Chinateatern
Chinateatern
Chinateatern or commonly known as "China" is a private theatre in Stockholm, Sweden, located at Berzelii Park in Stockholm city. Originally built 1928 as a movie theatre but has over the years simultaneously been used as a theatre stage for revues, comedies and musical shows...
, and Oscarsteatern
Oscarsteatern
Oscarsteatern or "Oscars" is one of Stockholm's finest private theatres and the most well-known musical theatre in Sweden. It's located at Kungsgatan 63 in central Stockholm....
. She was at one point offered to appear in a play on the national Royal Dramatic Theatre
Royal Dramatic Theatre
The Royal Dramatic Theatre is Sweden's national stage for "spoken drama", founded in 1788. Around one thousand shows are put on annually on the theatre's eight running stages....
(Swedish: Dramaten). The offer came from Lasse Pöystis, the theater's supervisor, but he lost his job two days later before they had made a deal.
In addition to theater, Westergren has played roles in films and on television. Her comedic roles in the films Fröken Chic (1959) and Lille Fridolf blir morfar (1957) are among her most appreciated works. Westergren's roles have become more mature and less comedic as the years have gone by. She played a controlling wife in the television series Goda grannar (1987) and a dramatic secretary in the soap opera Rederiet
Rederiet
Rederiet was a long-running Swedish soap opera that aired on Sveriges Television between 1992 and 2002....
(1994–1995).
In the 2000s, Westergren has toured Sweden with her show Mitt teaterliv (English: My theater life), in which she talks about her career and her famous parents. The "Carl Åkermarks stipendium" scholarship was given to Westergren in 1992 by the Swedish Academy
Swedish Academy
The Swedish Academy , founded in 1786 by King Gustav III, is one of the Royal Academies of Sweden.-History:The Swedish Academy was founded in 1786 by King Gustav III. Modelled after the Académie française, it has 18 members. The motto of the Academy is "Talent and Taste"...
. In 2009–2010, she was one of the participants in the popular biographical television series Stjärnorna på slottet that airs on Sveriges Television
Sveriges Television
Sveriges Television AB , Sweden's Television, is a national television broadcaster based in Sweden, funded by a compulsory fee to be paid by all television owners...
.
Personal life
Westergren met her first husband, Tore Wretman, in the 1950s. They had a son together, Fredrik Wretman, who has become a well-known artist. They also had a daughter that died of a brain tumorBrain tumor
A brain tumor is an intracranial solid neoplasm, a tumor within the brain or the central spinal canal.Brain tumors include all tumors inside the cranium or in the central spinal canal...
. The couple separated after 16 years. Westergren is currently residing in Nockeby and Båstad
Båstad
Båstad is a locality and the seat of Båstad Municipality, Skåne County, Sweden with 4,793 inhabitants in 2005.-Geography:The town of Båstad is located in a sheltered bay with the Hallandian ridge stretching behind it...
with her new husband Carl Magnus Nyström. She likes the fact that Nyström knew nothing about her and her parents when they first met. For thirty years they have lived in the same house in Nockeby that Westergren grew up in. During that time she has become a grandmother of five children.
External links
- Meg Westergren at the Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...