Background
Astrid Villaume, the daughter of a pharmacist, was born 3 November 1923 in Aalestrup near Viborg, Denmark.
Astrid Villaume, the daughter of a pharmacist, was born 3 November 1923 in Aalestrup near Viborg, Denmark.
She attended the drama school at the Odense Theater from 1939 to 1941, and made her debut on stage there in the play Under Krigen (English:In The War).
Danish film historian Morten Piil described Villaume"s appeal as a combination of "warm mother figure, romantic heroine and innocent erotic dream girl."
While in her late teens, Villaume performed as an acrobat in Danish revues. She enjoyed success as a stage actress during the next six years, however she applied to return to the drama school at the Det Kongelige Teater (Royal Danish Theatre) in 1947. After an audition, she was accepted and attended classes another two years.
When asked why she would want to attend drama school twice, Villaume said simply, "Because I thought I needed lieutenant"
She debuted at the Royal Danish Theatre in the role of Stine Isenkræmmer in Barselsstuen and from July 1949 Villaume was permanently employed there.
Over the years she performed a variety of roles including Mary Tyrone in Long Days Journey into Night, the title role in Anna Sophie Hedvig, Magdalone in Mascarade, and Linda Loman in Death of a Salesman. Villaume also enjoyed great popularity as a film actress.
Foreign her first leading role, as the beautiful baker"s daughter in the 1950 film Susanne, Villaume was awarded the Bodil for Best Actress. She also provided the voices for the Danish language versions of Disney"s Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan.