Biography for
Wenche Foss More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

Birth Name

Trivia

Had her debut on stage in 1935. Had her movie debut in "Tørres Snørtevold" (1940).

Alongside Liv Ullmann, she is one of Norway's most famous actors.

Always known for speaking her mind, she has appeared on Norwegian debate show's well into her eighties, supporting causes she believe in.

At the age of 85 she was set to guest-star in "Hotel Cæsar", Norway's most popular soap-opera.

Has always shown strong support and admiration for people with Down's Syndrome.

In 1953 she gave birth to a son with Down's Syndrome. This was at a time when children with this disease was "sent away", and called retards. When a family-member suggested he be placed in a "special home" she said "Over my dead body!" and chose to go out in public and talk about mothering a child with Down's Syndrome, being the first in Norway to do so. Sadly the child, nick-named Tommeliten, died at a young age.

Is a firm believer in human rights.

Is an outspoken supporter of several charities.

Is often called "Hele Norges Wenche" (the whole of Norway's Wenche).

Overcame breast cancer in 1971.

She affectionately calls people with Down's Syndrome for "Messengers of Love".

She was the first person to break two barriers in Norway: 1. the first person to publicly talk about having a child with Down's Syndrome (a son who later died). 2. the first Norwegian celebrity to talk openly about cancer (after she herself suffered breast cancer).

Survived breast cancer in the 1960's.

Undoubtedly the greatest Norwegian actress of her generation, a legend in her own time.

Had her official farewell performance on Norway's National Theatre in 1988, at the age of 70, but what followed was more or less a semi-retirement as she has since returned to the stage on several occassions (to the joy of Norwegian theatre-goers).

In 1987 she was honored with a Knighthood from the French Honorary Legion for her work helping to promote French drama in Norway.

In 1988 King Olav dubbed her 'Kommandør med stjerne av St. Olavs orden' (Commander with Star of the Order of St. Olav) for her services to the Norwegian stage (an honor very rarely bestowed upon civilians).

Twice she has been featured on Norwegian stamps.

Her son Fabian Stang is a respected politician and was elected mayor of Oslo in 2007.

At the age of 87 she was a guest judge on the reality-show "Filmstjerne" (2005), judging aspiring actors. On the show she revealed that she had been paid to appear, and that she would donate all this money to the contestants.

Personal Quotes

Someone who doesn't like gays cannot be a friend of mine. [May 2004]

I loved to drive, I loved sports cars. The nicest I had, was the first one I got from my husband. It was from America, light blue, red interior, a convertible. You just pushed a button and the roof went down. It must have been 1953.

"You know, when you get to my age... last year I went to 21 funerals." [on the phone to a reporter, May 2004]

[May 2004, aged 85] All I got to look forward to, is death. I think back on everything I've experienced and I've led a fantastic, rich life. Just one day of my life would have been wonderful to many others. But death is the only thing in front of me. I have no rehearsels to get to. I have no projects, as they are called nowadays. That's why I feel so bad for the unemployed. That has to be the worst thing that can happen to you, having no job to go to.

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