The Swedish actor was active on stage, on TV, and in films for many decades.
In Norway, he is probably best known for his role as the neighbor of police investigator Martin Beck in fifty “Beck” films.
The film series is aired on TV 2 in Norway, and Norwegian actors like Kristofer Hivju and Pia Tjelta have also participated.
In April 2023, Hirdwall passed away at the age of 88.
His colleague Peter Haber, who plays the lead role as Martin Beck, told Aftonbladet that his death came as a “bolt from the blue”.
Desires Openness
Now, Hirdwall’s widow is speaking about the death to Värmlands folkblad and Aftonbladet.
MARRIED FOR 50 YEARS: Ingvar Hirdwall and Marika Lindström at the premiere of the film «Unga Astrid» in Stockholm in September 2018.
Photo: Hanna Franzén / TT / NTB
There, Marika Lindström (77), who is also an actress, reveals that Hirdwall took his own life.
– There is a kind of stigma surrounding it that is difficult for us who are left, she tells Aftonbladet.
The widow also states that she wishes for more openness around suicide.
– We didn’t mean to keep it a secret … but it’s not easy to talk about, she adds:
– It’s not a topic one starts a conversation with when meeting people. That’s why it’s difficult. It’s death, and it’s hard to talk about in itself.
Film with Suicide Themes
She points out that suicide occurs at all ages, and she thinks it’s important to talk about it.
After her husband’s passing, Lindström is taking it one day at a time.
She is currently involved in filming a new Swedish feature film, “Biodlaren,” which deals with the consequences of not talking about suicide.
– I will try to use my experiences in a good way, she says.
Missed in “Beck”
The last “Beck” film that Hirdwall appeared in is “Dödläge” or “Deadlock.” It was released in February of this year and is the 50th in the series.
DISTINCT STYLE: Screenshot of Ingvar Hirdwall as many are used to seeing him, as Martin Beck’s neighbor. Here in film number 26, “Levende begravd.”
Photo: Screenshot / TV 2 Play
Both Hirdwall and Peter Haber have appeared in all of them. Haber has no plans to retire, and this spring two new films were shot.
But Haber misses his film neighbor.
– It is a huge loss. Both for me personally, because we also had a personal relationship, and for the films. It’s a big hole that no one can fill, says Haber to Aftonbladet.
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