Background
Pontén was born in Skövde, Sweden and was the son of colonel Birger Pontén and Ellen, née Nordlöf.
Pontén was born in Skövde, Sweden and was the son of colonel Birger Pontén and Ellen, née Nordlöf.
He passed his student examination in 1967 and studied at Statens scenskola in Stockholm from 1969 to 1972.
He was younger brother to the doctor January Pontén and fashion designer Gunilla Pontén. Pontén worked at the Royal Dramatic Theatre ("Dramaten") from 1972.