Max von Sydow dead: Star Wars and James Bond actor dies, aged 90

Actor Max von Sydow has died at his home in France aged 90, his agent said.

A statement said: “It is with a broken heart and with infinite sadness that we have the extreme pain of announcing the departure of Max von Sydow, March 8, 2020.”

The actor, known for roles in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Game Of Thrones, The Exorcist and Extremely Loud And Incredibly Close, died at home in France on Sunday.

Von Sydow starred in numerous big budget franchises during his decades-spanning career.

HBO fantasy drama Game of Thrones, in which he played the Three-Eyed raven, marked one of his most recent projects.

His film credits include the 1983 James Bond movie Never Say Never Again.

Von Sydow starred as the iconic Bond villain Ernst Stavro Blofeld in the film.

He also played the legendary explorer Lor San Tekka in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

He was nominated for two Oscars; for Best Actor in the 1989 film Pelle the Conquerer - 40 years after his film debut - and Best Supporting Actor in 2012's Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close.

His film career was also defined by his long-term collaboration with director Ingmar Bergman and the pair made 11 films together.

Von Sydow is survived by his two sons from his first marriage to Christina Inga Britta Olin, his second wife, Catherine Brelet, and their two sons.