Trivia

Being based in Norway, his entire career hasn't stopped him from sharing screen and television with more famous colleagues from abroad. Among the people he has appeared with are Sir Tom Courtenay, Nigel Hawthorne, Susannah York, Edward Woodward, Gérard Depardieu and most notably: co-starring with Cliff Robertson and Robert Mitchum in "Pakten" (1995).

Received a Knighthood, First Class of the Order of St. Olav (highest order in Norway).

On August 27th 2004 he received an Honorary Amanda Award for his achievements in Norwegian cinema at the Norwegian film festival in Haugesund.

From a family of actors: Son of Henny Skjønberg and Eugen Skjønberg, and brother and brother-in-law of, Pål Skjønberg and Elisabeth Bang, and father of Jo Skjønberg.

Awarded with the theater prize Hedda, for his role as Chebutykin in Three Sisters at Nationaltheatret, Norway. In 2005 he received the Honorary prize of the same. (2015)

Appointed Commander of the Order of St.Olav. (2007)

In England, he was particularly associated with the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester and appeared there many times.

His older brother, Pål Skjønberg, was also a successful actor and stage instructor.

Skjønberg made his first movie appearances as a child in the 1932 film En glad gutt and in the 1937 Norwegian classic Fant, in which his mother also appeared.

He also found popularity with new generations heading the cast of Familiesagaen De Syv Søstre (1996-2000), one of Norway's first major soap operas. In the show Skjønberg co-starred with his real-life wife, actress Mona Hofland.

He has also received the British Theatre Association's Drama Award and was made a Knight, First Class of the Royal Norwegian Order of St Olav by the King of Norway.

He joined the Norwegian National Theatre in 1946 and became one of its most prominent figures, appearing in 64 different roles in the next 60 years. As late as 2006 he co-starred with Toralv Maurstad (who also appeared in Fant) in an adaptation of Waiting for Godot.

He was also popular as the old mountain gnome Erke in the widely successful children's series Jul i Blåfjell (1999).

Skjønberg received several awards throughout his career. Most notably the Norwegian Arts Council's Honorary Award in 1989, the Norwegian film award Amanda for best actor in 1994 (for the World War II drama The Last Lieutenant) and its Honorary Award in 2004.

His stage debut came reciting poetry at the Norwegian theatre Chat Noir in 1945.