ANDERSSON, BIBI

born Nov. 11, 1935, Stockholm, Sweden original name Birgitta Andersson Swedish actress noted primarily for her appearance in films by Ingmar Bergman. Andersson studied acting at Stockholm's highly regarded Royal Dramatic Theatre, the school that had earlier produced Greta Garbo. She had made a few small film appearances and was acting on stage when discovered by Bergman, who asked her to appear in Sommarnattens leende (1955; Smiles of a Summer Night). This initial role led to critical acclaim and a number of complex roles in other Bergman films. She received a Cannes Film Festival award for her work in Nra livet (1958; Brink of Life), though her most highly acclaimed role was as the complex nurse in Persona (1966). Her first part outside Sweden was in Duel at Diablo (1966), which was followed by a number of other American film roles, including I Never Promised You a Rose Garden (1977) and Quintet (1979). She also appeared in Bergman's finest film of the 1970s, Scener ur ett ktenskap (1974; Scenes from a Marriage). Andersson was also active as a stage actress from 1956.