Birthe Neumann (born 30 April 1947) is a Danish actress.

Neumann was born in Vanløse, Copenhagen. In 1972 she graduated from the Danish National School of Theatre, and was shortly afterwards employed as an actress at the Royal Danish Theatre in Copenhagen. At the Royal Danish Theatre she has appeared in a number of productions, among them Marx and Coca Cola, Molière's The Learned Ladies, Henrik Hertz's Sparekassen (The Savings Bank), Jess Ørnsbo's Majonæse (Mayonnaise), Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman, and David Hare's A Breath of Life.

Her film appearances include Hovedjægerne (her first film role, in 1971; released internationally as The Headhunters), Lad isbjørnene danse (1990, Dance of the Polar Bears), Kærlighedens Smerte (1992, Pain of Love), The Celebration (1998, Festen, the first Dogme 95 film), Elsker dig for evigt og (2002, Open Hearts, also a Dogme film) and Lykkevej (Move Me, 2003).

She has also appeared in Danish television series including Lars von Trier's Riget (The Kingdom), Forsvar (Defense), and as a repeated guest star on Krøniken (Chronicles).

She has received both of Denmark's leading film awards: a Bodil for her performances in Kærlighedens smerte and Lykkevej, and a Robert for Lykkevej. In 2013, she received the Lauritzen Award.[1]

Neumann was married to Danish actor Paul Hüttel from 1974 until his death in 2025; they had one daughter.[2]

Filmography

Film

Key
†Denotes productions that have not yet been released
YearTitleRoleNotes
1992Pain of LoveKirstens mor
1998The CelebrationElse, the mother
2002Facing the TruthEli's Mother
2002Open HeartsHanne
2008DancersAnnika's Mother
2010In a Better WorldMarianne's colleague
2020Into the DarknessSara
2021The PactKaren Blixen

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2013–2024BadehotelletOlga Fjeldsø64 episodes
2022The ShiftVivi
2024ConstellationWalborg Bang1 episode

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResult
1993Bodil AwardBest Actress in a Supporting RoleKærlighedens smerte
1996Bodil AwardBest Actress in a Supporting RoleKun en pige
1996Robert AwardsBest Actress in a Supporting RoleKun en pige
1999Robert AwardsBest Actress in a Supporting RoleThe Celebration
2002Bodil AwardBest Actress in a Supporting RoleFogsvansen
2002Robert AwardsBest Actress in a Supporting RoleFogsvansen
2003Bodil AwardBest Actress in a Supporting RoleOpen Hearts
2003Robert AwardsBest Actress in a Supporting RoleOpen Hearts
2004Bodil AwardBest Actress in a Leading RoleMove Me
2004Robert AwardsBest Actress in a Leading RoleMove Me
2006Bodil AwardBest ActressSolkongen
2006Robert AwardsBest ActressSolkongen
2013Robert AwardsBest Actress in a Supporting Television RoleJulestjerner
2022Bodil AwardBest ActressThe Pact
2022Robert AwardsBest ActressThe Pact

References

  1. ^ "Birthe Neumann og Søren Malling får Lauritzen-priser". fyens.dk. 25 September 2013.
  2. ^ "Paul Hüttel fra Matador og Pyrus-julekalender er død" (in da-DK). DR. 24 October 2025. Retrieved 25 October 2025.