Rydeberg's father, a sea captain, refused to allow his son to follow in his footsteps, but this only fueled the 14-year-old's determination. At the tender age of 14, Rydeberg began his nautical career by serving as a steward on a boat bound for Hull, UK. The following year, he took on a new role as a sailor on a ship headed to Lagos, Africa.
After his time at sea, Rydeberg transitioned to an office clerk position, where he would later meet his fourth wife, Eugenie Trullemans, whom he would marry 25 years later. However, office work did not suit him, and he soon found himself drawn to the world of acting.
Rydeberg's early forays into acting took place at the Lorensberg Theatre in Gothenburg, which led to his enrollment in the Royal Dramatic Theatre's acting school. Unfortunately, his teachers were far from impressed with his abilities, and he came close to being asked to leave the school.
In 1931, Rydeberg joined the Blanche Theatre in Stockholm as an actor, and two years later, he secured a contract with Svensk Filmindustri. He went on to star in two films directed by Gustaf Molander, Dollar (1938) and A Woman's Face (1938).
Rydeberg's personal life was also marked by romantic entanglements, including a love affair with Viveca Lindfors, with whom he would work again in Appassionata (1944). The 1950s saw him collaborating with Arne Mattsson on several films, including För min heta ungdoms skull (1952),Kärlekens bröd (1953),0047527, and Hemsöborna (1955).
The 1960s were filled with Rydeberg's work at the Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm, where he appeared in plays by celebrated playwrights such as August Strindberg, William Shakespeare, and Lars Forssell.
