Ullmann, Liv (1939–)

Norwegian actress and director. Born Liv Johanne Ullmann in Tokyo, Japan, Dec 16, 1939; dau. of Viggo Ullmann (aircraft engineer, died 1943) and Janna (Lund) Ullmann; attended Oslo's Theatre School; m. Jappe Stang (physician), 1960 (div. 1965); m. Donald Saunders (real-estate developer), in 1985 (div. 1995, then reconciled, though not remarried); children: (with Ingmar Bergman) daughter Linn Ullmann (b. 1966, writer).

Internationally acclaimed actress and director who is particularly known for her work with Ingmar Bergman, made theater debut as Anne Frank in rep company at Stavanger (1956); made 1st film with Bergman, Persona, which was released to great international acclaim (1964); lived with Bergman (1964–69) and filmed The Hour of the Wolf (1968), Shame (1968), The Passion of Anna (1969), Cries and Whispers (1971) and Autumn Sonata (1978); won Tony Award as Best Actress for Broadway debut in A Doll's House (1975); returned to Broadway in Anna Christie (1977), the musical version of I Remember Mama (1979), Ghosts (1982) and Old Times (1985); became the 1st goodwill ambassador for UNICEF (1980); cowrote and directed film Sofie (1992), followed by screen adaptation of Kristen Lavransdatter, a huge hit in Norway (1995); directed Private Confessions (Private Conversations, 1996) and Faithless, both from screenplays by Bergman (2001); other films include The Emigrants (1972), Pope Joan (1972), Lost Horizon (1973), 40 Carats (1973), Scenes from a Marriage (1974), The Abdication (1974), The Serpent's Egg (1978), Richard's Things (1980), The Wild Duck (1983), Dangerous Moves (1985), Time of Indifference (1987), The Ox (1991) and The Long Shadow (1992).

See also memoirs Forandringen (Changes, 1976) and Choices (1984); and Women in World History.