Björn Andrésen — a man who became a prisoner of his own beauty 0 7

Who is Björn Andrésen

Björn Andrésen is a Swedish actor and musician, remembered by the world as "the most beautiful boy in the world." His unusual appearance — tall, fragile, with soft facial features and light hair — became a model of male beauty not only in Europe but also in Japan, where he inspired a whole generation of manga and anime artists.

Childhood and Path to Fame

The future star's life began with difficulties. He never knew his father, and his mother committed suicide when he was ten years old. His upbringing was taken over by his grandparents, and his childhood was spent in a boarding school. His grandmother persistently pushed her grandson towards an acting career — she dreamed of him becoming famous.

His natural attractiveness quickly opened doors for Björn in cinema. But true success came in 1971 when Italian director Luchino Visconti chose him for the film "Death in Venice," calling him "the most beautiful boy in the world."

Japanese Adoration and the Cult of "Bishōnen"

After the film's release, Björn became incredibly popular in Japan. His image perfectly fit the aesthetics of "bishōnen" — a refined, beautiful young man who became a symbol of an entire movement in Japanese culture.

Andrésen's face became a prototype for numerous manga and anime characters, including heroes in the works of Hayao Miyazaki. His features — softness, mystery, a hint of melancholy — became a standard of beauty for many artists.

The Price of Fame

However, behind the external glamour lay personal tragedy. Andrésen later said, "Visconti's film ruined my life." In Japan, he faced pressure, being forced to participate in public events and take pills to cope with the hectic schedule.

He also recalled feeling discomfort from the sexualized perception of his image by the director and the public. He later admitted, "When I watch the film now, I realize how that person sexualized me."

To escape the imposed stereotypes, Andrésen avoided roles that emphasized his appearance or hinted at homoerotic themes.

Later Years and Family Tragedy

Björn lived in Stockholm, pursued music, and occasionally acted in films. His personal life was not easy. From his marriage to Susanna Roman, he had a daughter, Robin, but his son, Elvin, died in infancy from sudden infant death syndrome. This loss plunged the actor into deep depression, from which he could never fully recover.

In 2021, a documentary about his fate was released, showing the other side of the cult of "the most beautiful boy in the world" — the story of a man who never wanted to be an icon.

Source: tsn