Ernst Rolf

He would sing while his older brother Birger played the piano. In 1906 Rolf found work at the Åhlén & Holm mail order company in Insjön, Dalarna. He made his stage debut in a performance of The Wizard of Oz, playing Dorothy in an all-male cast. In 1907 he began touring the country as a singer and comedian, quickly becoming one of Sweden's most famous and successful entertainers. During the 1920s Rolf was known for producing revues that were acclaimed for their dazzling sets, first class actors and stirring music. He was also a lyricist and composer, who wrote, for instance, the words to Finska Valsen (The Finnish Waltz) and the music for Från Frisco Till Cap (From Frisco to the Cape). He recorded his first song in 1910 and throughout his career made over eight hundred recordings. He acted in a number of films as well.

• Name — Ernst Rolf • Birth Name — Ernst Ragnar Johansson • Born — 20 January 1891 • Birthplace — Falun, Sweden • Died — 25 December 1932 • Place of death — Stockholm, Sweden • Occupation — Actor, singer, musical revue artist • Years Active — 1907–1932 • Children — Four (including Tom Rolf)

He was married three times. In 1930 his third wife, actress Tutta Rolf, appeared with him in a Scandinavian version of Paramount on Parade. The following year they had a son, Tom Rolf, who became an Academy Award-winning film editor. In spite of his success, personal and financial problems became overwhelming, and in 1932, on Christmas Eve, Rolf jumped in the frigid lake, near his vacation home on Lidingö, having consumed a large amount of barbiturates mixed with cognac a few moments prior. He survived the incident, but contracted pneumonia, which proved fatal. He was buried at Norra begravningsplatsen in Stockholm. Rolf's son from his first marriage, Sven Erik Rolf, joined the Norwegian Fascist party Nasjonal Samling and fought as a volunteer in the Waffen-SS's Norwegian Legion on the Eastern Front during World War II.

The authorities additionally record the heading Ernst Ragnar Johansson. His recorded language was Swedish. He married Tutta Rolf, Gueye Rolf and Margit Strugstad. 4 children are recorded: Sven-Erik Rolf, Lars Rolf, Tom Rolf and Ann Mari Strugstad Rolf.