Actor Sverre Anker Ausdal (79) met his late partner Kirsti Holmen on stage. They had roles together before and after they became a couple.
They have both been permanent employees of the National Theater for many years. Holmen has been referred to several times as the greatest Norwegian actor of his time.
Kirsty Holmen lived with this diagnosis for nine years
It was during “Dance of Death” in 1997 when Holmen and Ausdal met for the first time on stage. The play was presented at the National Theater.
In 2021, Kirsty Holmen died of Alzheimer's disease.
Almost blind: Osdal lost his sight in 2008, and therefore did not see signs of the disease in his partner. Photo: Haakon Mosvold-Larsen/NTB.
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So it's not dangerous
The actor was among the last to realize that his roommate was sick, as he was nearly blind.
Holmen's expression changed, and those around her realized that she wasn't always there.
“I thought she was just distracted,” Ausdal adds VG.
– There is no room for joy
Ausdal I lost my sight a lotDuring a rare complication when he underwent surgery for liver cancer in 2008. Now he only sees light and shadows.
The 79-year-old had previously said Holmen had been his biggest supporter over the years.
– I miss her. Of course I do. I think a lot of people who knew her do, Ausdal tells VG.
Surprisingly
Although the 79-year-old is legally blind, he has cared for Holmen for a long time. He wanted her home for as long as possible.
– In the end I had to give it up. It was very difficult, Ausdal tells VG.
The memory clinic at Olival Hospital was surprised by how long he spent caring for his roommate. Holmen was eventually very ill, and Osdal was unable to see. He's relieved that he couldn't have her at home longer than he had to.
– He was with me all my time
Actor's son
In December, the 79-year-old died again when his ex-wife Bodil Ausdal died. Even though they have been divorced for 25 years, they still have a good tone.
Together they have three children, including actor Mads Osdal (53 years old). Like his father, he works in the National Theater. In addition, he appeared in a number of films and series.
Family: Sverre Anker Ausdal with his then-wife Bodil. Daughter Sarah and son of actor Mads Osdal. Here at the festival premiere of Ibsen's “Brand” in 1998. Photo: Tore Skaar / SE OG HØR
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back to work
The older actor returns to the stage in a new play at the National Theatre, where he worked from 1970 to 2014.
Director Johannes Holmen Dahl, nephew of Kirsti Holmen, had Osdal play the lead role in the theatrical production “Strawberry Farm” by Ingmar Bergman.
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