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Dolph Lundgren (born Hans Lundgren, November
3, 1957) is a Swedish actor, director and karateka. His breakthrough came
when he starred in Rocky IV in 1985. Since then, he starred in more than 30
pictures, mostly action movies. Dolph belongs to a generation of film actors
who epitomise the muscular movie action hero including Sylvester Stallone ,
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Steven Seagal, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Chuck
Norris, many of whom he has worked with throughout his career. He is well
known for his tall stature and A1 physical fitness.Height : 6' 5¼" (1.96 m)
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A native of Stockholm, Dolph
Lundgren is a graduate of the Royal Institute of Technology. He has a
master's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Sydney
(1982), and was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology in 1983 – but quit after two weeks to pursue acting
. He speaks five languages: Swedish, English, some German, some Japanese and
some French.
Lundgren completed his mandatory military service in his native Sweden at
the Amphibious Ranger School. He left this elite marine unit (Kustjägarna)
with the rank of conscript corporal.
Lundgren holds a 3rd Dan (3rd Degree Black Belt) in Kyokushin Karate and won
the European championships in 1980 and 1981 as well as a heavyweight
tournament in Australia in 1982 . He was also captain of the Swedish
Kyokushin Karate team, and was a formidable challenger at the 1979 World
Open Tournament (arranged by the Kyokushin Karate Organization) when he was
only a green belt.
Lundgren was selected to serve as the Team Leader of the 1996 U.S. Olympic
Modern pentathlon Team during the Atlanta Games where he coordinated
planning and other details between the team and the United States Olympic
Committee. He is actively involved in promoting the image of the sport.
"Over the past few years, my involvement with modern pentathlon has grown
from pure interest to an opportunity to raise the visibility of the sport,
increase recruitment of young talent and make sure that this event,
originated by the founder of the Olympics, Baron de Coubertin, will remain
in the Games," Lundgren has said.
Film career
Dolph in 1990In 1985, Lundgren made his feature-film debut in the James Bond
film A View to a Kill briefly as a suited KGB henchman named Venz. Then he
beat 5000 other hopefuls to land the breakthrough role of Ivan Drago,
Sylvester Stallone's opponent in Rocky IV (1985). As he stated himself, he
was initially turned down for the role, because he was too tall.
He received his first lead role as He-Man in Masters of the Universe (1987),
based on the popular children's Mattel toys, although the film was not the
expected success. Lundgren however found his calling in action films. He
starred as a reformed Spetsnaz in Red Scorpion, and then as Marvel comics
character Frank Castle aka The Punisher, in the 1989 film The Punisher. In
the 1990s he starred in action films such as Showdown in Little Tokyo
(co-starring Brandon Lee), Universal Soldier (co-starring Jean-Claude Van
Damme and directed by Roland Emmerich), Joshua Tree (directed by stunt
legend Vic Armstrong), Men Of War (scripted by John Sayles), Johnny Mnemonic
(directed by artist Robert Longo), Silent Trigger (directed by Russell
Mulcahy) and the TV pilot Blackjack (directed by John Woo).
In recent years, Lundgren has appeared in low-budget direct-to-video films.
In 2004 he has made his directorial debut with the film The Defender also
co-starring Jerry Springer. Subsequently Lundgren moved directed The
Mechanik (a.k.a. The Russian Specialist in the US as). He then co-starred
alongside Max von Sydow, F. Murray Abraham and Ornella Muti in the
historical/biblical film The Inquiry, awaiting for release (by Fox Faith),
and recently starred in Diamond Dogs, an action adventure set and filmed in
Mongolia. Lundgren is currently in post-production of Missionary Man, a
modern western that he co-wrote, produced, directed and starred in. Lundgren
also has a slate of projects that he is attached to direct and star in.
Lundgren has also been developing a career and brand marketing plan, in
order to re-invent the 'superstar brand' to leverage entertainment, media
production projects and licensing opportunities.
Other
Dolph did a Japanese television commercial for Swatch watches. He played
opposite famous small man Danny DeVito. The popular commercial ran on
Japanese television for 18 months.
According to various interviews, Lundgren is between 193 cm (6`4 inches) and
195 cm (6'5 inches) in height and not the 198 cm (6 ft 6) he is often billed
and weighs between 230 and 240 pounds. As Ivan Drago, Lundgren was billed at
261 pounds but at the time weighed about 245 pounds.
Dolph also has a keen eye for knitting and other haberdashery-oriented
activities, and once claimed to have made a "lovely red cardy" for Father
Christmas.
Personal life
During the 1980s he dated singer, actress, and model Angela Pruitt. He has
been married to Anette Qviberg, a jewelry designer and fashion stylist,
since 1994. The couple spends their time between their new home in London
and Marbella. They have two daughters: Ida Sigrid Lundgren (born April 1996)
and Greta Eveline Lundgren (born January 2002)
Director - Filmography
Year Movie
2007 Missionary Man
2005 The Mechanik (The Russian Specialist)
2004 The Defender
Actor - Filmography
Year Movie Role
1985 A View to a Kill Venz
1985 Rocky IV Ivan Drago
1987 Masters of the Universe He-Man
1988 Red Scorpion Lt. Nikolai Rachenko
1989 The Punisher Frank Castle/The Punisher
1990 I Come in Peace (Dark Angel) Jack Caine
1991 Showdown in Little Tokyo Police Sgt. Chris Kenner
1992 Universal Soldier Sgt. Andrew Scott/GR13
1993 Joshua Tree (Army Of One) Wellman Anthony Santee
1994 Sunny Side Up Himself
1994 Pentathlon Eric Brogar
1994 Nelson's Column Nelson Mandela
1995 Johnny Mnemonic Karl Honig (Street Preacher)
1995 The Shooter (Hidden Assassin) Michael Dane
1996 Silent Trigger Waxman (Shooter)
1997 The Peacekeeper Major Frank Cross
1998 The Minion Lukas Sadorov
1998 Sweepers Christian Erickson
1998 Blackjack (TV) Jack Devlin
1999 Bridge of Dragons Warchild
1999 Storm Catcher Jack Holloway
2000 Jill Rips (Jill The Ripper) Matt Sorenson
2000 The Last Patrol Captain Nick Preston
2000 Agent Red Matt Hendricks
2001 Hidden Cardigan Albert Von Klinkerhoffen
2003 Detention Sam Decker
2004 Direct Action Frank Gannon
2004 Fat Slags Randy
2004 Retrograde (film) John Foster
2004 The Defender Lance Rockford
2005 The Mechanik (The Russian Specialist) Nikolai Cherenko
2006 The Inquiry Brixos
2007 Diamond Dogs Xander Ronson
2007 Missionary Man Ryder
Cultural references
Dolph Lundgren was satirized in an article by The Onion in 2004, titled
"Dolph Lundgren Wins Long, Courageous Battle Against Fame"
Metalcore band Will Haven released a song named Dolph Lundgren on their
album Carpe Diem. |
