Peter Franzén Biography: Wife, Age, Net Worth, Son, Movies, Parents, Awards, Ethnicity

Peter Vilhelm Franzén, known professionally as Peter Franzén, is a Finnish actor, director, and bestselling author with a distinguished career in Nordic cinema, Hollywood, and literature.

Renowned for his intensity and versatility, he is one of Finland’s most internationally recognised actors, noted for his roles as King Harald Fairhair in Vikings (2016–2020), Reiniger in The Gunman (2015), and a war veteran in the Finnish epic Unknown Soldier (2017).

Profile

• Full Name: Peter Vilhelm Franzén
• Stage Name: Peter Franzén
• Born: 14, August 1971
• Age: 54 years old
• Birthplace: Keminmaa, Northern Finland
• Nationality: Finnish
• Occupation: Actor, Director, Author
• Height: 1.76 m
• Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Franzén
• Siblings: 2
• Spouse: Irina Björklund (m. 1996)
• Children: Diego Aaron Vilhelm Franzén
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $7 million to $9 million

Early Life and Education

Peter Franzén was born on August 14, 1971, in the small northern town of Keminmaa, Finland. He grew up in a working-class family; his father drove buses and his mother worked various jobs.

The family later moved to Helsinki when he was a teenager. Franzén discovered acting through school plays and local youth theatre. He graduated from the Theatre Academy Helsinki with a Master of Arts in Acting in 1998. He has described himself as non-religious.

Career

Peter Franzén began his professional career in Finnish theatre and television in the late 1990s, quickly gaining attention for his raw energy and physical presence.

His breakthrough film role came in A Summer by the River (1998), followed by lead performances in Ambush (1999), Bad Luck Love (2000) and the boxing drama Kaksipäisen kotkan varjossa (2005).

He made his directorial debut with Above Dark Waters (2013), adapted from his own autobiographical novel, which won several Jussi Awards.

International success arrived when he was cast as the ruthless King Harald Fairhair in History Channel’s Vikings (seasons 4–6), a role that brought him global recognition.

He went on to appear in major Hollywood productions including The Gunman (2015) with Sean Penn and Javier Bardem, Ashes in the Snow (2018), and Meander (2020).

Back home he delivered a career-defining performance as Captain Lammio in the record-breaking war epic Unknown Soldier (2017). Recent credits include the Swedish thriller Blackwater (2023) and the Finnish comedy-drama Hamsters (2024).

Peter Franzén continues to work across Finland, Scandinavia, Europe and Hollywood while maintaining an active writing career.

His three novels – Above Dark Waters (2010), Behind the Eyes (2012) and The Man Who Died Twice (2016) – have all been bestsellers in Finland.

He remains one of the most bankable and respected Finnish actors on the world stage.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @peterfranzenofficial
• Facebook Handle: Peter Franzén

Personal Life

Peter Franzén has been married to acclaimed Finnish actress Irina Björklund since 1996. The couple met while studying at the Theatre Academy and have one son, Diego Aaron Vilhelm, born in 2007.

They divide their time between Los Angeles, Helsinki and the Finnish countryside. Franzén is known for his love of nature, ice swimming, boxing and motorcycling.

He has been open about overcoming a difficult childhood and early struggles with alcohol, crediting family and acting for giving him stability.

Filmography

• A Summer by the River (1998)
• Ambush (1999)
• Bad Luck Love (2000)
• Rollo and the Spirit of the Woods (2001)
• Names in Marble (2002)
• The Gunman (2015)
• Unknown Soldier (2017)
• Ashes in the Snow (2018)
• Meander (2020)
• The Wheel of Time (2023, guest)
• Hamsters (2024)

Television (major series)

• Vikings (2016–2020)
• Blackwater (2023)
• Helsinki Syndrome (2022)

Net Worth

Peter Franzén has an estimated net worth of $7 million to $9 million. His wealth comes from a combination of high-profile Hollywood and European film salaries, long-running royalties from Vikings, bestselling book sales, directing fees, and real-estate holdings in Finland and the United States.