Fikk en smak for teater da han, etter å ha fullført videregående, ble en del av det kreative miljøet rundt Sofiegården; herifra sprang også rock gruppen Gasolin
Eksperimenterte i 1970 med amfetamin, LSD og alkohol; dette inspirerte ham senere til rollen som alkoholikeren Kaj i Per Fly sin film Bænken (2000)
Er utdannet førskolelærer, men har aldri brukt sin utdanning i praksis
Fikk sitt gjennombrudd i den populære TV-serien Nana (1988), hvor han spilte Nanas far
Sendte i 2006 et brev til kongefamilien, hvor han takket nei til å motta Ridderkorset
Awards
2016Robert Awards-Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a TV series:winner
2016Robert Awards-Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a TV series:winner
2015Robert Awards-Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a TV series:nominated
2012Bodil Awards-Best Actor in a Leading Role:nominated
2012Robert Awards-Best Actor in a Leading Role:nominated
2006Bodil Awards-Best Actor in a Leading Role:winner
2006Robert Awards-Best Actor in a Leading Role:nominated
2001European Film Academy-Best European Actor:nominated
2001European Film Awards-European Actor:nominated
2001Bodil Awards-Best Actor in a Leading Role:winner
2001Robert Awards-Best Actor in a Leading Role:winner
1998Bodil Awards-Best Actor in a Supporting Role:winner
1998Robert Awards-Best Actor in a Supporting Role:winner
1994Robert Awards-Best Actor in a Supporting Role:winner
1993Robert Awards-Best Actor in a Supporting Role:winner