Ove Sprogøe, a renowned and cherished Danish actor, was born in 1919 in Odense, where he spent his formative years, being the son of Arthur and Inger Sprogøe. In 1945, he tied the knot with his wife Eva, the same year he made his stage debut at Folketeatret in Copenhagen.
Throughout his illustrious career, spanning film, television, and theatre, Sprogøe's most iconic role was undoubtedly that of Egon Olsen in the film series "Olsenbanden". This beloved character and the 14 films that followed have become an integral part of Danish culture, resonating not only with the Danish people but also gaining popularity in Germany, Norway, and Sweden, where local adaptations were created.
Despite his association with the Olsenbanden franchise, Sprogøe was remarkable for his versatility as an actor, effortlessly transitioning between various genres on stage and screen. His impressive repertoire included an array of popular comedies, a recurring role in the beloved series Matador (1978),and numerous variety shows.
Ove Sprogøe's life came to a close in the fall of 2004, but his legacy as one of Denmark's true film greats continues to be celebrated and revered.