Max von Sydow, best known for his roles in “The Exorcist” and “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” has passed away at 90 years old.

His agent Jean Diamond confirmed that the actor died on Sunday. A cause of death has not yet been released.

“It is with a broken heart and with infinite sadness that we have the extreme pain of announcing the departure of Max von Sydow,” Diamond said.

Von Sydow was born on April 10, 1929 in Lund, Scania to a wealthy family of educators.  He was fluent in Swedish, Danish, English, Italian and French. His studies in the arts started at the Royal Dramatic Theater, and then he continued to act in small theaters in Sweden.

“I’m very grateful to the schooling I had in Sweden because in order to learn acting you have to work, work, work. I think I owe very much to those years,” he once said in an interview.

He made his debut in the Swedish film “Only a Mother” in 1949. He rose to stardom internationally after meeting his mentor, Ingmar Bergman, and starred in eleven of his films including “Wild Strawberries” and “The Virgin Spring”.  He made his Hollywood debut with his role as Jesus in “The Greatest Story Ever Told” and Father Lankester Merrin in “The Exorcist.” Known as Hollywood’s “sophisticated villain,” his deep voice and stern aspect that often led him to being cast in more serious roles.

The Swedish actor has appeared in over 100 movies and TV shows during his decade’s long career. His most recent appearance was on Game of Thrones as the Three-Eyed Raven. He has collected many accolades throughout his career which included Oscar and Golden Globe nominations. The tall,lanky, stern faced man is one of the world’s most honorable actor’s and his legacy will be remembered through some of Hollywood’s most notable films.

More from Beliefnet and our partners