Sven Melander
Sven Alarik Melander (30 October 1947 – 31 March 2022) was a Swedish journalist, comedian, television presenter and actor. He presented several shows on SVT, acted in films and theater, and presented the annual Melodifestivalen contest. Biography. Early life. Melander grew up in Malmö with his parents Alrik Melander (1907–1977) and Alice (née Mattsson 1911–1986). In 1965, Melander was a part of the Malmö FF ice hockey team; the team was victorious in the SDS-Pucken competition. Two of his teammates were Staffan Tapper and Roy Andersson. During his high school years, he befriended Björn Afzelius. In 1967, both  Melander and Afzelius were part of the hootenanyband Lille Mats. Melander studied engineering, but after graduation, he soon became interested in journalism and attended the School of Journalism in Gothenburg. In 1970, Melander interned at the newspaper "Expressen"s office in Malmö, and after graduating in 1971, he found a substitute job at the newspaper. After his period at the newspaper ended, he obtained a full-time job at the newspaper "Aftonbladet". Between working at the newspaper he worked for Radio Stockholm, and took part in the filming of his first big movie role. Work in movies and TV. In the  early 1980s, Melander established himself as an comedian and entertainer, starting with the role as Berra in Lasse Åberg's movie "Sällskapsresan" in 1980. Along with Åke Cato, Melander wrote sketches and scripts for the SVT shows "Häpnadsväktarna" in 1981 and "Vitsuellt". Along with Stina Lundberg Dabrowski, he was the television presenter for the SVT entertainment and comedy show "Nöjesmaskinen" between 1982 and 1984. In 1985, Melander presented the show "Nöjesmassakern" along with Gösta Engström, Jon Skolmen and Åke Cato, where some of his most well-known comedy sketches, such as "Werner och Werner", and "Trolle Rulle", were created. Between  1986 and 1989 Sven Melander worked for SVT was the CEO of the entertainment programmes. In 1991, he presented another comedy and entertainment show for SVT called "Tack för kaffet". Melander presented Melodifestivalen 1994, along with Kattis Ahlström. For several years, Melander presented the show "Upp till bevis" on SVT, and also sports shows for TV4, such as "Vinnare" about horse racing. In 2019, he was bestowed the honor-award for his work in television at the Kristallen-gala. In 2018, he took part in "Stjärnorna på slottet" where he shared his life's story. In 2021, he participated in  Masked Singer Sverige, singing in its first season on TV4. Theater and other work. Along with Åke Cato, Melander acted in the show "En rökare på Tobaksbolaget" in Malmö in 1991. Along with Eva Rydberg he acted in the comedy theater "Allo Allo Emliga armén", and "Lilla fransyskan" at Palladium in Malmö. He also acted the Eva Rydberg produced theater "Hemvärnets glada dagar" at Fredriksdalsteatern in Helsingborg in 2005. Between 2007 and 2008 he acted in the theater "Little Shop of Horrors" in Halmstad. He has also acted in the revue "Två bröder emellan". Melander also worked as a translator  of scripts, for example he translated Ray Cooney's revues "Hotelliggaren", "Det stannar i familjen" and "Kuta och kör". In 2016, Melander returned to his role as Berra in the musical version of Sällskapsresan at Nöjesteatern in Malmö and Chinateatern in Stockholm. Death. Melander died on 31 March 2022 after suffering from cancer, at the age of 74.