Adolphson grew up in Norrköping, where his father worked as a skilled craftsman, specifically a blacksmith. Despite his father's disapproval, Adolphson's passion for acting led him to begin performing in small roles at the local theaters, particularly the renowned Arbis, a theater dedicated to the working class. Initially, Adolphson pursued an education to become an engineer in Västerås, but his true interest lay in the world of theater, and he ultimately abandoned his studies to follow his heart.
In 1913, Adolphson joined a traveling theater company, embarking on a journey that took him all around Sweden. He made his Stockholm debut in 1918 and went on to share the stage with some of the most prominent figures in Swedish theater, including the talented Harriet Bosse, whom he would later marry, as well as Ernst Rolf, Katie Rolfsen, Tollie Zellman, Erik 'Bullen' Berglund, and Gösta Ekman, among others.
In 1923, Adolphson landed his first major film role in the movie "Friaren från landsvägen." This marked the beginning of a prolific career in film, which would span several decades. In 1929, he directed the groundbreaking Swedish sound picture "Säg det i toner," one of the country's first talkies. This achievement led to an offer from Paramount to direct movies in Paris, France, which Adolphson accepted.
Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Adolphson worked tirelessly in both film and theater, driven not only by his love for his craft but also by his responsibility to support an increasing number of ex-wives and children. One of his most notable directorial efforts was the 1935 film "The Count of the Old Town," which starred the young Ingrid Bergman in her first movie role. Other memorable performances include "Kungliga patrasket" (1945),"När kärleken kom till byn" (1950),"One Summer of Happiness" (1951),"Vägen till Klockrike" (1953),and "Hemsöborna" (1955).
Adolphson's career came full circle with his remarkable performance in the 1968 film "Markurells i Wadköping." However, his later years were marked by the loss of his sight, and he was forced to retire from acting.
