a Swedish artist: Beppe Wolgers

Summer Meadow

Beppe Wolgers (1928–1986) was a versatile Swedish artist known for his contributions across various creative domains. Here’s a concise summary of his remarkable career:

• Author, Poet, and Translator:

  • Born as John Bertil Wolgers on November 10, 1928, in Stockholm, Sweden.
  • Wolgers wrote over a thousand songs, often providing Swedish lyrics for foreign tunes.
  • His lyrical adaptations included well-known melodies like “Walkin’ My Baby Back Home,” “Waltz for Debby,” and “Eleanor Rigby.”

• Actor and Entertainer:

  • Wolgers was a multifaceted entertainer, captivating audiences through various media.
  • He gained fame as the slightly eccentric storyteller in the popular Swedish television series for children from 1968 to 1974.
  • Notably, he portrayed the character Efraim Longstocking, the father of Pippi Longstocking, in the 1969 TV series adaptation.

• Voice Actor and Disney Connection:

  • Wolgers lent his voice to several characters in Disney movies, including Baloo from The Jungle Book (except for the songs).

• Artistic Exploration:

  • Beyond his entertainment career, Wolgers also explored visual arts.
  • He exhibited alongside artist Ernfrid Bogstedt and had his own exhibits.
  • His creativity extended to books and films for children.