Lars-Erik Berenett

Lars-Erik Berenett (23 December 1942 – 1 February 2017) was a Swedish actor. His career spanned more than 50 years, gaining recognition for his performances in film, television, and theatre, until two years before his death in 2017. Berenett made his theatrical debut in 1967 and continued to act in leading roles such as Jean in Miss Julie and Edgar in Dödsdansen.

Berenett was born in Skellefteå and grew up in Uppsala. He made his film debut in Vilgot Sjöman's Klänningen (1964). Berenett portrayed the police officer Roland Hassel in a total of 12 movies filmed and released between 1986–1992 and later in 2000 and 2012.

He died on 1 February 2017, after complications from a short-term illness in his home in Värmdö at the age of 74.

Early life

Lars-Erik Berenett was born on 23 December 1942 in Skellefteå, but grew up in Uppsala. After working a time at sea, he found a job in a record store in Uppsala. During that time, he was discovered by amateur theater director Paul Patera, who arranged a scholarship for Berenett under the direction of Medborgarskolan's theater. Through additional scholarships, Berenett had the opportunity to study further at Calle Flygare's Theater School and at the Stage School in Gothenburg between 1964 and 1967. After graduating, he joined the Gothenburg City Theatre, where he remained until 1983.

Career

In addition to theater, Berenett was active in film and television. Berenett made his professional acting debut in Vilgot Sjöman's Klänningen in 1964 where he played the messenger of Maison Georges. He is best known for his role as the temperamental police officer Roland Hassel in twelve films, made in 1986–1992 and in 2000 and 2012. He is also known for the role of Harald Bovallius in the soap opera Skilda världar, a role he played in over 300 episodes in the years 1996–1998. Berenett also often played villain roles, for example as the bank robber Erik Stigertz in the TV miniseries Polisen som vägrade svara (1982), a gangster called Charlie in the series Spanarna (1983) and the bomb man Rikard Kostner in the thriller series Den svarta cirkeln (1990). In contrast to the villain roles, he portrayed some likeable characters, such as the land-surveyor in Lars Molin's TV series Tre kärlekar (1989–1991). Berenett also played roles in Lars Norén productions such as Natten är dagens mor (1984) and Kaos är granne med Gud (1984).

Personal life

Berenett married the actress Evabritt Strandberg in 1971. The marriage lasted five years, and they had a son together, the actor Matti Berenett (born 1971). He and his son played the roles of father and son in the series Skilda världar. A short time after his divorce with Strandberg, Berenett started a relationship with the actress Maria Kulle, with whom he had a second son.

Death

On 1 February 2017, Berenett died in his home in Värmdö, aged 74. According to his partner Maria Kulle's representative, Peter Jansson, he had died peacefully with his family at his side. The cause of his death was a short-term illness. Berenett is buried at Sandsborgskyrkogården in Stockholm.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes Ref. 1964 The Dress Maison Georges' Messenger 1965 Flygplan saknas Göran, Inga's Brother 1972 Georgia, Georgia Reception Clerk 1980 Barnens ö Esbjörn 1981 Tuppen German 1987 Friends Police Inspector Mälarpirater Jonte Nyman 1989 Änglahund Charlie Voice 1991 Amelia Gösta Leijon Marianne Short film 1994 Good Night Irene Staffan Dreamplay Officer 1995 Kristin Lavransdotter Bjørn 1996 Den vita lejoninnan Sällgren 2000 Hassel – Förgörarna Roland Hassel 2002 Tinke 2005 Störst av allt Bagman Van Veeteren – Borkmanns punkt Bausen 2007 Väsenpumpen Bror 2011 Stockholm East Katti's Father 2012 Hassel – Privatspanarna Roland Hassel 2013 Bäst före Erik Final film role

Television

Year Title Role Notes Ref. 1971 Leka med elden Axel, The Friend Television movie Amala Kamala Price Söndagspromenaden Carl Michael Coriander Här ligger en hund begraven Dr. Bore TV miniseries 1972 Dela lika Anders 1973 Hem till byn Ingrid's Psychiatrist 1 episode Desertören Eddie Slovik Television movie 1976 Kamrer Gunnarsson i skärgården Ragnar Television movie 1980 Innan vintern kommer Sven TV miniseries 1981 Stjärnhuset Voice; 2 episodes 1982 Polisen som vägrade svara Erik Stigertz TV miniseries 1983 Spanarna Charlie Episode: "Happy Birthday" 1984 Natten är dagens mor Frank Television movie Kaos är granne med Gud Frank 1984–85 Svenska brott Ingvar Hellner 1 episode 1985 Rød snø The Lieutenant TV miniseries, 1 episode Nya Dagbladet Lennart 1986 Gösta Berlings saga Liljecrona TV miniseries Den nervöse mannen Mysterious Man Television movie Prästkappan von Helffen TV miniseries, 2 episodes Hassel – Anmäld försvunnen Roland Hassel Television movie Hassel – Beskyddarna Kunglig toilette Carl XVI Gustaf 1987 Ondskans år Tomas Saxofonhallicken Kalor 1988 Fyra dagar som skakade Sverige Erik Boheman Behöriga äga ej tillträde Ernst Trygger Kråsnålen Manufacturer Junggren TV miniseries 1989 Hassel – Slavhandlarna Roland Hassel Television movie Hassel – Säkra papper Hassel – Terrorns finger Hassel – Offren 1989–1991 Tre kärlekar Land-surveyor 4 episodes 1990 Den svarta cirkeln Rikard Kostner TV miniseries 1992 Hassel – De giriga Roland Hassel Television movie Hassel – Svarta banken Hassel – Botgörarna Hassel – Utpressarna 1993 Hedda Gabler Deputy Judge Brack Television movie 1994 Onkel Vanja Astrov 1996 Alla dagar alla nätter Henrik Television movie 1996–98 Skilda världar Harald Bovallius 425 episodes 1998 Ivar Kreuger Tor Bonnier TV miniseries, 2 episodes 2003 Skeppsholmen Linda's Father 1 episode 2005 Kommissionen Tryggve Hansberg 4 episodes Kvalster Sture TV miniseries, 2 episodes 2013 En pilgrims död Johan Forselius TV miniseries, 3 episodes Molanders Arne Molander 2013–14 Äkta människor Claes 8 episodes 2015 Jordskott Johan Thörnblad 6 episodes

Theatre

Year Title Role Notes Ref. 1968 Victor eller När barnen tar makten Victor Gothenburg City Theatre 1969 Your Own Thing Sebastian Gothenburg City Theatre 1970 Don Juan Don Carlos Gothenburg City Theatre Yvonne Prince Philip Gothenburg City Theatre