Peter Malberg

Peter Malberg was born in Arhus, Denmark. He was 15 years younger than his brother, the actor Henrik Malberg, who cared for Peter throughout his life. Their father was a haulage contractor, while their mother was of fragile health and was ill during long periods of Malberg's childhood. In 1904, when Malberg was 14 years old, his parents agreed that he was to be a painter's apprentice with master C. Christian Nielsen. Peter had talent as a painter and desired a formal education at the Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen. However, after serving his two-year apprenticeship, he was hired at Århus Theatre as a scenic painter. When Malberg saw how skillful his older brother was as an actor, he too wanted to try acting.

Malberg debuted on 22 March 1907 at the Århus Theatre as the Jailer in Ranke viljer (Unyielding Wills). He toured with an acting company in Norway, Sweden and Finland. In 1913, Malberg began working in the Copenhagen theaters, including the Alexandra Theatre, Frederiksberg Theatre and Betty Nansen Theatre. Malberg worked as a freelance actor, often in revues and comedic roles. In 1916 he took part in the Danmarks Eventyr (Denmark's Adventure) revue. Malberg achieved his greatest success on stage in the role of Balder Svanemose in the 1930 comedy Peter den Store (Peter the Great). It was a role he was eventually play more than a thousand times.

From 1910 to 1903, Malberg played roles in 22 silent movies, including David Copperfield (1922), Morænen and Laila. Malberg's most memorable movie role was the character of Uncle Axel which he played in eight Far til fire comedies. He also appeared in nine Morten Korch movies. In the movie Det gamle guld (The old gold), Malberg and Poul Reichhardt combined to sing popular Danish songs like "Jeg har min hest, jeg har min lasso" (I have my horse, I have my lasso) and "Du er min øjesten" (You are the apple of my eye).

In 1925 Peter married the actress Ellen Nimb-Olsen who was 16 years younger.

Malberg was awarded the French Academy's Mark of Honor and the Portuguese Red Cross' Cross of Honor.

• Peter Malberg on www.danskefilm.dk (Danish)
• Peter Malberg at IMDb