Dolph Lundgren Bio
Hans “Dolph” Lundgren (born 3 November 1957) is a Swedish actor, filmmaker, and martial artist. He gained recognition for portraying the Soviet boxer Ivan Drago in his breakthrough role in Rocky IV (1985), a role he later reprised in Creed II (2018). Lundgren went on to play lead roles in over 80 action-oriented films, including Masters of the Universe (1987), Red Scorpion (1988), and The Expendables (2010). He has also directed and written several films, showcasing his talents beyond acting in the film industry.
Early Life and Background
Dolph Lundgren was born in Spånga, Stockholm County, Sweden to Sigrid Birgitta Tjerneld, a language teacher, and Karl Hugo Johan Lundgren, an engineer and economist for the Swedish government. He lived in Spånga until the age of 13, when he moved to his grandparents’ home in Nyland, Ångermanland. Lundgren has two sisters and an elder brother. He has spoken about a troubled relationship with his father, which motivated him to pursue contact sports such as boxing and karate. Lundgren showed a keen interest in drumming and aspired to become a rock star in his youth. He began practicing Kyokushin karate at the age of 10 and lifted weights as a teenager. After graduating high school with excellent grades, he studied chemical engineering at Washington State University and later at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, where he graduated in the early 1980s.
Path to Hollywood
During his years of studying, Lundgren honed his karate skills and earned a black belt in Kyokushin. He captained the Swedish karate team and won the European championships in 1980 and 1981. In 1983, he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to MIT, but while working as a bodyguard for Grace Jones in Sydney, he was encouraged to pursue acting. Lundgren moved to New York City, where he studied drama and began modeling. He eventually decided to focus on acting, which he found more rewarding than his previous academic pursuits.
Dolph Lundgren Career
Early Career (1979–1985)
Lundgren made his film debut in the 1985 James Bond film A View to a Kill, where he played a minor role as a KGB assassin. His breakthrough role came when he was cast as Ivan Drago in Rocky IV, after beating out 5,000 other candidates. This role required intense physical training, and Lundgren’s performance became iconic, with memorable lines such as “If he dies, he dies.” The film was a major success, and Lundgren’s portrayal of Drago solidified his status as an action star.
Breakthrough (1985–1990)
Lundgren’s role in Rocky IV led to a series of action films throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s. He starred in Masters of the Universe (1987), which, despite being a critical failure, showcased his leading man potential. In 1988, he played a Soviet KGB agent in Red Scorpion, and in 1989, he took on the title role in The Punisher. Although these films received mixed reviews, they contributed to his growing reputation in the action genre. Lundgren continued to work in various films, including I Come in Peace (1990) and Universal Soldier (1992), which became a box office hit.
Notable Works and Milestones
Lundgren’s signature work remains his role as Ivan Drago in Rocky IV, which earned him international fame. He has appeared in numerous films, including The Expendables series, where he reprised his role as Gunner Jensen. His career has been marked by a mix of both critical and commercial successes, and he has directed and produced films, showcasing his versatility in the industry.
Dolph Lundgren Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Dolph Lundgren has received various nominations for his performances, particularly in action films.
Dolph Lundgren Awards Won
While specific awards won are not detailed, Lundgren’s contributions to the film industry have been recognized through various accolades over the years.
Dolph Lundgren Family
Dolph Lundgren was married to Anette Qviberg from 1994 until their divorce in 2011. The couple has two daughters, Ida Sigrid Lundgren and Greta Eveline Lundgren. In 2023, he married Emma Krokdal, a Norwegian personal trainer.
Personal Life
Lundgren splits his time between Stockholm and Los Angeles. He is fluent in English and speaks several other languages. He has been open about his past relationships and has faced personal challenges, including a battle with kidney cancer since 2015. In 2024, he and his wife became U.S. citizens.
