Trivia

Moved to the U.S. permanently in 1995 with her husband Lasse Hallström as their international careers developed separately, and they have since lived in Bedford, New York. However, they still have their summer house in Sweden, located in the Swedish province of Skåne) where the family spends their summer holidays, as well as an apartment in Stockholm.

Before becoming an actress, Lena worked both as a substitute teacher in languages, and as a hospital nurse; she first studied medicine at university back in Sweden.

Was a top student. Graduated with 4.9 average in her graduation scores (the highest in Sweden at that point was 5.0). After failing twice in the test for drama school, she began to study medicine at university to become a doctor. However, she was convinced by Ingmar Bergman (who had directed her father in several films and watched Lena play amateur theater) to try a third time. She did and was admitted, and gave up medicine.

Daughter of actor Stig Olin and actress Britta Holmberg.

Lena studied the course of Classic Humanities with Latin as her major language in the Swedish equivalent to senior high school/upper secondary education (1971-1974). Later she also extended her course for half a year with the subjects of Maths, Physics, and Chemistry, as it was necessary for her medicine studies at university.

Considered for the role of Catwoman in Batman Returns (1992).

Lena has said in a Swedish interview that contact with others got her to act, even very early as a child, describing it as "an uncontrolled need of contact" and to "invent things": She remembers when she was seven and in love with a boy and staged an argument with him and then acted out a faked concussion. She got carried home as he apparently believed her. It ended with him coming home to her with apples and Andy Pandy books.

Is one of four Swedish actresses to be nominated for an Academy Award. The others are Greta Garbo, Ingrid Bergman, and Ann-Margret. The only Swedish actor to be nominated is Max von Sydow.

For the role of Masha in Enemies, A Love Story (1989), she received the New York Film Critics Award for Best Actress as well as an Academy Award nomination.

Failed twice--both times in the very last test--two years in a row before she was accepted the third time at Sweden's prestigious National Theatre Academy (Teaterhögskolan) in 1976.

Has a son F. Auguste Rahmberg (b. 1986) with former boyfriend Örjan Ramberg and a daughter Tora Hallström (b. 1995) with husband Lasse Hallström.

Member of Sweden's Royal Dramatic Theatre (1980-1994).

Has a fine singing voice. Recorded, a.o., Swedish song "Människors glädje" (written and composed by her father Stig Olin) and Swedish country/folk tune "Sommarbrevet (Jag skrev ett brev)" in the 1970s (Polar Music, Sweden).

Younger sister of singer Mats Olin.

Reprising her role as the duplicitous "Irina Derevko" for the season finale of Alias (2001). (April 2005)

National Theatre Academy; Stockholm, Sweden (1976-1979).

Member of the "Official Competition" jury at the 45th Venice International Film Festival in 1988.

Stepmother of Lasse Hallström's son Johan Hallström.

Is one of five Swedish actresses to be nominated for a Golden Globe award. The others are Ingrid Bergman, Anita Ekberg, Ann-Margret, and Rebecca Ferguson.

Stated in a May 2005 interview with "TV Guide" that, along with her appearances in the final two episodes of Season 4 of Alias (2001), she is open to appearing in Season 5 as well.

Member of the "Official Competition" jury at the 51st Cannes International Film Festival in 1998.

Considered for the role of Maria Ruskin in The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990).