Swedish Actor Björn Andrésen, 'the World's Most Beautiful Boy,' Dies at 70
Swedish actor Björn Andrésen, famed for his role in "Döden i Venedig," has died at age 70, remembered for his beauty and personal struggles.
- • Björn Andrésen, known as "the world's most beautiful boy," died at 70.
- • He gained fame at 15 in the film "Döden i Venedig."
- • His life and struggles were depicted in the 2021 documentary "Världens vackraste pojke."
- • Director Kristian Petri described Andrésen as a brave person.
Key details
Swedish actor Björn Andrésen, famously known as "the world's most beautiful boy," has died at the age of 70. Andrésen first gained international recognition at 15 for his role in Luchino Visconti's 1971 film "Döden i Venedig". Visconti famously dubbed him "the world's most beautiful boy," a title that would come to define Andrésen's public image.
Although his early success brought him fame, Andrésen's life after the spotlight was marked by profound personal struggles. His experiences of loneliness and alcoholism were openly discussed in a 2021 documentary titled "Världens vackraste pojke," co-directed by Kristian Petri and Kristina Lindström. Petri, who confirmed Andrésen's death, praised him as "a brave person" for his openness about his hardships.
In an interview, Andrésen described his post-fame life as a nightmare, feeling isolated and turning to alcohol to cope with his sudden celebrity. His death marks the loss of a notable figure in Swedish and international cinema, whose life story resonated beyond his early screen presence.
The news has been reported by multiple Swedish outlets including Expressen and Dagens Nyheter, reflecting on both his cultural impact and the personal costs of his early fame.